Gearing up
by John Kimantas performance nature. A heavy rocker means better maneuverability, but at a cost to tracking. It is also a factor in whether you want to cut through or bump over waves. While exploring is a big part of most kayaking holidays, if you need to make the miles you might find a smoother, straighter course preferable. Cockpit space: Extra room inside the cockpit can make a huge difference to your comfort and storage capacity. This is particularly true behind the seat. A few inches of space can be sufficient for rain and cold gear, a water bag, lunch and other must-have items that otherwise won’t find a home within reach. A seat flush to the bulkhead eliminates this huge luxury. Initial comfort: So much of buying or renting a kayak comes down to initial comfort. The right kayak will fit like a glove as soon as you sit in it. But much of that initial comfort comes from having the right seat. Don’t despair if all other features of a kayak seem right except for that initial feeling of comfort. Seats can be replaced with an aftermarket purchase, thigh braces can be mounted and other elements changed, including rudder pedals, to make an otherwise ideal kayak the perfect kayak. Essential is the basic fit. Other elements can be adapted. Stability: Many intermediate kayakers will feel most at home in a kayak 24 inches wide. Most top expedition models are significantly more narrow. Good for speed, that can make them tippy and unstable. But before dismissing a model because it’s tippy, consider that you’ll become more stable in it with practice. Also, when loaded an unstable kayak will be substantially more steady. So don’t dismiss an otherwise ideal model based on initial u wobbles. You will grow into it.
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upgrade will eventually mean a lot. The first step is to decide the basics as you would for any kayak purchase. The boat should fit your style and size. Once you know your general requirements you can get into the details. Details may seem extraneous, but really that’s what will set similar kayak models apart, meaning one model could be passable for your needs and another perfect. Here’s my advice on some details to look for that can make or break your long-distance journey, in no particular order: More on hatch woes: This is pet peeve of mine after several bad experiences. So while not a big ticket item, don’t underestimate the value of an effective hatch. If a hatch leaks – and some styles and makes are prone to this – it will be a constant setback to find soaked bags and gear at the end of the day. If the hatch is too small or too round, stowing and retrieving gear will be an aggravation. Also, a simple hatch system will be hugely advantageous to anything that requires either finessing or outright brutality to close or open. Number of hatches: Do you need a day hatch in front of you or will that interfere with leg room and your use of the deck? Also, many kayaks offer a hatch behind the cockpit for “quick-grab” items. But will they be? Or should your safety gear be quickly accessible from behind you instead? So-called conveniences that seems like a good idea at the time can interfere with something far more necessary, such as the ability to stow large bags of gear because of the day hatch’s share of interior space. Rocker: This is the lengthwise curvature and will determine your boat’s
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spring 2014
www.nimbuspaddles.com COAST&KAYAK Magazine
67