Very well built fiberglass kayak. TE6 1, 200-pound male. That old story no one wants to hear and I dont want to tell. Deck: 11/2-oz. As a pioneering recreational kayak the Old Town Otter was among the first to include features that are standard in todays entry-level kayaks, including the high back seat. This kayak opened my eyes to what is possible in a kayak. The Intrepid is a very attractive kayak with a solid-feeling deck, smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches. Lee Moyer. I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. "I dream of being an hourly employee," he said. Since sea kayaking offers many challenges, the kayak should not be one of them. In fact, prior to the first symposia at Port Townsend, all the big players mentioned on the Pacific side attended as presenters and boat reps. Highway 1 Discovery Route is a destination in its own right! Like my other designs, the Intrepid is easy to use compared to other kayaks of similar performance. Most boats wear along the keel line, particularly at the . Website:www.pwskayaks.com. These are wonderful boats! The bulkheads are all curved panels of translucent fiberglass. The bow widens quickly to its 28.5-inch maximum width, offering reassuring stability but compromising speed and glide. For a tandem carry there are webbing straps at the ends of the boat. It is very comfortable with good lumbar support. 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. So together they strived to develop adesign that was stable, roomy and comfortable, that the average paddler could take out on the ocean. 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. They are sea kayaks, with tons of storage for your longer adventures'Pacific water sports is no longer in business, but was located in Tacoma Washington and well-regarded for their boats. of gear. Now there were 5-6 foot waves breaking about 30 yards from shore. I remember seeing [Dan] in an unemployment line probably in about 1972, recalled Matt Broze of Mariner Kayaks. frameless is the newest and best thing created for scuba diving, snorkeling - forget full face mask that fogs up badly.selling$45, new frameless dive mask, crystal clear silicone, incredible fit and feel and will never leak plus fits ANY face shape and type. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. Yostwerks Sea Otter R Reviews Submit Your Review This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. Cal, PWSPacific Water Sports. Extruded vinyl hull/deck seam glassed inside. KN found the boat easy to get going and maintain moderate speed. GL thought it moderately fast. For TE, it seemed to be capable of a brisk cruising speed and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint. Was in a Tire Shop down by Camp Lejuene today and the owner had a fiberglass/composite kayak hanging from the ceiling. Here winds comb the stiff-grassed tundra with restless, rough, currying fingers. Schleicher pegs 1978 as the year the sea kayaking industry came out of the garage. 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. Cargo hatches fore and aft, day access hatch. "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. Liberal arts student Steve Schleicher and microbiology instructor Joe Matuska were just a couple more semi-employed whitewater paddlers building paddles and boats for their friends in a converted chicken coop behind Schleichers parents house near Vancouver. Has normal scratches on the bottom. I got tired of slouching back against the wooden coaming (I know, I should sit up away from the back, but I get tired). Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. The Intrepid is a straight tracking craft (KN). Most were his Pacific Water Sports brand. Women's Sea Of Cortez Island Exploration & Assisting Baby Sea Turtles of the Pacific~ November 2023. . The only problem I have had is that tiny coaming (16x22"). Slade worried theyd get scratched, and Neckar retorted, The first time people use them theyre going to get scratched.. Seattle, WA 98188 Women's Florida Springs and Manatee Kayak/Snorkel January 2024 . The Intrepid is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and $150 less. company that bought Ted Houks Gulf Islander design. 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. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all sea kayaks ]. [ Read more: The NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos Forty ]. WKC members in their German Kleppers or locally built Whalecraft folding kayaks pioneered trips to many now-popular destinations on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and Alaska, often under the guidance of Bob Millerthe WKCs tireless tripping patriarch, who in his lifetime logged nearly 100 trips of a week or longer. That old story. I guess around 50lbs. Incredible guys, great boats and awesome events and experiences. 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. I love skin-on-frames. A wave caught me as it broke and I tumbled a few times before I got out of the kayak and (to my surprise) stood up in about 3 feet of water. Sea Otter Kayak Advice system May 10, 2007, 11:12pm #1 Was in a Tire Shop down by Camp Lejuene today and the owner had a fiberglass/composite kayak hanging from the ceiling. This recreational kayak is easy to handle in flatwater conditions and up to Class II moving water, if equipped with a spray skirt. The original Old Town Otter was an instant classic, helping to define recreational kayaking as a new genre. Thats pretty much how it was in the early years of sea kayaking. The bulkhead at the aft end of the cockpit runs along the aft side of the coaming, making it easy to completely drain the cockpit by lifting and turning the bow. *ONE-DAY KAYAK RENTALS INCLUDE THESE ACCESSORIES: BOOTS, RAIN BIBS, RAIN JACKETS or PADDLE JACKETS & RAIN HATS, PADDLE MITTS & DRY BAGS PADDLE ITEMS AND SERVICES INCLUDED WITH KAYAK RENTAL Comfortable Seats with Inflated BackSupport Cushion Shuttles in Whittier to get you to the Harbor or Beach with your Gear Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. 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. Lake Powell is a wonder of water sport recreation, glorious views, spectacular hiking, rich. 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. 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. So suddenly everybody was able to make a living at it.. It was the sort of enormous, high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify the West Coast boat. The seating arrangement on the Old Town Otter feels basic compared to some of the ultra-adjustable and padded seats in contemporary kayaks, but its still very supportive and easy to modify with glued-in padding. I didnt get involved until the mid 80s but have stayed involved ever since. My boat had no outfitting at all when I got it, not even a floor. Standard Lay-up:Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. The bulkheads are all curved panels of translucent fiberglass. The economy had pulled out of the early 80s recession and entrepreneurs who had been struggling along since the 70s found themselves with viable businesses. And kayaks entered mainstream media and mainstreamconsciousness. This is a beautiful fiberglass sea kayak made in Canada by Lee Moyer. I can paddle for hours now. Then, some young kayakers turned their hobby into a business. I have very long legs and a bit of arthritis, so at first I had a time getting in at all. TE may have to leave his size 12s behind if he tries it, though. Fiberglass kayaks are much tougher than most people think they are. Thanks for the kind words. Look for a spray skirt size of 2.5 from popular manufacturer Seals Sprayskirts to fit all Old Town Otter models except the tandem Old Town Otter Twin. If nothing else, use it as a guest 'yak. Chris Cunningham took over Sea Kayaker magazine from John and I wrote a few article for them. There is a small crack in the gelcoat behind the seat. Kayak Rentals and Guided Tour on Monterey Bay National Marine sancutary. Tupperware boats propelled the industry into the 1990s decade of double-digit annual growth. The current Old Town Loon 106 measures a foot longer than the Otter, upping its maximum paddler capacity to 272 pounds. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. The Intrepid is an appealing boat. After rolling, TE noted 1/2 cup of water in the forward compartment, GL found a cup in the forward compartment, and a drop or two in the day hatch. Hull Features Fast 16 foot waterline means easy pdaaling, even with 150 lbs. Called the Gulf Islander, Houks kayak washomebuilt in small numbers by WKC members who passed around the mould. $999 Share it or review it used OCEAN KAYAK, made from Fiber Glass, PACIFIC WATER SPORTS is the maker and i think this is called the Sea Otter? "I'm sad to see them go. The weight was reasonable for its size. 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. The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). There isn't that personal involvement any more.". Open daily 9:00 (except Christmas). Its lines mirror everything youd expect in a kayak: a pointed bow and stern with low profile to minimize exposure to winds, front and back decks for seaworthiness, as well as a large cockpit for easy entry and exit. Any day on the water is a great day, "Now they've sold out to bigger companies. From manufacturer. Similar Old Town Loon kayaks are available at paddlesports retailers across North America. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Eddyline sea kayaks ]. Canyon Lake is located in a National Recreation Area. The Sea Otter R is a kayak brought to you by Yostwerks . 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. [The Intrepid] was very well balanced at the middle of the coaming (GL). Much of my family lives in Port Angeles, Washington. In 1975, before turning his full attention to the paddle business, Furrer designed the WT-500 (Werner Touring, 500 centimetres long). This 16 long kayak designed by Lee Moyer was our first introduction to a sea kayak. Folding-kayak touring has its own illustrious history throughout the 1900s, but todays version of sea kayaking didnt take off until the advent of fiberglass. Wolverines and Arctic foxes scent through the mosses after small preylemmings, tern eggs, hares. The boats strong turning ability when on edge helped keep the bow pointed down the face of the wave (TE). In 1959, WKC member Ted Houk designed the clubs first fiberglass kayak. In 1982, Bob Licht followed the Ecomarine example and opened Sea Trek Ocean Kayak Center in Sausalito, California. Jun 11, 2021. Theres a lot to like about the Old Town Otter kayak. There were a few early builders, including Bart Hathaway who in 1975 licensed a fiberglass touring design to Old Town Canoe. Eddyline only built whitewater boats, and had no interest in sea kayaks until the Derrers moved to Seattle in 1974. Thanks, Well, I've taken the Otter Sport on flat water..slow rivers..and . I can recall in 1980 or 81 going up to Vancouver Island and counting 100 windsurfers on cars to one kayak, said Matt Broze. The fit encourages a feeling of stability (KN). TE and GL both noted that the middle of the hull oilcanned when pressed hard, though not while afloat. The sea kayaking industry as we know it did not happen by accident. One of the pioneers of kayaking in the Northwest is closing this week, a victim of poor timing and changes in how people spend their recreational dollars. We were greeted kindly, filled out our paperwork quickly and then were outfitted and briefed efficiently. ", In 2001, Pacific Water Sports moved to Tukwila, nestled next to the Duwamish River and among industrial buildings near Boeing Field, after their SeaTac landlord decided to build a parking lot where their store stood. The first time I was in a kayak was at Lake Sutherland, just a bit outside of town on Highway 101. See website for holiday hours. The next kayak Uncle Paul bought was a Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter. [ See also: Kayak In Seattle, Washington ]. In fact, Otter owners indicate that its maximum capacity of 225 pounds can easily be pushed to 250 pounds without compromising performance or seaworthiness. This is a beautiful fiberglass sea kayak made in Canada by Lee Moyer. It was a wonderful experience. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. "Sea kayaking was the biggest part of our business from then on," said Lee. All edges and seams were nicely finished and smooth to the touch. Prized for their light weight, dry storage carrying capacity, stability and speed. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. Belugas, Bears, History and Culture of Churchill ~July 2023~2 spaces. The kayaks we make give me that tingle. Humanity is elsewhere, gone away, sloughed off to the coast like the draining rivers taking their load of sand. About. This was the first expedition-capable kayak I had ever seen. Mike Neckar is one of the industrys most legendary charactersimpossible to reach for a magazine interview, but variously described by others as kayakings 8,000-pound gorilla, an engineering genius, a magician, and the last person youd ever expect to see climb into a kayak and make it dance. It is a big boys boat and it very stable. Ken Fink was distributing British boats through his Poseidon Kayak Imports from 1978 on. The third company in the Seattle early '70s trio was Easy Rider, started by Peter Kaupat as a whitewater boat builder in 1970. The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). Phone: (206) 246-9385 This boat therefore is extremely stable (secondary stability) in bumpy water. The goal was always to have a really neat way to travel in the wilderness, self-propelled, said Schleicher, reflecting on where his early vision has led him. cloth, 17-oz. It comes standard with bulkheads fore and aft with a third bulkhead optional. Fast forward to 1987: Tieken brings his business to North America, settling in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. As if the Pacific Northwest didnt already have its share of the action, a few other Seattle companies entered the businessin the early 80s. David Hunt. A solo carry was surprisingly easy. Sandhill cranes court one another on low bedrock ridges with stick-figure decorum. It may not be for everyone, but for a kayaker with some experience, this is a small, light, and fairly stable Greenland. 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. Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for a used Old Town Otter kayak in good shape. 1. Lots of room for camping gear. 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. Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana. It seems quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is also a quick and responsive day paddler. Licht remains a key promoter of kayaking in the American Southwest. Well, not against the kayak, itself. You get a few pointers from the last builder, and so take on the unwritten responsibility to pass your knowledge alongto the next. 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