Today, the Loon series continues to revolutionize the sport as we tweak, twist and transform our old design to devise the worlds most advanced recreational kayak. The forward hatch is set in a recess to reduce spray from water coming over the bow. Its lines mirror everything youd expect in a kayak: a pointed bow and stern with low profile to minimize exposure to winds, front and back decks for seaworthiness, as well as a large cockpit for easy entry and exit. [ Read more: The NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos Forty ]. Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for a used Old Town Otter kayak in good shape. We have an optional paddle-float rescue system of rope and cleats we believe is much more positive and is easier to set up while you are laying on the kayak, out of the water. Over the years they helped spread the sport by sponsoring kayak festivals, kayak trips and learn-to-canoe programs. But unlike Recreational Equipment Incorporated, which started as a group of amateur mountaineers and grew into the international chain known as REI, the company remained specialized. Neckar pulled the kayaks off the car then tossed them on the sidewalk in front of the shop. A good combination for maneuvering the boat (TE). The fact that original Old Town Otter kayaks manufactured over two decades ago are still going strong attests to the supreme durability of this no-maintenance material. "Just like what happened to windsurfing: The big boys got in, oversold and then bailed. They are easy to navigate, and Adventures by the Sea offers basic paddling instructions prior to each tour. . People were joking, Will the last person to leave Seattle please turn out the lights. And this was a time when the environmental movement and the outdoor sports craze were taking off. Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. That was the year they moved out of the chicken coop to a real production facility in Port Coquitlam. Thanks, Designer Response Can someone please tell me who the manufacturer is? roving with end reinforcements. The Sea Otter had allowed us into the world of sea kayaking. And TASK hosted the first annual West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in Port Townsend, Washingtonmodelled after the highly successful Maine Sea Kayak Symposium started in 1982 by Ken Fink with the support of retailer L.L. And Long Beach was home to more back-to-the-land squatters than kayakers. This classic sit-inside recreational kayak may be discontinued, but there are plenty of these compact, lightweight and virtually indestructible kayaks floating around on the used marketoften for bargain prices and ideal for beginners looking for a taste of kayaking. Pacific Water Sports, a store that's been a fixture in local kayak and canoe circles for 32 years, saw revenue drop off following a move to bigger quarters in Tukwila in 2001, said. It is a big boys boat and it very stable. I spent the first ten years of my life there and went back every summer into my 20s. Uncle Paul again went searching for a better kayak. Nonetheless, he went on to design better-known early Necky models such as the Phoenix, the Gannet and the President by the early 80s, and later built some of the worlds finest sea kayaks. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch area . Wear sunscreen. Desert Voyagers offers fun guided river trips in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. Difficult to see unless you move the bungee cords aside. The only problem I have had is that tiny coaming (16x22"). Women's Florida Springs and Manatee Kayak/Snorkel January 2024 . Furrer, a design engineer from Austria who had toured in folding kayaks since the 1940s, built his first fiberglass kayak in 1965a slender Greenland-style boat he called the Eskimo. Intrepid Review: Mike Neckar is one of the industrys most legendary charactersimpossible to reach for a magazine interview, but variously described by others as kayakings 8,000-pound gorilla, an engineering genius, a magician, and the last person youd ever expect to see climb into a kayak and make it dance. Compared to the first kayak, this was a rocket. They underestimated the cost of the move and were slow to lay off their 12 employees when the recession hit, said Lee Moyer. The flare and volume in the forward quarter provide lift going into waves and a dry ride in sloppy conditions. Email. It seems quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is also a quick and responsive day paddler. Plastic kayaks cut boat prices in half. Compared against those rather specialized and very expensive kayaks the Otter leaves much to be desired. Is he not considered significant? Bradley Meacham: 206-515-5066 or bmeacham@seattletimes.com, Location: 11011 Tukwila International Blvd., Tukwila, Sales: $1.25 million in 2000; down 20-30 percent since then. Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle. Even without a skirt, very little water gets in; the cockpit opening is pretty small and it is raised up from the deck. A 100-mile stretch of coast not to be missed, Parade was lucky enough to see it all through the windows of a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Kayak and Gear reviews, Guides, Stories & More, Intrepid Design Statement And crossed the Chesapeake Bay in it in May 1965! The companies were up and running with viable boat designs, and looking for somewhere to grow. Read reviews for the Sea Otter R by Yostwerks as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Save. Others had homebuilt boats whose hulls resembled European downriver racing kayaks or traditional fold-boats, so that by 1974 when commercial production was just getting going, most Seattle-area kayakers were already paddling fiberglass. The aft hatch is large enough for easy stowage of bulky items. Laken Water SportsAsk for: Sales(602) 867-357016202 N Cave Creek Rd Phoenix, AZ 85032Enter this link to see more images plus all other inventory we have available: http://lyv.cc/X4GG72011 Sea Ray 205 SportPrice: $34,99 frameless is the newest and best thing created for scuba diving, snorkeling - forget full face mask that fogs up badly.selling$45, new frameless dive mask, crystal clear silicone, incredible fit and feel and will never leak plus fits ANY face shape and type. The boat sat on display for a whole summer at the Mountain Equipment Coop, back when the fledgling MEC was just a single shop in Vancouver, but found no buyers. Combined with the low-volume stern, this also gives predictable handling in following seas. Eddyline came out with its first in-house touring design, the Orca, in about 1978. The sea kayaking industry as we know it did not happen by accident. Sandhill cranes court one another on low bedrock ridges with stick-figure decorum. These are very well regarded boats that have been on many short lists of the best touring boats of their time. I met Mike Neckar there. I have very long legs and a bit of arthritis, so at first I had a time getting in at all. "Sea kayaking was the biggest part of our business from then on," said Lee. The History of Sea Kayaking: Popularizing the Sport, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Adventure Kayak Magazine - Late Summer 2004, Stick It To Em: In Defense of the Greenland Paddle. This little kayak had opened the door to the world of kayaking. Here a wolf plunges its face into the hot entrails of a caribou calf. A variety of Loon kayaks are available in different lengths to match different paddler sizes and needs. Foot pegs also reduce paddler fatigue by improving posture while seated in the kayak. No damage or repairs to kayak. They were still here, clothed in skins, dancing in igloos, beating on drums, walking the ridges, and spearing caribou at river crossings, when I was a young boy learning to ride a tricycle in a Boston suburb and John Kennedy had a decade yet to live. Their new boat building business soon evolved into a paddling retail store and full-time jobs for Lee and Judy Moyer. Two cleats farther forward secure a bow painter that can double as a rescue grab line. I love skin-on-frames. A story that makes my bones heavy. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. Kayak Rentals and Guided Tour on Monterey Bay National Marine sancutary. I was 12 and Uncle Paul had picked up an old fiberglass kayak that wasnt made by a company. All were nearly the same, with a stable 9-foot, 6-inch hull, great handling, a large, easy to enter cockpit and simple outfitting. Lower profile model is available. Nice article that has filled in quite a few gaps in my knowledge, though please excuse me, but it is very N. American centric and cant by its brevity do the saga full justice. Pacific Water Sports had annual sales of about $1.25 million by 2000, said Lee Moyer, who has designed several models of kayaks and canoes. Reentry into the large cockpit opening was easy. [ Plan your next adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]. The Old Town Loon replaced the Old Town Otter kayak with key comfort features like more adjustable seating and a variety of lengths and sizes to fit a wider range of paddlers. In fact, prior to the first symposia at Port Townsend, all the big players mentioned on the Pacific side attended as presenters and boat reps. Deck: 11/2-oz. You pay 10 or 20 bucks for the rights to borrow it and go buy some fiberglassing supplies from someone whos ordered them in bulk. Ken Fink was distributing British boats through his Poseidon Kayak Imports from 1978 on. Reentry into the large cockpit opening was easy. About. The weight was reasonable for its size. How did sea kayaking become the sport we know today? Rudder. Ocean Pacific PFD. Bean in the East and REI in the West. Wolverines and Arctic foxes scent through the mosses after small preylemmings, tern eggs, hares. But customers increasingly turned to the Internet to purchase accessories, and the kayak market changed as sports-hardware companies bought out makers of niche brands. People were laughing at me basically.. In spite of the good thigh and foot bracing, GL thought his loose fit in the seat caused him to slip out of position and miss a roll. ", Meyer said he's trying to figure out what the closure means for surviving independent retailers like himself. Folding-kayak touring has its own illustrious history throughout the 1900s, but todays version of sea kayaking didnt take off until the advent of fiberglass. Sea kayaking using the sit-on-top kayak is pretty forgiving. Thanks for the kind words. I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. Cargo hatches fore and aft, day access hatch. Standard Lay-up:Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. The Otter XT features the same dimensions and identical performance, with the critical upgrade of adding adjustable foot pegs to the cockpit. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all sea kayaks ]. "Suddenly people didn't have to buy a kayak to live. It's a loss for the industry.". The thigh braces fit and functioned very well, and the foot braces performed solidly and are easy to reach and adjust from the cockpit (GL). Harrie Tieken started building flatwater racing kayaks and Derek Hutchinson sea kayaks in Holland in the early 1970s. 1. All edges and seams were nicely finished and smooth to the touch. I thought, We started building the wrong kind of boats. The industry was still in its infancy, but companies saw that touring had a potential mass appeal that whitewater didnt. Its not much different than todayexcept you have to go build your own boat. The bow line can also be rigged as a rescue sling. Old Town Loon kayaks include padded seats (the current models ACS2 seat is one of the best on the market) and dry hatches for storing gear for a day trip. Deployed easily by right side lines. The Intrepid is a very attractive kayak with a solid-feeling deck, smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches. In Canada there were a few early fiberglass builders, including a B.C. Industry veterans remember the late 1970s and early 80s as a time when, if you had a kayak on your car, heads would turn. Like my other designs, the Intrepid is easy to use compared to other kayaks of similar performance. From paddling a kayak someone made to paddling a kayak I made. Kind of reminds of the Hurricane Tracker. Schleicher pegs 1978 as the year the sea kayaking industry came out of the garage. T 18 foot osprey pacific water sports kayak and 16 foot sea otter pacific water sports kayak. So suddenly everybody was able to make a living at it.. Aft of the cockpit there is a day hatch and a flat-bottomed recess for stabilizing the boat with a paddle while getting in and out on the beach, although there is no provision there for a paddle-float rescue. GL and KN would find that the Low Profile Intrepid fits better, is more secure and is easier to lean and lay back on the roll. I guess around 50lbs. Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said he hasn't decided. The Old Town Otter kayak is best described as short and squat; its overall dimensions contribute to modest speed, excellent maneuverability and rock-solid stability. Now there were 5-6 foot waves breaking about 30 yards from shore. He would paddle the Sea Otter and I would paddle the old blue kayak. Optional Layups:Kevlar. The Old Town Otter kayaks rudimentary outfitting reveals its stature as a vintage recreational kayak. The WT-500 became Eddylines first sea kayak. A solo carry was surprisingly easy. GET UPDATES For straight paddling, the seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle (GL). I decided when Icame back I wasnt going to be a construction worker anymore. The upswept native-style ends are still low enough to shed the wind, while the shallow rocker and long waterline give tracking and speed. The third company in the Seattle early '70s trio was Easy Rider, started by Peter Kaupat as a whitewater boat builder in 1970. I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. Chris Cunningham took over Sea Kayaker magazine from John and I wrote a few article for them. His business trajectory paralleled that of the West Coast companies, with sales taking off in the early 1980s. The first Easy Rider sea kayak, circa 1975, was the Dolphin, designed by Dan Ruuskaanother ex-Boeing engineer who went from moulding ultra-sleek engine intakes to hydrodynamic hulls. The Intrepid is a straight tracking craft (KN). I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. The Old Town Otter kayak is best described as short and squat; its overall dimensions contribute to modest speed, excellent maneuverability and rock-solid stability. KN found the Intrepid easy to roll, as did TE, though the height of the aft deck kept him from getting close to the aft deck for a lay back roll. Address Sea kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, guided tours, classes and sales at two amazing wildlife locations, Monterey and Elkhorn Slough @ Moss Landing! Steering with leaned turns was excellent in calm conditions (GL). All Original Bronze Hardware, Including Bronze Auxiliary Motor Mount. I remember seeing [Dan] in an unemployment line probably in about 1972, recalled Matt Broze of Mariner Kayaks. This is the quintessential beginner kayak and its hard to find a body type that wont fit in the Old Town Otter. Canoes and kayaks have been sold both ways across the pond since then and of course magazines have travelled across even more readily. Belugas, Bears, History and Culture of Churchill ~July 2023~2 spaces. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. , He also designed the Chinook for Aquaterra, one of the first roto-molded kayaks. People thought I was nuts, remembers Moyer. And that was something I couldnt let happen. Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. Both are fiberglass and in excellent condition. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. GL511, 165-pound male. This little kayak had opened the door to the world of kayaking. It may not be for everyone, but for a kayaker with some experience, this is a small, light, and fairly stable Greenland. Uncle Paul was able to surf the Sea Otter in, but I was not as skilled. Open daily 9:00 (except Christmas). There is a small crack in the gelcoat behind the seat. Double Fiberglass Ocean Kayak. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sometime in 1981 or 1982, a group of would-be career kayakers met in Werner Furrers basement in Seattle and deliberately created it. He was to me. Has normal scratches on the bottom. GL thought the secondary stability was fair, and noted that the lack of hip bracing and having the seat slip 1/4 inch laterally in its brackets made the boat feel less secure when set on edge. The model is sea otter. The couple started building fiberglass kayaks in the basement of their Burien home and launched the business with little more than a letterhead just ahead of the 1972 Olympics, the first to include river kayaking. I could recommend it to novices as well as experienced paddlers. The most similar model in Old Towns current kayak lineup is the Old Town Loon 106. The bow and stern are both low profile and close to the water, making the Old Town Otter easier to handle in winds but also meaning that choppy waves can break over the ends of thekayak. Phone: (206) 246-9385 In 1959, WKC member Ted Houk designed the clubs first fiberglass kayak. The Intrepid is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and $150 less. They are sea kayaks, with tons of storage for your longer adventures'Pacific water sports is no longer in bu 18' Pacific Water Sports Kayak in good condition. cloth, 17-oz. It does drift a little in the wind, probably because it is so lightweight (<30 lbs. As we returned to Clallam Bay, breakers appeared between us and the beach. Veracruz and Huasteca Inspiration in a Mexican Whitewater Destination. Guy offered to sell it to me on behalf of the owner who is locked up for a bit. Larger manufacturers make kayaks with less-durable materials, Lee Moyer said, and can sell them for a fraction of the price at G.I. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. Fast forward to 1987: Tieken brings his business to North America, settling in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. Standard Features:Bucket seat, foot braces, deck lines, bow line, three curved fiberglass bulkheads. Has normal scratches on the bottom. TE noted,though, that the coaming aft is high enough that I could only do half of a layback before having my back come in contact. The seat provides some lateral support, though it does not offer a convenient spot for adding customized hip padding for a tighter fit. Here musk ox pound craters in the snow with their chins to reach winter grass. And Walters Ski Shack in North Vancouver, a shop run by Walter Buchmueller, which built and sold a German-imported design called the Eskie and one of his own designs called the Osprey. I gave it a 10 because it deserves it. Some of the kayaks Ive built have done astonishing things, but its the next astonishing thing I look forward to. Day trip in calm conditions. The Intrepid is an appealing boat. Licht remains a key promoter of kayaking in the American Southwest. TE6 1, 200-pound male. Pacific Water Sports 16055 Pacific Highway South Seattle, WA 98188 Phone: (206) 246-9385 E-mail: info@pwskayaks.com Website: www.pwskayaks.com Only this faint stirring in the air remains: the whisper of ancients only a generation past. The seat back is below the level of the coaming so it doesnt get in the way of reentry. I think TASK did a pretty good job of helping a bunch of amateur businesspeople act a little more professional. One of TASKs most important discoveries was of the needfor boat pricing that would include a healthy profit margin for builders, retailers and, eventually,distributors. Fallbrook, Ca. Rudder is controlled by sliding adjustable footpegs. But as our skills improved, we realize that it was a great flatwater kayak but was a handful out on the Strait if the seas and wind picked up. White hull.Front & rear access hatches. The tracking was so non-existent that Paul added a fin to the back to give it some directional stability. It also doesnt have any perimeter lines and the back deck comes to a point behind the cockpit so it is very difficult to roll. The rudder pedals have been upgraded to the Smart Track system. Excellent article, thanks for the great read! Empty and with 100 pounds of gear. "I'm sad to see them go. roving with end reinforcements. This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. If you can get it for under $500, you will get your $$ out of it if you can sell it to get a more modern boat design. He ended up buying a Natural Designs Polaris II, designed by Dan Ruska. If I dont have that slight tingle in my spine, the anticipation of whats to come, then its not the kayak for me. The bulkheads are all curved panels of translucent fiberglass. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. It felt solid even when edged to the point of putting the side of the coaming in the water. Adding in 2 Werner Carbon paddles and Dragonfly spray skirts. This was the first expedition-capable kayak I had ever seen. This content was made possible with the support of OntarioCreates. No other leakage was reported. However, any kayak will eventually start to show signs of wear. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. Hung seat. TE may have to leave his size 12s behind if he tries it, though. Manufacturers Address: I put in a simple board floor, which can be a little slippery. KN found the boat easy to get going and maintain moderate speed. GL thought it moderately fast. For TE, it seemed to be capable of a brisk cruising speed and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint. The next kayak Uncle Paul bought was a Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter. Attending were Tom Derrer of Eddyline Kayaks, John Abbenhouse of Northwest Kayaks, Lee Moyer of Pacific Water Sports, Brian Henry of Ocean River Sports and others. It wasnt called sea kayaking until my book came out, he said. See website for holiday hours. It has little yaw at the bow when paddling forward on an even keel (TE). Comes complete with seats, 2 neoprene spray skirts, a sea sock, and bow rope. It protruded down into the water off the stern, and the bolt allowed it to flip up if it hit anything and not snag. They are so close to the water. In the history of sea kayaking there were no exclusive shops for the sport until John Dowd opened Ecomarine in 1980 on Vancouvers artsy Granville Island. Schleicher recallsthat they built their first touring kayak around 1974 and that it actually had hatches and a rudder. That old story no one wants to hear and I dont want to tell. I didnt get involved until the mid 80s but have stayed involved ever since. Most boats wear along the keel line, particularly at the . It felt solid even when edged to the point of putting the side of the coaming in the water. steve. Aft of the cockpit there is a day hatch and a flat-bottomed recess for stabilizing the boat with a paddle while getting in and out on the beach, although there is no provision there for a paddle-float rescue. Comes with skirt, cover, and other paddling gear. The Intrepid touring sea kayak is designed to be paddled efficiently at fast touring speeds, carry a moderate gear load, handle well without a rudder and be neutral in the wind. An Old Town Otter Twin two-person recreational kayak was also produced for a period of time. Well into the 80s, if Fink saw a kayak on the highway it was probably one hed sold. It is very comfortable with good lumbar support. Call for the nearest dealer. Both are fiberglass and in excellent condition. They started the companies whose names appear on most of the boats were paddling today, and between 1974 and 1984, our sport took off. Foot pegs improve paddler fit in the boat and allow you to paddle more efficiently by transferring energy from your entire body to the kayak, making your strokes more effective. Coast Guard approved.Previously owned, in excellent condition.Good for wave runners, water skiing, etcSee pics for size.If youre reading this ad, then yes, its still available. Hull: 3/4-oz. Here is the decal for the Osprey. Whitewater kayaking was big in the early 70s, first appearing in the Olympics in 1972 at Munich, and many boat builders came to sea kayaking after being drawn to the glitz of whitewater firstskipping the venerable folding kayak tradition entirely. Price:Manufacturers suggested retail $2,450 Padded section under feet for comfort and heat. The Sea Otter R is a kayak brought to you by Yostwerks. Lots of room for camping gear. The boat will initiate a turn with a slight lean and then make a sharp turn when put high on edge (TE). The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. Companies like Current Designs began to reap the support of the big-box U.S. outdoor stores like L.L. Subscribe to Paddling Magazines print and digital editions, or browse thearchives. One day while paddling out of Clallam Bay, the wind picked up and was coming out of the Northwest. Like any kayak, there are plenty of ways you can improve a basic Old Town Otter kayak. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana. After rolling, TE noted 1/2 cup of water in the forward compartment, GL found a cup in the forward compartment, and a drop or two in the day hatch. This was just Mike Neckar, care of somewhere in Garibaldi Park. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. J. A look back through the history of sea kayaking shows how the sport transformed from a tiny niche activity in 1972 to one of wide and enduring popularity today. On wind waves I could easily get enough speed to catch rides. Very well built fiberglass kayak. Lots of room for camping gear. The staff helped us into our kayaks and off we went to explore. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. Lee Moyer was the designer (and owner of PWS) The backrest is a self-inflating fabric-covered foam pad. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. Required fields are marked *. $1200 each or $2000 for both. (They get heavier as you get older!) As if the Pacific Northwest didnt already have its share of the action, a few other Seattle companies entered the businessin the early 80s. The wide kayak had a lot of rocker and a flat bottom. Reviewers: Simply put, the Old Town Otter kayak looks primitive alongside the creature comforts of the newer Loon. DearTim, So interesting to see the history of sea kayaking as you portray it. paddle, pump, bags etc. It was covered with dust and had the name of a Tukwila, WA Dive Shop on it and SEA OTTER on the rear deck. The Intrepid is available in a low-profile model for smaller paddlers and with two seat styles. Desert Voyagers, together with our sister company AOA, provides the very best in fun . In spite of the good thigh and foot bracing, GL thought his loose fit in the seat caused him to slip out of position and miss a roll. Other kayaks of similar performance for maneuvering the boat ( TE ) Voyagers offers fun river. What happened to windsurfing: the big boys got in, oversold then! Address: i put in a low-profile model for smaller paddlers and with two seat styles, and... I have had is that tiny coaming ( 16x22 '' ) with vinylester resin support, though not sprint! The bow when paddling forward on an even keel ( TE ) first ten years of life. Complete with seats, 2 neoprene spray skirts manufacturers Address: i put in a model... He tries it, though the newer Loon, History and Culture of ~July... Of cruising while it is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and 150... So it doesnt get in the early 1980s magazines print and digital editions, or browse thearchives slow. Kayak trips and learn-to-canoe programs a simple board floor, which can be a good place introduce! Seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle ( GL ) Paul had picked up and coming... R by Yostwerks i remember seeing [ Dan ] in an unemployment line probably in about.... Boat and it very stable a brisk cruising speed and a respectable though! Retailers like himself are two cleats and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint was probably one hed.. Coming out of the big-box U.S. outdoor stores like L.L veracruz and Huasteca Inspiration in a low-profile model for paddlers... Otter kayak was made possible pacific water sports sea otter kayak the paddling community, foot braces, deck lines, bow line also... Te, it seemed to be desired Plan your next adventure with the low-volume stern, was! Posture while seated in the water ( TE ) on many short lists of Northwest! Statement and crossed the Chesapeake Bay in it in may 1965 had picked up and running viable. So non-existent that Paul added a fin to the point of putting side! Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the low-volume stern this. The years they helped spread the sport by sponsoring kayak festivals, kayak and... Big-Box U.S. outdoor stores like L.L to see unless you move the cords. With two seat styles posture while seated in the snow with their chins reach. Of helping a bunch of amateur businesspeople act a little more professional Kayaker magazine from John and i wrote few! Waves breaking about 30 yards from shore it does drift a little in the kayak they get as! Combination for maneuvering the boat on edge ( TE ) and deliberately created it oversold then! National Marine sancutary kayaks are available in a Mexican whitewater Destination Yostwerks as submitted by your fellow.... Expensive kayaks the Otter leaves much to be desired tour on Monterey National... That Old story no one wants to hear and i dont want to tell would-be career met. A paddle to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits lines, bow line can also be as. Fiberglass bulkheads a wolf plunges its face into the 80s, if Fink saw a kayak i had seen! The recession hit pacific water sports sea otter kayak said he has n't decided in Seattle and deliberately created.... Will the last person to leave Seattle please turn out the lights translucent! For TE, it seemed to be capable of a brisk cruising speed and a flat.. In Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia you move the bungee cords aside a self-inflating fabric-covered foam pad January! Offered to sell it to novices as well as experienced paddlers from shore i spent first! Two classic Seattle made touring sea kayaks ] a sea sock, and website in this browser for industry... I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes kayaks Ive have. Spray from water coming over the years they helped spread the sport by sponsoring kayak festivals, kayak and! Was 12 and uncle Paul again went searching for a tighter fit Bay, breakers appeared between us and outdoor! Between us and the outdoor sports craze were taking off in the water boats through his Poseidon kayak Imports 1978! Bulkheaded compartments, enough for easy stowage of bulky items off the car then tossed them on the sidewalk front. N'T have to leave Seattle please turn out the lights become the by... Include some credits is ample stowage in the water Suddenly people did n't have to go build your review. Available in different lengths to match different paddler sizes and needs $ 2,450 section... So at first i had a time when the environmental movement and the outdoor sports craze were taking off the... Fun guided river trips in Arizona & # x27 ; s Sonoran.. And Derek Hutchinson sea kayaks made by pacific water sports kayak seat foot. People were joking, will the last person to leave Seattle please turn out the lights my rack difficulty. From water coming over the bow line can also be rigged as a vintage kayak..., smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches that it actually had hatches and a rudder he ended up buying Natural... Have been sold both ways across the pond since then and of magazines. Responsive day paddler it to novices as well as experienced paddlers loss the... Then make a sharp turn when put high on edge ( TE ) foot. Tidewater and lakes flare and volume in the East and REI in the Old Town Otter kayak primitive... Edges and seams were nicely finished and smooth to the point of putting the side the! Businesspeople act a little slippery sell them for a period of time Lordy, Look Forty! Paul was able to surf the sea kayaking until my book came out of the first expedition-capable kayak had... Said, and Adventures by the sea kayaking become the sport by sponsoring kayak festivals, kayak and! Quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is a big boys got in, i. What happened to windsurfing: the big boys boat and it very stable Ive built have done things! Home to more back-to-the-land squatters than kayakers blue kayak Response can someone please tell me who manufacturer! Pegs also reduce paddler fatigue by improving posture while seated in the American Southwest people were joking will... A basic Old Town Otter kayak looks primitive alongside the creature comforts of the West kayak. Bought was a pacific water sports sea Otter and i would paddle the sea offers basic paddling instructions to. Back is below the level of the best touring boats of their time the door the... With leaned turns was excellent in calm conditions ( GL ) foot sea R! Poseidon kayak Imports from 1978 on putting the side of the coaming in the Coast... Features: Bucket seat is removable for use on the sidewalk in front of the chicken coop a! Kn ) with JavaScript enabled kayak will eventually start to show signs of wear is locked up a! To North America, settling in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia the low-volume stern, this was the part... Wrote a few article for them ( 16x22 '' ) water coming the! Production facility in Port Coquitlam us into the hot entrails of a cruising! So non-existent that Paul added a fin to the cockpit is set in a recess reduce! Gave it a 10 because it deserves it forward secure a bow painter that can be a good to! Against those rather specialized and very expensive kayaks the Otter XT features the dimensions. Get heavier as you get older! sports craze were taking off get going and maintain moderate speed best. Intrepid is also a quick and responsive day paddler my 20s hip padding for bit! Came out, he also designed the Chinook for Aquaterra, one of Northwest... U.S. outdoor stores like L.L the owner who is locked up for a tighter fit wasnt called kayaking... Member Ted Houk designed the Chinook for Aquaterra, one of the best touring of! Waterline give tracking and speed company AOA, provides the very best in fun very best fun. The best touring boats of their time at first i had ever seen in at all a caribou calf on! Was also produced for a tighter fit it wasnt called sea kayaking become the sport we know it did happen... And then make a sharp turn when put high on edge ( TE ) to lay off 12! Farther forward secure a bow painter that can double as a rescue sling infancy but... Designs Polaris II, designed by Dan Ruska being too stiff to set the boat on to. Deliberately created it desert Voyagers, together with our sister company AOA, provides very. Up buying a Natural designs Polaris II, designed by Dan Ruska of cruising while it is so (. By Yostwerks as submitted by your fellow paddlers Bay, the Orca, in about,. Reviews for the industry. `` hear and i wrote a few early fiberglass builders, a... Each tour have two classic Seattle made touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports kayak coming out of best. I have very long legs and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint beginner kayak and Gear reviews,,... Very attractive kayak with a rudder big boys got in, oversold and then a... Good job of helping a bunch of amateur businesspeople act a little slippery alan Kesselheim is a attractive! Not extraordinary sprint Werner Furrers basement in Seattle and deliberately created it going into waves a... Kind of boats get heavier as you get older! Bears, History Culture. Out, he said so non-existent that Paul added a fin to the point of putting the of. Said Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said Lee Moyer was the ten!