Products Product Home Page
Dealer and Account Info dealer and account info
Logout 
Login Information 
Paddling Notes
Search
Boats that work... kayaks evolved for the purpose of working in cold water and keeping the paddler (pilot) warm. No sit on tops evolved in the Arctic. Speed and capability - the ability to control the boat, to brace, to roll, to support a harpoon throw are all parts of that capability.
In 2011, as I write this, there are many boats being built, many choices one can make. But the measure of capability remains at essence to the why and what of the boat to be chosen.
Just as a paddler chooses their boat, a builder makes many choices in the process of design. One works with the materials available and shapes a boat to best fill the short list of what is being designed. At times the shortlist may include carrying capacity, stability and speed (Kodiak) while others it will be whitewater maneuverability, surfacing, strength and control (Pure). Other manufacturers have chosen to make boats at the lowest price or the highest speed or lightest weight. All elements have real values, but one cannot ever combine them all. Speed is normally balanced against maneuverability. Strength is often balanced against weight and in any situation building both strength at low weight is always a challenging task.
I often say that Kayaks are like Golf Clubs. One has many choices and the choice one makes is often the one for a specific situation. Still, with kayaking one can not carry a full set of rivers once one gets in the water. I often settle on my favorite few -- my favorite on the river, my favorite on the lake. I like speed combined with comfort. I don't like to be upside down but I love to carve turns. Big water is a joy, waves and whitewater..
In the end though, the shape of a boat, its outfitting must be coupled with its build and its longevity. Kayaks that can be used for many years are my favorite. I like to use boats that I know well and paddle boats that can be paddled for years and even decades. Boats should not be built destined for the garbage heap. They need a life well lived and well cherished. They are an extension of ourselves.
A magic thing is to make a boat that fits your dreams. Even more magic can be found in finding the one that fits yours, and which in turn will accompany you as you live your dreams and explore those places that become your life.
Happy paddling!
Add a commentThe choice of a kayak is not a small choice or an inconsequential one.
A kayak is an extension of your self in real terms. It is an exoskeleton with which you can journey the seas, descend the great rivers, and go in the true spirit of exploration.
Boats must fit you as would shoes or boots. They must protect you and listen to your intentions, to accellerate or turn.
And also, they have their own character that you must learn. They have attributes of buoyancy and stability, speed and and response. So when you go over a drop, or bust through the surf, you rely on your boats surfacing ability and "right volume" that allows you to get past the drop or curler and not be deflected or reversed. But you know that character as an extension of yourself. You and the boat go together.
Durability, Outfitting and Boat contact all come into play and it is very important that you fit the boat, know the boat and drive the boat.
From these points of view we feel you will be very happy with the performance and character's of the boats we offer. Take some time and get to know them and you will understand. The world awaits.
Add a commentChoosing the Whitewater kayak is somewhat akin to finding a shoe that fits an issue that will fit your needs.
In general you will start space by choosing gone for the type of paddling you want to pursue. The options from Prijon to include general river running kayaks, steep creek and extreme capable kayaks and play oriented kayaks. We should add to this the category of hybrid River touring kayaks which can also run some Whitewater.
Choosing the category will then take you to the second "shoe like" subject, finding one that fits it is built that way you want.
Fit in general is something that you can only feel. In broad parameters in boat will work for you or it will be either too big or too small. Of the two, too small is usually the bigger problem to be concerned about. And when we speak of scale there are to basic components: there's a size for you in the boat and there is a size of the boat for gear and in the water. You need to be able to fit in the boat and be comfortable but also maintain good contact with the boat so that you can control it. The boat also needs the proper volume and shape to both float you and give you control and command over your boat, yourself and your navigation.
Let's simplify that. Is the boat comfortable and is it big enough? Do you have proper contact to the boat and can you control it?
Much of this information can be learned that the store by sitting in the boat and adjusting it to fit you. Sometimes you'll need to sit in different boats. sometimes you need to go paddling before you decide. One thing that does happen is that as you paddle you learn and gain experience. From this the process of choosing gets easier. The goal with all thisis to find not only a reliable partner, but an extension of yourself. Boat and paddler become one.
Add a commentPrijon and Delsyk brand kayaks
Great Gear
