m
ain
kayaker’s
journal
p
hoto: Victoria Bowman //
i
nset photos:
t
im
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INSIDE out By TIm ShuFF
the
Chinook tX By Seaward KayaKS
We DIDN’T KNOW that our demo kayak Chinook stands apart for its depth and vol-
would be sold out from under us while we ume. The cockpit is roomy and the coaming
were paddling it. We returned the Seaward and thigh braces are very high for big paddlers.
Chinook five hours late from a multi-day trip The bottomless hatches turn this boat into
WIDE-BODIED WATERCRAFT
in Clayoquot Sound to learn that its frustrated any trip’s packhorse.
The shallow-arch hull is deep and full
buyer had long ago quit waiting for us to bring Seaward’s recyclable ZyTx thermoformed
for maximum carrying capacity and
his boat back and had gone home. ABS plastic makes for a hull that’s lightweight
nearly flat-bottomed for rock solid
Now, you can define kayak performance in for its size and pleasing to the eye. Thermo-
initial stability.
various ways. for some, performance is be- form plastic is a soft material and we noticed
A RUDDER IN DISGUISE
ing able to put a boat on an aggressive edge some hull flex in the cockpit on the water, but Seaward’s new and improved cockpit
so it’ll spin on a jellyfish and feel as stable with no noticeable effect on performance.
includes a height-adjustable seat,
sliding sideways down a wave as it does on a On-water performance is predictable and
angle-adjustable rudder pedals and
trout pond. Others define high performance well-suited to the intended outfitter use.
a rudder-deployment system that uses
in arguably more practical terms. Like being Tracking is excellent. The Chinook takes ef-
a slider, more like a skeg control than
able to throw the entire contents of a minivan fort to edge, let alone flip, when loaded. The
a rudder’s usual deck-top pull cord.
into the hatches, plop first-timers in the cock- rudder counteracts a slight tendency to weath-
FOOLPROOF HATCHES
pit and send them onto the ocean without a ercock in wind and adds manoeuvrability. Seaward excels at friendly features
worry—or buy it off the rack and know that A lot of things conspired to make us late
that seem so obvious you wonder why
you’re sure to find it comfy and easy to paddle. coming home from Tofino, including bad
every manufacturer doesn’t copy
That’s the Seaward Chinook TX: a begin- weather, a sick paddler who needed to be
them: like bow and stern directional
ner-friendly, outfitter-friendly, “buy it on spec” towed, opposing tidal currents, and an ice
arrows on the neoprene hatch covers.
friendly craft. cream break at the the country market with
The Chinook started life as the now-dis- the goats on the roof in Coombs, British
length ...............17 ft (518 cm)
continued Tyee TX, a boat intended for out- Columbia. The Chinook handled them all.
width .................24 in (70 cm)
depth ................14.5 in (37 cm)
fitter fleets that turned out to be too tippy Although we don’t recommend anyone buy
cockpit .............32.25 x 16.5 in
for beginners. The redesign emerged as the a kayak while it’s still being paddled by some-
(82 x 42 cm)
Chinook, a “stable, capable cruiser” with the one else, we do recommend the Chinook for
total storage ....75 gal (285 l)
exceptional primary stability that beginners large beginner paddlers looking for comfort,
weight ...............56 lbs (25.4 kg)
and outfitters crave. rock-solid stability and expedition capacity in price..................$2,650 cdn, $2,375 uS
With the classic 17-foot by 24-inch dimen- a thermoformed kayak. seawardkayaks.com
sions of an all-purpose West Coast tourer, the
20 aDvENturE KaYaK | Summer/Fall 2009
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