•	Features
•	Hotline
•	Destinations
•	Gear
•	Skills
•	Sea Kayaking Supplement

< July / August 2000
	Sea Kayaking Supplement
Thinking about buying a touring kayak?

Now's an exciting time to be a sea kayaker. The industry has never before offered such an outstanding array of closed-cockpit touring kayaks. The market now favors shorter, introductory-level boats, but this review highlights a variety of styles and designs. We paddled tandems and solos, fiberglass, Kevlar and plastic, short kayaks and long.

The eight boats we reviewed include something for everyone. We focused on five simple but subjective themes: overall design, comfort, maneuverability, deck fittings, and rudder/skeg assembly.

Who are we? Our team of reviewers covers the gamut of body types from a 5'1" female to a 6'8" male. Most of us are Maine Guides and sea kayak instructors. We represent five Maine outfitters in the greater Mount Desert Island area where thousands of tourists learn to paddle each year. We asked two questions throughout this review: "How would this boat work for my clients on a guided trip?” And, "Which of my customers would most like to buy this boat and why?" We paddled on four separate days, with conditions ranging from flatwater seas to water in 25-knot winds. Here's what we found:

Night Hawk by Eddyline

Perfect for the smaller and more advanced paddler, the Night Hawk was referred to by John as "the Ferrari of Sea Kayaks." This kayak's true colors shine through when you push the limits a little. It has excellent secondary stability and begs to be maneuvered playfully. Despite its smooth deployment, the Night Hawk tracked so well that Jeff joked, "It's a shame to use up storage space on the skeg." The hull looks like glass but is made of the new Carbonlite material, making the boat feel rigid even though it weighs only 48 pounds.

Deck fittings are sparse, simple bungee crosses on bow and stern, but for a day or short-overnighter, it has all the necessary basics. Velcro kept the bow toggle conveniently affixed to the deck. The cockpit area was tight for the larger folks, one of whom declared: "I can't wait to try a higher volume Eddyline."

Boat Beta: length: 16'; width: 22"; weight: 48lbs.; MSRP: $1,859

(with rudder)

Info: (360) 757-2300, www.eddyline.com

Savannah by Dagger

The Savannah would be equally fun in bays, estuaries, lakes and slow moving rivers. Dagger's famous whitewater roots are pleasantly apparent in this design. Features are simple and functional. "I loved the 'paddle park'," says one reviewer about the hook and bungee system, which holds the paddle in place when not in use. The toggle is prevented from bouncing annoyingly in the waves by another clever bungee system.

Bulkheads are nicely crafted welded plastic and add rigidity to the hull. Hatches stayed completely dry even after playing in surf. The cockpit is roomy and comfortable for any size. Our 6'8" reviewer says, "Even as large as I am, the Savannah has tons of room." Most reviewers recommended installing the optional thigh braces to increase bracing ability. As stable as it is, the Savannah takes a little more work to get it up on edge. This is a great beginner to intermediate boat, as well as a fun sport or play boat.

Boat Beta: length: 14'6"; width: 25"; weight 53 lbs.; MSRP: $749 w/out rudder, $849 with rudder

Info: (865) 882-0404, www.dagger.com

Corona by Perception

Perception has kept all its best touring kayak features and packaged them in a more compact design to make a sporty little boat loaded with extras. The Corona gracefully crosses the line between play boat and small expedition kayak. Unlike many shorter kayaks, the Corona is not a beginner's boat. Primary stability is a little squirrely, even tippy, but the Corona performs beautifully up on edge. As reviewer Bob puts it, "It turns on a dime and gives you eight cents change."

The Corona tracks surprisingly well, even without the rudder. "It is agile and fun in the waves," adds John. The Corona's cockpit is comfortable for larger and smaller paddlers alike. It has all the features of an expedition boat, including grab lines and hatch straps for gear. Jeff concludes, "I would definitely like to have one of these. I would surf it and play in rock gardens."

Boat Beta: length: 14'8"; width: 22.5"; weight: 52 lbs.; MSRP w/out rudder: $1,100; with rudder: $1,275

Info: (800) 59-KAYAK, www.kayaker.com

Inukshuk by Boreal Design

Boreal Design, long known for its fine craftsmanship, has done it again with the Inukshuk. This aesthetically pleasing and functional plastic kayak is extremely stable and seaworthy yet turns easily when leaned on edge. The Inukshuk's foot peg assembly deserves praise for its ease of use. A simple strap mechanism allows for quick adjustment even on water.

The seat is comfortable but larger paddlers reported the thigh braces a little too low for comfort. Jenny, on the other hand, says, "At 5'1, I expected to be swimming in the boat, but with the foot pegs pulled short, I felt very comfortable and stable." Everyone loved the recessed deck fittings to protect paddlers from knuckle scrape. And the straps over the hatches provided great security. The Inukshuk has a sharp look, and should be enjoyed by the beginner and advanced paddler in a wide range of conditions.

Boat Beta: length: 17'; width: 23.5"; weight: 63lbs.; MSRP w/out rudder: $940;

with rudder: $1,160

Info: (418) 878-3099, www.borealdesign.com

Kodiak by Prijon

"This boat does not weathercock!" yelled one reviewer, as the wind pounded him from the side. Everyone agreed that the Kodiak tracked well, even in a strong beam wind. The Kodiak's trihedral hull design is sleek on the water and has particularly high secondary stability. It is easily put up on edge but is a little stubborn to turn, a problem quickly solved by dropping the rudder. The foot peg system is unique: you pull a rod out from the peg and lock it into an open position, then slide it into the desired setting. The system is almost too tricky to adjust on the water, but once set, it is solid.

The Kodiak's deck fittings include a bungee net system useful for carrying odds and ends and grab lines for extra security in case of a capsize. Note that the cockpit requires a fairly large spray squirt. Some reviewers loved its speed. One said, "It's the fastest polyethylene I've ever paddled."

Boat Beta: length: 17'1"; width: 24.5"; weight: 58 lbs.; MSRP w/out rudder: $1,348;

with rudder: $1,199

Info: (303) 444-2336, www.wildnet.com

Crosswind by Current Designs

The Crosswind is a seaworthy and maneuverable tandem with ample stowage space for longer trips. The double keel line design lends itself to greater structural integrity than most rotomolded boats. The rudder is extremely efficient with immediate response and a tight turning radius. The Crosswind performed remarkably well in surf. "I feel like I'm flying!" yelled one person from her bow position. The boat's simple seats are comfortable for the large and small alike. Bob, who is 5'4," says, "I typically get swallowed up by tandems but the Crosswind didn't overwhelm me."

Everyone liked the plastic balls in place of knots to deploy the rudder. They were easy to activate even with pogies on. Lots of bungees are placed conveniently, and reviewers loved the recessed molded bungee fittings: no hardware to repair or get scrapped on in the unlikely event of a capsize. Overall, the Crosswind is a step ahead of many rotomolded tandems.

Boat Beta: length: 18'6"; width: 30"; weight:86 lbs.; MSRP:$1,595 (with rudder)

Info: (507) 454-5430, www.cdkayak.com

Naia by Seaward

Between plenty of storage capacity—"You could fit the kitchen sink in the back hatch," says one reviewer—and what another called "The best damn kayak seat I've ever sat in," the Naia is a winner. Just looking at this boat makes you want to venture out to the high seas. Its large swooped-up bow invites forward momentum. It is fast and turns easily. The folks at Seaward told us they might add some length to accommodate taller paddlers. Paddlers 5'11'' and more would love this option. On the other hand, Jenny, at 5'1," was delighted with the leg room.

The Fiberglass version weighs about 80 pounds and feels a little heavy for much carrying. Fortunately, Seaward has designed a nifty toggle system that distributes the weight of the boat comfortably. Get in on the water and the weight evaporates. The Naia is a beautiful, stable, maneuverable boat. As TJ summed up, "The Naia is a Cadillac of a ride, ready to take on the world."

Boat Beta: length: 18'; width: 30"; weight: 88 lbs.; MSRP: $3,735 (with rudder)

Info: (800) 595-9755, www.Seawardkayaks.com

Two Lites by Lincoln Kayaks

The Two Lites is light and fast, the Kevlar/Fiberglass composite weighing in at just 50 pounds. A few start-up strokes and what Dan nicknamed the "Lincoln Continental Tandem Rocket" feels like its about to lift off. Amazingly, everyone spent most of their time in this boat ignoring the rudder because it kept a line so well. "This tandem tracks like a charm," says one reviewer.

The Two Lites harbors very comfortable foam seat blocks and hanging backrests that are easily adjusted. Three of the taller reviewers said that an extra foot distributed mostly in the bow area would put the Two Lites at the top of their favorite tandems list.

The hatches offered plenty of room for extended trips. Gasketted square hatch covers and bulkheads didn't let in a drop. Toggles fit comfortably in the hand and lifting this incredibly light tandem was a snap. The Two Lites is great boat for intermediate boaters heading out for several days in all kinds of weather and waves.

Boat Beta: length: 16'7"; width: 28.5; weight: 42 lbs.; MSRP: $2,869

Info: (207) 865-0455, www.canoesandkayaks.com

—Thanks to the reviewers: Ron Beard, Kris Bennet, Bob DeForrest, Jeff DeJongh, Chrissy Ford, Anthony Haden, Jim Kelley, TJ Mackey, Doug Michael, Jenny Minard, John Roscoe, Dan St. Germaine, Robert Shaw, Natalie Springuel, Ben Thilwell, and Ron Wanner. Thanks also to the local Outfitters who helped pull this review together: Coastal Kayaking Tours, National Park Kayak Tours, Island Adventures, Maine State Kayak, and Cadillac Mountain Sports.