Sea Kayakers, A few months ago, I found a used 1995 Arctic Hawk at a reasonable price and bought it. I had tried the model briefly at expos and liked it. However, when I took the one I bought in the ocean with waves and wind, I was disappointed to find that the kayak weathercocked horribly. Also, the kayak pulled to the left, and when I checked the keel line, I saw there was a hook just behind the bow. I didn't find the seat very comfortable after 2 hours either. I thought about selling it to pass it on to the next sucker, but I really loved the styling and proportions of this Greenland type kayak. So I decided to put my experience of building three kayaks and designing one to use. I started by grinding away the gelcoat along the bow and stern portions of the keel line for a good bound with the epoxy I was going to apply there. I filled in the hollow in the hook at the bow with fiberglass and epoxy to make the keel even on both sides and to stop the pull to the left. At the stern, I modified the hull by building up a rail of epoxy and fiberglass along the keel line for a length of about 3 1/2 feet. This rail tapered up to a max height of 1 inch towards the stern. This modification is similar to how the Mariner kayaks and the Nordkapp HM have a skeggy and straighter keel line from behind the seat and aft. The purpose of this rail is too balance the kayak in the wind so it won't weathercock. As for the seat, I yanked it out and replaced it with a custom one that I carved from a 3" thick block of foam. After tuning the hull, the sea kayak is handling great. I just can't understand why I had to take care of these problems rather than the designer or manufacturer. Duane Strosaker Southern California *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Duane, I haven't decided if my technique is bad, or I'm used to "no" rocker Brit boats, but your description is timely. I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I don't have the initial problems you did, but I'm glad to see this is a viable option. Any other less permanent options you considered along the way? Kevin from At the stern, I modified the hull by building up a rail of epoxy and fiberglass along the keel line for a length of about 3 1/2 feet. This rail tapered up to a max height of 1 inch towards the stern. After tuning the hull, the sea kayak is handling great. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Duane, I haven't decided if my technique is bad, or I'm used to "no" rocker Brit boats, but your description is timely. I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I don't have the initial problems you did, but I'm glad to see this is a viable option. Any other less permanent options you considered along the way? Kevin from At the stern, I modified the hull by building up a rail of epoxy and fiberglass along the keel line for a length of about 3 1/2 feet. This rail tapered up to a max height of 1 inch towards the stern. After tuning the hull, the sea kayak is handling great. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 5/14/2002 9:50:29 AM Pacific Standard Time, Kevin writes: > Any other less permanent options you considered > along the way? > Kevin, I did consider installing a surfboard skeg box, which would allow me to put a skeg on or take it off, but the skeg could get damaged in surf landings. I wanted a more durable set up, so I went with modifying the hull. Duane Strosaker Southern California *************************************************************************** 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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