Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

Sittin’ with the fat man
Tryin’ to get a loan
Talkin’ about horses
And the women that we’ve known
– randy newman

The Hatteras by Impex is 16 foot long and 22.5 inches wide.  It looks wider.  According to the website it is designed to be “playful” while not sacrificing tracking, and at the same time accommodate larger paddlers who may or may not know what they are doing in big conditions, while making them feel confident wherever they happen to be in their own personal “ability spectrum”. I think that’s the gist. Read the rest of this entry »

The P&H Cetus comes in standard &  low volume versions.  Soon it will be available in a mid-size as well. The Cetus MV project is aimed at folks in the 160-220 lb range.  Yeah, that is sort of the average guy size range.  It’s certainly true that the original Cetus (see “original coke”, & “original or extra crispy”)  is just fine for most average sized paddlers but for some the MV will be a bit more tuned in.  You can’t complain about having options.  As coaches we’re always on about boat fit, and a mid-size version will provide a better fitting Cetus for many paddlers.  For some this will mean better, easier and more precise boat control than they would have had without the MV version.  Personally I see lots of advantages to smaller boats as it is, especially for those of us who are not circumnavigating Africa regularly.  Read the rest of this entry »

Well the dawn was coming, / Heard him ringing on my bell.
He said, “my names the teacher, / That is what I call myself.
– tull

Thumbs Up! I say that now because honestly I get really board reading long-winded reviews when all I needed was a gladiatorial thumbs up or thumbs down. So if you’re looking for the Circus Maximus version of my Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown review its, “Thumbs Up”. Gordon Lives!!

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Advance glance at the new P&H Delphin to come out sometime around christmas.

Right now the P&H Custom Sea Kayaks new Delphin is a bit of an X-Boat.  You have to sneak onto a secret base somewhere in the UK to see one.  Well, not really.  It feels like it though.  Thankfully we have a couple advance shots to share. Now what I want to show you here is the upturned hull.  (No skegs in this shot!).  The Delphin has a bit of a white water edge for carving in surf and some planing areas as well which should make it a really fun boat.  Yet even with the racy hull, the kayak is intended to be a good all around, even “beginners” kayak. We’ll see. Reports are that there will still be modifications. Possibly a change in the rocker and there is that whole skeg thing to think about…

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Still paddling the Episea in 2009

It was 2006 when we first bought Gryphon his Episea Kayak at the Inland Sea Sea Kayaking Symposium in Washburn, WI.  I wrote about that original purchase here.  Here we are nearing the end of 2009 and Gryphon, now 8 years old,  is still paddling the EPI.  The upside is that as each year passes he can better control it.  The quality of the boat is great.  It’s still in great shape and the bow flotation bag still holds air perfectly.  The only problem has been the back hatch cover which screws in tightly but tends to get jammed up by sand and dirt. Oh well.  That’s such a minor hang up for a kayak that can take your child through their early paddling years.

EPI Kayaks – Episea 1100 Touring Kayak

Just for a change I took my P&H Scorpio down the Wisconsin river yesterday.  The Scorpio as you know is the plastic version of P&H’s very cool Cetus.  As it happened a couple on the trip had custom ordered 2 Cetus’ from P&H and were excited to be getting them next month.  I’ve chatted and paddled with the couple a few times on Rutabaga events so they were happy to tell me all about their new kayaks and where they hoped the new boats would lead.  Congratulations!

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What’s new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What’s new pussycat? Woah, Woah
Pussycat, Pussycat
You’re so thrilling
And I’m so willing
To care for you.
– tom jones

Oh man.. While we here in the great white north try to squeeze in a few more day paddles before the snow flies and the water freezes,  some shops are already contemplating next year’s orders and manufacturers are crossing the ‘t’s on their new kayaks and kit!  It’s just the way of things.  How many days until Christmas?

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