ASSEMBLY TIME
LENGTH WIDTH
MATERIAL WEIGHT PRICE
5 minutes 14’9”
26”
Urethane-coated nylon 20 pounds
$2,473/$2,700 CAD WEBSITE
www.feathercraft.com
POR T ABILITY
PERF ORMANCE
MERCURY GTX I
POINT 65
f you’ve ever shopped at Ikea, you have probably marveled at the Swedish engi- neering that packs wardrobes and desks into flat boxes that fit in a Prius. Similarly, Point 65 Kayaks, based in Sweden, build innova- tive, modular plastic kayaks that stash in a closet or compact car.
The Mercury GTX solo breaks apart into three manageably sized sections, with the bow section fitting into the midsection’s cockpit for storage. The pieces assemble in seconds using Point 65’s patented Snap-Tap technology: interlocking bulkheads paired with deck-mounted ratchet straps. Each section is entirely self-contained, the spacious bow and stern hatches on our demo boat were bone dry even with waves washing over the deck. The modular design is also versatile—you can snap in a second cockpit section to transform the Mercury into a double kayak.
While a slight hull flex at the section joints is detectable when carrying the Mercury on land, it isn’t noticeable on the water. Hull speed matches that of comparable light tour- ing kayaks. Generous initial stability and a large cockpit cater to novice and recreational paddlers, but the Mercury is no slouch in rough water. Edge turns feel sporty and responsive, although the cockpit opening is too wide to really lock in your legs. The Mercury’s AIR seat has inflatable lumbar and bottom support for all-day com- fort. Gas pedal-style foot braces control Point 65’s pivoting stern keel, which has a cleaner deck profile and less windage than an exter- nal rudder. An integrated skeg works more as a steering enhancement than a set-it-and-
POR T ABILITY
forget-it tracking aid—since there’s no way to lock out the stern pivot, you’ll always have to be mindful of steering with your feet. While it’s true that a sectional kayak doesn’t fit into a backpack, it is by far the fastest option for those who want the ease of launching a hard-shell and the storage smarts of a portable kayak.
IDEAL FOR…
Sneaking in a paddle at lunch, weekend tours on all types of water.
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch a video review.
www.adventurekayakmag.com | 53
PERF ORMANCE
ASSEMBLY TIME LENGTH WIDTH
MATERIAL WEIGHT
PRICE WEBSITE
2 minutes 13’7” 23.6”
Rotomolded polyethylene
55 pounds $1,379
www.point65.com
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