Henry started designing boats, beginning with a large hatchless sea kayak called the Pisces, which he took to Mike Neckar to get built. You go out in the ocean in a kayak? They thought that was a big daredevil stunt.. Aft of the cockpit there is a day hatch and a flat-bottomed recess for stabilizing the boat with a paddle while getting in and out on the beach, although there is no provision there for a paddle-float rescue. 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. I usually paddle Northwest-style boats, such as the Tempest 165, but also British kayaks and pretty much anything I can get to float. 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. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. In the foot well there is just enough room for a pair of size 12 water sports shoes(TE). "Just like what happened to windsurfing: The big boys got in, oversold and then bailed. Standard Lay-up:Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. Yet Nimbus became a fulltime business by around 1976starving to death in the winter., [ Read more: Explore The Kayaking Capital Just Minutes From Downtown Vancouver ]. I got tired of slouching back against the wooden coaming (I know, I should sit up away from the back, but I get tired). 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. 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. For the sake of simplicity, our review describes the general features of all Old Town Otter models and highlights any differences in the models when relevant. It also doesnt have any perimeter lines and the back deck comes to a point behind the cockpit so it is very difficult to roll. Comes with skirt, cover, and other paddling gear. 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. The next kayak Uncle Paul bought was a Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter. 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. Arizona's lakes and rivers offer excellent opportunities for boating and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting, and much more. Prized for their light weight, dry storage carrying capacity, stability and speed. Someone in your paddling community has a fiberglass kayak mouldprobably at the local paddling club. Cash only. The cockpit opening is large enough to get into butt first, then feet, for a quick cowboy rescue. Dowd brought in folding kayaks from Europe and sold many of the new North American designs including Eddylines Orca, Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter, and Nimbus kayaks. Well, I've taken the Otter Sport on flat water..slow rivers..and . Combined with the low-volume stern, this also gives predictable handling in following seas. Fiberglass, 16' 2" long, 26" wideGreen deck. Kayak Rentals and Guided tours of Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing. Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. I put in a simple board floor, which can be a little slippery. People said the ocean is too dangerous for a kayak. 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. When we launched, the water had been smooth. I guess around 50lbs. The wide kayak had a lot of rocker and a flat bottom. Sometime in 1981 or 1982, a group of would-be career kayakers met in Werner Furrers basement in Seattle and deliberately created it. This is an ideal trip for wildlife enthusiast and those new to the sport of kayaking. He contacted Frank Goodman to order two boatsone for himself and one for Maines attorney generaland received an invitation to become the North American distributor. It has a bulkhead behind the seat, but it doesnt have a forward bulkhead or any inherent floatation in the bow. The aft hatch is large enough for easy stowage of bulky items. Around this time, a trio of whitewater boat builders sprang up who would eventually make touring kayaks their core business. Straight keel line reduces yaw for more efficient paddling. Deck: 11/2-oz. I added traditional rigging to the back deck, with two toggles to hold my paddle and stabilize the boat, and now I have no problems getting in and out. , He also designed the Chinook for Aquaterra, one of the first roto-molded kayaks. Deployed easily by right side lines. 907-351-2257. And Walters Ski Shack in North Vancouver, a shop run by Walter Buchmueller, which built and sold a German-imported design called the Eskie and one of his own designs called the Osprey. A wave of layoffs at Boeing had left a lot of unemployed engineers floating around Seattle in 1972. Sea kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, guided tours, classes and sales at two amazing wildlife locations, Monterey and Elkhorn Slough @ Moss Landing! Two cleats farther forward secure a bow painter that can double as a rescue grab line. A dry ride except going straight into the wind, when a moderate splash would come up over the bow (GL). Closing hours changes seasonally. Ocean Pacific PFD. Leave it on the dock, drag it over rocks or store it in a snowbank for the winter: regardless of the abuse, the Otter kayak will come back for more. The two tethered plastic hatch lids have rubber gaskets and are held in place with bungies. ", Meyer said he's trying to figure out what the closure means for surviving independent retailers like himself. They printed up some official-looking company letterhead and inked a deal. 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. Fink kept at it until he saw an ad for the Nordkapp by Valley Kayaks in 1978. I remember seeing [Dan] in an unemployment line probably in about 1972, recalled Matt Broze of Mariner Kayaks. A lockup rudder is also optional. 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. You can feel the water through the skin, feel the ripples, find where incoming water changes the temperature. The first Easy Rider sea kayak, circa 1975, was the Dolphin, designed by Dan Ruuskaanother ex-Boeing engineer who went from moulding ultra-sleek engine intakes to hydrodynamic hulls. In 1975, Ken Fink, an oceanographer in Maine, started paddling his whitewater slalom boat on the Atlantic Oceana not-uncommon way for whitewater kayakers of the day to discover touring. I guess around 50lbs. 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. Women's Sea Of Cortez Island Exploration & Assisting Baby Sea Turtles of the Pacific~ November 2023. . Uncle Paul started taking me paddling in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 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. My boat had no outfitting at all when I got it, not even a floor. I am an 80 year old retired CIA officer who built a kayak from a kit in 1965 (Folbot, company started by J. Kissner, who had worked at Klepper earlier) that I bought for 99 dollars! Like most early hardshells, the WT-500 had a rudder, but no hatches or bulkheads; gear was stowed in canvas duffels waterproofed with garbagebags. Yet its short length and easy handling makes the Old Town Otter perfect for youngsters ages 8 and up. For a tandem carry there are webbing straps at the ends of the boat. I have very long legs and a bit of arthritis, so at first I had a time getting in at all. Most were his Pacific Water Sports brand. There was Frontiersman Fiberglass Products of Mission, B.C., building sea kayaks in 1976. I spent the first ten years of my life there and went back every summer into my 20s. Any day on the water is a great day, Fast forward to 1987: Tieken brings his business to North America, settling in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. In 1974, they designed and built their first sea kayak, the Sea Otter. John Dowd founded Sea Kayaker in 1984, supported by the advertising revenue of a growing industry. It has little yaw at the bow when paddling forward on an even keel (TE). Kayaking with my Uncle in a kayak I built brings symmetry to my paddling journey. 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. The boats strong turning ability when on edge helped keep the bow pointed down the face of the wave (TE). The only problem I have had is that tiny coaming (16x22"). There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. 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. Pacific Water Sports In this little blue fiberglass kayak turning was easy not turning was impossible. I have done some fairly stupid things and thought for SURE I was going to swim, but she always just popped right back up. of gear. The Old Town Otter kayaks rudimentary outfitting reveals its stature as a vintage recreational kayak. The tracking was so non-existent that Paul added a fin to the back to give it some directional stability. The boat flexes in rough water; it's like a live thing. You have entered an incorrect email address! However, the flipside of short length is a lack of speed and glide, and the Otter is no exception. Kayak and Gear reviews, Guides, Stories & More, Intrepid Design Statement About. 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. T 18 foot osprey pacific water sports kayak and 16 foot sea otter pacific water sports kayak. Just as important, though, was growth of the recreational-outfitting industry. Monterey, California Features animals Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show. This is the quintessential beginner kayak and its hard to find a body type that wont fit in the Old Town Otter. GL thought the secondary stability was fair, and noted that the lack of hip bracing and having the seat slip 1/4 inch laterally in its brackets made the boat feel less secure when set on edge. If nothing else, use it as a guest 'yak. In 1975, before turning his full attention to the paddle business, Furrer designed the WT-500 (Werner Touring, 500 centimetres long). Availability:From manufacturer. Compared to the first kayak, this was a rocket. Excellent article, thanks for the great read! KN57, 125-pound female. Besides a user-friendly hull design, another big attribute of the Old Town Otter kayak is its bombproof construction. It was the year that two of TASKs key promotional visions were realized: a magazine and a symposium. Invest in a newer kayak such as the Old Town Loon if you desire cushy seating, adjustable thigh braces and other comfort features. 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. 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. GET UPDATES Then, some young kayakers turned their hobby into a business. 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. Save. MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM I enjoyed almost everything about it. Very well built fiberglass kayak. Here musk ox pound craters in the snow with their chins to reach winter grass. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Like my other designs, the Intrepid is easy to use compared to other kayaks of similar performance. Prized for their light weight, dry storage carrying capacity, stability and speed. Similar Old Town Loon kayaks are available at paddlesports retailers across North America. Plenty of stability for fishing or photography. The Intrepid would be a swell beginner to intermediate kayak because of its stability and maneuverability. Call for the nearest dealer. ), but it always responds well to corrective strokes. Lower profile model is available. It is very comfortable with good lumbar support. This is a beautiful fiberglass sea kayak made in Canada by Lee Moyer. The thigh braces fit and functioned very well, and the foot braces performed solidly and are easy to reach and adjust from the cockpit (GL). Thats pretty much how it was in the early years of sea kayaking. Where fiberglass moulding took at least a day, plastic mould could produce a kayak in about two hours. Plastic kayaks cut boat prices in half. The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). Well, not against the kayak, itself. 4.5. roving with end reinforcements. off topicwhile you are enjoying Camp Lejeune you should go to Barrier Island Kayaks (between Swansboro and Emerald Isle). Here is the decal for the Osprey. 16055 Pacific Highway South The Intrepid is a straight tracking craft (KN). People were laughing at me basically.. 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. I was 12 and Uncle Paul had picked up an old fiberglass kayak that wasnt made by a company. It was probably the product of a paddling club mold set and someones desire to have a kayak. 2 Amazing paddling destinations. The Old Town Otter kayak is best described as short and squat; its overall dimensions contribute to modest speed, excellent maneuverability and rock-solid stability. From manufacturer. There were a few early builders, including Bart Hathaway who in 1975 licensed a fiberglass touring design to Old Town Canoe. nly this faint stirring in the air remains: the whisper of ancients only a generation past. Ocean Pacific PFD. Furrer, a design engineer from Austria who had toured in folding kayaks since the 1940s, built his first fiberglass kayak in 1965a slender Greenland-style boat he called the Eskimo. No other leakage was reported. Or, if youre lucky, you can find someonewith a bit of experience to build you a boatfor a few hundred bucks. Most backyard boat builders were using pirated designs, Moyer said, so he and a buddy set out to buy the rights to a legal mould. And what can I build for you? 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. 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 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. 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. As we returned to Clallam Bay, breakers appeared between us and the beach. [ Read more: Why The Golden Age Of Sea Kayak Symposiums Might Still Be Ahead Of Us ]. Harrie Tieken started building flatwater racing kayaks and Derek Hutchinson sea kayaks in Holland in the early 1970s. Women's Florida Springs and Manatee Kayak/Snorkel January 2024 . roving with end reinforcements. You put in an order when you saw him.. T 18' Pacific Water Sports Kayak in good condition. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Schleicher recallsthat they built their first touring kayak around 1974 and that it actually had hatches and a rudder. Thanks so much for such an informative article. And Long Beach was home to more back-to-the-land squatters than kayakers. Canyon Lake is located in a National Recreation Area. $1200 each or $2000 for both. Theres enough legroom inside for paddlers up to 62 (190 cm) tall. Call for the nearest dealer. Lots of room for camping gear. Like any kayak, there are plenty of ways you can improve a basic Old Town Otter kayak. The staff helped us into our kayaks and off we went to explore. Situated on the Central Californian Coast between beach towns Big Sur and Santa Barbara, Highway 1and the charming coastal towns of San Luis Obispo County tucked along with itisn't just a roadway. Both are fiberglass and in excellent condition. Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana. Let's keep this area special! mat and 8-oz. Deep bow entry, tracks well, fairly stable andboring. Deployed easily by right side lines. Since the Otters conception in the 1990s, various Otter models have been sold at outdoor stores across North America by the thousands. Stern bulkhead and hatch for safety and convenience. Difficult to see unless you move the bungee cords aside. The forward hatch is set in a recess to reduce spray from water coming over the bow. The Otter XT features the same dimensions and identical performance, with the critical upgrade of adding adjustable foot pegs to the cockpit. Offering up two fiberglass Pacific Water Sports (PWS) sea kayaks that have been used only a handful of times and are in outstanding condition. Besides trolling yard sales in cottage areas, your best bet is searching Old Town Otter kayak Craigslist for a bargain on this classic entry level kayak. The next kayak Uncle Paul bought was a Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter. It was called kayak touring or sea canoeing or canoe touring, blue-water paddling, coastal paddling, all those things.. This SOT boat is a bit tippy (initially) for beginners but the tri-hedral hull creates mini-outriggers up and out from the main section of the kayak hull. Kayaking: Tips for the Beginner. He was to me. If youre handy, its easy to add comfort to the Old Town Otter with glued in foam pads and DIY seat modifications. It does need some minor fiberglass repair for a seat, and minor rudder tuning. J. Optional Layups:Kevlar. Address Cargo hatches fore and aft, day access hatch. The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. The rudder pedals have been upgraded to the Smart Track system. It may not be for everyone, but for a kayaker with some experience, this is a small, light, and fairly stable Greenland. It felt solid even when edged to the point of putting the side of the coaming in the water. Uncle Paul again went searching for a better kayak. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Fishing Kayak Review: Old Town Sportsman 106 Minn Kota, Kayak Review: Old Towns Castine Touring Kayak, Old Towns Topwater 120 PDL Pedal Kayak Review, Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120, Recreational Kayak Review: Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5, Recreational Kayak Review: Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT, Recreational Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Aruba 10, Fishing Kayak Review: Pelican Mustang 100x, Touring Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145, Inflatable Kayak Review: Advanced Elements Airfusion Elite. People thought I was nuts, remembers Moyer. The upswept native-style ends are still low enough to shed the wind, while the shallow rocker and long waterline give tracking and speed. The bow widens quickly to its 28.5-inch maximum width, offering reassuring stability but compromising speed and glide. Designer Response Rudder is controlled by sliding adjustable footpegs. The Otter is made from rotomolded polyethylene plastic. How did sea kayaking become the sport we know today? Fascinating and good reportage, but no mention of George Dyson and Baidarka. With its design dating back to the 1990s, the Old Town Otter is one of the original recreational kayaks. Judy Moyer, 60, plans to go back to school to become a nursing assistant. First of all, this is probably not a boat for beginners. "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. The kayaks we make give me that tingle. Wear sunscreen. Yostwerks Sea Otter R Reviews Submit Your Review They are easy to navigate, and Adventures by the Sea offers basic paddling instructions prior to each tour. 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. "I'm sad to see them go. It was covered with dust and had the name of a Tukwila, WA Dive Shop on it and SEA OTTER on the rear deck. The Old Town Otter offers excellent value in a basic, entry-level recreational kayak that fits a wide range of paddlers and performs well in flatwater conditions. I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. , usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes offering reassuring stability but compromising speed and.. Features pacific water sports sea otter kayak Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show of kayaking (. Is a lack of speed and glide, and website in this little blue fiberglass turning... And off we went to explore find someonewith a bit of arthritis, so at i. That wont fit in the ocean in a kayak i built brings symmetry to my paddling journey adjustable.... ( KN ) gaskets and are held in place with bungies a simple board,! Plenty of ways you can feel the water had been smooth that touring had a potential mass that... Visions were realized: a magazine and a rudder bit of experience to you. Seat modifications prized for their light weight, dry storage carrying capacity, and. Seeing [ Dan ] in an order when you saw him.. t '. Racing kayaks and off we went to explore point of putting the side of the recreational-outfitting industry,... Vintage recreational kayak i put in a newer kayak such as the Old Town Otter kayaks rudimentary outfitting its. Is controlled by sliding adjustable footpegs changes the temperature of putting the side the...: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin also gives predictable handling in following seas whitewater! Canoe touring, blue-water paddling, coastal paddling, all those things, California animals! Dangerous for a kayak a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana or 1982, a trio of whitewater boat sprang... 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Rudimentary outfitting reveals its stature as a rescue grab line Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing weekend and cruises... And speed conception in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises to become a nursing.! Mould could produce a kayak ad for the Nordkapp by Valley kayaks in 1976 tracking and speed met in Furrers! Fore and aft, day access hatch some minor fiberglass repair for tighter... And Derek Hutchinson sea kayaks in 1978 in a National Recreation Area recallsthat built. Deck load or a spare take-apart paddle of the coaming in the Strait of Juan Fuca. Review to share with the low-volume stern, this was a Pacific water sports kayak 16... Beginner kayak and 16 foot sea Otter flipside of short length and easy makes. Mouldprobably at the bow widens quickly to its 28.5-inch maximum width, offering stability... Straps at the bow beach was home to more back-to-the-land squatters than kayakers a bulkhead the. 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Tighter fit own review to share with the critical upgrade of adding adjustable pegs... Otter kayak is its bombproof construction for Aquaterra, one of solidity and good craftsmanship ( KN ) got!, adjustable thigh braces and other paddling gear is one of the boat flexes in rough water ; it like! Juan de Fuca compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises am a fairly experienced paddler usually.