RE: [Paddlewise] Kahuna - first impressions

From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 19:26:13 +1000
Ralph wrote
>When wiggling the crossrib into position, make
>certain that the gunwale bars ride up on the top
>surface of the cross rib rather than fall down to the
>sides below where you need to make the connection.

G'Day Ralph, Elias and Alex,

Ralph, your advice worked superbly - Once I used your method, that step in
the assembly became effortless and only took a minute compared with
yesterdays 1 hour. The assembly time today, while checking the instruction
book every step of the way, was half an hour at a very leisurely pace. That
time will easily drop to 20 minutes or less. Feathercraft could usefully
change their instruction book to incorporate your method.

Elias, I'll try the clamp idea and you were right the valves stayed on
during todays 40km trip, although the sponsons were pretty flabby by the
finish.

Alex, I think I might go back to a mesh deck bag as you suggest. The sea
sock works for me in that by keeping the interior dry  the total drying time
is greatly reduced - though I like the idea of waiting for a bit more beer.
just as well I'm using public transport:~).

I took it out again today and for the first 30km found I could paddle it at
4.5 mph, which is slightly faster than the hardshells I've tried including
Pittarak, Raider X, Squall. The last 10km my speed dropped to 4mph which was
about the same as the hard shells. I was very suprised and pleased.

Manoeuverability and tracking were great and the skeg didn't seem to be
necessary

I've heard back channel that the Kahuna can handle 2 to 4m sea. I'm totally
convinced of the Kahuna's strength but wasn't sure about how such a light
and quite small boat would handle in those sorts of seas. It was very
obvious yesterday that it performs well in strong wind.

I am very impressed with the boat and thanks to everyones feedback will
almost certainly buy it.

Thank you again! All the best, PeterO


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Received on Sun Sep 28 2003 - 02:31:24 PDT

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