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journal k ayaker’s


LET YOUR EXPEDITION DREAMS UNFOLD. PHOTOS: VIRGINIA MARSHALL


INSIDE OUT BY VIRGINIA MARSHALL The Heron


BY FEATHERCRAFT


Feathercraft’s first new long haul tripper since launching the K1 Expedition in 1981, the Heron is for paddlers “with a weeklong or multi-week expedition in mind who want a high performance boat in terms of speed and agility,” says designer and company founder Doug Simpson. Hand built on Granville Is- land in Vancouver, B.C., it’s positioned as the new premier choice for travelers needing a fast, high volume folding kayak capable of handling the world’s most demanding environments. With tent pole-style, aluminum bow and stern frame assemblies,


six donut-shaped


crossribs, nine additional frame poles and a myriad of subsidiary pieces, it isn’t the quickest to assemble folding kayak on the market. Nor is it the cheapest. But the Heron does benefit from the same full-featured outfitting and du- rable construction as the legendary K1. Three dry bag-style, roll closure hatches ac-


cess two cavernous storage compartments; there’s enough capacity for several weeks worth of food, fuel and gear. No day hatch means you’ll likely want a deck bag for on-water essen- tials. Like its Feathercraft forebears, the Heron doesn’t have bulkheads and utilizes a sea sock— a waterproof cockpit cocoon that attaches to the coaming—to keep the storage areas dry, and an unloaded boat floating in the event of capsize. Our six-foot-plus testers enjoyed the roomy


fit and accessibility of the deep, extra-long cockpit and found the slender thigh brace tubes adequate for a dialled in fit. At 5’6”, the high coaming and backrest hindered my torso rotation, and just my kneecaps made contact with the thigh braces. Adding foam or an in-


32 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SPRING 2012


flatable booster seat improves fit for smaller paddlers, but this is really a big-boy boat. Simpson recommends the capable, lower vol- ume Feathercraft Wisper for petite paddlers (see Inside Out, Spring 2006, www.adventu- rekayakmagazine.com/0035 for a full review). The long waterline combined with a Swede


form shape and clipper bow make the 17’7” Heron significantly faster than the shorter, beamier K1 Expedition. It accelerates quickly to a cruising speed comparable to many com- posite touring kayaks. The hard-chine, V-shape hull provides less


initial stability but edges with aplomb. Rock solid secondary stability is enhanced by small- diameter, integrated sponsons above the chines. When inflated, the sponsons fill out the skin, stretching it drum-tight and adding a cushion of support when the boat is edged aggressively. Dropping the rudder or heeling the hull


onto its windward edge easily corrects weath- ercocking. Rough water paddling is a pleasure, with the generously rockered hull dampening rather than slapping the waves. For those com- ing from a plastic or composite kayak, paddling a Feathercraft is a unique way to experience an even closer connection with the water. The capacity of the Heron favors long dis-


tance touring over day paddling. It’s ideal for medium to large paddlers whose travel plans demand mile-chewing performance, proven durability and unparalleled portability.


Digital Extra: To watch a video review, go to Adventurekayakmag.com/0036 or download the Adventure Kayak app.


ELBOW GREASE Assembly is straightforward, but sig- nificantly easier with a helper. Our first attempt took one and a half hours. Practice and watching the provided DVD—which we neglected to do in the spirit of a remote field assembly— would cut this in half.


MISSION CONTROL Gas pedal-style rudder controls adjust to a wide range of leg lengths and provide a solid platform for power transfer and bracing. Comfort touch- es include an inflatable backrest and calf plates for under-leg support.


TOTALLY TUBULAR


A combination of long waterline, Swede form shape, pronounced V hull, hard chines and internal sponsons stretch the cruising speed of the hard- wearing, reinforced welded urethane hull while enabling aggressive edging and surprisingly nimble turning.


FEATHERCRAFT HERON Length ......................................17 ft 7 in Width ...............................................24 in Weight ...........................................54 lbs Packed Size .......................36 x 18 x 12” Price ................ $6,200 CAD / $6,112 US www.feathercraft.com


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