Compact Kayaks

June-July 1998

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

In this issue we look at "Compact Kayaks" as a follow-up to the "Mothership Kayaking" feature we ran in April/May. In that issue we looked at the phenomenon of bigger vessels transporting and launching smaller kayaks.

Compact kayaks are lighter, cheaper boats intended primarily for day-use. They can be fibreglass, but are usually plastic, inflatable or folding. All are good for adding to power or sail boats, allowing boaters to explore subtler byways, rock gardens, kelp groves, narrow channels or rivers, after anchoring or docking.

Most compact kayaks have only a rear hatch/compartment, or none, as opposed to touring boats which need a front hatch to maximize cargo capacity. Most are very stable, often with larger cockpits to allow for easier entry.

Although these smaller, less expensive kayaks are the ideal boat to add to a larger vessel, they are also of interest to elder paddlers, and smaller or younger paddlers, as well as those looking to get into kayaking at a budget price.

The following kayaks are just a sample of what's out there, from those companies which responded by deadline. While some companies produce compact kayaks almost exclusively, most have only one or two boats of this genre in their catalogs. We haven't attempted an exhaustive survey of the field, nor have we attempted to cover whitewater kayaks, which are in this size range.

It should be noted that compact kayaks often lack rudders, and since rounder, shorter boats don't "track" as well as longer touring kayaks, you may want to consider ordering one with a skeg or rudder.

 

 

Current Designs' Breeze is the plastic version of the successful Pachena which is available in composite. The Breeze is a good choice for day touring or weekend getaways. Its hull design is fish form with a shallow "V" and soft chines. Length: 13.6'. Width: 25". Weight: 54 lbs. Current Designs, 10124 McDonald Park Road, Sidney B.C. Canada V8L 3X9. Ph:250/655-1822. Fax:250/655-1596 Email:currentdesigns@vanisle.net

 

 

All eight of Walden Paddlers' kayaks are "compact". Their boats are available in Canada at Mountain Equipment Co-op. The Vista (pictured here) is a fun play boat great for day trips. Length:12.5ft Beam:24" Weight:41lbs. Walden Paddlers, 152 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, MA 01742. Ph:978/371-3000 Fax:978/371-3012 Email:waldenpad @aol.com

 

Necky Kayak's Alsek is at home on a small lake and in the surf. An all purpose boat, it has high buoyancy and rocker to keep the bow from diving. Complete with a rudder. See also the Necky Gannet (below), Santa Cruze, Looksha Sport, and Durado compact kayaks. Length:14' Width: 25.5" Weight:58 lbs. Necky Kayaks, 1100 Riverside Road, Abbotsford B.C. V2S 7P1 Ph:604/850-1206 Fax:604/850-3197

 

 

 

Feathercraft offers the K-Light Plus at an economical price with a 15-minute assembly time. A rudder is an option but it has a defined keel built into the hull shape. It comes standard with an expedition weight hypalon hull, internal air sponsons, fibreglass cockpit coaming, adjustable foot braces, nylon spray skirt, sea sock, travel-style backpack, repair kit and assembley video. Length: 12'10" Beam: 25" Weight: 33 lbs. Feathercraft: 4-1244 Cartwright Street, Vancouver B.C. Canada V6H 3R8. Ph:604/681-8437 Fax:604/681-7282 Email:feathercraft @netminder.com

 

 

Klepper's AE 2000 comes equipped with the hull and air-sponsons, wooden frame, seat and backrest, paddleholders, luggage fittings, D-ring for rudderlifting, and two packing bags. 20 mintues assembly time is standard for a Klepper. Length:12.5' Width: 26" Weight: 41 lbs. The new Alu-Lite is: Length:13.5' Width:28" Weight: 37.5 lbs. Klepper Canada:4718 1st Street S.W. Calgary Alberta. 403/287-2120. Klepper West:6155 Mt.Aukum Rd. Somerset, CA 95684-0130

 

 

The Folbot Aleut is a single, suitable for day trips or shorter expeditions. It is nimble and stable and fast to set up (10-15 minutes). Available for packing in one bag or two, it's a great space saver for travel by air or boat. Length: 12' Beam: 30" Weight: 39 lbs. Also available is the new 15' Kodiak. Folbot Canada, 800/263-5099, fbcanada@folbot.com, www.folbot.com

 

 

Extreme Interface's Onda provides an alternative to the traditional kayak. Paddled as a kayak, their wave ski (or paddleboard) is a fiberglass sit-on-top designed as a family play boat. The Onda is safe and stable and great for a flatwater aerobic workout. Optional skeg available. Length:11'2" Beam:26" Weight: 30 lbs. Extreme Interface, PO Box 100 Errington BC Canada VOR1VO. Ph/Fax:250-248-2075

 

 

Wilderness Systems' Pungo gives you lots of leg room and a roomy cockpit. Great for paddlers of all ages and abilities, Pungo is a good play/day boat. Some of their other compact kayaks include the Rascal, Piccolo, and Tchatika. Length:12'1" Width:29" Weight:50lbs. In Canada, Tieken Kayaks Maritimes, Hwy. #7, Chezzetcook, NS B0J 1N0. Ph: 902/827-4383; Tieken Kayaks Central/Western, 145 River St., Gananoque, ON K7G 2P8. Ph: 613/382-2531. In the USA, Wilderness Systems, 1110 Surrett Drive, High Point NC 27260. Ph:910/883-7410 Fax:910/883-4891 http://www.wildsys.com

 

 

Chesapeake Light Craft Inc.'s Mill Creek 13 makes a great tender for larger craft. It is a wider, shorter and more stable alternative to the typical sea kayak and offers great stability for nature photographers, fly fisherman and birders. Length: 13' Beam: 29" Weight: 36 lbs. Chesapeake Light Craft Inc., 1805 George Avenue, Annapolis Maryland 21401 USA. Ph:410/267-0137 Fax:301/858-6335

 

 

Pygmy Kayaks' Golden Eye line includes three different lengths, for short, medium and tall folks (see cover photo, this issue). Pygmy specializes in home-built kayak kits which include pre-cut plywood panels, cockpit coamings, epoxy, fiberglass cloth for inside and outside of hull, fiberglass tape, wire, latex gloves, wood flour, measuring pumps, stirring sticks, temporary frames, 2-part seat, adjustables footbraces, Epoxy Book, and fully illustrated construction manual, etc. Standard construction time is about 70 hours and prices tend to be significantly less than pre-made kayaks. GoldenEye 13: Length: 13' Beam: 24" Weight: 26 lbs. Pygmy Sea Kayaks, P.O. Box 1529/227 Jackson, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Ph:360/385-6143 Email:pygmy@olympus.net

 

Mariner Kayaks' Coaster, at just over 13', was designed as a manoevarable, high performance surfer. As both a cruiser and a maneuverable play boat, this one seems to fit the bill for almost everyone's needs. It comes with three different lengths, for short, medium and tall folks. Length:13'4" Beam: 23". Mariner Kayaks: 2134 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle Washington, 98109. Ph:206/284-8404

 

 

Kiwi Kayaks produces a whole range of compact kayaks, singles and doubles, some plastic, some glass. Contact them for their catalogue. Kiwi Kayak Company Inc., 2454 Vista Del Monte, Concord, CA 94520. Ph: 250/468-9939

 

 

Primex's Episea is very resonably priced and designed for touring and weekend tripping. Its hull configuration is vee/ultra-shallow arched vee, slightly rockered, asymmetric. Construction is of medium density polyethylene. For children to small adults. Length: 14'2" Width: 20.5" Weight: 36 lbs. Primex of California, 5000 East Second St., Benicia, CA 94510. Ph:800-422-2482 Fax:707-746-0493 Email:primex@att.net

 

 

 

Pacific Water Sports' Wigeon was designed for smaller people, lighter loads and shorter trips. The widgeon is a high performance sea kayak in a small package, perfect for day paddling. Length: 14'3" Beam: 21.5" Weight: 42 lbs. Pacific Water Sports, 16055 Pacific Highway South, Seattle Washington 98188. Ph:206/246-9385 Fax:206/439-9040

 

Nimbus Kayaks makes a small kayak in the 14-15' range called the Cygnet (no picture available). They have another boat on the way in the 13' range. Rainforest Designs (Nimbus Kayaks) #5-9903 240th St. Box 1091 Stn Albion, Maple Ridge BC V2W 1W1. Ph: 604/467-9932 Fax: 604/467-8890.

 

 

Dagger's Vesper comes in Basic and Expedition versions, both in plastic. Length: 13'10" Width: 23.75" Weight: Basic 45 lbs, Expedition 50 lbs. They also make an Edisto model at 14'-6". Dagger: PO Box 1500, 319 Roddy Lane, Harriman, TN 37748. Ph:423/882-0404 Email:dagger@dagger.com

 

 

Aire's highly portable Sea Tiger 1 inflatable is consists of a reinforced outer shell over a durable inner tube. Length: 16'9" Width: 35.0" Weight: 51 lbs AIRE: PO Box 3412wl, Boise, ID 83703. Ph:800/AIRE432 Email:info@ire.com