Puget Sound Kayak: Our Boats

Different strokes for different folks. And sometimes different strokes for the same folks at different times or on different trips.

Kayaks are like shoes. Do you want to go fast and light? carry a lot? want to roll it without a paddle? play in the surf? sit and fish? live out of it for a couple weeks or take an every day jaunt? Once you know what you usually want to use it for - does it fit? Does it fit your body? does it fit your skill?

We introduce a lot of first timers to paddling. We don’t want them to be scared off by a tippy racer or frustrated by some super stable tub. In past years we have settled on a particular design that we found to be a good compromise and had ten or twelve of them plus a handful of more specific designs. This year we’ve tried to assemble a broader range of boats that illustrate different design characteristics that boat builders love to argue about. We hope that as part of your introduction to kayaking, advanced instruction or independent rental, our boats will help you become a happier paddler.

Fiberglass Singles
Cape Horn Lite by Wilderness Systems, 15’10" long, 23.75 beam. No rudder.

A slightly smaller touring boat with a multi-chine hull and a low-profile deck. "The ultimate in-between person’s touring boat for a wide range of paddlers."

Falcon 16, by Eddyline, 16’ long, 20.5" beam. No rudder.

Intended for paddlers seeking higher performance. Low initial stability. Design statement: "The Falcon was designed with the intention of creating a high-performance, low-volume and sporty touring kayak for paddlers with moderate to advanced skill who did not need a boat for extended trips or unsupported expeditions." They got it. Fun and sporty.

Falcon 18, by Eddyline, 18’ long, 21 " beam. No rudder.

The Falcon 16 was justifiably well received but folks wanted one just a little bit bigger. Eddyline delivered; a fast, medium volume boat.

Sea Loon, manufactured by SeaLoon Enterprises. Hard chines. No rudder.

For the largest paddlers. This boat is BIG. Surprisingly fast and agile.

Endeavor, manufactured by Seaward Kayaks. 17’6" long. 22.5" beam. Retractable skeg.

"An excellent ocean touring boat. The skeg offers excellent tuning for the desired tracking or turning." Fast and agile.

Navigator, by Seaward Kayaks. 17’ long, 24.5" beam. Rudder.

A stable, roomy boat.

Luna, by Seaward Kayaks. 16’ long. 23" beam.

An agile, shorter kayak for the small to medium size paddler with enough storage space and cruising ability for a real trip.

NC 17, by Novus Composites. 17' 2" long, 23" beam. No rudder.

A very fast and fun boat. Since we got the first one we've gotten several more. We used to think that stability was a trade off for performance. Somehow this boat has both. Doug used one for his winter paddling.

NC 15, by Novus Composites. 15' 8" long, 23" beam. No rudder.

A little more maneuverable than the 17. These NC boats are the first truly high performance boats we've found that are stable enough for beginners.

NC 19, by Novus Composites. 19' 2" long, 23.75" beam. No rudder.

For very tall and large paddlers.

Nordkapp The Austin Healy of kayaks. Last fall we picked up a very old and much used Nordkapp. If you're a very good paddler, about 5'10", have a pretty good roll and want to know where it all began, you should give this a try. The reason you need the roll is that the cockpit opening is so small that you just about can't do an assisted or paddle float rescue. You have to reenter and roll. And it will tip. Fast and Fun!

Carbonlite Singles
Merlin LT, by Eddyline. 13.5’ long, 23" beam. No rudder.

Since the Merlin was introduced in 1996 we have used them for the bulk of our rental and instructional fleet. Comfortable for the beginner and fun for the expert, enough storage for 2 or 3 day trips. The all-purpose, all-person boat. This year we have 3 LT’s. If you haven’t tried one you should.

Nighthawk, by Eddyline. 16’ long, 22" beam. Skeg.

A little bigger and faster than the Merlin but more stable than the Falcon 16. The 4 we have are the modulus, Carbonlite with Kevlar reinforcement.

Rotomolded
We have long been disdainful of rotomolded polyethylene kayaks. Sure they’re tougher and less expensive but they didn’t feel quite right. If people want to splash around in beach toys, they can have fun with an inner tube. We’re serious kayakers.

Last Fall we went to the symposium to see what’s new. We were pleasantly surprised with the feel of a several rotomolded boats. Instead of feeling like so many elongated storage containers, these boats have chines, thigh braces and personality.

Necky: Zoar, Looksha Sport and Looksha Sport LV.
Wilderness Systems: Cape Horn 14, Cape Horn 15, Piccolo.

The Piccolo is a small person’s boat. An eighty pounder in it feels like a full sized person in a full sized sea kayak.

Fiberglass Doubles
Eddyline: San Juan, Whisper

The San Juan is the 3 holer. You can take your dog or whatever in the center compartment. It doesn't work well for a paddler in the center.

Northwest Kayaks: Seascape.5 Limo

The Limo is open between the front and rear stations. Not suitable for rough weather but it's light and not claustrophobic.

Wilderness Systems: Echo

The Echo is the fastest and least stable of the doubles, but a lot of fun!

Seaward: Southwind, Naia