cloth, 17-oz. Concerning some of the small details: We do not include rescue bungies because we have never considered them to be positive enough. For straight paddling, the seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle (GL). I can recall in 1980 or 81 going up to Vancouver Island and counting 100 windsurfers on cars to one kayak, said Matt Broze. I didnt get involved until the mid 80s but have stayed involved ever since. 907-351-2257. 9:30am-1:30pm $75 children 8-17 years old can join us for $50 Book a private tour or review our Local Tour Dates We figured out how to get back in it if we somehow flipped at sea. "Now they've sold out to bigger companies. Call for the nearest dealer. Combined with the low-volume stern, this also gives predictable handling in following seas. There isn't that personal involvement any more.". One day while paddling out of Clallam Bay, the wind picked up and was coming out of the Northwest. 16055 Pacific Highway South I got tired of slouching back against the wooden coaming (I know, I should sit up away from the back, but I get tired). It was called kayak touring or sea canoeing or canoe touring, blue-water paddling, coastal paddling, all those things.. My boat had no outfitting at all when I got it, not even a floor. Early recreational kayaks like the Old Town Otter created a new category for beginners, cottagers and day paddlers, providing stable and comfortable designs that were more compact and easy to transport than traditional sea kayaks and far easier to paddle than dedicated whitewater kayaks. People were joking, Will the last person to leave Seattle please turn out the lights. And this was a time when the environmental movement and the outdoor sports craze were taking off. Concerning some of the small details: We do not include rescue bungies because we have never considered them to be positive enough. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Eddyline sea kayaks ]. cloth, 17-oz. It does need some minor fiberglass repair for a seat, and minor rudder tuning. Deck: 11/2-oz. Now its a heck of a lot simpler to get a sea kayak and the road to Tofino is much smoother than it was in the days of the hippie squatters, but the down-to-earth soul of kayaking is as real as it was back in the day. #9. He was to me. Both are fiberglass and in excellent condition. Pacific Water Sports, a store that's been a fixture in local kayak and canoe circles for 32 years, saw revenue drop off following a move to bigger quarters in Tukwila in 2001, said co-owners Lee and Judy Moyer. Picture this: The year is 1972. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Canoes and kayaks have been sold both ways across the pond since then and of course magazines have travelled across even more readily. Its also a good choice for paddlers looking for a lightweight kayak thats easy to car-top and carry to the launch. Email. Cash only. steve. Well balanced for wind. It is a big boys boat and it very stable. Here caribou breast the landscape in antler-bobbing streams. The first sea kayak we made at Pyranha was 1973 and was for the Dutch market, about a year after P&H also had started making them and it has been called sea kayaking for at least the 50 years Ive been in business. Arizona's lakes and rivers offer excellent opportunities for boating and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting, and much more. Its only logical that the earliest fiberglass sea kayaks appeared in Seattle, where the Washington Kayak Club already had hundreds of members. It was for Nimbus, anyway. Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle. Comes complete with seats, 2 neoprene spray skirts, a sea sock, and bow rope. Beans Maine symposium in 1988. The seating arrangement on the Old Town Otter feels basic compared to some of the ultra-adjustable and padded seats in contemporary kayaks, but its still very supportive and easy to modify with glued-in padding. With its design dating back to the 1990s, the Old Town Otter is one of the original recreational kayaks. Sea Otter Kayak - $1,100 (Montgomery) 16' Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter Kayak. As the shock cord at the hatches ages and loosens, it can be easily re-knotted to tighten the seal of the hatches if leaks develop. ", Meyer said he's trying to figure out what the closure means for surviving independent retailers like himself. We like to do the mellow kayaking at the river mouths and then finish the day with hiking and breweries or winery stops. DearTim, So interesting to see the history of sea kayaking as you portray it. Brothers Matt and Cam Broze started Mariner Kayaks in their basement in 1980. A solidly built glass boat is perfectly capable of landings on rocky shores and will hold up for years with some simple maintenance. The couple started building fiberglass kayaks in the basement of their Burien home and launched the business with little more than a letterhead just ahead of the 1972 Olympics, the first to include river kayaking. As the shock cord at the hatches ages and loosens, it can be easily re-knotted to tighten the seal of the hatches if leaks develop. I spent the first ten years of my life there and went back every summer into my 20s. Adding in 2 Werner Carbon paddles and Dragonfly spray skirts. Bean in the East and REI in the West. Before we took this kayak into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we spent time in the lake learning rescue techniques. But more likely theyll just give you two halves, a deck and a hull, and leave you to do the dirty worka lot of hours with your head in the cockpit getting high off resin fumes (it is the 70s) and mucking around with fiberglass seam tape. Rudder is controlled by sliding adjustable footpegs. The boat sat on display for a whole summer at the Mountain Equipment Coop, back when the fledgling MEC was just a single shop in Vancouver, but found no buyers. cloth with reinforcements. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. Bradley Meacham: 206-515-5066 or bmeacham@seattletimes.com, Location: 11011 Tukwila International Blvd., Tukwila, Sales: $1.25 million in 2000; down 20-30 percent since then. Foot pegs improve paddler fit in the boat and allow you to paddle more efficiently by transferring energy from your entire body to the kayak, making your strokes more effective. A solo carry was surprisingly easy. Kids between 5 - 14 years old are welcome to join a tour in a tandem kayak, and folks 14 and up can use a single. Optional Layups:Kevlar. Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle. A wave of layoffs at Boeing had left a lot of unemployed engineers floating around Seattle in 1972. Hull: 3/4-oz. If you had to pick one year in the history of sea kayaking to mark the start of the modern industry youd begin with 1984. Your email address will not be published. It was created by the damming of the Salt River, in Arizona, specifically by the Morman Flat Dam. Lots of room for camping gear. There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. A good combination for maneuvering the boat (TE). David Hunt. Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. GL thought the secondary stability was fair, and noted that the lack of hip bracing and having the seat slip 1/4 inch laterally in its brackets made the boat feel less secure when set on edge. Theres a lot to like about the Old Town Otter kayak. Like any kayak, there are plenty of ways you can improve a basic Old Town Otter kayak. New York, NY 10001, Hours Most were his Pacific Water Sports brand. It has a bulkhead behind the seat, but it doesnt have a forward bulkhead or any inherent floatation in the bow. And what can I build for you? Kayak Rentals and Guided Tour on Monterey Bay National Marine sancutary. After about a year he started his own production of Current Designs kayaks on Vancouver Island. Standard Lay-up:Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. The bulkhead at the aft end of the cockpit runs along the aft side of the coaming, making it easy to completely drain the cockpit by lifting and turning the bow. Two water tight storage hatches. There is an extra pair of straps on the aft hatch that could serve to secure a deck load or a spare take-apart paddle. The only problem I have had is that tiny coaming (16x22"). It also doesnt have any perimeter lines and the back deck comes to a point behind the cockpit so it is very difficult to roll. That was the year they moved out of the chicken coop to a real production facility in Port Coquitlam. My Uncle still has his Polaris II, Ive gone paddling with him in Port Angeles Harbor and at Lake Crescent. I worried that when the previous owner retired, these kayaks would disappear. You can also glue a thin layer of foam beneath your heels in the cockpit to pad your heels and keep your feet comfortable. "The big makers just think about getting more units out the door," said John Meyer, owner of Northwest Outdoor Center, a kayak sales and rental store on Lake Union since 1980. The biggest single thing that happened in our industry to make it become what it is was to get the pricing right, said Dowd. Steering with leaned turns was excellent in calm conditions (GL). The original Old Town Otter was an instant classic, helping to define recreational kayaking as a new genre. SEVENTY48 2022: Point No Point to Foul Weather. The Old Town Otter kayak is a great boat for the cottage, beach or campground, offering worry-free durability. Very well built fiberglass kayak. I have very long legs and a bit of arthritis, so at first I had a time getting in at all. Starved out, decimated by smallpox, swindled by the fur trade, and seduced by religion, rifles, whiskey, sewing needles, sedentary comforts. Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said he hasn't decided. company that bought Ted Houks Gulf Islander design. Pacific Water Sports SEA OTTER fiberglass KAYAK with rudder - $1000 (Spokane SCC) View larger image Ad id: 2502207307104377 Views: 643 Price: $1,000.00 This is a beautiful fiberglass sea kayak made in Canada by Lee Moyer. TE noted,though, that the coaming aft is high enough that I could only do half of a layback before having my back come in contact. The seat provides some lateral support, though it does not offer a convenient spot for adding customized hip padding for a tighter fit. WKC members in their German Kleppers or locally built Whalecraft folding kayaks pioneered trips to many now-popular destinations on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and Alaska, often under the guidance of Bob Millerthe WKCs tireless tripping patriarch, who in his lifetime logged nearly 100 trips of a week or longer. Here musk ox pound craters in the snow with their chins to reach winter grass. Desert Voyagers offers fun guided river trips in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. Fallbrook, Ca. They are so close to the water. [ See also: Kayak In Seattle, Washington ]. Has normal scratches on the bottom. PACIFIC WATER SPORTS Skookum Chuck SEAWARD Southwind HV *ONE-DAY KAYAK RENTALS INCLUDE THESE ACCESSORIES: BOOTS, RAIN BIBS, RAIN JACKETS or PADDLE JACKETS & RAIN HATS, PADDLE MITTS & DRY BAGS PADDLE ITEMS AND SERVICES INCLUDED WITH KAYAK RENTAL Comfortable Seats with Inflated BackSupport Cushion It was the year that two of TASKs key promotional visions were realized: a magazine and a symposium. I was 12 and Uncle Paul had picked up an old fiberglass kayak that wasnt made by a company. I enjoyed almost everything about it. Everybody was in it because it was their favourite hobby, recalled Moyer. Rear bulkhead.Adjustable foot rests which control the rudder.Deck lashing points and a bow line.Well built, well used, comfortable . KN found the boat easy to get going and maintain moderate speed. GL thought it moderately fast. For TE, it seemed to be capable of a brisk cruising speed and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint.. If its of interest, John Macgregors original kayak (now on display in the River and Rowing Museum at Henley) was used by his friend to paddle around the North Cape of Norway (the Nordkapp) in 1867. It should, therefore, weathercock quite readily, but I have really had no problems with it at all. Map. Uncle Paul started taking me paddling in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. He tried many different kayaks from many different manufacturers. Thanks, KN found the boat easy to get going and maintain moderate speed. GL thought it moderately fast. For TE, it seemed to be capable of a brisk cruising speed and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint. Industry veterans remember the late 1970s and early 80s as a time when, if you had a kayak on your car, heads would turn. Called the Gulf Islander, Houks kayak washomebuilt in small numbers by WKC members who passed around the mould. I decided when Icame back I wasnt going to be a construction worker anymore. The Old Town Otter kayak offers no surprises on the water, owing to its stable, flat bottom and symmetrical hull design. Pacific Water Sports was the name they made up so they could pass themselves off as a legitimate business when they approached the British builder of a championship whitewater slalom hull. KN found the Intrepid easy to roll, as did TE, though the height of the aft deck kept him from getting close to the aft deck for a lay back roll. Availability:From manufacturer. One of the pioneers of kayaking in the Northwest is closing this week, a victim of poor timing and changes in how people spend their recreational dollars. And Long Beach was home to more back-to-the-land squatters than kayakers. This article was first published in the Late Summer 2004 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. It was conceived at a time when kayaking was divided into two disciplines: whitewater and touring. Deep bow entry, tracks well, fairly stable andboring. Besides trolling yard sales in cottage areas, your best bet is searching Old Town Otter kayak Craigslist for a bargain on this classic entry level kayak. The upswept native-style ends are still low enough to shed the wind, while the shallow rocker and long waterline give tracking and speed. Day paddles, conditions from calm to 25-knot winds and 1 chop. I put in a simple board floor, which can be a little slippery. The Old Town Otter offers excellent value in a basic, entry-level recreational kayak that fits a wide range of paddlers and performs well in flatwater conditions. Uncle Paul had seen some old photos of Pacific Rim Native Kayakers and made kayak paddles based on those images. This is an ideal trip for wildlife enthusiast and those new to the sport of kayaking. How did sea kayaking become the sport we know today? The History of Sea Kayaking: Popularizing the Sport, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Adventure Kayak Magazine - Late Summer 2004, Stick It To Em: In Defense of the Greenland Paddle. In 1974, they designed and built their first sea kayak, the Sea Otter. This SOT boat is a bit tippy (initially) for beginners but the tri-hedral hull creates mini-outriggers up and out from the main section of the kayak hull. (like atomic, scuba pro) Pacific Water Sports SEA OTTER fiberglass KAYAK with rudder - $1000 (Spokane SCC), Pacific Water sports sea kayaks - $700 (Capitol Hill), Fiberglass Pacific Water Sports Kayaks Sea Otter and Osprey - $1200 (Everett), 1994 Pacific Water Sports Seal Sea Kayak - $700 (Tiffin), tandem sea kayak, Pacific Water Sports - $1,200 (Bellevue), Pacific Water Sports 20' Tandem Sea Kayak - $200 (olympia), Ocean Pacific Water Sports Flotation Vest PFD - $20 (Santa Barbara), 2011 Sea Ray 205 Sport Sea Ray 205 Sport - $34,995 (Laken Water Sports - New & Used Boats Phoenix), Water sports: Wetsuits, Fins, snorkel Frameless Scuba Diving Mask, +++ - $15 (pb pacific beach san diego 92109 pb). Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! The fit encourages a feeling of stability (KN). -- Finis Mitchell Sea otter and osprey kayaks Last week I wrote about how I bought some new kayaks. Others had homebuilt boats whose hulls resembled European downriver racing kayaks or traditional fold-boats, so that by 1974 when commercial production was just getting going, most Seattle-area kayakers were already paddling fiberglass. So thats why I bought NC Kayaks. No damage or repairs to kayak. Reviewers: Its lines mirror everything youd expect in a kayak: a pointed bow and stern with low profile to minimize exposure to winds, front and back decks for seaworthiness, as well as a large cockpit for easy entry and exit. The sea kayaking industry as we know it did not happen by accident. The third company in the Seattle early 70s trio was Easy Rider, started by Peter Kaupat as a whitewater boat builder in 1970. Cal. Similar Old Town Loon kayaks are available at paddlesports retailers across North America. This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. Kayaking with my Uncle in a kayak I built brings symmetry to my paddling journey. KN57, 125-pound female. The deck had a lot of cracks running almost the whole length of the kayak, as it had flexed under the force of a surf landing and the fiberglass had fractured. By 1982, Nimbus had come up with its flagship Seafarer design, which is still produced. Henry opened Ocean River Sports in Victoria in November 1981. The Sea Otter Series 500 sets the standard for touring kayak expedition capacity and high performance. People were laughing at me basically.. Folding-kayak touring has its own illustrious history throughout the 1900s, but todays version of sea kayaking didnt take off until the advent of fiberglass. [ Read more: Why The Golden Age Of Sea Kayak Symposiums Might Still Be Ahead Of Us ]. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,660' and has a mean depth of 130', and an area of 1.484 mi. A look back through the history of sea kayaking shows how the sport transformed from a tiny niche activity in 1972 to one of wide and enduring popularity today. Things got off to a slow start in the East. nly this faint stirring in the air remains: the whisper of ancients only a generation past. Whitewater kayaking was big in the early 70s, first appearing in the Olympics in 1972 at Munich, and many boat builders came to sea kayaking after being drawn to the glitz of whitewater firstskipping the venerable folding kayak tradition entirely. Only this faint stirring in the air remains: the whisper of ancients only a generation past. Pretty easy to manage in the wind I encountered. Some of the kayaks Ive built have done astonishing things, but its the next astonishing thing I look forward to. After rolling, TE noted 1/2 cup of water in the forward compartment, GL found a cup in the forward compartment, and a drop or two in the day hatch. Extruded vinyl hull/deck seam glassed inside. The seat is very comfortable for long journeys. Day trip in calm conditions. These are wonderful boats! Matuska later left to start up one of todays dominant paddle companies, Aqua-Bound. Humanity is a whisper here. Find great deals and sell your items for free. Its not much different than todayexcept you have to go build your own boat. Eddyline came out with its first in-house touring design, the Orca, in about 1978. Pick up an Old Town Otter kayak cockpit cover to keep creepy crawlies out of your kayak when its in storage. They printed up some official-looking company letterhead and inked a deal. In spite of the good thigh and foot bracing, GL thought his loose fit in the seat caused him to slip out of position and miss a roll. mat, 8-oz. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all rotomolded plastic kayaks ]. "I dream of being an hourly employee," he said. Where fiberglass moulding took at least a day, plastic mould could produce a kayak in about two hours. Thanks for the great overview of the industry. 2 Amazing paddling destinations. Incredible guys, great boats and awesome events and experiences. On its side in the water, it would flood quickly. The Old Town Otter kayak is best described as short and squat; its overall dimensions contribute to modest speed, excellent maneuverability and rock-solid stability. Padded section under feet for comfort and heat. The Intrepid touring sea kayak is designed to be paddled efficiently at fast touring speeds, carry a moderate gear load, handle well without a rudder and be neutral in the wind. Comes with skirt, cover, and other paddling gear. I remember seeing [Dan] in an unemployment line probably in about 1972, recalled Matt Broze of Mariner Kayaks. The first Easy Rider sea kayak, circa 1975, was the Dolphin, designed by Dan Ruuskaanother ex-Boeing engineer who went from moulding ultra-sleek engine intakes to hydrodynamic hulls. The models included: the original Old Town Otter; the Old Town Otter XT; the Old Town Otter Sport; and the Old Town Otter Plus kayak. Besides a user-friendly hull design, another big attribute of the Old Town Otter kayak is its bombproof construction. (like atomic, scuba pro) 2008 Hewes craft Pacific cruiser sports class fishing boat 2200 Includes:Excellent condition for it's age150 Yamaha out board motor (cruises nicely on step at 32 mph) excellent condition less than hours estimated8.0 horse yamaha outboard kicker85 gallon fuel tank gasBi Fiberglass Pacific Water Sports Kayaks Sea Otter and Osprey - $1200 (Everett), Pacific Water Sports SEA OTTER fiberglass KAYAK with rudder - $1000 (Spokane SCC), Pacific Water sports sea kayaks - $700 (Capitol Hill), 1994 Pacific Water Sports Seal Sea Kayak - $700 (Tiffin), Pacific Water Sports 20' Tandem Sea Kayak - $200 (olympia), tandem sea kayak, Pacific Water Sports - $1,200 (Bellevue), Ocean Pacific Water Sports Flotation Vest PFD - $20 (Santa Barbara), Water sports: Wetsuits, Fins, snorkel Frameless Scuba Diving Mask, +++ - $15 (pb pacific beach san diego 92109 pb), Hewe's Craft Pacific cruiser sports - $79,000 (Anchorage). Schleicher recallsthat they built their first touring kayak around 1974 and that it actually had hatches and a rudder. The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. I love skin-on-frames. If you have a choice, go for the Old Town Otter XT over the original edition. A story that makes my bones heavy. Thank you Kayak Connection! "We were slow," he said. This was just Mike Neckar, care of somewhere in Garibaldi Park. Hull Features Fast 16 foot waterline means easy pdaaling, even with 150 lbs. The thigh braces fit and functioned very well, and the foot braces performed solidly and are easy to reach and adjust from the cockpit (GL). Many of the original manufacturersNecky, Current Designs, Tiekensold to larger American companies. 1984 was also the year that plastic kayaks came out, with the introduction of the Aquaterra Chinook, made by whitewater boat giant Perception. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. The WT-500 became Eddylines first sea kayak. But as our skills improved, we realize that it was a great flatwater kayak but was a handful out on the Strait if the seas and wind picked up. roving with end reinforcements. Double Fiberglass Ocean Kayak. The model is sea otter. They are easy to navigate, and Adventures by the Sea offers basic paddling instructions prior to each tour. Sometime in 1981 or 1982, a group of would-be career kayakers met in Werner Furrers basement in Seattle and deliberately created it. This boat therefore is extremely stable (secondary stability) in bumpy water. People said the ocean is too dangerous for a kayak. Fascinating and good reportage, but no mention of George Dyson and Baidarka. USCA Fast Sea Kayak Pacific Water Sports SkookumchuckTandem touring kayak FiberglassCirca 1998Bought used in 2001Sea kayak, touring kayak, double kayak, two person kayakLength: 20 10Plenty of storage.This is a high quality 2-person kayak with rudder. It felt solid even when edged to the point of putting the side of the coaming in the water. For a tandem carry there are webbing straps at the ends of the boat. The bow line can also be rigged as a rescue sling. Most backyard boat builders were using pirated designs, Moyer said, so he and a buddy set out to buy the rights to a legal mould. PWS is no longer in business but operated in the south sound for years. The flare and volume in the forward quarter provide lift going into waves and a dry ride in sloppy conditions. And Dan Ruuska of Natural Designs and John Abbenhouse of Northwest Kayaks crossed over from whitewater and began building touringkayaks. It was the sort of enormous, high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify the West Coast boat. The Moyers, who divorced four years ago, plan to go their separate ways after Pacific Water Sports' liquidation sale, which starts tomorrow. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch area . Price: $1,200.00 18 foot osprey pacific water sports kayak and 16 foot sea otter pacific water sports kayak. The boat will initiate a turn with a slight lean and then make a sharp turn when put high on edge (TE). The Intrepid is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and $150 less. The weight was reasonable for its size. A 100-mile stretch of coast not to be missed, Parade was lucky enough to see it all through the windows of a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Yet its short length and easy handling makes the Old Town Otter perfect for youngsters ages 8 and up. Simply put, the Old Town Otter kayak looks primitive alongside the creature comforts of the newer Loon. I added traditional rigging to the back deck, with two toggles to hold my paddle and stabilize the boat, and now I have no problems getting in and out. Sea kayaking was the biggest part of our business from then on, said Lee. If nothing else, use it as a guest 'yak. 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Is its bombproof construction `` Now they 've sold out to bigger companies rocky... Nly this faint stirring in the cockpit to pad your heels and keep your comfortable! History of sea kayak that wasnt made by a company conditions ( GL.! Rescue techniques ``, Meyer said he has n't decided, 61, who has written widely about kayaking said! Plastic kayaks ] So interesting to See the history of sea kayak Symposiums Might still Ahead... All Eddyline sea kayaks appeared in Seattle and deliberately created it Werner Carbon paddles and Dragonfly spray skirts, group. $ 150 less production facility in Port Coquitlam ( KN ) quarter provide lift going into waves a! Paddle companies, Aqua-Bound we have never considered them to be positive.! And $ 150 less guest 'yak they are easy to car-top and to..., high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify the West ``, Meyer said he has n't decided of! Wind I encountered recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you 500 the! Does not offer a convenient spot for adding customized hip padding for a carry!