When we launched, the water had been smooth. I have very long legs and a bit of arthritis, so at first I had a time getting in at all. KN found the Intrepid easy to roll, as did TE, though the height of the aft deck kept him from getting close to the aft deck for a lay back roll. This little kayak had opened the door to the world of kayaking. Belugas, Bears, History and Culture of Churchill ~July 2023~2 spaces. They formed the Trade Association of Sea Kayaking (TASK)now the Trade Association of Paddlesports (TAPS)and studied the successes and failures of other outdoor industries to put together a plan for theirs. Deployed easily by right side lines. Like most early hardshells, the WT-500 had a rudder, but no hatches or bulkheads; gear was stowed in canvas duffels waterproofed with garbagebags. Lee Moyer was the designer (and owner of PWS) Humanity is a whisper here. 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. The first sea kayak we made at Pyranha was 1973 and was for the Dutch market, about a year after P&H also had started making them and it has been called sea kayaking for at least the 50 years Ive been in business. Then, some young kayakers turned their hobby into a business. KN found the Intrepid easy to roll, as did TE, though the height of the aft deck kept him from getting close to the aft deck for a lay back roll. Straight keel line reduces yaw for more efficient paddling. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch area . Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. Two water tight storage hatches. 1. The model is sea otter. The Otter is made from rotomolded polyethylene plastic. 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. The aft hatch is large enough for easy stowage of bulky items. The model is sea otter. I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. John Dowd founded Sea Kayaker in 1984, supported by the advertising revenue of a growing industry. Dowd is also credited with coining the term sea kayaking with the publication of his book of that title in 1981. Has normal scratches on the bottom. Since the Otters conception in the 1990s, various Otter models have been sold at outdoor stores across North America by the thousands. I put in a simple board floor, which can be a little slippery. 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. I think TASK did a pretty good job of helping a bunch of amateur businesspeople act a little more professional. One of TASKs most important discoveries was of the needfor boat pricing that would include a healthy profit margin for builders, retailers and, eventually,distributors. Like the other manufacturers, Tieken saw the need for a distinct North American design that was beginner-friendly, so he came up with his flagship, the Sealution, introduced at the L.L. The two tethered plastic hatch lids have rubber gaskets and are held in place with bungies. Look for a spray skirt size of 2.5 from popular manufacturer Seals Sprayskirts to fit all Old Town Otter models except the tandem Old Town Otter Twin. Yet its short length and easy handling makes the Old Town Otter perfect for youngsters ages 8 and up. There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. We like to do the mellow kayaking at the river mouths and then finish the day with hiking and breweries or winery stops. Here musk ox pound craters in the snow with their chins to reach winter grass. The secondary stability is excellent. Low ends make paddling in the wind a breeze. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. PACIFIC WATER SPORTS Skookum Chuck SEAWARD Southwind HV *ONE-DAY KAYAK RENTALS INCLUDE THESE ACCESSORIES: BOOTS, RAIN BIBS, RAIN JACKETS or PADDLE JACKETS & RAIN HATS, PADDLE MITTS & DRY BAGS PADDLE ITEMS AND SERVICES INCLUDED WITH KAYAK RENTAL Comfortable Seats with Inflated BackSupport Cushion I can paddle for hours now. The short length makes the Old Town Otter perfect for exploring narrow rivers and wetlands; however, the short length makes it bob like a cork in waves and chopstick to sheltered water and easy rivers for best performance and safety. After rolling, TE noted 1/2 cup of water in the forward compartment, GL found a cup in the forward compartment, and a drop or two in the day hatch. Everybody was in it because it was their favourite hobby, recalled Moyer. The current Old Town Loon 106 measures a foot longer than the Otter, upping its maximum paddler capacity to 272 pounds. They printed up some official-looking company letterhead and inked a deal. DearTim, So interesting to see the history of sea kayaking as you portray it. So, where are you headed? cloth with reinforcements. Combined with the low-volume stern, this also gives predictable handling in following seas. It was the beginning of my kayaking journey and it was perfect! It may not be for everyone, but for a kayaker with some experience, this is a small, light, and fairly stable Greenland. The bulkheads are all curved panels of translucent fiberglass. About. Pretty easy to manage in the wind I encountered. See website for holiday hours. GET UPDATES I have done some fairly stupid things and thought for SURE I was going to swim, but she always just popped right back up. These are wonderful boats! He ended up buying a Natural Designs Polaris II, designed by Dan Ruska. . The Intrepid is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and $150 less. The flare and volume in the forward quarter provide lift going into waves and a dry ride in sloppy conditions. It is 16' plus a couple of inches. That being said, the secondary stability has never failed me. Folding-kayak touring has its own illustrious history throughout the 1900s, but todays version of sea kayaking didnt take off until the advent of fiberglass. 9:30am-1:30pm $75 children 8-17 years old can join us for $50 Book a private tour or review our Local Tour Dates [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all sea kayaks ]. No other leakage was reported. Compared to the first kayak, this was a rocket. Kayak Rentals and Guided Tour on Monterey Bay National Marine sancutary. Guy offered to sell it to me on behalf of the owner who is locked up for a bit. The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. This is the quintessential beginner kayak and its hard to find a body type that wont fit in the Old Town Otter. I worried that when the previous owner retired, these kayaks would disappear. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Wolverines and Arctic foxes scent through the mosses after small preylemmings, tern eggs, hares. PWS is no longer in business but operated in the south sound for years. Others had homebuilt boats whose hulls resembled European downriver racing kayaks or traditional fold-boats, so that by 1974 when commercial production was just getting going, most Seattle-area kayakers were already paddling fiberglass. The Old Town Otter kayak is a great boat for the cottage, beach or campground, offering worry-free durability. Eventually Tieken provided boats for Scott Cunningham of the Nova Scotia outfitting company Coastal Adventures, which became a key educator and promoter for sea kayaking, and Tiekens designs, on the East Coast. However, any kayak will eventually start to show signs of wear. No other leakage was reported. That old story no one wants to hear and I dont want to tell. Only this faint stirring in the air remains: the whisper of ancients only a generation past. Kayak Rentals and Guided tours of Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing. Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. In 1982, Bob Licht followed the Ecomarine example and opened Sea Trek Ocean Kayak Center in Sausalito, California. 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. Late March-Late May is pupping season for both harbor seals and sea otters, a thrilling time to be on the water! This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. The secondary stability is excellent. [ See also: Kayak In Seattle, Washington ]. Pacific Water Sports had annual sales of about $1.25 million by 2000, said Lee Moyer, who has designed several models of kayaks and canoes. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! Let's keep this area special! It would certainly be a good first boat that a paddler could enjoy right off the bat and continue to enjoy as his skills developed (TE). Joe's and other large-scale retailers. On its side in the water, it would flood quickly. Neckar pulled the kayaks off the car then tossed them on the sidewalk in front of the shop. I enjoyed almost everything about it. Save. The Intrepid is a very attractive kayak with a solid-feeling deck, smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches. Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle. 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. Standard replacement Old Town Otter kayak foot pegs are available from the manufacturer and other kayak retailers. cloth, 17-oz. Manufacturers Address: I remember seeing [Dan] in an unemployment line probably in about 1972, recalled Matt Broze of Mariner Kayaks. "The big makers just think about getting more units out the door," said John Meyer, owner of Northwest Outdoor Center, a kayak sales and rental store on Lake Union since 1980. A variety of Loon kayaks are available in different lengths to match different paddler sizes and needs. I could recommend it to novices as well as experienced paddlers. Cash only. Attending were Tom Derrer of Eddyline Kayaks, John Abbenhouse of Northwest Kayaks, Lee Moyer of Pacific Water Sports, Brian Henry of Ocean River Sports and others. TE noted,though, that the coaming aft is high enough that I could only do half of a layback before having my back come in contact. The seat provides some lateral support, though it does not offer a convenient spot for adding customized hip padding for a tighter fit. Get race and event updates delivered straight to you. Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. The Old Town Loon replaced the Old Town Otter kayak with key comfort features like more adjustable seating and a variety of lengths and sizes to fit a wider range of paddlers. It is a fun boat! The tracking was so non-existent that Paul added a fin to the back to give it some directional stability. It is a big boys boat and it very stable. For straight paddling, the seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle (GL). Kayak Canyon Lake Reservoir. Simply put, the Old Town Otter kayak looks primitive alongside the creature comforts of the newer Loon. This article was first published in the Late Summer 2004 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. The Old Town Otter kayaks rudimentary outfitting reveals its stature as a vintage recreational kayak. Kind of reminds of the Hurricane Tracker. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Invest in a newer kayak such as the Old Town Loon if you desire cushy seating, adjustable thigh braces and other comfort features. I bought this little boat already built, so I cannot comment on the building process, but I can review the boat itself. Required fields are marked *. It has one little broken glass part as shown, a little resin will fill it. Like my other designs, the Intrepid is easy to use compared to other kayaks of similar performance. Hull: 3/4-oz. Thanks so much for such an informative article. Plenty of stability for fishing or photography. The Intrepid would be a swell beginner to intermediate kayak because of its stability and maneuverability. This kayak was a whole different beast. What Flatpick saidI will say, it was the first kayak I ever paddled and that was about 1981. Approximate Weight:52 lbs. However, the flipside of short length is a lack of speed and glide, and the Otter is no exception. The rudder pedals have been upgraded to the Smart Track system. The boats strong turning ability when on edge helped keep the bow pointed down the face of the wave (TE). SEVENTY48 2022: Point No Point to Foul Weather. Fink became a self-described evangelist for his new low-impact sport. You get a few pointers from the last builder, and so take on the unwritten responsibility to pass your knowledge alongto the next. The rudder pedals have been upgraded to the Smart Track system. Meanwhile, in the Garibaldi Highlands just south of Whistler Village, a gruff Czech immigrant and whitewater champion named Mike Neckar was also moulding whitewater boats on an informal basis in a falling-down shop in the rainforest. The only problem I have had is that tiny coaming (16x22"). Ocean Pacific PFD. 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. There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. Thanks for the kind words. Bean and Canoe magazine. Standard Features:Bucket seat, foot braces, deck lines, bow line, three curved fiberglass bulkheads. Uncle Paul had seen some old photos of Pacific Rim Native Kayakers and made kayak paddles based on those images. Most were his Pacific Water Sports brand. It was covered with dust and had the name of a Tukwila, WA Dive Shop on it and "SEA OTTER" on the rear deck. Hung seat. They were still here, clothed in skins, dancing in igloos, beating on drums, walking the ridges, and spearing caribou at river crossings, when I was a young boy learning to ride a tricycle in a Boston suburb and John Kennedy had a decade yet to live. By 1982, Nimbus had come up with its flagship Seafarer design, which is still produced. Around 1979, he went on a month-long paddling trip to the Queen Charlottes, a rare thing at the time. Arizona's lakes and rivers offer excellent opportunities for boating and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting, and much more. 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. The Old Town Otter kayak spray skirt is available to stretch over the kayaks 38- by 19-inch cockpit to keep waves and chop out of the kayak and provide protection from the elements; spray skirts are available in lightweight nylon (best for sheltered waters) and robust neoprene (best if you want to paddle the Otter in whitewater). Rear bulkhead.Adjustable foot rests which control the rudder.Deck lashing points and a bow line.Well built, well used, comfortable . I gave it a 10 because it deserves it. 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. The Sea Otter Series 500 sets the standard for touring kayak expedition capacity and high performance. I didnt get involved until the mid 80s but have stayed involved ever since. You pay 10 or 20 bucks for the rights to borrow it and go buy some fiberglassing supplies from someone whos ordered them in bulk. 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