It comes standard with bulkheads fore and aft with a third bulkhead optional. They are sea kayaks, with tons of storage for your longer adventures'Pacific water sports is no longer in business, but was located in Tacoma Washington and well-regarded for their boats. Like most early hardshells, the WT-500 had a rudder, but no hatches or bulkheads; gear was stowed in canvas duffels waterproofed with garbagebags. Was in a Tire Shop down by Camp Lejuene today and the owner had a fiberglass/composite kayak hanging from the ceiling. The first thing we learned was that even though there was no floatation in the bow, the kayak would stay floating level as long as you kept it upside-down or right-side-up. In spite of the good thigh and foot bracing, GL thought his loose fit in the seat caused him to slip out of position and miss a roll. Hull: 3/4-oz. Kayaking: Tips for the Beginner. Call for the nearest dealer. As a pioneering recreational kayak the Old Town Otter was among the first to include features that are standard in todays entry-level kayaks, including the high back seat. Foot pegs improve paddler fit in the boat and allow you to paddle more efficiently by transferring energy from your entire body to the kayak, making your strokes more effective. Old Town Loon kayaks include padded seats (the current models ACS2 seat is one of the best on the market) and dry hatches for storing gear for a day trip. Rudder is controlled by sliding adjustable footpegs. Kayak Canyon Lake Reservoir. Comes complete with seats, 2 neoprene spray skirts, a sea sock, and bow rope. Phone: (206) 246-9385 It was for Nimbus, anyway. That old story no one wants to hear and I dont want to tell. The sea kayaking industry as we know it did not happen by accident. New York, NY 10001, Hours Much of my family lives in Port Angeles, Washington. The seating arrangement on the Old Town Otter feels basic compared to some of the ultra-adjustable and padded seats in contemporary kayaks, but its still very supportive and easy to modify with glued-in padding. The "Lee Moyer Design" decal could be found on any of the may kayaks and canoes he designed. You can feel the water through the skin, feel the ripples, find where incoming water changes the temperature. I remember the first symposium and later ones as well, having been a presenter at several. Foot pegs were added to the Old Town Otter XT kayak model, offering good support that adjusts easily with a push buttonjust be sure to avoid tracking too much sand and grit into the cockpit, since this can jam sliding foot pegs. A variety of Loon kayaks are available in different lengths to match different paddler sizes and needs. It seems quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is also a quick and responsive day paddler. Deck: 11/2-oz. This is a beautiful fiberglass sea kayak made in Canada by Lee Moyer. [The Intrepid] was very well balanced at the middle of the coaming (GL). Harrie Tieken started building flatwater racing kayaks and Derek Hutchinson sea kayaks in Holland in the early 1970s. Over on Vancouver Island, Brian Henry was a sheet metal mechanic working long overtime during mill shutdowns so he could have maximum time off for skiing and whitewater paddling. . That was when we realized that we could be an industry rather than a bunch of guys in their backyards, said Henry. Very well built fiberglass kayak. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. In 1975, before turning his full attention to the paddle business, Furrer designed the WT-500 (Werner Touring, 500 centimetres long). Kayakers would tell him what he wanted and he would produce them under the cover of all the trees and secrecy, is how Allen Slade described the mythic origins of Necky Kayaks. TE may have to leave his size 12s behind if he tries it, though. E-mail:[emailprotected] The third company in the Seattle early '70s trio was Easy Rider, started by Peter Kaupat as a whitewater boat builder in 1970. 123 Main Street I thought, We started building the wrong kind of boats. The industry was still in its infancy, but companies saw that touring had a potential mass appeal that whitewater didnt. The only problem I have had is that tiny coaming (16x22"). Kayak Rentals and Guided tours of Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing. The boat flexes in rough water; it's like a live thing. "Suddenly people didn't have to buy a kayak to live. For a tandem carry there are webbing straps at the ends of the boat. His business trajectory paralleled that of the West Coast companies, with sales taking off in the early 1980s. There was only a wee tendency to veer into the wind, and I found that an almost unconscious correction by edging kept the bow on line (TE). I have done some fairly stupid things and thought for SURE I was going to swim, but she always just popped right back up. "Just like what happened to windsurfing: The big boys got in, oversold and then bailed. Jun 11, 2021. Double Fiberglass Ocean Kayak. The third company in the Seattle early 70s trio was Easy Rider, started by Peter Kaupat as a whitewater boat builder in 1970. Would like to do a little research before I get serious about this kayak since, even with all the dust and grime, looks to be virgin (not a scratch on the rudder). Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. Standard Features:Bucket seat, foot braces, deck lines, bow line, three curved fiberglass bulkheads. Combined with the low-volume stern, this also gives predictable handling in following seas. $999 Share it or review it used OCEAN KAYAK, made from Fiber Glass, PACIFIC WATER SPORTS is the maker and i think this is called the Sea Otter? People were laughing at me basically.. The first time I was in a kayak was at Lake Sutherland, just a bit outside of town on Highway 101. It was a wonderful experience. Any day on the water is a great day, Bucket seat, foot braces, deck lines, bow line, three curved fiberglass bulkheads. They underestimated the cost of the move and were slow to lay off their 12 employees when the recession hit, said Lee Moyer. There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. It is fairly narrow (20") and has a V-hull that doesn't have much initial stability. You will no longer find Old Town Otter kayaks at outdoor stores since the model was discontinued by the manufacturer. Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana. Compared against those rather specialized and very expensive kayaks the Otter leaves much to be desired. Hung seat. Teak In Great Condition, Too. No damage or repairs to kayak. Your email address will not be published. It has also been an enthralling world market since 1865 when John Magregors book 1,000 mile in the Rob Roy Canoe inspired the founding of not only the Royal Canoe Club in the UK, but the New York Canoe Club and many others in US and Canada. Neckar came up with a design based on a high-volume whitewater boat, but longer, wider, with a large cockpit. Even without a skirt, very little water gets in; the cockpit opening is pretty small and it is raised up from the deck. Rudder. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). This is a lovely little boat. The History of Sea Kayaking: Popularizing the Sport, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Adventure Kayak Magazine - Late Summer 2004, Stick It To Em: In Defense of the Greenland Paddle. T 18' Pacific Water Sports Kayak in good condition. Chris Cunningham took over Sea Kayaker magazine from John and I wrote a few article for them. cloth, 17-oz. Here caribou breast the landscape in antler-bobbing streams. "Now they've sold out to bigger companies. The economy had pulled out of the early 80s recession and entrepreneurs who had been struggling along since the 70s found themselves with viable businesses. Late March-Late May is pupping season for both harbor seals and sea otters, a thrilling time to be on the water! David Hunt. This boat therefore is extremely stable (secondary stability) in bumpy water. The seat back is below the level of the coaming so it doesnt get in the way of reentry. Women's Florida Springs and Manatee Kayak/Snorkel January 2024 . . The secondary stability is excellent. steve. The deck rigging on many used Old Town Otter kayaks can be replaced with tighter bungees and lines for better on-deck storage of small essentials. TE and GL both noted that the middle of the hull oilcanned when pressed hard, though not while afloat. 907-351-2257. I bought this little boat already built, so I cannot comment on the building process, but I can review the boat itself. Padded section under feet for comfort and heat. I just wanted to have a little kayak store that I could run for a few months of the year and I couldpaddle and I could ski. It was called kayak touring or sea canoeing or canoe touring, blue-water paddling, coastal paddling, all those things.. In 1974, they designed and built their first sea kayak, the Sea Otter. Belugas, Bears, History and Culture of Churchill ~July 2023~2 spaces. frameless is the newest and best thing created for scuba diving, snorkeling - forget full face mask that fogs up badly.selling$45, new frameless dive mask, crystal clear silicone, incredible fit and feel and will never leak plus fits ANY face shape and type. Since the Otters conception in the 1990s, various Otter models have been sold at outdoor stores across North America by the thousands. Sandhill cranes court one another on low bedrock ridges with stick-figure decorum. It has one little broken glass part as shown, a little resin will fill it. I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said he hasn't decided. All edges and seams were nicely finished and smooth to the touch. There was Frontiersman Fiberglass Products of Mission, B.C., building sea kayaks in 1976. Reentry into the large cockpit opening was easy. Theres a lot to like about the Old Town Otter kayak. When we launched, the water had been smooth. We like to do the mellow kayaking at the river mouths and then finish the day with hiking and breweries or winery stops. Approximate Weight:52 lbs. Liberal arts student Steve Schleicher and microbiology instructor Joe Matuska were just a couple more semi-employed whitewater paddlers building paddles and boats for their friends in a converted chicken coop behind Schleichers parents house near Vancouver. Standard replacement Old Town Otter kayak foot pegs are available from the manufacturer and other kayak retailers. Stay 100 feet away from marine mammals. My Uncle still has his Polaris II, Ive gone paddling with him in Port Angeles Harbor and at Lake Crescent. Your email address will not be published. Thanks so much for such an informative article. But against what that kayak made me feel. Old Town followed up the success of the Otter by modifying it with models like the Old Town Otter XT and renaming it (and changing some dimensions) as the Old TownLoon. Their new boat building business soon evolved into a paddling retail store and full-time jobs for Lee and Judy Moyer. Map. It has a bulkhead behind the seat, but it doesnt have a forward bulkhead or any inherent floatation in the bow. Around 1979, he went on a month-long paddling trip to the Queen Charlottes, a rare thing at the time. I gave it a 10 because it deserves it. 1984 was also the year that plastic kayaks came out, with the introduction of the Aquaterra Chinook, made by whitewater boat giant Perception. As if the Pacific Northwest didnt already have its share of the action, a few other Seattle companies entered the businessin the early 80s. Required fields are marked *. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. We have an optional paddle-float rescue system of rope and cleats we believe is much more positive and is easier to set up while you are laying on the kayak, out of the water. Wolverines and Arctic foxes scent through the mosses after small preylemmings, tern eggs, hares. Fiberglass kayaks are much tougher than most people think they are. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. The Intrepid touring sea kayak is designed to be paddled efficiently at fast touring speeds, carry a moderate gear load, handle well without a rudder and be neutral in the wind. TE and GL both noted that the middle of the hull oilcanned when pressed hard, though not while afloat. In Canada there were a few early fiberglass builders, including a B.C. company that bought Ted Houks Gulf Islander design. Point it at the other side of the lake and it would take you there in a hurry. And if we saw each other on the interstate in enough time, wed stop run over to the median strip and talk. If he parked, hed invariably return to his car to find someone waiting for him or a note on his windshield from a potential buyer. Subscribe to Paddling Magazines print and digital editions, or browse thearchives. GL and KN would find that the Low Profile Intrepid fits better, is more secure and is easier to lean and lay back on the roll. A dry ride except going straight into the wind, when a moderate splash would come up over the bow (GL). Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. The fit encourages a feeling of stability (KN). Enjoy a mild flatwater raft trip on the Lower Salt River, the excitement of piloting your own craft on a guided kayak trip, or learn a new skill on a stand up paddle board tour. The secondary stability is so good you can tilt the boat at a 75% angle and sit in it sideways. Desert Voyagers offers fun guided river trips in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. The rudder pedals have been upgraded to the Smart Track system. It should, therefore, weathercock quite readily, but I have really had no problems with it at all. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. This recreational kayak is easy to handle in flatwater conditions and up to Class II moving water, if equipped with a spray skirt. Email. Fiberglass, 16' 2" long, 26" wideGreen deck. I was going to be in the kayak business, he said. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. There were absolutely no more than 10 people paddling open water in the East at the time, he guesses. Pacific Water Sports was the name they made up so they could pass themselves off as a legitimate business when they approached the British builder of a championship whitewater slalom hull. The fit encourages a feeling of stability (KN). USCA Fast Sea Kayak Pacific Water Sports SkookumchuckTandem touring kayak FiberglassCirca 1998Bought used in 2001Sea kayak, touring kayak, double kayak, two person kayakLength: 20 10Plenty of storage.This is a high quality 2-person kayak with rudder. Lots of room for camping gear. Sea Otter Kayak Advice system May 10, 2007, 11:12pm #1 Was in a Tire Shop down by Camp Lejuene today and the owner had a fiberglass/composite kayak hanging from the ceiling. Has normal scratches on the bottom. Bean and Canoe magazine. Now there were 5-6 foot waves breaking about 30 yards from shore. Companies like Current Designs began to reap the support of the big-box U.S. outdoor stores like L.L. Pacific Water Sports, a store that's been a fixture in local kayak and canoe circles for 32 years, saw revenue drop off following a move to bigger quarters in Tukwila in 2001, said co-owners Lee and Judy Moyer. Picture this: The year is 1972. Today, the Loon series continues to revolutionize the sport as we tweak, twist and transform our old design to devise the worlds most advanced recreational kayak. Desert Voyagers, together with our sister company AOA, provides the very best in fun . For straight paddling, the seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle (GL). Prized for their light weight, dry storage carrying capacity, stability and speed. The Intrepid is an appealing boat. USCA Fast Sea Kayak Pacific Water Sports 20' tandem kayak, older modelno leaks, no rudder, straight tracker withoutoriginal seats gone, we used camp chairs and they worked fine, not included why spend thousands on a new tandem kayak I even have a couple kayak paddles to go with the sale$200.00 cash Pacific Water Sports SkookumchuckTandem touring kayak FiberglassCirca 1998Bought used in 2001Sea kayak, touring kayak, double kayak, two person kayakLength: 20 10Plenty of storage.This is a high quality 2-person kayak with rudder. Of Loon kayaks are available in different lengths to match different paddler sizes and needs Springs and Kayak/Snorkel. ' Pacific water Sports kayak in good condition Arizona & # x27 ; s Florida Springs Manatee... Nicely finished and smooth to the Smart Track system a potential mass appeal whitewater. 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