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About Tahe Marine:
Once upon a time, centuries ago, nature inspired people to create the kayaks, providing also the necessary materials and skills. The need for a kayak on a hunt by now has transformed into a need to be closer to nature and to oneself. Today, the kayak-makers are inspired by the individual, the person holding the paddle. Each paddler has his own ambitions and skills. Each journey s new and unique. Therefore no kayak is all-purpose and work on its design is ongoing. We command the most recent technologies and materials. Our experienced masters use centuries-old values to create kayaks that allow the person holding the paddle to catch the wonder of nature.
One of the biggest kayak manufacturers in Northern Europe, Tahe Kayaks was established in 1989. Over time both the range and number of kayaks has increased. Product development and production takes place on the northern coast of Estonia, using the most advanced technology and best materials available. Tahe Kayak’s products are primarily marketed in Scandinavia but the market has grown with each year and now Estonian kayaks are known and appreciated in many other countries round the world. Tahe Kayaks is a strong and reliable company who does not compromise on a single detail. Many years of experience and operation means quality and loyal customers for whom we can create new innovative products with care and dedication.
Which Boat? Rudder or Not?
Sea kayaks are generally very straight-tracking, which means they can be a bit of a handful when you want to change direction. Leaning the kayak on edge will make turning easier, but not everyone wants to do this. The Reval S and the Greenland are designed for the type of paddlers who are accomplished at handling a sea kayak and so most people buying these boats will not want or need a rudder. The Reval Mini S is smaller and easier to steer. It handles well in surf and is surprisingly manoeuvrable for a full-sized sea kayak. It is a good choice for anyone wanting a “proper” sea kayak, but not needing the volume or length of the Reval S or Reval Viking. If you wish, we can also supply most of our boats with a rudder for a nominal extra charge. This would be made specially for you and so could take up to 4 weeks. Please call us to discuss the options available. It is a fairly simple matter to later remove a rudder (and lock the pedal sliders), if you find you no longer need it. There is a useful review of the Reval S (when we originally marketed it as the Kaspian SK18) in the June 05 edition of “Paddles” magazine, with comments on rudders. The text of the review is available here. Interestingly, Tahe have addressed all of the comments regarding cockpit comfort by fitting improved seats, backrests and footrests to their 2009 models.
Please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail for advice on choosing a kayak. In any case, we recommend that you try as many boats as possible before choosing. Kayaks which appear similar may have totally different handling characteristics, particularly in waves. Only by trying different models will you find the one which feels right for your own particular style. You are welcome to take advantage of our demonstration service and try several boats in one session, with no obligation.
Care and Repair
All our kayaks are extremely robust, and will give many years of service, given a reasonable amount of care. Ideally, you should store your boat under cover (in a well-ventilated garage would be perfect). If you must store it outside, try to protect it from anything which might discolour the gel-coat e.g. tree-sap, bird droppings. For the same reason, don’t rest it directly on grassy or muddy ground. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after each use and wash it frequently during storage to prevent the build-up of grime. Sunlight does not deteriorate the structure to the same extent as it would on some plastic boats, but gel colours can fade over time in the sun. If you store your boat upside down, you can keep the sun off the deck and prevent the cockpit filling up with leaves. To allow air circulation within the hull, remove all hatch covers during storage. This will reduce the possibility of mould and mildew.
If you damage your kayak, it is important to have it repaired properly. Fibreglass boats are relatively simple to repair. If you have the skills, you can do it yourself, or you can find a reputable boat-builder to do it for you. It is possible to make perfectly robust field repairs using only a simple kit of materials, but the result is likely to be more aesthetically pleasing if done by a professional. Please contact us for help or advice if you have any doubts. For safety reasons you should not use a damaged kayak until it has been repaired.
The shiny gel-coat should be treated with the same respect as you would give to the paint-work of a new car. Small scratches can be polished out, but deep scratches which penetrate the gel-coat should be filled with a proprietary bodywork filler and sanded smooth. The repair should then be painted with a special polyester top coat to seal it against moisture. The gel-coat fulfils similar functions to the paint on a car; not only cosmetic, but also protection against the elements. Take good care of it, and your kayak will remain looking like new for years.
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