Hole in the market

Thanks for the suggestion
The price of an Alchemy is attractive but I was talking about a model designed for a paddler 1/3 less in weight. The closest I have seen (on the net) is a Tahe Solo PE at 12.5 feet and 21.1 inches wide. The dream model would be 15 feet, no more than 20 inches wide and a 10 inch deck. Basically a plastic Pilgrim without the knee bumps. After renting a bunch of the petite paddler boats I built my wife a scaled Yost design so she could have a day boat. We are debating ordering a Pilgrim for her next. However the price is not realistic for my still in school niece that wants to get started. At 5’2 and 110lbs she is at a size that is without a model unless she wants a big camping boat or has money to spend.

Perception, Dagger, Necky, P&H …
Tribute 14.0 and Expression 14.5 are both smaller persons boats as is the Dagger Alchemy S previously mentioned. Also, Necky Eliza, P&H Delphin 150, North Shore Aspect LV RM.



There are several polyethylene boats on the market now that have been designed for smaller paddlers. All of these models have at least two hatches and bulkheads and full perimeter deck lines. Most have a skeg, except Tribute and Eliza (rudder).

The market does not exist …
From a large manufacturers standpoint they would sell so few kayaks in that size it does not make sense to produce a lot of models. There are three or four models you can buy in that size. The market is tending towards large overweight middle age males who want rec boats and that is what gets produced the most.

Eliza too big for 110 lb paddler.
I fit it just fine at 5’6" and 165 lbs.



CD Suka crimps my thighs, so likely a good fit for small female.



Only in composite,though, so on the expensive side.

Look for a used WS Piccolo
Discontinued model but some show up on classifieds here and there.



20.5" beam, about 13’ long if I remember correctly, very low foredeck (less than 10" high). Lightweight due to small size, but add float bags to the ends (no bulkheads).



Fun and easy to paddle. It’s a shame they don’t bring it back into production, with sturdy bulkheads added, and some decklines.



You could also build a stitch-and-glue kayak, if the designer is willing to modify the plans/kit for you (ask them). Cost would be about that of a new plastic sea kayak or lower, depending on whether you do kit or plan, and where you live (availability of supplies).

Pretty close …
in specifications to the Picolo is the Walrus Griffin:

http://www.walruskayaks.com/griffin/



An updated design by Andy Singer.

Weird seat front edges
Just looking at the sharp points makes me wince. Might snag clothing or skin in a sudden unexpected move. Rest of the boat looks pretty nice.

Look around for a used QCC-10x
If you can go 1" wider.

It’s not plastic, but it is a sweet boat for a slight, light weight paddler.

I think new they run around three thousand new.



Unfortunately there is no market for what you are looking for. It took my wife four or five years to talk QCC into making the smaller boat, and she asked for a 19" wide one. Their answer was, it would never sell



jack L

couple more options
Current Designs Squamish

length: 15’8"

width: 23"

depth: 12.5"

Some of the depth and width is mitigated by the substantial thigh braces.



Tsunami SP

12’

21"

12"

and only 38lbs!



Or if you do go composite:

CD Raven

12’

20"

11"

Almost spot on to your requested width and depth specs, and it only weighs 26 lbs!

Alchemy S…

– Last Updated: Mar-24-13 5:51 PM EST –

I just got my Alchemy S. I'm 5'9", around 136 lbs. It's hard for me to see this as a "small person's boat." It feels pretty generous! And, it seems like a lot of hull width, for a small person to be pushing around.

I like the handling, and I think it's going to be a lot of fun.

WRT the skeg, I was surprised by it's dodginess. I expected it to be the same as a WS skeg. Now, maybe it _is_ the same, as I have not seen a Tempest skeg, since the skegs were redesigned several years ago.

I did improve the skeg, a bit. The big, round pivot point sits in squared off notches. Get some thin, flexible plastic sheet, like on a school notebook / report cover. Cut 2 squares to the notch width. Dog-ear one corner on each, and use needle-nose pliers, to slide 'em in between the pivot circle, and the skeg box. It eliminates a lot of wobble, and it seems they will stay in place, since there's a lip. And, I also used some self-stick fuzzy Velcro part, to put on either side of the skeg box against the blade, about half way -- an old trick used on the Tempests.

The other dodgy feature is the hip pads... again, where I had expected them to be variations on the better-made WS pads.

Just saw a CD Raven on Craigslist
on the east coast of Florida. A plastic or composite Impex Mystic would work well too. Just got a used glass Mystic in Titusville, Fl. There’s a Widerness Systems Tschaika in Sarasota (Economy Tackle) as well.

No Market
I understand there not being a market for a boat as small as the one I built my wife. She’s 4’11 and 90lbs so her selection is even smaller. It does surprise me though that there is not a market for the 110lb’ers since there are so many of them. I suppose if the Piccolo got discontinued there may not be. I’ve been casually keeping an eye out for one for a while now. We already have 2 Tsunami SP’s in our fleet and if they were a little longer and had a decent thigh brace they’d be fine. At 21 inches they are very stable. My wife and daughter stand in them and paddle them like paddle boards but they are the on the petite side of petite.



The main reason I posted this was to draw attention to the fact that there is a hole in the market. Yes there are shorter boats available but nothing in that 14.5-15 foot range. A “real” sea kayak size. Hopefully I don’t draw too much fire for the “real” comment.

Raven
The raven would be a great boat if it were 14.5-15 feet long. I considered buying one for my wife when we were starting out.

Eddyline
I love my Eddyline Samba! I am 5.6, and 105 pounds. I ran the Adirondack Canoe Classic with it and my only major problem…the carries…she is 43 pounds! I think she is $2300 for it, new…A major plus, my son and husband can not “barrow” her!

Disagree on the Squamish
I am a bigger than the OPer’s niece and it feels like a wide lard barge on me.



Tsunami SP is worth a look.



CD Suka mentioned above, worth a look too if composite. Or some of the Betsy Bay boats if you can find one used and inexpensive, really tuned for women.

Current Designs Suka for very small
paddlers.



I’m 5’6 and 165 and this boat’s thigh braces squished my thighs. I could barely get in or out of that thing.



I fit quite nicely in the Necky Eliza composite and the CD Willow.

Try this…
Engelhart products…Episea.

Episea link
http://www.emc-epi.com/touring.html

Yes, Eddyline Samba
I haven’t paddled it myself (not petite), but I have the Samba’s big brother and love it—same hull shape. Is it out of your price range? Even if it’s out of your range try to demo one to get a sense of how beautifully a well-designed hull in thermoformed plastic paddles—like a dream. Try it with a light carbon paddle and you’ll be in heaven.

Starter or price?
.Some good suggestions have been made already.



Venture Kayaks Islay LV - will fit up through medium frame paddlers well. $1300



P&H Scorpio LV - at $1900, a three layer plastic shorter version of a Cetus LV



Your hole is at least getting shallower.



See you on the water,

Marshall

The River Connection, Inc.

Hyde Park, NY

www.the-river-connection.com