Paddle Dippings

Over the years, we have come in contact with lots of kayaks. While thinking more about that, it occurred to me that several of those kayaks were special in one way or another in our shop’s history. I thought it might be fun to write a little about them. As you read through the listed boats, please keep several points in mind. First and foremost, this is an extremely subjective thought process that I’m following here. Almost everyone may disagree with me. Secondly, although the shop has experience with many, many kayaks, we are certainly not familiar with all of the kayaks out there. Some of the kayaks listed below are still produced and some are not. Also, being a memorable kayak in my mind does not necessarily mean that it has been popular with others. Quite frankly, my opinions may be nothing more than impressions flavored by the memories of wonderful people and trips. Finally, there is no attempt at either logical listing or prioritization in this list. There are several newer models that are destined to become memorable kayaks and maybe I’ll get to do this again in a few years. So read on, knowing that this was a lot of fun and part therapy to look back.

Sea Venture by Hydra. One of the first kayaks we carried. Designed by Tom Derrer of Eddyline Kayaks, this was and still is one of the classiest 16 foot poly’s out there. This kayak was able to satisfy many paddling levels through its ability to handle any situation comfortably.

Vesper and Seeker by Dagger. The Vesper was the initial reason we were persistent in chasing the Dagger representative to carry the line. The first two Vespers we sold were boats that I had to buy in Maine at full retail, pay sales tax and pick them up there as well. The Vesper was a delightful river touring boat that would also do some coastal touring with good paddling strokes. The Seeker was a relatively fast coastal boat. Both were noted for their stability, sporty feel and ability in rough conditions. A particular crossing in Maine of the Damariscotta River from South Bristol to East Boothbay proved to me the ability of the Seeker!

Naturalist by Walden Paddler. Although not the first of the recreational kayaks on the market, the Naturalist’s hull design did bring attention to the fact that it was possible to design decent tracking short recreational kayaks. The other innovation was the fact that recycled plastic was being used in the kayak’s production.

Rascal and Pungo by Wilderness Systems. These two kayaks with multi-chined hulls added substantially to the progress in hull design for the short recreational kayak. Kayaks now were being tried and purchased by otherwise considered “normal” people.

Calypso by North Shore. As evidenced by the number of BSK and Coastal Kayak Educators staff that has and are still paddling the 17′ Calypsos, one quickly realizes that this qualifies as a memorable kayak. Excellent stability, responsiveness, speed and ability in rough water conditions are the credits of this kayak.

Quoddy Lite by Lincoln. The lightness in weight (12′ 6″ @ 31lbs) and the longer boat “feel” of this kayak opened the shore (pardon the pun) to those looking to paddle but not wishing to deal with long, heavy kayaks. Stability and versatility for protected coastal paddling are the merits of the Quoddy Lite.

Narwhal by Boreal Design. We sat in a 16′ Narwhal in our shop on a cold winter night several years ago. Immediately George, Ross and I knew that this was a “gotta’ have” for our lineup. Stability, performance, comfort and attention to detail are the traits of this kayak.

Micmac by Cal-Tek. I remember many day trips where there were three or four Micmac kayaks in the group. The North River, Taunton River, Saco River, and an awesome weekend over ten years ago paddling the Battenkill River, at one point sharing the river with some cows. Each boat was outfitted to the owner’s taste.from homemade seats and footbraces to gear-holding and fishing rod attachments to an English Springer Spanial sitting with his paws up on the foredeck. This is a 13′ 4″ open cockpit “do-all” boat for fishing, hunting, birding, relaxing or occasionally playing in Class 1-2 water. No wonder, this a Bart Hauthaway design built by Dan Sheehan.

Surge by Surge Kayak. My personal introduction to this kayak was along the Maine coast in some of the worst wind and chop that I had been in by choice. This performance-oriented 17′ 8″, 38-lbs. kayak has one of the most incredible hull designs we’ve paddled. It is fast, stabile, straight tracking, yet will spin on a quarter, surfs well, and will bring you through those unexpected conditions that you remember long afterwards thinking “How’d I do that?” If I’m in a bad place at a bad time, that’s the kayak I want to be in.