INsideOUT theSQUAMISH
length: 15 ft 8 in width: 23 in mid-ship depth: 13.5 in weight: 55 lbs cockpit: 29 x 16 in carrying capacity: 254 ltrs front hatch: 9.5” diametre; 55 ltrs
rear hatch: 16.5x11”; 55 ltrs
MSRP: $1549.00 Cdn by Current Designs
Small plastic kayaks used to fall into the category of “first boats” and were considered a stepping-stone to the own- ership of a “real” sea kayak. They were designed to be stable and comfortable with beginners in mind. The hitch in this plan is that small, plastic kayaks would fit the needs of many paddlers if only they offered the performance features of the larger expedition kayaks. That’s because more and more kayakers are paddling for recreation as well as vacation. We don’t need 18 feet of boat to carry lunch on day trips. And then there are smaller paddlers who don’t want to graduate to an expedition-sized boat. Manufacturers are clueing into this and one good exam- ple is the new Current Designs Squamish, a small plastic kayak that is a real paddlers’ boat.
CD has blended the concepts of
North America and Britain into the development of the Squamish. The soft- chine, V-hull design typical of CD’s clas- sic Solstice line usually comes with an external rudder system. Instead CD equipped the Squamish with a
retractable skeg more common on hard- chine British designs. The resulting com- bination is the superior initial stability of a soft-chine hull plus the secure feel you get from rigid foot pedals of a rudderless boat. Now paddlers who wouldn’t nec- essarily tilt and engage a hard chine can still have the simplicity of a skeg and the low-profile stern deck of British boats. The Squamish is trimmed with full deck riggings, recessed deck fittings and a bowline. You might want to modify the carrying handles or else get used to the sound of them banging around. On most CD boats the handles sit back from the ends of the boat and rest on the deck, but the toggles on the Squamish are attached to the ends of the boat so they can swing down and whack the hull with every wave. Our only other peeve was that when we were playing in the surf the stern hatch on our Squamish seeped some water, nothing major but enough to pool slightly at the bulkhead. We admit these are petty gripes when you consider that the Squamish is such a reasonably priced boat or, as the CD marketing folks
put it, “abundantly affordable relative to quality.”
The Squamish is ultimately set apart by its geometry. The shallow cockpit, narrow seat, low thigh braces and low- profile bow deck are great for small to medium-sized paddlers. Petite paddlers used to sinking into deeper boats can enjoy feeling like they’re not peering through the steering wheel of a ‘78 Fleetwood Cadillac. The smaller-boats- for-smaller-paddlers theory only breaks down when you start packing for an expedition. The Squamish is an ideal day or overnight tripper and could join on longer trips but expect to share some of your load.
The Current Designs Squamish is a great first boat, but don’t peg it in the beginner-boat category. If you’re a small person it might be the first boat that fits you. And for day trips it might be the first boat you choose while your “real” sea kayak sits in the garage waiting for a longer trip.
Cockpit: The Squamish’s snug, shallow cockpit lets smaller paddlers feel like they’re sitting high and in control of the boat. The recessed slider con- trols the skeg. The backband adjusts, the thighbraces are padded both the seat is not.
Bow Hatch: The plastic lid over the front hatch deflects waves, protects the 8” round rubber hatch-cover from UV rays, and gives clean lines to the low-profile bow deck. The Kajak Sport rubber hatch-covers are roped on and a bungie locks them in place.
Stern Hatch: The rear hatch has a larger opening that accommodates awkward items. To fully use the shallow 55-litre stern compartment you have to stuff evenly around the internal skeg box.
38 Spring 2003
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