which kayak is the one for you?
BY GARY & JOANIE MCGUFFIN
a cOmparisOn Of kayak shapes intricate workmanship of those ancient of extraordinary skill and knowledge the
Since the first kayaks, constructed of watercraft. Designs and materials evolved likes of which do not exist today. On winter
animals skins and thin wood frames, were depending on the conditions and needs days when the kayaks are tucked in the
made several thousand years ago, it is of the people using them. Coastal people barn, we delight in mulling over the maps
impossible to pinpoint exactly when and relied on the kayak to acquire the sea and story books describing life among early
where they did appear. But we do know animals that provided food, fuel, clothing, Arctic hunting peoples. The fascination and
they were an integral part of people’s lives shelter and tools. For thousands of years, all respect for their lives grows as you yourself
from Greenland to the North Pacific. The along the Arctic coast from the Bering Strait kayak. And the admiration and wonder
detailed sketches and paintings of early to Greenland, a low-volume, narrow, swift with which you find yourself gazing down
Russian and European explorers provide little craft would have been seen among on your own kayak when you are out on the
a record both of the presence of kayaks the ice floes. The paddler, generally hunting open water will never dull. «OO
in these coastal communities and of the walrus and seals, would have been a person
expeDitiOn tOuring
This 18-foot expedition touring kayak is fast, responsive and seaworthy. With sealed bulkheads and hatches fore and aft,
there is plenty of storage space to carry gear for a multi-day or multi-week adventure. It is outfitted with a retractable skeg.
tOuring
This 16 1/2-foot sea kayak has a comforting stability and is responsive and seaworthy. It is outfitted with sealed
hatches fore and aft, making it suitable for daytripping or multi-day tripping. It has a drop-down rudder.
tanDem tOuring
Tandem kayaks are stable and seaworthy. They carry a lot of gear and can generally be paddled faster than singles (as you have
double the paddle power). They are great for two paddlers who want to paddle together but whose fitness and skill level is very
different. These 20-foot-plus kayaks can also provide space for carrying small children or a dog in the center cockpit.
recreatiOnal light tOuring
This 14 1/2-foot recreational kayak is perfect for a quiet afternoon on a gentle river or small lake. There is
enough storage space for daytripping gear with sealed bulkheads in the bow and stern hatches.
sit-On-tOp
This 12-foot sit-on-top is a recreational kayak meant for use on small lakes, ponds, and marshes
— in other words, calm, protected waters. It has a small waterproof hatch with enough room for
daytripping gear. This kayak is quite maneuverable, and very easy to reenter if you capsize.
specializeD sit-On-tOp fOr fishing
The extra length makes this 16-foot sit-on-top a sportier model,
more for performance paddling. This particular one has been
outfitted for kayak fishing, a very popular pursuit.
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca OTTAWA >> SUMMER/FALL 2008 7
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