Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:06:21 -0700 From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com> Subject: [Paddlewise] Innovations in sea kayak designs I've been mulling over the thread that rotated around the video "a conversation with Derek Hutchinson" and some of the comments. Derek Hutchinson has said that he thinks design innovation in sea kayaking is moribund, if not dead, and this got me to thinking... clip I find this exciting and the trend towards customizing a boat for purpose and size exciting... clip Your comments and ideas are encouraged. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA Hi Craig, You've shared some excellent thoughts here... Off the shelf kayaks, fit off the shelf paddlers. This isn't intended as a dirogatory or snide comment. The majority of body shapes fit into the normal range of kayaks, mass-produced to keep the price competitive. Doubtful that the huge fleet of kayaks sold every spring; that hide behind garden sheds, or are tucked discretely into car-ports see the extended range of paddling conditions that some (the minority?) prefer. In the minority are people like myself - built 'funny' and needing a special kayak - fit and function over pedigree. I had to go well outside 'the norm' to find my ideal paddle in a sea-kayak. I don't see enough of a niche market developing in the sea-kayaking world to convince the very big business of kayak production to custom build kayaks, one at a time. Proper padding-out/customizing/cockpit fittting by/for the end-user however, is rarely emphasized by kayak dealers. Probably because they've found it unprofitable. I don't understand this because it can make a HUGE difference in the way a kayak and paddler work together. I do understand how tough it is to run a successful business in the shark tank. Decisions need to be about profit, not service. Good to see that some dealers out there are willing to put the time into what can be a difficult, time consuming, and highly personal and subjective process. I wish them the best, I really do, but I can't see the majority who are supporting this industry, and who are experts at getting the best price, spending the coin. It's a shame as a properly fitted 'bad design' will outperform a sloppy fitting 'good design' every time... ...about innovations. I think it's about time we start looking back at the roots of our sport for 'improvements' in hull design. Storm-hungry multi-chined Aleutian Baidarkas, low profile East and South Greenland speed machines, flat-bottomed West Greenland playboats. The kayak has developed too far from it's intended use to address a consumer perceived flaw in it's design. Seems every design I see on the tops of cars these days, takes our beloved, and occasionally (delightfully) wet kayaks, and tries to make them into little 'Queen Mary's. The trade promotes this as an improvement over primitive designs, and if I was standing in a shop making comparisons, the slew of bad 'recreational' designs would seem to support this. Personally I'd like to see more folks starting in simpler, longer, narrower kayaks, with lower decks, that have been fitted, and fit them properly. Paddling a barge just ain't fun... and fun is what it's all about. ~~daniel~ *************************************************************************** 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 Mon Apr 20 2009 - 12:34:11 PDT
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