I missed the news about Pygmy being on indefinite “hibernation”. But it’s certainly understandable that the owner/founder would like to retire at 77 years old. Maybe a buyer will still come along after the Covid situation eases.
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I have a skin version of the Coaster, and it’s a great boat. I wish I could have tried any/all of the Mariners. I think I saw one on cartop on the highway, that’s as close as I’ve been to one…
The Mariners still show up used in the Pacific NW. There’s an Express in Eugene Oregon, for example. It even has a rear hatch. Coasters are really hard to find. I have an acquaintance in Victoria, BC with a Coaster - but I think he plans to use it as his casket.
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Easy Rider Canoes and kayaks are no longer in production. The factory (located in Tukwila , WA) remains open by appointment only for owners wanting parts or accessories. I believe that they still have about a dozen kayaks left for sale in their inventory. I own an Easy Rider Dolphin CRX and an Eskimo 15 CRX and love them both.
The original versions of the Valley Pintail (flat aft deck, round hull, ocean cockpit) and Anas Acuta (flat aft deck, ocean cockpit) were outstanding boats. While the Pintail is admittedly and “acquired taste”, it’s an outstanding rough-water boat. The Anas Acuta is an excellent all-round boat and again, really good in rough water.
It’s truly sad that most new paddlers will never have the opportunity to try a boat with an ocean cockpit and experience the improved comfort and control it provides. It also makes the foredeck a lot more usable.
Fortunately, I own both of the boats mentioned above and wouldn’t trade them for anything made currently. Being fiberglass and easy to repair, they should last me the rest of my paddling days.
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so in that vein …here is my son’s Nordkapp Jubilee HS with an ocean cockpit
and another not made anymore
My Nordkapp Jubilee HM {Sectional}
Necky Tahsis in Kevlar. Never should have sold it!
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Yep. My Anas Acuta will be in my fleet forever.
Loved my Airalite Dagger Specter 15.5. Boats no longer made (but I don’t understand why) - Current Designs Isle, Prijon Combi , Prijon Marlin HTP, P & H Hammer, Jackson Journey, Jackson Karma RG.
In my current quiver
Original Mariner aka Mariner 1 from 1984
Northwest Kayaks Sportee 1992
Feathercraft Java
Recently sold
Feather Kahuna
Klepper Aerius 1
Recently stolen Mariner Express
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An Easy Rider Eskimo 15 showed up at my local indie outdoor sport outfitter on consignment 2 summers ago. I had never seen an ER boat in person and was incredibly impressed with the quality and design of the boat and the remarkable lightness – at $500 (actually “free” for me since I had around $600 in credits at the store for the consignment split of all my old backpacking and mountaineering gear I had already sold through them) I nearly bought it but talked myself out of it and left without it (my walk out basement was already clogged with my fleet of 7 boats). I changed my mind a couple of days later and went back to learn that a guy had been in the day before and freaked out when he saw it, saying the Eskimo had long been his “dream” boat and he never thought he would ever find one. Needless to say, he snagged it. So I did not feel so bad about missing out on it knowing it went to somebody who would appreciate it that much.
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Stolen?? How awful!
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Actually the new owner contacted me. Apparently the tenant living in my condo traded it for some mechanic work. I will tack $1000 in damages as she’s moving out soon so we can sell. I am kicking myself for not throwing her out with a 30 day notice instead of a 60
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Another Valley… my Avocet LV. Great little boat. Also have an ANCIENT Foster-Rowe Silhouette- love the ocean cockpit!
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There were so many big fast kayaks for a long time. Necky, Easy Rider, and Eddyline were some of my favorites. There were lots of fiberglass kayaks with cockpits that had length, speed, carrying capacity and elegant lines.
Then kayak world went cheap and plastic. Boats got shorter and beamier. It is a crying shame what is out there now.
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Still plenty of available real sea kayaks out there.
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Could you let us know where they’ll be buried? We’ll respect your bones, but maybe grab the dry suit.
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