I Beg To Differ…
It’s a “confident” paddler that keeps confident in the sea. The boat has little to do with it. 
sing
Not just too heavy but too tall as well
http://www.snowwowl.com/peopleinuit4.html
Compare Inuit body-size statistics to statistics about both height and weight of the general North American population and you might think twice before getting into a kayak
Interesting in relation to kayak size
Average traditional Greenland kayak sizes would then be roughly suitable for average US women (the currently poorly served market), and would have to be scaled up maybe 10-15% for US men (more if carrying gear - which most production boats assume).
Isn’t this about what has happened?
If I scale my Q700 down to a conservative 90% it would be just under 19" wide, Just over 16’ long, with a front deck height of under 10.8". Altogether not far off many Skin-On-Frame dimensions I’ve seen.
Here’s another way to look at it: “The “hips-plus-two-fists” rule for the kayak’s max. width has been quoted often. The kayak’s length is often written as being “3 arm-spans.” If I use these “rules”, I’d have a kayak 214.5” long (my Q700 is 214") and about 21" wide (exact match).
Hmm… maybe US designs aren’t so SUV after all.
All this Talk
All this talk makes me hungry, somebody pass me a krispy cream donut and beer please, Im starting to feel weak and want to keep the boat snug around me.
Brian
Joking
I was, of course, joking regarding the pointy ends. Otherwise Impex boats with pointy ends would handle seas as well as Brit boats.
The Nordkapp has been updated periodically and the newest version is indeed very sweet. Of course, the Aquanaut and the current version of the Nodkapp are very close kin.
NDK and Valley boats handle the sea quite differently. I noticed over the past three weeks of paddling alongside my wife in her Explorer that my Aquanaut and her boat handled the same waves and confused seas quite differently.
Her Explorer would ride over most waves, often slapping down on the far side. My boat would cut through small swell and chop, riding over larger seas and travel smoothly down the backs.
Though appearing very similar the Aquanaut has quite different hull sections than the Explorer.
I love the way my boat feels confident in all seas at all times. It is at times much more confident than I and gives me confidence. It is also pretty fast for a Brit boat.
beg to differ…
After paddling an Elaho for a couple of years along the coast of Maine, this summer not having to battle with my Aquanaut, as I did the Elaho, in challanging seas made me more confident in such conditions.
True but…
A boat you do not feel comfortable in will not give you the same confidence as one you feel at one with.
Okay…
I’ll agree to a certain degree. It’s an interplay. Nevertheless, I think the more one is skilled, the more one feels “confident” in any boat that is not a total dog. I mean if it is just the boat, then you can put any beginner in an romany (or pick your favorite “Brit boat”) and s/he ready to go, right? I don’t think so.
sing
Confident vs. Capable
Given a choice, I’d take the latter.
“Confident” is how you think you’re doing. How you feel. This is what gets people into trouble, as such feelings are not always in sync with what’s going on.
“Capable” is about what you can actually handle. I think Sing was talking about capability, not confidence.
So does a Brit boat make you more capable? Or just feel like you are? Or a bit of both?
Clarification Accepted!
I think that was where I was headed with my muddied thinking.
sing
True
As a matter of fact, my new challange is that my kayak is more capable than I. It is an additional incentive to improve my skills as a paddler.
sure
I have an NDK boat, paid only $1300 new and everything works, nothing leaks, nothing is broken, gel coat is great. AND can beach land on gravel, bash it into cobble and it performs like a dream. Also ran into a guy who has a very well-worn and still performing 20 year old VCP.
Wow, I saw an English boat
The other day on the lake. I knew it was English because it had a pointy thing sticking up in the back. I just couldn’t figure out what that was for. Looked like they were bringing back fins from the 50’s. Can anyone explain this design, and what honestly good it does the kayak or the paddler? I think it was an Anas Acuta (is that greek for pain in the arse?)
fashion
The AA is a pretty close replica of a SW Greenland boat. it’s Latin for Pintail Duck.
steve
Another example
is the NDK Greenlander Pro
http://www.rapidstyle.com/GRO/boatspages/greenlandpro.html
Picture of the AA
http://www.rapidstyle.com/GRO/boatspages/boatpics/anas-side.jpg
A Picture of an AA
http://mrw.wallonie.be/dgrne/ong/refuges/images/birdg/finland/acuta001hh.jpg
If the bulkheads are welded in…
…it should be no problem to pad them. If they’re glued, I wouldn’t do it.
An alternative is to make 15 degree wedges from 2x3 or 2x4 and screw them to the foot pegs. Move the pegs forward a notch and you’re all set. I did that on my first boat (plastic with foam bulkheads) and the difference in compfort was dramatic. BTW, I varnished them for water protection and put a piece of non-skid tape on the foot surfaces. Worked great.
Actually, it’s Latin for…
– Last Updated: Jul-28-04 1:52 PM EST –
..."The most drop-dead sexy boat on the market". ;-)
It paddles great, too!
Two AAs in the classifieds
What are the odds? First is pretty recent, might be available still…
07-26-2004
(MI) VCP Anas Acuta-skeg, Quill Grey/White,some scratches on hull but not abused, asking $1850.00 (new $2800.00) – Submitted by: GreatRiver
07-07-2004
private
(MI) Valley Anas Acuta - Fiberglass sea kayak, Black over black with yellow trim, ocean cockpit, recessed compass, deck pump, dayhatch and wearstrip New $1900 phone 810-230-2648 – Submitted by: mrpkayak
That first one’s even the right color! Of course the interesting ones never seem to be around at bonus or tax refund time, and are alway at the other end of the country…
Assuming linearity
Looks like you’re assuming linearity but it doesn’t seem to be the exact way to approach the problem: Those extra pounds and inches are added on top of the edge of tolerance and their effect is more likely to be exponential, I.E. increasing more than their proportion.
Add to that the fact that the typical North American sea-kayaker is middle aged and lacks the sharp reflexes developed in native paddlers since an early age you’re looking at a problem of “tippyness” and a potential hazard.
Facts are: The market for sea-kayaks and high-end touring kayaks has been decreasing by about 5% for the past 4 years although there are more manufacturers today than there were ever before.
Way over simplfied yes…
… but a kayak for an “average American” could still be a good bit larger than one for an “average Inuit” to have similar fit and performance.