Second First Impression
Published January 11, 2006 | 
If this is love you’ve got to give me more,
give me more, hey hey hey, give me more. – lennon-mccartney
You know how it is with first impressions, but I can’t help but at least mention Swedish Kayak Manufacturers, Skim Kayaks! The first time I came across their website was about a year ago and I was more than a little enamored. The first thing you notice of course is the funky paint job. Cool!, a kayak with racing stripes! Then as I dug around a bit I started to see that they were doing a pretty good job at covering all the bases a sea kayaker might expect. Lots of nice little details. I’m especially impressed with the tow rig placement. Now that was designed by someone who’s climbed up on their back deck before! Getting that cleat off the back deck would be a God-send! Other little details include;
- recessed skeg control with protected wire
- hatches secured internally
- tilted aft bulkhead to get the water out easily
- rescue straps for paddle float recoveries (we just talked about that!)
- plastic beads on some of the bugies right off! (easier to grab)
- nice low flat rear deck. (I should probably call this a really big detail!)
Right now they have just a couple models, the Skim Distance which is 19’2 with a 17’6 waterline. The width is just a bit under my Explorer at 20.9, and it weighs about 55lbs. It sure looks to be a fast expediton boat. The other is the Dex which is just over 16 feet and has an ocean style cockpit no less! It’s like a play boat for control freaks! The Dex is intended to be a nimble little play boat that can handle weekend trips as well. I’d love to get the dex out and give it a go in surf.
What inspired me to write about SKIM was the fact that they put a giant ad in SeaKayaker’s last issue which expectedly spawned a discussion on one of the message boards about US distributors. So I had to ask! The answer to that question is that SKIM is expecting to have a US distributor in the near future. We need to keep an eye on their “contact page” on the website. From there maybe we’ll get an opportunity to paddle their boats. I sure hope they are as awesome to paddle as they look resting on the beach. Until then, we can just fantasize that this is the “do everything” kayak we’ve all looked for. . and hey, wouldn’t that be great!??
Visit Skim Kayaks at http://www.skimkayaks.se/
or in English at http://www.skimkayaks.com
*Photos provided by Skim Kayaks. Used by kind permission. Thank you!
Related Posts:
7 Responses to Second First Impression
Wow, that recessed jam cleat in the picture is a really well thought out idea! I’d love to try those kayaks out as well.
Now be honest, would you rather try these kayaks out or a Rockpool kayak? The Rockpool does appeal to the anglophile in you!
You’d think that would’nt you!? Right this minute I know more about the Skim boats. I’m a little put off by the high front desk on the Rockpools. Like the paint jobs though. However, until you get them in the water it’s all just guessing.
Hmm… stars vs. racing stripes… that’s a tough one! I actually like the looks of the Rockpool Alaw and Alaw Bach kayaks. Even though as a Greenland style kayaker I’m all for low foredecks, I find the lines really striking and beautiful. Maybe I’m just being conned by the glitter paint but they really stand out.
hmmm, Maybe I should see if we could get some more rockpool pictures . . . And while I’m at it, see if we can get someone to send us a demo boat !!!!!
Staying with the Anglofile theme. . .
NOT BLOODY LIKELY!!!!
I have been trying to get one delivered to the US apparently he only shipped one here and good luck trying to get a shipper to pick up a 20foot 50 lb kayak. Any help let me know. litmus101@yahoo.com
I sent an email to Skim about two weeks ago and inquired about U.S. dealers. I received a reply yesterday (2-22-06). They indicated that they were working on getting a stateside dealer and hope to have Skim kayaks available on the East coast later this year. No indication as to who they might be dealing with. We’ll see.
Check with Silbs-I will tell him when I have the Skim Dex