Hatches add to the cost and to assembly time. They are really unnecessary as you can load gear via the cockpit as has been done for over 90 years with other folding kayaks. If you do decide to get hatches, just get the rear one not one toward the bow. You can easily load the bow area from the cockpit and the bow hatch sticks up and gets spray in your face. ralph diaz ----- Original Message ----- From: "PeterO" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au> Subject: [Paddlewise] Kahuna hatches > G'Day, > Can anyone give an opinion on how necessary or useful the optional hatches > for the Kahuna are for packing for weekend camping trips? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day, I'm going with the balance of recommendation to not bother with hatches, which was also my preference because of the cleaner lines of the unhatched boat, slightly faster assembly speed and less risk of leakage. Leakage correlates with drying time for me so thats a major consideration. I learn't today that there is an organisation, which for a small price will plant the exact number of trees to compensate for the CO2 from my car, it is infinitely cheaper than the Kahuna and public transport but I've grown to really enjoy public transport:~). So I ordered the boat anyway (it is very comfortable) and expect to be on the water in a Kahuna in a few weeks. Thanks everyone for all the advice, which has been coming to me for more than a year when I first started to think about this. This leaves the last, most critical and difficult question. How do I apply the boats name to the fabric? (I never did this for the Klepper - but it still has a name.) All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> I'm going with the balance of recommendation to not bother with hatches, > which was also my preference because of the cleaner lines of the unhatched > boat, slightly faster assembly speed and less risk of leakage. Leakage > correlates with drying time for me so thats a major consideration. You'll do fine without hatches when loading - though loading may take longer time and more yoga-like positions, and you'll also have to grow your fingers longer to grab bags tips when unloading (or tie up some ropes to pull bags out). When I put sail mast through the rear hatch, I can't load or unload anything through it, so cargo goes through the cockpit anyway. Still I can put my hand through this hatch and re-arrange the cargo or grab those bags in the stern end. Bow hatch is small and I can only put hand through to re-arrange the cargo better or to pull it towards the cockpit. Convenience with hatches is susbtantial, and decrease in seaworthiness/performance is much less, if any. They don't leak, though my waters are less windy than Australia shoreline. You may find diagrams of hatches in Assembling Manual at F-craft website. It has 2 barriers of protection - lid and rolled-up closure like those in drybags, so it's pretty much watertight. Once I had my bow hatch lid ripped of by the waves (was not lost, hanging on its cord), but due to roll-up closure it didn't leak. > I learn't today that there is an organisation, which for a small price will > plant the exact number of trees to compensate for the CO2 from my car, it is > infinitely cheaper than the Kahuna and public transport but I've grown to > really enjoy public transport:~). I love public transport, especially flights heading south from were I live. Taxi and bus drivers also enjoy Kahuna more than heavier and bulkier boats. Alex. *************************************************************************** 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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