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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 SK18 and the Reval Viking 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 SK17 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 (particularly at the price!) for anyone wanting a “proper” sea kayak, but not wishing to make the commitment of owning something as extreme as the SK18 or Reval Viking. If you wish, we can also supply any 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 SK18 and HV17 in the June 05 edition of “Paddles” magazine, with comments on rudders. The text of the review is available here.
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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