Has anyone paddled either a Foster Rumour or Echo?
Looking through old Sea Kayakers found mention of them as “New Kayaks for 1999.”
Did any/many make it to the USA?
I’ve paddled the Rumour.
It’s not available new anywhere anymore. There are some old ones floating around, made in Florida (good) or Belgium (sometimes not so good). Look at the post concerning the Mariner Elan below and you’ll see some comments about the Rumour. You can also search the archives as we’ve discussed it a few times. I happened to bump into Nigel, and he knew how badly I had been seeking a Rumour, but even he couldn’t think of where/how I could get one. Seaward has the molds: bug them to build it!
I’ve never paddled the Echo.
Sanjay
Seaward, Foster etc…
– Last Updated: Aug-09-04 3:05 AM EST –
I took your advice and emailed inquiry about the Rumour and Echo.
I also read the comments about the Rumourin the Elan thread and other p.net threads. There is 1 review of the Echo on paddling.net posted 3-25-2000.
On the www.nigelfosterdesigns.com site it states "...and the Echo and Rumour, produced as concept kayaks and soon to be available in production quality."
My girlfriend owns the Rumour…
– Last Updated: Aug-08-04 9:12 AM EST –
...that Sanjay paddled. I've been in it once. It's a bit too small for me to fit comfortably in it with the stock forward bulkhead location, but I'm 6', 165 pounds. I found it to have VERY low stability, even compared to similarly narrow skin boats. Although Linda is small (5'1", 115#) and is a very skilled paddler, she still finds the Rumour to be challenging. On rough water, it's a tiring boat to paddle, since you can't rest and let the boat do it's thing, as you can in boats like Pintails and Romanys. Still, she likes the boat and paddles it frequently. Frankly, the damn thing scares me! ;-)
If you can't find a Rumour to paddle, try a Silhouette. Nigel's boats are all pretty similar in their general handling qualities. If you find the Silhouette to be comfortable in terms of stability and handling, you may well like the Rumour. On the other hand, if you don't like the feel of the Silhouette (other than the size), you'd probably hate the Rumour. I never quite became completely comfortable with my Silhouette and ultimately sold it.
it is in all of our interests
– Last Updated: Aug-08-04 9:12 PM EST –
to bring this subject up on the seaward forum as often as necessary with as many people as necessary. Glen from seaward has stated more than once that he would like to re do the mold on the rumour and build it if he can convince seaward that enough folks will buy it.
Also don't know if it's more rumours of rumours but russel at sweetwater has mentioned that there might be a limited production run of rumours in florida, but that they are going to redo the mold with a bit more rocker, and a little more initial stability, but it will still be 19" wide and very little freeboard. Don't ask me how they're gonna get more initial stability in a very small kayak.
I think I have at least convinced seaward that an ocean cockpit silhouette will be lucrative as an option for smaller paddlers, and I don't think they will make a rumour with a keyhole cockpit...
Silhouette - Legand
– Last Updated: May-24-05 2:40 PM EST –
I found the Legend very comfortable, but felt I was too big for the Silhouette. Nigel Foster confirmed this to be true last month at GOMSKS. My wife felt comfortable in both, though the Silhouette seems intended for her size paddler - also confirmed by Nigel.
Therefore I'm interested in an Echo and she a Rumour as day boats.
Rumor of Rumour Redesign?
“Also don’t know if it’s more rumours of rumours but russel at sweetwater has mentioned that there might be a limited production run of rumours in florida, but that they are going to redo the mold with a bit more rocker, and a little more initial stability, but it will still be 19” wide and very little freeboard. Don’t ask me how they’re gonna get more initial stability in a very small kayak."
The Rumour has a rather odd chine shape. While the chines are pretty low at the cockpit, they sweep upward rather quickly both forward and aft. Simply lowering them to create a straight chine line should add significantly to the initial stability.
With the degree of modification they’re talking about, would it really still be a Rumour? Perhaps they should give it a different name. Maybe they should call it the Myth. 
Response from Seaward
Hi Jim,
At this time we have no plans to craft Nigels Rumour or Echo as production kayaks. I have paddled both of these kayaks and enjoyed them
both. This is a consideration for the long term future.
Best regards,
John Surtees