Re: [Paddlewise] Boat For A Family of Four

Seda is coming out with a new model soon called the Amigo. I've been trying
to get them to build this kayak for 6 years now so I'm glad to see it is
finally happening. It is a big single 18' or so long and 25.5" wide that can
fit a big paddler as an expedition single kayak but the front hatch can also
become a front cockpit to make it into a day paddling double (suitable for a
paddler at least up to 120 pounds if not more if the stern paddler is
heavier). When I tested the prototype a couple of weeks ago 120 pounds was
how heavy the bow paddler was, I'm 195 pounds. The idea was to have a day
paddling double that was small enough to be handled by one paddler so that a
totally non-paddler could ride in the front (your dog, your kid, your
grandmother) as well allowing a smaller paddler paddling it as a double. It
should be ready pretty soon and might be one way to take one or even two
kids along (the biggest in the bow cockpit/hatch and the smaller between
your legs and resting their head on your belly or sitting on your lap and
paddling with hands on the paddle just inside yours). I used to take my
daughters out in a 20.5" kayak this way and they learned to paddle by just
doing what I was doing with the paddle (with their hands just inside mine)
while they sat on my lap. 10 or 15 minutes was my limit for having a kid sit
on my thighs so when that got too difficult to me they could slip down
between my legs and sit on a cushion that was in front of my seat.
Obviously, some capsize drills with help standing by would be in order
before paddling this way.

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com

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