While the remaining US kayak manufacturers aim increasingly for the “rec” kayak segment, the European Kayak makers are still designing more “high performance” sea kayaks for open water paddling.
I found this kayak, in the latter category, interesting (although I believe 4 hatches are over the top):
Like the Edge Kayaks Alines Ocean surf/play model, don’t expect to see this Wig Hunter showing up on our side of the “Pond” anytime soon. We need to stay happy with our rec boats (or spend big dollars for a Sterling).
Just as well it won’t come over here. That black on black would be in the garage regardless of the cost or the color not being great for visibility on the water.
Of course, “stealthy black” is also a color choice… The Black Pearl kayak:
I care more about a kayak design than color. Thus, I have had kayaks of various shades of neon, pastels, to purple and black. If the boats does what i want, I am all in.
Yeah, I dislike that little hatch up front (that most all are doing now).
Many paddlers don’t or can’t access the day hatch (behind) for some reason, so they like the little hatch.
I do like the “paddle shaft notch” that runs the length of the foredeck. That’s new to me. My only question/concern would be the paddle covering over the compass. I get paranoid with not having/being able to see a compass in open water paddles, after experiencing a couple of “pea soup” situations.
My balance won’t let me access behind my shoulders like the “day hatch”. Front access nearby cockpit is ok. So in my shop I’m installing one of those little hatches.
Hopefully, it’ll be entirely enclosed from the lower deck. I’ve seen some of the front hatches where the front compartment is not entirely sealed.
My main “thing” about too many hatches is really about adding weight to the kayak and more having one more hatch cover to lose. I actually can’t use the day hatch on my Sterling. I can open the top but the cover is so tight that I can’t be sure I sealed it back on with one hand. Since I am usually playing in rough water, I don’t chance using the day hatch while on the water. I keep bottle water in front of me under the deck lines, or in a small GearLab deckbag. If I do bring snackbars, these are in my PFD.
In my own case, I can access the day hatch astern of the coaming. However, the small hatch in front of the coaming can be a problem - because of my short inseam, my feet are next to that hatch. Unless that hatch is very shallow, I cannot move my feet around which I need to do on longer paddles. Examples - the classic P&H Cetus fore hatch was a problem, the 17.3 Valley Etain fore hatch was shallow and was OK.
Huh. Your situation is the first I heard of that particular challenge. My concern with the front hatch is “how big”, how high the foredeck, and will that interfere with movement of the legs. For example, a lot of Greenland style paddlers like the ability to drop the top leg down to the lower leg and to push out their hips to effect a balance brace, a fundamental position for many Greenland rolls. Can’t do that with a front hatch tube/compartment in the way.
