www. s e e k e r k a y a k . c om
cruising speed quicker than a compara- bly sized Tsunami, but the real efficien- cy comes from all those minute course corrections you save thanks to the Fo- cus’ affinity for straight-line paddling. Combine the aforementioned hull characteristics with predictable stabil- ity and a low, unobtrusive deck profile, and the Focus shines as an affordable, entry-level option for aspiring fitness paddlers. Those planning longer day tours and weekend trips will find plenty of storage space in the three hatches, as well as ample wet storage behind the seat.
Most Advanced Inflatable Kayaks
Rapid Media’s PADDLING BUYER’S GUIDE isn’t just kayaks. In this annual 212-page book you’ll fi nd hundreds of canoes, whitewater kayaks, paddles, PFDs and accessories. Get it and get on the water.
composite touring CONTINUED The evolution of inflatable kayaks™ HH
AdvancedElements.com See our complete line of products and find a dearer near you. AA
II AdvancedFrame®
cient and fast kayak with great maneuver- ability. This is a boat that is extremely user friendly for a narrow-beam kayak.
LENGTH: 16’8” • WIDTH: 21” • COCKPIT: 30” X 16” • CAPACITY: 215 LBS • COMPOSITE: 40–50 LBS
QCC KAYAKS Q700X (Z)
www.qcckayaks.com $2,999–$3899 UPDATED FOR 2014
X QCC KAYAKS Q500X (X)
www.qcckayaks.com $2,999–$3,899 UPDATED FOR 2014
A performance kayak for larger kayakers. This kayak paddles very efficiently even when loaded up with a heavy paddler, plus gear. The Q500X blends speed and stabil- ity with style and comfort. The Q500X is so comfortable for extended paddles that it has become the favorite Great Lakes guide boat.
LENGTH: 16’10” • WIDTH: 23” • COCKPIT: 30” X 16” • CAPACITY: 340 LBS • COMPOSITE: 42–50 LBS
QCC KAYAKS Q600X (Y)
www.qcckayaks.com $2,999–$3,899 UPDATED FOR 2014
The Q600X is ideal for paddlers weighing 130 to 160 pounds looking for a narrow- beam performance kayak. Its 21-inch beam allows for a comfortable paddle even with narrow shoulders. It is an extremely effi-
Y Z
The Q700X may be the fastest touring kayak available today. The pinnacle of John Winters’ kayak design work,
the
Q700X is dry, maneuverable and fast. It is very controllable in short, steep chop and also surfs well. This is an ultimate fast touring sea kayak.
LENGTH: 18’ • WIDTH: 21” • COCKPIT: 30” X 16” • CAPACITY: 315 LBS • COMPOSITE: 41–52 LBS, $2,999–$3,899
POINT 65N SWEDEN AB WHISKEY (AA)
www.point65.com $3,399–$4,999
For the beginner, the Whiskey is a very stable open water kayak. For the expert, it is the ultimate playboat. With its fuller bow and stern shape to reduce plunging, the Whiskey is designed to make the most of rough water and surf. It is perfect for day trips but spacious enough for a few days of self-contained expedition paddling. It is available in vacuum-bagged fiberglass. The Whiskey has two large oval aft and bow hatches which provide exceptional storage.
LENGTH: 16’ • WIDTH: 22” • COCKPIT: 31” X 16” • CAPACITY: 342 LBS • FIBERGLASS: 53 LBS, $3,399 • KEVLAR, CARBON: 39 LBS, $4,999
88 PADDLING BUYER’S GUIDE || Annual 2014 AirFusion™ Elite AdvancedFrame® BB CC AdvElemFull Pg Ad
AdventurKayak.indd 1 POINT 65N SWEDEN AB
FREYA (BB)
www.point65.com • $3,999
NEW FOR 2014
With the help of expedition paddler Freya Hoffmeister, Point 65 began designing the Freya 18. Safety, comfort and speed were key design features. The Freya 18 is designed to keeps its rider safe in the cock- pit through the most fearful chop, surf, or wake. It’s the combination of speed and stability that makes the Freya 18 truly unique. The Freya features a roomy cock- pit, adjustable
seat with AIR backrest,
performance foot pedals and integrated rudder with built in skeg.
LENGTH: 18’ • WIDTH: 17.7” • COCKPIT: 34” X 16.5” • CAPACITY: 440 LBS • FIBERGLASS: 55 LBS
POINT 65N SWEDEN AB XP 18 (CC)
www.point65.com $3,499–$4,999
The XP 18 is a very fast touring kayak with the aggressive appearance of an adventure racing craft and the performance to match. Using highly advanced hydrodynamic design technology, the XP 18 has a markedly im- proved stability, maneuverability and speed. Great primary and secondary stability offers beginners and expedition paddlers alike a fast ride, even in the most challenging con- ditions. Features include roomy cockpit, AIR backrest for adjustable support and rudder.
LENGTH: 18” • WIDTH: 21.3” • COCKPIT: 34.2” X 16.2” • CAPACITY: 364 LBS • FIBERGLASS: 55 LBS, $3,499 • KEVLAR/CARBON: 43 LBS, $4,999
Convertible StraitEdge™ Angler AdvancedFrame® Sport Lagoon 1™ JJ
LENGTH: 16’2” • WIDTH: 23” • COCKPIT: 31” X 16” • CAPACITY: 345 LITERS • FIBERGLASS: 52 L BS, $3,675 CAD • KEVLAR: 47 LBS, SEE DEALER FOR PRICE
6/17/13 2:14 PM SEAWARD KAYAKS DD EE SEAWARD KAYAKS
SEAWARD TYEE (DD)
www.seawardkayaks.com • $3,675
UPDATED FOR 2014
The Seaward Tyee is stable, seaworthy and comfort- able—it’s one of the best all-around sea kayaks available. A beautiful upswept bow, soft chine and long water line make the Tyee easy to handle. A favorite with outfitters, the Tyee inspires confidence in any conditions. The Tyee is high volume, with plenty of storage and ensures a dry ride. Built tough with Seaward’s attention to detail and outstanding quality.
More kayaks than you can shake a stick at.
LENGTH: 17’ • WIDTH: 24” • COCKPIT: 32.25” X 16.5” • CAPACITY: 415 LITERS • FIBERGLASS: 56 LBS, $3,675 • KEVLAR: 50 LBS, SEE DEALER FOR PRICE
SEAWARD KAYAKS
SEAWARD LUNA (EE)
www.seawardkayaks.com • $3,675 CAD
UPDATED FOR 2014
The Seaward Luna is versatile, fun and maneuverable. With a soft chine and moderate rocker, the Luna is both re- sponsive and stable. The Luna is really two kayaks in one. It’s a capable light touring kayak, comfortable in adverse conditions, and a fun day tripper with a thirst for adven- ture. Suited to small- and medium-sized paddlers, the Luna is built with Seaward’s legendary reputation for quality.
INTREPID 18’ (GG)
www.stellarkayaksusa.com $2,500–$5,115
The Stellar Intrepid 18-foot (SI18) sea kayak is very capable and has a traditional hull design. Hard chines, a defined keel and a retractable skeg provide excellent handling in rock gardens or on longer adventures. With three sealed storage compartments, a small day hatch in front of the cockpit and deck rigging, the SI18 provides plenty of storage options and accessibility. A molded seat pad and thigh brace provide comfort and stability when it gets rough.
LENGTH: 18’ • WIDTH: 21.3” • COCKPIT: 31.9” X 17.3” • CAPACITY: 350 LBS • FIBERGLASS: 49.6 LBS, $2,500 • FIBERGLASS, CORE: 43.7 LBS, $2,995 • KEVLAR, NOMEX CORE: 40.8 LBS, $3,775 • CARBON, NOMEX CORE: 40.8 LBS, $5,115
LENGTH: 17’1” • WIDTH: 21.25’’ • COCKPIT: 16.5’’ X 31.5’’ • CAPACITY: 287 LBS • COMPOSITE: 54 LBS
TAHE MARINE
REVAL HV (JJ)
www.tahemarine.com • $2,819
NEW FOR 2014
The Reval HV model is the newest kayak in Tahe Ma- rine’s range, launched for the 2014 season. The Reval HV is an ideal choice for adrenaline seekers as this kayak has wonderful stability and navigability, even in breaking waves and strong winds.
LENGTH: 17’7” • WIDTH: 21.25’’ • COCKPIT: 17.75’’ X 32.25’’ • CAPACITY: 341 LBS • COMPOSITE: 56 LBS
www.rapidmedia.com 89
If your stick has two blades and you want to do more than just shake it, look no further than our 2014 Paddling Buyer’s Guide. Inside you’ll fi nd 288 of the best kayak models ever built. When you take into account that most models are available in many different materials with dozens of trim options you’ll realize that you have thousands of choices. If you need a new stick, you can fi nd that in here too.
Available on your Desktop
Available through the Adventure Kayak magazine Apple and Android apps and on your desktop computer at
www.adventurekayakmag.com
FF GG
FOSTER LEGEND (FF)
www.seawardkayaks.com $4,300 CAD
SEAWARD/ UPDATED FOR 2014
The Legend, designed by Nigel Foster, is a classic hard-chined, Brit-style kayak. Able to handle the wildest conditions, the Legend is a responsive, ma- neuverable and exemplary expedition kayak. With ex-
cellent tracking, the Legend also transitions quickly from edge to edge and a buoyant clipper bow makes for a dry ride. Built with Seaward’s unique kink-free skeg system and industry-leading quality. The Legend is proudly built under license from Nigel Foster.
LENGTH: 17’10” • WIDTH: 21” • COCKPIT: 31” X 15” • CAPACITY: 338 LITERS • FIBERGLASS: 57 LBS, $4,300 • KEVLAR: 51 LBS, SEE DEALER FOR PRICE
STELLAR KAYAKS & SURF SKIS
STELLAR KAYAKS & SURF SKIS S16 (HH)
www.stellarkayaksusa.com $2,025–$4,310
The Stellar 16-foot (S16) touring kayak was designed for speed and stability for long distance tours. With added moderate concavity along the keel of the bow and stern, tracking in rough conditions is easier. For windy days and following seas, a drop-down rudder off the stern will help keep your course. Higher decks allow for a dryer paddle in rough conditions and large stern and medium bow compartments provide ample storage for longer tours.
LENGTH: 16’ • WIDTH: 22” • COCKPIT: 31.9” X 17.3” • CAPACITY: 350 LBS • FIBERGLASS: 45.6 LBS, $2,025 • FIBERGLASS, CORE: 37.5 LBS, $2,450 • KEVLAR, NOMEX CORE: 35.3 LBS, $3,115 • CARBON, NOMEX CORE: 34.2 LBS, $4,310
TAHE MARINE
REVAL MIDI (II)
www.tahemarine.com • $2,789
The Reval Midi is an ideal choice for adrenaline seekers, as this British-style kayak has a wonderful stability and navigability, even in breaking waves and strong winds. The hull is designed with rocker and upswept bow and stern to handle any challenge.
The Focus holds its own in rough water, with fine secondary stability and increased maneuverability on edge. Even in lumpy conditions, it’s near-zero rocker waterline makes for better A-to- B cruising than playful wave hopping.
Wilderness Systems Focus 150
Length Width
Our kayaks deliver the portability and high performance you’re looking for at a very reasonable price. Go anywhere in the world with no roof rack required! Whether you want to paddle where no one has paddled before or explore a local waterway, we have just the kayak for you. Simply inflate and hit the water in minutes.
RAPID MEDIA PADDLING BUYER’S GUIDEIDE 2014
recreational kayaking
SIT-INSIDE SIT-ON-TOP INFLATABLES FOLDING
116 123 138 140
PADDLES PFDS
OUTERWEAR
141 142 142
ACCESSORIES 144
www.rapidmedia.com 115 Weight
Max Capacity Price
15 ft 23 in
52 lbs
325 lbs $1,419
($1,639 with rudder)
www.wildernesssystems.com
Wilderness Systems is an indus- try leader in comfortable, functional cockpit outfitting. Slide yourself into the Focus’ Phase 3 AirPro XP seating system, and all discussion of waterline efficiency or rough water performance may start to seem like frivolous fluff. Adjustability? In spades: tweak the hip pads, foam thigh braces, back sup- port and leg lifters to create a custom fit. Comfort? La-Z-Boy would be envious: the padded, generous length seat and thigh support are especially welcome for those who suffer from numb bum or sciatica issues. Fit? Dialed: there’s room to perform a solid leg drive off the SlideLock foot braces while forward paddling, without sacri- ficing the contact and support required for bracing and rolling.
The Focus is available in three sizes—including a snugger 145 and roomier 155—to suit paddlers of every description. From light touring to fit- ness training, for beginner-mediates who want a kayak that combines efficient design, user-friendly handling and supremely comfortable outfitting, Wilderness Systems brings your priori- ties into Focus. VIRGINIA MARSHALL
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch a video review.
68 | ADVENTURE KAYAK
kayak touring
PHOTO: HENRIK TRYGG
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