PeterO wrote: >>>>>>>>>>My boat is called a Pittarak, not normally available in the US as far as I know. Some people have said that it looks like an Icefloe but I don't think it paddles like one as it is easily manoeuvred. Its most distinctive features are a narrow and upturned bow which helps when going out though surf and a hull design which combines reasonable tracking with ease of turning and stability in rough water. In describing the Icefloe Derek Hutchinson's book has the phrase "turning is made much easier if you can take advantage of a wave passing under" which suggests to me that the Ice floe may be relatively hard to turn. I've never seen an Icefloe except in Derek Hutchinson's book. Rather than make that comparison it would probably be more useful to show you my boat. http://home.iprimus.com.au/rebyl_kayak/ <<<<<<< I see my notes on the Pittarak have one knowledgeable informant telling me that it is a modified Icefloe. Your pictures of your Pittarak confirm that it has a very close resemblance to the Icefloe (but with the keel is cut away more at the bow and also some at the stern compared to the Icefloe). Since these are also the hull changes that resulted in Derek's Fjord and Orion models (that date back to 1987 and earlier) it is hard to know which original model has been modified and how much. What year was the Pittarak first produced? (All I know is that it was before 1998). If it was a modified Icefloe it is interesting to note that Derek (or somebody at P&H) made similar modifications to the Icefloe hull as well in making the Fjord and Orion models. You are correct in your assumption (intuition? or interpretation?), the Icefloe was one of the slowest turning kayaks of the six hundred or so odd sea kayaks I have timed. The hatches on your Pittarak are more like the hatches on the Gulfstream (another Icefloe derivative I believe). Have Kevin send you some old Icefloe pictures to see the deck differences there. The old Icefloe pump location and remnants of the recessed channel just in front of the cockpit appear from your picture to remain in some reduced or modified form on the Pittarak (but are no longer on the Gulfstream). I've been unable to find pictures of the Fjord or Orion to see their deck layouts. Several modifications to the deck (like the peaked deck behind the rear hatch and the peaked deck with drop off aft of the bow hatch are unique additions on the Pittarak. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** 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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