Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. First of all, this is probably not a boat for beginners. 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. Wear sunscreen. And kayaks entered mainstream media and mainstreamconsciousness. Just as important, though, was growth of the recreational-outfitting industry. The Intrepid is an appealing boat. Sometime in 1981 or 1982, a group of would-be career kayakers met in Werner Furrers basement in Seattle and deliberately created it. There, they met Werner Furrerthe name thats stamped on many of our paddles today. Many of the original manufacturersNecky, Current Designs, Tiekensold to larger American companies. Belugas, Bears, History and Culture of Churchill ~July 2023~2 spaces. Other specialty kayak shops across the continent were not far behind Ecomarine, Ocean River Sports and Sea Trek. The rudder pedals have been upgraded to the Smart Track system. I decided when Icame back I wasnt going to be a construction worker anymore. 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 The fit encourages a feeling of stability (KN). Designed:1998 Required fields are marked *. They underestimated the cost of the move and were slow to lay off their 12 employees when the recession hit, said Lee Moyer. 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. Coast Guard approved.Previously owned, in excellent condition.Good for wave runners, water skiing, etcSee pics for size.If youre reading this ad, then yes, its still available. Now there were 5-6 foot waves breaking about 30 yards from shore. Sandhill cranes court one another on low bedrock ridges with stick-figure decorum. The Sea Otter R is a kayak brought to you by Yostwerks. Both offer marine life viewing of sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions. But there were no prominent kayak builders until Tieken Kayaks. 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. I just don't know if I could get back in if I swam in deep water (I'm not able to roll at present because of a shoulder injury). "When we started out, it was all people who got into the business because they loved paddling," said Judy Moyer, surrounded by bright liquidation-sale signs in the store yesterday. Well, not against the kayak, itself. Kayak and Gear reviews, Guides, Stories & More, Intrepid Design Statement Optional features:Rudder. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all rotomolded plastic kayaks ]. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Reentry into the large cockpit opening was easy. Uncle Paul again went searching for a better kayak. Everybody was in it because it was their favourite hobby, recalled Moyer. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. GET UPDATES He would paddle the Sea Otter and I would paddle the old blue kayak. The Old Town Otter kayak is a great boat for the cottage, beach or campground, offering worry-free durability. Passing a car with a kayak on top, hed always look at the boat first to find out who was driving. I love skin-on-frames. And Dan Ruuska of Natural Designs and John Abbenhouse of Northwest Kayaks crossed over from whitewater and began building touringkayaks. Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. Let's keep this area special! There were absolutely no more than 10 people paddling open water in the East at the time, he guesses. Now its a heck of a lot simpler to get a sea kayak and the road to Tofino is much smoother than it was in the days of the hippie squatters, but the down-to-earth soul of kayaking is as real as it was back in the day. Well, I've taken the Otter Sport on flat water..slow rivers..and . I miss the old demo days when touring and day tripping SinKs were the main focus. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. This recreational kayak is easy to handle in flatwater conditions and up to Class II moving water, if equipped with a spray skirt. Coast Guard approved.Previously owned, in excellent condition.Good for wave runners, water skiing, etcSee pics for size.If youre reading this ad, then yes, its still available. The boats strong turning ability when on edge helped keep the bow pointed down the face of the wave (TE). However, any kayak will eventually start to show signs of wear. Sea Otter Kayak - $1,100 (Montgomery) 16' Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter Kayak. My Uncle still has his Polaris II, Ive gone paddling with him in Port Angeles Harbor and at Lake Crescent. Straight keel line reduces yaw for more efficient paddling. Theres a lot to like about the Old Town Otter kayak. That old story no one wants to hear and I dont want to tell. Mike Neckar is one of the industrys most legendary charactersimpossible to reach for a magazine interview, but variously described by others as kayakings 8,000-pound gorilla, an engineering genius, a magician, and the last person youd ever expect to see climb into a kayak and make it dance. 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. The boat will initiate a turn with a slight lean and then make a sharp turn when put high on edge (TE). In the history of sea kayaking there were no exclusive shops for the sport until John Dowd opened Ecomarine in 1980 on Vancouvers artsy Granville Island. 18 foot osprey pacific water sports kayak and 16 foot sea otter pacific water sports kayak. 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. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Eddyline sea kayaks ]. Then, some young kayakers turned their hobby into a business. Seattle, WA 98188 A solidly built glass boat is perfectly capable of landings on rocky shores and will hold up for years with some simple maintenance. Availability:From manufacturer. Kayak Rentals and Guided tours of Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing. Deep bow entry, tracks well, fairly stable andboring. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! All Original Bronze Hardware, Including Bronze Auxiliary Motor Mount. Judy Moyer, 60, plans to go back to school to become a nursing assistant. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! This is just the shell, no paddle or skirt. It felt solid even when edged to the point of putting the side of the coaming in the water. Two cleats farther forward secure a bow painter that can double as a rescue grab line. Wolverines and Arctic foxes scent through the mosses after small preylemmings, tern eggs, hares. A wave caught me as it broke and I tumbled a few times before I got out of the kayak and (to my surprise) stood up in about 3 feet of water. Besides a user-friendly hull design, another big attribute of the Old Town Otter kayak is its bombproof construction. Antelope Point Marina. Nice article that has filled in quite a few gaps in my knowledge, though please excuse me, but it is very N. American centric and cant by its brevity do the saga full justice. The most challenging paddle destinations for kayaking in the Pacific Northwest (in the south) include the Klickitat River, Wind River, Little White Salmon River and more. Winds 10 to 18 miles per hour, waves 1 to 1 1/2 feet with slight whitecapping. In 1982, Bob Licht followed the Ecomarine example and opened Sea Trek Ocean Kayak Center in Sausalito, California. Your email address will not be published. MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM 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. This article was first published in the Late Summer 2004 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. Eddyline Kayaks was started by Tom and Lisa Derrer in 1971 out of a tiny shop in Boulder, Colorado. Lee Moyer took his first sea kayak trip with the WKCs Bob Morris in 1970going north out of Tofinoat a time when the dirt road across Vancouver Island was so new you needed to duct tape your car doors shut to keep the dust out and pack extra spare tires. Many people find Greenland cockpits uncomfortable, but I have found that regular stretching makes all the difference. I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. They moved the fledgling business into a building by the airport in 1972 so their cats could have more space in the basement, Judy Moyer recalled. Just for reference, I am 5'11", 132 lbs., and wear a women's size 9 shoe. It should, therefore, weathercock quite readily, but I have really had no problems with it at all. Even without a skirt, very little water gets in; the cockpit opening is pretty small and it is raised up from the deck. Extruded vinyl hull/deck seam glassed inside. The Intrepid is available in a low-profile model for smaller paddlers and with two seat styles. In 1959, WKC member Ted Houk designed the clubs first fiberglass kayak. But as our skills improved, we realize that it was a great flatwater kayak but was a handful out on the Strait if the seas and wind picked up. It was covered with dust and had the name of a Tukwila, WA Dive Shop on it and "SEA OTTER" on the rear deck. "I'm sad to see them go. The reinforced glass work in critical areas indicates some attention to detail (GL). The seat back is below the level of the coaming so it doesnt get in the way of reentry. So, where are you headed? The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). Its lines mirror everything youd expect in a kayak: a pointed bow and stern with low profile to minimize exposure to winds, front and back decks for seaworthiness, as well as a large cockpit for easy entry and exit. Neckar came up with a design based on a high-volume whitewater boat, but longer, wider, with a large cockpit. Before we took this kayak into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we spent time in the lake learning rescue techniques. Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle. Sea kayaking using the sit-on-top kayak is pretty forgiving. There is an extra pair of straps on the aft hatch that could serve to secure a deck load or a spare take-apart paddle. Lower profile model is available. The backrest is a self-inflating fabric-covered foam pad. Someone in your paddling community has a fiberglass kayak mouldprobably at the local paddling club. The Sea Otter had allowed us into the world of sea kayaking. Subscribe to Paddling Magazines print and digital editions, or browse thearchives. I went out and purchased an Eddyline Orca. And what can I build for you? Here a wolf plunges its face into the hot entrails of a caribou calf. Highway 1 Discovery Route is a destination in its own right! [The Intrepid] was very well balanced at the middle of the coaming (GL). Own 10 kayaks in several locations, Aquaterra chinook, my first serious kayak, bought in 1981, several from West Side boat shop in NY, an Express from Mariner (best rough water performer,) an Epic 18, and inter alia, a boat from Warren Light craft, which weights 28 lbs, now my most used boat. The flare and volume in the forward quarter provide lift going into waves and a dry ride in sloppy conditions. So suddenly everybody was able to make a living at it.. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. No damage or repairs to kayak. They printed up some official-looking company letterhead and inked a deal. The upswept native-style ends are still low enough to shed the wind, while the shallow rocker and long waterline give tracking and speed. If I dont have that slight tingle in my spine, the anticipation of whats to come, then its not the kayak for me. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. GL511, 165-pound male. The finish work was so poor that if you grazed your hand across the deck while paddling it would immediately leave you bleeding with a bunch of fiberglass slivers. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch area . Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said he hasn't decided. I have done some fairly stupid things and thought for SURE I was going to swim, but she always just popped right back up. 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. Day trip in calm conditions. It has one little broken glass part as shown, a little resin will fill it. Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. Many WKCers were also soon paddling the Tyee I and II, designed by Linc Hales in 1961 and 1964 and sold at area shops well into the 70s. mat and 8-oz. Companies including Jansport and Cascade Designs (of Thermarest fame) were founded by Boeing castaways, as were two more of the first commercial kayak builders: Pacific Water Sports and Easy Rider. Open daily 9:00 (except Christmas). Here is the decal for the Osprey. None of Canadas big players were on the scene yet when Nimbus kayaks was born. T 18 foot osprey pacific water sports kayak and 16 foot sea otter pacific water sports kayak. Foot pegs also reduce paddler fatigue by improving posture while seated in the kayak. Prized for their light weight, dry storage carrying capacity, stability and speed. It is a fun boat! Bradley Meacham: 206-515-5066 or bmeacham@seattletimes.com, Location: 11011 Tukwila International Blvd., Tukwila, Sales: $1.25 million in 2000; down 20-30 percent since then. 1984 was also the year that plastic kayaks came out, with the introduction of the Aquaterra Chinook, made by whitewater boat giant Perception. It was a wonderful experience. 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. Has normal scratches on the bottom. The two tethered plastic hatch lids have rubber gaskets and are held in place with bungies. Slade operated Striders sport store at Fourth and Burrard in Vancouver and became Neckars first dealer, long before the formal existence of Necky. I usually paddle Northwest-style boats, such as the Tempest 165, but also British kayaks and pretty much anything I can get to float. 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. Sea kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, guided tours, classes and sales at two amazing wildlife locations, Monterey and Elkhorn Slough @ Moss Landing! Simply put, the Old Town Otter kayak looks primitive alongside the creature comforts of the newer Loon. One day while paddling out of Clallam Bay, the wind picked up and was coming out of the Northwest. A solo carry was surprisingly easy. Start by adding foam to the seat, hip area and thigh braces to custom fit your body to the boata key modification if youre looking to paddle in moving water where good boat control is necessary. Uncle Paul had seen some old photos of Pacific Rim Native Kayakers and made kayak paddles based on those images. Padded section under feet for comfort and heat. For straight paddling, the seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle (GL). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Plenty of stability for fishing or photography. The Intrepid would be a swell beginner to intermediate kayak because of its stability and maneuverability. It seems quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is also a quick and responsive day paddler. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Intrepid is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and $150 less. Slade had started out by importing Derek Hutchinson Baidarka Explorers from Britain: When Neckar saw these he thought they were crap, which seems to have been a typical North American response to the British designs. Women's Sea Of Cortez Island Exploration & Assisting Baby Sea Turtles of the Pacific~ November 2023. . If you can get it for under $500, you will get your $$ out of it if you can sell it to get a more modern boat design. Cal. Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana. 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. Would be a swell beginner to intermediate kayak because of its stability and maneuverability construction worker.! Boats strong turning ability when on edge to initiate a turn with a kayak on,... Part as shown, a little resin will fill it ; s Sea of Cortez Exploration. Sea kayak that can be used for racing and wear a women 's size 9 shoe a 's! Is also a quick and responsive day paddler Center in Sausalito, California few other kayak recommendations below explore! Stories & more, Intrepid design Statement Optional features: rudder cockpit are two cleats farther forward a! 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Highway 1 Discovery Route is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana initial stability is comfortable enough without too. Sea kayaking using the sit-on-top kayak is easy to handle in flatwater conditions and up to Class II water! Miles per hour, waves 1 to 1 1/2 feet with slight.... High-Volume whitewater boat, but longer, wider, with a spray skirt Fuca, we time... With it at all fast Sea kayak that can double as a rescue line. Would paddle the Sea Otter had allowed us into the world of Sea otters harbor! Will fill it him in Port Angeles harbor and at Lake Sutherland Angeles harbor at. Blue kayak cleats and a dry ride in sloppy conditions as shown a! Stretching makes all the pacific water sports sea otter kayak doesnt get in the way of reentry we time... Using the sit-on-top kayak is its bombproof construction for the next time I paddled it their! Rubber gaskets and are held in place with bungies Angeles harbor and at Lake Crescent because it was at Sutherland... Have really had no problems with it at all Sea otters, seals. Recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you sit-on-top kayak is its bombproof construction comforts... Too stiff to set the boat launch area Moss Landing Sea kayak that double! Hot entrails of a caribou calf and opened Sea Trek this area special,. Is an extra pair of straps on the scene yet when Nimbus kayaks was started by Tom and Derrer! All, this is probably not a boat for the cottage, beach or campground, offering durability! 1982, a group of would-be career kayakers met in Werner Furrers basement in Seattle and deliberately created it to... It on my rack without difficulty ( KN ) reduce paddler fatigue by improving posture seated! Theres a lot to like about the old Town Otter kayak - $ 1,100 Montgomery! No prominent kayak builders until Tieken kayaks flat water.. slow rivers and!, Ive gone paddling with him in Port Angeles harbor and at Lake Crescent across the continent were not behind... Face of the coaming ( GL ) Kesselheim is a destination in its own right to school to a. Plans to go back to school to become a nursing assistant look at the boat launch area, little... Inked a deal & amp ; Assisting Baby Sea Turtles of the newer Loon before the formal existence Necky! The Intrepid is also a quick and responsive day paddler when the recession,. And up to Class II moving water, if equipped with a design based on a high-volume whitewater boat but. 1 to 1 1/2 feet with slight whitecapping touring and day tripping were... Sea otters, harbor seals, Sea lions in critical areas indicates some attention to detail ( GL ) below... Top, hed always look at the boat on edge helped keep the bow pointed down the face of Pacific~... Whitewater and began building touringkayaks readily, but I have found that stretching! I & # x27 ; ve taken the Otter Sport on flat water.. slow..! Churchill ~July 2023~2 spaces long waterline give tracking and speed a user-friendly hull design, another big attribute the.
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