Time for a new boat....?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I made the mistake of telling my father that I was talking to a fiberglass pro about getting my kayak fixed up.  He took that to mean that my boat was no longer safe, and has offered to buy me a new one.  I've tried to explain that my boat is safe and intact, but he refuses to believe it.  I'm glad I didn't show him the pictures below, although they show why I want to get my boat fixed up.

It's pretty rough looking, and I could probably fix it up myself, but I figured a pro would do a better job faster than I would, so I decided to get an estimate.  I haven't gotten the estimate yet, but my father has convinced me to go out looking at new boats- although it doesn't take much to get me to go look at new boats!

Of course, to replace the one I have would be a major expense- my boat new runs about $3,000, and my current budget is about 1/3 of that, so the new one will likely be plastic, and not likely as large as mine, which is fine with me.  There are situations where a large fiberglass boat like mine is not ideal such as shallow water, rivers, rocky areas and surfing, so I'd like to get something in the 10-14 foot range, preferable in roto-molded plastic.

There are four shops in town I am going to try and hit today.... I'll report back with whatever I find.

Def

[Gareth]

I was thinking none of it looks too bad, right up until the third picture which looks as if the thing is trying to break in half and is being held together with parcel tape!

I hope the quote isn't ridiculous and you can get it fixed up by a pro so as to get many more years service out of it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Actually, that's fiberglass tape and resin- it looks awful, but it's solid.

Def

[Gareth]

Actually, that's fiberglass tape and resin- it looks awful, but it's solid.

Def

I was guessing (or hoping at least ) that it was something like that.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I only managed one of the four shops.  One was open, two were closed and the fourth was all the way on the other side of the city, and I didn't really feel like going down there.

So far these are the options:

Current Designs Kestrel 120, 12 foot boat

Perception Carolina 12 foot boat

Perception Conduit 13 foot boat

So far it looks like the Conduit is in the lead in my mind- the Kestral would have been tops, but I would miss the bow hold, and it's storage space is limited because of it.  The Carolina is a nice boat too, but between it and the Conduit, the Conduit is nicer- the extra length and storage space make the relatively wide beam (26", vs the 24" in my current boat) a bit more acceptable in my mind, plus the Conduit has an adjustable seat.

But, there are three other dealers I need to see before making up my mind. 

Def

[Gareth]

Only issue with the Conduit I can see is that it doesn't come in light red.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I was waiting for that...

Def

[Gareth]

Well I wouldn't want to disappoint you boss.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Bless your heart... your cold, black heart....

Def

[Gareth]

Bless your heart... your cold, black heart....

Def

[tattoosteve99]

I thought Def's kayak was pink not light red???   

[dks]

I thought Def's kayak was pink not light red???   

  I thought it was described as "salmon coloured"   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Actually, it's a shade called "Bannable Red" and it's exclusive to MTO...

Def

[ducttapetech]

are you going to have them repaint it?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I went to four different shops today, and here's what I found.

Necky Looksha 12

Venture Easky 13

Boreal Designs Kasko

I looked at others, but these were the front runners in my mind.  I really like the Boreal Designs Kasko, but at $1299 it's also the priciest of the bunch.  The Looksha 12 I can get for $799, plus another couple hundred to put a rudder on it, and the Easky 13 is $1275.  The Conduit 13 I looked at yesterday is regularly $999 but next weekend it will be on sale for $699, plus another $300 or so for a rudder for it.

The Conduit is also the only one I can't get in yellow.  For the most part color doesn't bother me, but if I have the option (all other things being equal) I'll pick the yellow.

Other than that, they each have their strong points.  The Boreal Kasko is the most beautiful boat and has a very low profile rudder, and you don't so much get into it as put it on.  The Perception Conduit has the benefit of exceptional pricing.  The Necky Looksha has a fully adjustable seat.  The Venture Easky I suppose is the least exciting of the bunch, but it's still a very nice boat. 

To narrow down the list I think I'd take the Easky out because, while it is a very nice boat, it is at the upper end of the spectrum for pricing, and there's nothing really to get it to stand out.

Further, I could take the Perception Carolina out as I can get the Perception Conduit (bigger boat) for a better price.

The Current Designs Kestral doesn't have a bow hatch, which I rarely use, but I'd miss if I didn't have it.

So, that leaves the Looksha 12, Perception Conduit (13 feet) and the Boreal Kasko, also at 13 feet.  Decisions decisions....   

The Conduit may be out too- I have to find out what kind of pedals they have.  There's a new two piece pedal system in a lot of boats nowadays that are better, but I can't use. 



Because my left foot doesn't move the way it's supposed to I can't push the left pedal on this type of rudder system, so if that's what the Conduit has then it will be useless to me and therefore out of the running.  The benefit of these pedals is the larger, main part of the pedal is stationary giving the paddler something to brace against, and they can use their toes to pivot the rudder.  My foot doesn't do that so I'd just be going in right hand circles all the time.  Sadly, these are the pedals I have in my current kayak, and one of the many reasons I removed the rudder from my boat.

This is the type I can use:



This picture was taken inside a Necky Looksha, and the ones in the Boreal are pretty well the same, only I think they are aluminum.

Not bad- cut six boats from five stores down to three, and one is just holding on by a thread! 

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Oh yeah, and the estimates for my boat were between $500 and $800, so I'll be taking care of it myself, or just leaving it the way it is.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

The possibility of the wrong pedals being installed in the Conduit has kind of soured me on getting that one, even though it may be completely unfounded.  I found this video showing the awesome seat in the Looksha 12:



Yeah I know, the video is horrid and that guy should never be allowed near the front of a camera, but the kayak is nice.

The other one I'm still interested in is the Boreal Designs Kasko, which is a very beautiful boat.  The store that sells them is right on the canal where I do a lot of kayaking and I can test paddle before I buy it, but neither store that sells the Looksha is near water, so if I go that way I am buying it without testing it.  There is a kayak rental place not to far from here that rents Necky boats, but the smallest they have is the 14' version.  I'll probably still go out and test it as the 14 comes standard with a rudder (I'll have to add one to the 12, but it's a direct bolt on), and the 14' version shouldn't be too different other than length.

Also, Boreal went under in February, which is a bit of a concern, but not much.  I should still be able to get rudder parts, but I have to say it's sad to see another Canadian company go under, especially one that makes such beautiful boats.  The Kasko is a work of art, but then it's also a work of art that's about $300 more than the Looksha...

Def

[b.macavoy]

Alright, I will make the only comment I can, since I know nothing about kayaking except it looks like fun.
Get Cloud or Storm as a color.
(wait, that is probably not safe, but cool colors  )
Staying away from the bannable red.   
Beth

[Grant Lamontagne]

Actually, either boat is likely to be in yellow.  While I don't choose a boat based on color, all things being equal, if yellow is available, that's what I'll take.  I tend to be a bit adventurous and it's nice to be easily found if things go wrong! 



See?  Easy to spot in the woods!

And, in case you aren't up on the rest of the kayak jokes, here's my current boat, whuch a lot of folks think is pink.

On Shubendacadie Grand Lake:


On an island in St Margaret's Bay:


In a small cove on Porter's Lake:


Def

[Chako]

I would go with comfort. That adjustable seat looks very well designed and comfortable.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I just got back from paddling a Looksha 14, the bigger version of the Looksha 12 that I'm interested in. The 14 is also sort of on the list, but I really didn't want to go that big this time around since I already have a big boat- my Synergy is 17 feet long.

The seat in the Looksha is indeed nice, but the boat itself is a pig compared to mine, with a significant amount more resistance to overcome ti get it moving.  The rudder was nice, but I'm not used to a rudder at all, so any rudder is nicer than the rudder I have!

My employer (he hates the term "boss") came with me as he wanted to try kayaking and may get himself a boat as well, and he seemed to have a great time too.

The Looksha is a nice boat and the seat is great, but I'm not sure that its the boat for me.

Def

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[Grant Lamontagne]

Forgot the pics. As you can see we had nice weather and found a nice beach where a bunch of kayak guides were being trained.

Def

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[Grant Lamontagne]

For those of you who may have missed this shot on Facebook but want to have your opportunity to poke fun at me too...



I was calling the rental agency to let them know we were taking another hour in the boats so they wouldn't send out a rescue party.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Now that some other issues have been resolved I am now back in the market for another boat.  I put this search on hold when my dog died, then dealt with some Jeep issues, then my new position with my company, then finding new tenants etc.  I hate it when life gets in the way!

I bought my wife a boat last week- it's a 10 foot Pelican Pulse 100x which is a big box store kayak- a great smurfing around boat but not a serious traveler like the kind I am looking at.  Still, she is a casual paddler at best and doesn't need a serious boat, but of course if she decides she wanted to do some more serious paddling, well I have my Synergy plus the new boat.  I have considered a Pelican from time to time as I do enjoy the smaller boats from time to time, but they were $120 off last week and I just happened to get a $500 bonus from work, so I rewarded myself with a cheap boat for my wife (that she's nice enough to let me use!) and some Jeep parts!   

As with last time I am leaning towards the Boreal Designs Kasko I mentioned earlier, but I'm not convinced just yet, even though I paddled a number of boats at Paddlefest.

I have a bit more poking around to do, but I'll probably pull the trigger on something within the next week.  The Kasko is a beautiful boat with all rounded lines and no visible seams... it's a work of art as much as it's a boat!



Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

I picked up a new boat today- its a Point 65 XO13 from Sweden.  Its thirteen feet which is the length I wad looking for, has a rudder and a drop down skeg, fore and aft hatches, lots of rigging on the fore and aft decks and has an adjustable seat back.

It feels a lot different than my Synergy, but it's not too bad. The best part is that its about $500 cheaper than my first choice, the Boreal Designs Kasko.  The Kasko is a much nicer looking boat and the pedal system is better for my bad foot, but for $500 I will make the sacrifice.... or see about replacing the pedals.

Def

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[Gareth]

great look boat mate.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thanks- it's not as smooth as my Synergy and the pedals are going to take some getting used to (if I can get used to them) but it's a very nice little boat.  It was a steal at that price too.

I have never seen a boat with both a skeg and a rudder before.  Usually it's one or the other, since all a skeg really is is a rudder with no side to side motion.  I'd seen this one up against the wall with an $800 price tag on it and I was impressed- but it said "Kayak w/Skeg" and I thought it would be perfect if it had a rudder.  I got around the next corner and saw the exact same boat with a rudder on the floor and I turned to my wife and said that if the rudder version was under $1000 I'd take it.

Despite browsing in the expensive section of the store, it was almost impossible to find a sales person to help us, but when we finally did get one I asked about it.  He said it was $800 and that they were the same boat and they came equipped with both.  Now to me, this was as alien as buying a car that you find out is both right and left hand drive, but the price was right so I told him to wrap it the smurf up and I'd take it right out of his way.

I also got myself a spray skirt to go along with it and my wife decided I was buying her some new sandals too so it worked out well for everyone! 

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

After giving the pedals a serious go I'm still unconvinced that they will be any use to me.  I called around looking for a different pedal system and I found a set of sliding pedals (just what I was after) at a local shop for $60.  I will probably head out there tomorrow to pick them up.  So, I have no longer saved $500 on this boat, the official number I've saved is down to $440.  Still a good bet! 

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

I picked up the new pedals this morning, mowed the lawn and now I'm headed off to work for an hour or so.  If all goes well I'll come home, have a small nap (push mower + 30C heat = tired Def) then pull out the kayak and see about swapping the pedals and maybe even have enough time left over to take it out for a test run.  If not I'll just have to do it tomorrow!

Def

[enki_ck]

I saw this a few days ago and it made me think of you, boss.