Richard Best wrote >Anyway, in the end I bought the Kahuna. It's a >remarkable kayak: very portable, easy assembly >with a bit of practice, comfortable, stable and >quite fast enough G'Day, Richard and paddlewise, You mentioned your favourable experience with the Kahuna and this leads me to ask a few questions also. Maybe you can help? I've heard many good reports on this boat and have frequently been tempted to buy it except for one bad report from a local who was desperately disappointed because one of the ribs cut into his legs making it almost unbearably uncomfortable for him. As I'm still tempted and don't have access to try one out, can anyone tell me if this boat is likely to fit a 6 foot 1.5 inch 11 stone male. Also is it suitable for up to 20 knots wind and/or 2 metre sea (i.e grade 3 conditions by the NSWKC standards). Also how long does it take to assemble, disassemble, clean and stow away on an average day? All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 29 Oct 2001, PeterO wrote: > G'Day, Richard and paddlewise, > > You mentioned your favourable experience with the Kahuna and this leads me > to ask a few questions also. Maybe you can help? I've heard many good > reports on this boat and have frequently been tempted to buy it except for > one bad report from a local who was desperately disappointed because one of > the ribs cut into his legs making it almost unbearably uncomfortable for > him. As I'm still tempted and don't have access to try one out, can anyone > tell me if this boat is likely to fit a 6 foot 1.5 inch 11 stone male. Also > is it suitable for up to 20 knots wind and/or 2 metre sea (i.e grade 3 > conditions by the NSWKC standards). Also how long does it take to assemble, > disassemble, clean and stow away on an average day? > > All the best, PeterO Hi, Some of the past postings on the K-Light (and Kahuna) are accessible at Paddlewise archives: http://www.paddlewise.net/topics/foldingkayak/k-light.html Reinhold Weber *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dear Peter and all, Feathercraft make plastic tabs that velcro onto the crossribs if they dig into your legs. I don't use them, but the Khatsalano I tried had them, and they really felt comfortable. I'm 5' 10" and find the Kahuna quite comfortable, after finding the position for the seat sling that suits me best. I haven't been out in conditions as challenging as 2m waves etc. so I can't comment! It takes me 30 minutes to assemble, though I think I will reduce that with practice, and probably half that to disassemble. I spent about half an hour at home fussing over it, cleaning it up, and roll the skin back up later once it's dry. Best wishes, Richard *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
* You mentioned your favourable experience with the Kahuna and this leads me * to ask a few questions also. Maybe you can help? I've heard many good * reports on this boat and have frequently been tempted to buy it except for * one bad report from a local who was desperately disappointed * because one of * the ribs cut into his legs making it almost unbearably uncomfortable for * him. As I'm still tempted and don't have access to try one out, can anyone * tell me if this boat is likely to fit a 6 foot 1.5 inch 11 stone * male. Also * is it suitable for up to 20 knots wind and/or 2 metre sea (i.e grade 3 * conditions by the NSWKC standards). Also how long does it take to * assemble, * disassemble, clean and stow away on an average day? * * All the best, PeterO * PeterO, I'm a 6'0" 190-lb paddler (I don't know that in stones) who recently bought a used Kahuna. It is my first boat, and I have to say that though I have little experience with many other boats, I'm quite happy with it. It moves very easily in the water, and is a very cozy fit (this is a normal, not a Big, Kahuna). I take it apart after every paddle, and assembly time is down to a leisurely 20-25 minutes. I bought it from a local dealer specifically because I could take a class in a demo boat and because he showed me how to assemble and disassemble it. The Feathercraft video is ok (and endearingly Canadian), but there is no substitute for the reinforcement of seeing the actual boat being assembled close up. It took me awhile to get used to the sea sock, but in chilly weather it gives the boat a pleasant sleeping-bag-like feel. The foot pedals do not feel as secure as I would like, especially through the sea sock (there was an article on fixing this in the last Folding Kayaker Newsletter, though no particularly elegant solutions [sorry]). I haven't had any problems with the ribs cutting into my legs, but the seat is remarkably adjustable and I have yet to identify what configuration corresponds to lumbar bliss (I got it once). The backpack is a bit heavier than I expected, and the straps aren't comparable to a typical hiking pack for comfort and fit, but being 6'0" tall is a bonus here because I CAN carry it fairly easily through the subways without a cart. It weathercocks a little, but nothing that can't be corrected by leaning. Can't tell you about the 20 knot winds and 2-meter seas yet. That, with many caveats, is my review... Best, Severn Clay *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
PeterO: I'm 5'11" and 145 lb. and just acquired a Kahuna this year. I like it a lot. It's light and takes maybe 30 minutes to assemble. I suspect the assembly time can be shortened to just over 20 minutes with practice. I've only had it out in 15 knot winds and 3 foot waves, but it handled well. I found it easier to maneuver than my old Skerray (probably due to weight and length considerations. The biggest pleasant surprise for me has been the seat--very comfortable. I do have to pack a couple things beside my hips to reduce a tendency to slide to the side in the seat, though. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "drsm" <drsm_at_iserv.net>> I'm 5'11" and 145 lb. and just acquired a Kahuna this year. I like it a lot. > It's light and takes maybe 30 minutes to assemble. I suspect the assembly > time can be shortened to just over 20 minutes with practice. I've only had > it out in 15 knot winds and 3 foot waves, but it handled well. I found it > easier to maneuver than my old Skerray (probably due to weight and length > considerations. The biggest pleasant surprise for me has been the seat--very > comfortable. I do have to pack a couple things beside my hips to reduce a > tendency to slide to the side in the seat, though. Feathercraft has an accessory, Hip Fit Kit, that provides hip padding for those who feel they are sliding around in the seat or want to have extra hold for rolling. ralph diaz *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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