>I'd like to hear any opinions - based either on experience or gut-level intuition - ...it is a kevlar lay up hull with a neoprene deck - which incorporates 48" zippers for access to the hatch areas - manuf claims the boats weigh in at about 36 lbs. Interesting concept but several issues come to mind: ISTM that a full kevelar shell structure should be lighter for the same strength, so you either sacrifice strength, or it is heavier than it needs to be (or more costly since better detailing and higher strength materials are necessary to get the same strength). It also seems that there is a great risk of leaking from damage and wear to the deck arrangement, or with a more durable deck installation, you would add weight and cost. Of course they may have optimized the structural design to get the light weight without sacrificing strength, but that is a skill way beyond the ability of most kayak manufactures, though it is possible. ISTM that for long distance travel in remote areas you want as simple and durable a watercraft as possible (as well as all your other equipment). There is a tendency among wilderness travelers to bring too many gadgets and fancy gear that does not hold up during extended trips. My ideal wilderness "kit" is basic, simple, reliable, and nothing more than I need. Anything more complicated than a knife and a sweater will eventually fail, and I really hate spending my afternoons and mornings unpacking and packing all the unnecessary junk. Peter *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Peter Chopelas wrote: >> I'd like to hear any opinions - based either on experience or >> gut-level intuition - ...it is a kevlar lay up hull with a neoprene >> deck - which incorporates 48" zippers for access to the hatch >> areas - manuf claims the boats weigh in at about 36 lbs. > > Interesting concept but several issues come to mind: ISTM that a > full kevelar shell structure should be lighter for the same strength, > so you either sacrifice strength, or it is heavier than it needs to > be ... > There is a tendency among wilderness travelers to bring too many > gadgets and fancy gear that does not hold up during extended trips. > My ideal wilderness "kit" is basic, simple, reliable, and nothing more > than I need. Anything more complicated than a knife and a sweater > will eventually fail, and I really hate spending my afternoons and > mornings unpacking and packing all the unnecessary junk. I think the point of this design is not that it's so light, although it is pretty light, it's that it has 48" hatches. If all you carry is a sweater and a knife, you can unpack, carry, and repack pretty quickly through a 9" VCP hatch. I usually have a tent, sleeping bag, cook kit, stove, and food (I'm not a very good fisherman), etc. Unpacking and repacking that through a small hatch multiple times a day sucks......up a lot of paddling time. Canoeists have that single large hatch, so they use 5000 cu in Duluth packs and unload their boats in 2 seconds. I think this hybrid is an attempt to make the kayaker's life as easy as the canoeists, at least in situations where multiple carries are involved. This boat is probably not the first choice for exposed crossings, but it wasn't designed to be. -- Steve Cramer (who paddles so he doesn't have to walk) Athens, GA *************************************************************************** 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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