glass
Pygmys and other “wood” kayaks are usually coverd with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. The standard Pygmy kit uses one layer of 6-oz cloth inside and out, but builders are free to vary the layups to fit their needs. Think of it as a wood-core composite.
How about Epitour
Epitour by Epi kayaks is 14’ 2" and 50 lbs.
Liquidlogic Sojourn?(NM)
Can you say 44 lbs, tacoma?
– Last Updated: Apr-06-07 9:52 PM EST –
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEDA-GYPSY-KAYAK_W0QQitemZ150051924122QQihZ005QQcategoryZ36122QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Seda Gypsy.
And here's one skegged:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEDA-VIDA-KAYAK_W0QQitemZ150054603194QQihZ005QQcategoryZ36122QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I know nothing about it specifically, but after buying 2 yaks from this retailer, I can say they ship impeccably. Check out alpha1airborne list of other yaks. Good luck.
soujourn
another sweet looking boat I hadn’t thought of. Thanks. What’s the price on these? don’t see anything on the LL Web site.
about $2000 aparently…
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and made with a new kind of material (not kevlar), making it extremely light.
Mine handles them pretty well
You can apply graphite powder to the bottom if you want an ironclad hull. It will still be lighter than most glass and composite boats.
Folding Kayak?
From your initial description,it sounds like a folder is something you might want to explore. Certainly easier to store and lightweight. Cost may be an issue, but used and/or demo boats are usually a greater value anyways. Just a thought. I’ve never used one myself, but I know several excellent paddlers who do.
Best of luck,
Mike
fully agreed with grey’s post above
anytime i hear someone say they want a true sea kayak but storage space is a limitor i want to holler real loud Feathercraft…but as mentioned above price is usually the challenge; but do find one somewhere and paddle it to see if it might interest you. 3 days ago I was in my Wisper working on rolls/sculls after a 2 mile jaunt around the lake, the youngest daughter and I had just made a kayak flower:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2348585090084634827YlnCpy
and she asked me if I could only have one kayak which it would be. I told her the Wisper because it truly can do everything I want it to do (anyone surfed in a Wisper?), and at my age the 33 pounds is nice.
see if you can find a Swift Saranac 14
This might be something you’l have to find used to hit your price range but it’s pretty close to your hit list. Very seaworthy kayaks.
http://tinyurl.com/yvk63n
Aside from Feathercraft
The Folbot Cooper and the Atatl for really decent budget folders. Used K Lights can be had for around a grand too.
210lbs
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you're too big for the AT14 but just right for the old GE/Osprey. It may look fat,,it is,,but the waterline is very clean,it's fast enough and efficient but it might be a bit too strong tracking. It's around 15'6" with the ends rounded off a bit. But you'd have to be in the mood to make it. As far as durability goes it can be more or less than the average glass boat depending on the weight of glass used. The basic 6oz on both sides of 4mm okoume is very strong.
The volume of the Osprey/GE is about the same as the Tempest 170 and I'm guessing is a smidge faster.
What's wrong with a Manitou 13 or 14? You can put thigh braces in it and there's a glass version out now.
Here you go, inbetween the Arctic Tern 14 and Osprey Standard in volume. Don't trip out on linear dimensions so much. I assume you're wanting something around 15' for storage reasons. Something 14' will have to be 23"-24" to carry 225lbs well.
http://www.shearwater-boats.com/widg-buildyourown.htm
SOF anyone?
It sounds like you liked the Coaster - for less than your budget you can go to Cape Falcon in Manzanita OR and build the SOF version, the SC-1, in a week. Plus you’ll be building yourself a Greenland paddle too. That’s what I’ll be doing in May - I have similar storage/transport problems and need a rough-water capable boat. By all accounts the SC-1 is a sweet ride - I’ve got my fingers crossed.
Pygmy Arctic Tern 14
I know I recommend this boat a lot, but it is in the top two of my “fleet” and I can’t say enough about it.
You can outfit it to your specifications, it comes in light (mine is 36#), it comes in well under $1000, it is easy to repair if necessary, and it looks darned good. It is short enough at 14’ to maneuver in small waters yet is an ocean-worthy craft.
What more could you ask of a kayak? It even has a recessed cockpit for layback rolls.
If you have any questions there are a bunch of Pygmy AT 14 fans out here that would gladly answer your questions and Pygmy is extremely helpful, also.
I love the feel of a hand-crafted boat and it fits me like a glove because it was fitted that way!
good suggestion on the Cooper
i’ve owned a folbot and liked the concept+price but there is something one should know about Folbot and this quote taken from their owners forum says it all:
‘have to be a complete home brew clamp… but there’s part of the fun…’
Having said that-or illegelly copied and pasted it- I wouldnt mind having a Cooper someday.
How about the manitou 14
It’s faster than the 13 and I hear it feels like a real kayak. No short 14 or 15 foot boat is going to have the top speed of a 16 to 18 foot boat but it may go middle speeds even easier than the long boats.
i had a necky alsek
it was 14’6" x 25" and i thought it was a very capable boat. it weighed about 50#. i sold it to a guy about your size and he loves it. the alsek is no longer in production but if you can find a used one you could probably get a good deal. i bought and sold mine for $400
For folders
you might also check out Fujita. I have no direct experience, but their owners speak very highly of them.
Echoing others, there are often quite a few folders to be had used. There are often some Nautiraid 416’s and 460’s on E-bay that a gentleman in CA is selling from a store stock that he’s been slowly liquidating. If I remember correctly, they are brand-new, still-in-the-box boats that are 2003 models, or soemthing like that, so the prices are pretty low - like around $1,000. Those are great, stout, seaworthy boats under 15’.
Kajak Sports Viking
They advertise 42 lbs but the real weight is 51 lbs. It is 16’4"x 22.4" which is over your 15’ but fits your specs otherwise. We have the original model not the expedition. Easy roller and fast boat for its size. Not much rocker so it is harder to turn but that is why it is fast. Has skeg. Due to some age and health issues, we need to get under 40 lbs so ours is for sale along with a couple others.
Fujita makes a decent boat
But fairly expensive. The Nautiraids from 2003 had lots of problems with delamination. Good luck on replacing the skin.