There has been a debate about whether the power face should be the one with the rib. Which way do you use it?
I have a one piece Aleut, but it is heavier than my bad shoulder tolerates - so it has been abandoned in my garage.
There has been a debate about whether the power face should be the one with the rib. Which way do you use it?
I have a one piece Aleut, but it is heavier than my bad shoulder tolerates - so it has been abandoned in my garage.
She tells me they’re spoiled, but they don’t smell bad?
I find that the ridged face is easier to use as it cuts thru the water more smoothly but both faces/sides are usable.
Mine are made from laminated spruce and weigh around 970 grams. They feel light and buoyant in use.
Thanks
Nice weight.
The Impex Assateague was my first non-plastic boat, too. After 20 years I sold it…and still miss it. It was a fantastic boat. Also, the prettiest boat I’ve ever owned. If they still made them, I’d buy another.
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I believe you have a purchase in your future.
Still made.
I paddled briefly alongside a guy in one. Impressive boat both in speed and beauty. I envied that I was not skinny ass him. I mean as skinny as him.
Dunno where you are, but there are at least 4 Assateagues for sale on FBMP in the northeast, NY, PA, MA… they range in price from $1200 to $1800.
These are the two boats in my quiver. The first (white deck/yellow hull) is a Valley Nordkapp H2O. The second (blue deck/white hull) is an NDK Romany. My first kayak, and only one before these, was an Impex Currituck. That was a really good boat to learn with, but I preferred the way these paddle. I’m faster in the Nordkapp, but the Romany is more fun to roll and attempt to surf on boat wakes where I usually paddle.
I know that spot
Newest addition to the fleet. A mint QCC 700XL. Bought it to look fast, while paddling near the back of local races.
Is that the infamous boat barn? That boat brings back memories of paddlers who loved them.
After paddling with a guy paddling a Kevlar one at the coast, I thought a perfect expedition boat fast with volume and light for a long hull. Very Nice.
Yes. We sold off a few kayaks, this year. That created empty rack spaces. So we have refilled the empty spots, again. My fleet is always a work in progress. I am currently at 8 kayaks, I think. Not including my fathers fleet.
This one is kevlar, as well. Hope to do a shake down paddle, in a couple days. Seat and cockpit fit may get tweaked, after a few mile of seat time. I am sure the Q700 is capable of going faster, than my capabilities to propel it.
Since I already had 11 kayaks (though 3 are restoration projects in dry dock and one is a non-seaworthy museum piece I adopted out of pity when it was abandoned at skills camp), I really did not “need” this boat.
But…but…but, in my defense (of the hoard) the fleet lacked a sit on top, an inflatable and a tandem and this 2001 Java (my 4th Feathercraft folder) checked all 3 boxes and was a good buy at $650.
Technically the Java is a skin on frame/inflatable hybrid that has a full length foldable skeleton that nests between the 4 sponsons. It’s just shy of 16’ and came with all the bells and whistles to switch it from a solo to a tandem. It also has both an integral drop skeg and the outstanding removable Feathercraft rudder, which I found also happens to fit my Venture Easky. The Easky came w/o a rudder but has the mounting pin hole and cabling routes molded in that will accept this one. I don’t use a rudder that often but there are situations where this would be a handy option.
Got it from a familiar fellow forum frequenter on the now-defunct foldingkayaks.org and he clearly took great care of it – other than some sun fading it’s in perfect shape. Took it out for the first time last Sunday. Set up took just under 30 minutes but I know it will go quicker now that I understand the steps (so many buckle straps!) It’s fast for a SOT – I put my friend in it and I was in my 16’ composite Avatar and he could match me at both at a relaxed pace and in some short sprints. I paddled it myself with a 220 Greenland paddle and found it nicely responsive.
Forum members may recognize this as the same model and color as the Java that Paris the Parson used to bow ride with TChuck. The nice thing about the Feathercraft Java (and their Gemini, a dedicated tandem) is that the inflation bladders are encased in Cordura nylon sleeves so they are protected from puncture and can be easily pulled out to patch or replaced. These held air splendidly all day. (As with all inflatables, I had to relieve some of the pressure once the boat was on shore on a hot day to prevent expansion ruptures, but the location of the valves makes that easier than with my SOF PakBoats, where I have to peel back the decks to reach the skin tightening sponson valves.)
At 44 pounds packed it’s heavier than any of my other folders but still packs down in a large duffel bag that I can check as airline baggage. So next time I go to the Virgin Islands or the coastal Mediterranean this one is coming with me.
Jealous!!
Who has more kayaks now? You or Simon Creasey? Simon says hi by the way!