Chris Cook asked: >>>>>>>I run a couple of 80s Islander kayaks. I tried to find a current supplier and was told the moulds had gone to the states. The only thing I found was a sit on top..not a sea kayak any one out there any knowledge be gratefull<<<<<<<< Here's what I've got: Islander Kayaks is a Watermark Co. (Perception, Dagger, Yakima, etc.) aimed at the broad casual recreation market. They bought the "Islander" name from Ed Friedman of Dragonworks after they started using it and he claimed trademark rights. Ed bought the rights to the Islander design from Wye in the UK. Last I heard, a few years ago maybe, Ed may have gotten the molds back (see below) because he called me when he was shopping them around looking for a buyer for them. I'm not aware of it if he found one. Ed would be the best person to contact about this. If he can't be contacted at the number below you could try some of the directories on the internet such as www.anywho.com (I think that's the URL) DRAGONWORKS:Ed Friedman RR#1, Box 1186,(42 Stevens Rd.--98PBG & W99PD), Bowdoinham, ME 04008, (207) 666-8481 (W93CKI--being built under license by Martin Tooling & Laminates (TOL) of Freeport, ME--which owns Lincoln Canoes (LCN), vacuum-bagged, foam cored, about 45 lb.)(in 1995 builder became Newhall Boatworks (NHW)--a former employee of Martin Tooling, but reportedly he couldn't make enough boats to satisfy the demand and with 60 hours of labor in each kayak he was unprofitable) (uscg--Martin Tooling & Laminates, Rt. 2, Box 106, Freeport, ME 04032 (207)865-0455, co. official: Francis A. (Sandy) Martin, registered 1/88; Newhall Boat Works, 24 Pearl St., Biddeford, ME 04005 (207)286-9403, co. official: Stephen Hamilton, registered 3/95, out-of business by 4/99--mail returned no forwarding address-- says US Coast Guard) Dragonworks made two models that were slight modifications of the original Wye design: Islander SE (17-0) (SE=small entry)(rear deck lowered & keels deepened and sharpened from British version-the Wye Islander-in about 1989 and a large VCP replaced small VCP on the back deck) Islander ME (17-0) (ME=Medium Entry)(made from Dragonworks Islander SE but with a longer cockpit, higher front deck and an bigger--oval VCP--bow hatch) Both were no longer made after 1998 I hope this helps you. 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Nov 22 2002 - 20:50:08 PST
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