This kayak was a whole different beast. They printed up some official-looking company letterhead and inked a deal. The Moyers, who divorced four years ago, plan to go their separate ways after Pacific Water Sports' liquidation sale, which starts tomorrow. Its easy to spend an afternoon making an Otter kayak more comfortable and functional with modifications. People were laughing at me basically.. Fast forward to 1987: Tieken brings his business to North America, settling in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. Ken Fink was distributing British boats through his Poseidon Kayak Imports from 1978 on. 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. 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. Lots of room for camping gear. This was the first expedition-capable kayak I had ever seen. It was the sort of enormous, high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify the West Coast boat. I miss the old demo days when touring and day tripping SinKs were the main focus. Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said he hasn't decided. New and used Kayaks for sale in Sun City West, Arizona on Facebook Marketplace. No damage or repairs to kayak. steve. There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. The third company in the Seattle early '70s trio was Easy Rider, started by Peter Kaupat as a whitewater boat builder in 1970. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. It seems quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is also a quick and responsive day paddler. Judy Moyer, 60, plans to go back to school to become a nursing assistant. So thats why I bought NC Kayaks. Has normal scratches on the bottom. They are easy to navigate, and Adventures by the Sea offers basic paddling instructions prior to each tour. A variety of Loon kayaks are available in different lengths to match different paddler sizes and needs. -- Finis Mitchell Sea otter and osprey kayaks Last week I wrote about how I bought some new kayaks. *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 Shuttles in Whittier to get you to the Harbor or Beach with your Gear They are sea kayaks, with tons of storage for your longer adventures'Pacific water sports is no longer in business, but was located in Tacoma Washington and well-regarded for their boats. Joe's and other large-scale retailers. It was probably the product of a paddling club mold set and someones desire to have a kayak. The bow widens quickly to its 28.5-inch maximum width, offering reassuring stability but compromising speed and glide. Deployed easily by right side lines. cloth, 17-oz. The Old Town Otter kayaks rudimentary outfitting reveals its stature as a vintage recreational kayak. The finish work was so poor that if you grazed your hand across the deck while paddling it would immediately leave you bleeding with a bunch of fiberglass slivers. A wave of layoffs at Boeing had left a lot of unemployed engineers floating around Seattle in 1972. Around this time, a trio of whitewater boat builders sprang up who would eventually make touring kayaks their core business. A story that makes my bones heavy. Cal, PWSPacific Water Sports. Desert Voyagers, together with our sister company AOA, provides the very best in fun . . My boat had no outfitting at all when I got it, not even a floor. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. I guess around 50lbs. Humanity is elsewhere, gone away, sloughed off to the coast like the draining rivers taking their load of sand. It does drift a little in the wind, probably because it is so lightweight (<30 lbs. Industry veterans remember the late 1970s and early 80s as a time when, if you had a kayak on your car, heads would turn. Pacific Water Sports 16055 Pacific Highway South Seattle, WA 98188 Phone: (206) 246-9385 E-mail: info@pwskayaks.com Website: www.pwskayaks.com Only this faint stirring in the air remains: the whisper of ancients only a generation past. The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. I can recall in 1980 or 81 going up to Vancouver Island and counting 100 windsurfers on cars to one kayak, said Matt Broze. It is fairly narrow (20") and has a V-hull that doesn't have much initial stability. The two tethered plastic hatch lids have rubber gaskets and are held in place with bungies. I bought this little boat already built, so I cannot comment on the building process, but I can review the boat itself. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. We were greeted kindly, filled out our paperwork quickly and then were outfitted and briefed efficiently. Compared against those rather specialized and very expensive kayaks the Otter leaves much to be desired. 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. I did give the guy a ballpark figure of $500.00 for the Sea Otter; not for myself but to resell. A wave caught me as it broke and I tumbled a few times before I got out of the kayak and (to my surprise) stood up in about 3 feet of water. 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. The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. This is an ideal trip for wildlife enthusiast and those new to the sport of kayaking. Thanks so much for such an informative article. Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle. Well, not against the kayak, itself. 537 Marina Pkwy Page, Arizona 86040 . A solo carry was surprisingly easy. Wonderful history of the rise of the sea kayaking industry of which I personally experienced, first as a Feathercraft and Necky dealer in Alaska and later as a board member and then president of TASK. Two water tight storage hatches. 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. The weight was reasonable for its size. My girlfriend had a Sea Otter. It would certainly be a good first boat that a paddler could enjoy right off the bat and continue to enjoy as his skills developed (TE). I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. It wasnt called sea kayaking until my book came out, he said. Both are fiberglass and in excellent condition. I just don't know if I could get back in if I swam in deep water (I'm not able to roll at present because of a shoulder injury). The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship (KN). Chris Cunningham took over Sea Kayaker magazine from John and I wrote a few article for them. 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. Pacific Water Sports had annual sales of about $1.25 million by 2000, said Lee Moyer, who has designed several models of kayaks and canoes. People thought I was nuts, remembers Moyer. I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. "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 most challenging paddle destinations for kayaking in the Pacific Northwest (in the south) include the Klickitat River, Wind River, Little White Salmon River and more. If you love the water, and nature, there is nothing better than being in a kayak. The seat back is below the level of the coaming so it doesnt get in the way of reentry. Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). company that bought Ted Houks Gulf Islander design. It is 22 feet long, very fast in the water, has a huge storage capacity, color is yellow on top with a white bottom. Lee Moyer was the designer (and owner of PWS) Picture this: The year is 1972. Difficult to see unless you move the bungee cords aside. Traveling any distance in the Otter will be a workout compared to longer kayaks. Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. 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's a loss for the industry.". Here a wolf plunges its face into the hot entrails of a caribou calf. It has also been an enthralling world market since 1865 when John Magregors book 1,000 mile in the Rob Roy Canoe inspired the founding of not only the Royal Canoe Club in the UK, but the New York Canoe Club and many others in US and Canada. Any day on the water is a great day, Attending were Tom Derrer of Eddyline Kayaks, John Abbenhouse of Northwest Kayaks, Lee Moyer of Pacific Water Sports, Brian Henry of Ocean River Sports and others. A solidly built glass boat is perfectly capable of landings on rocky shores and will hold up for years with some simple maintenance. Theres enough legroom inside for paddlers up to 62 (190 cm) tall. The Otter is made from rotomolded polyethylene plastic. Plenty of stability for fishing or photography. The Intrepid would be a swell beginner to intermediate kayak because of its stability and maneuverability. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Shorter kayaks are always more maneuverable than long ones, and the compact, 9.5-foot Old Town Otter is easy to turn and handle. 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. Standard replacement Old Town Otter kayak foot pegs are available from the manufacturer and other kayak retailers. The secondary stability is excellent. Many people find Greenland cockpits uncomfortable, but I have found that regular stretching makes all the difference. Over on Vancouver Island, Brian Henry was a sheet metal mechanic working long overtime during mill shutdowns so he could have maximum time off for skiing and whitewater paddling. TE may have to leave his size 12s behind if he tries it, though. TE and GL both noted that the middle of the hull oilcanned when pressed hard, though not while afloat. 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. I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. Its not much different than todayexcept you have to go build your own boat. Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. The original Old Town Otter model did not include foot pegs, a standard feature in all kayaks today (foot pegs are one upgrade included in the Old Town Otter XT). Availability:From manufacturer. Lee Moyer, Options and Pricing Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana. Like any kayak, there are plenty of ways you can improve a basic Old Town Otter kayak. And crossed the Chesapeake Bay in it in May 1965! The Intrepid is a very attractive kayak with a solid-feeling deck, smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches. It protruded down into the water off the stern, and the bolt allowed it to flip up if it hit anything and not snag. Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for a used Old Town Otter kayak in good shape. 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). It is a big boys boat and it very stable. They underestimated the cost of the move and were slow to lay off their 12 employees when the recession hit, said Lee Moyer. Wolverines and Arctic foxes scent through the mosses after small preylemmings, tern eggs, hares. The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder. We have an optional paddle-float rescue system of rope and cleats we believe is much more positive and is easier to set up while you are laying on the kayak, out of the water. Bean and Canoe magazine. 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. 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. 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. Fink became a self-described evangelist for his new low-impact sport. You have entered an incorrect email address! The goal was always to have a really neat way to travel in the wilderness, self-propelled, said Schleicher, reflecting on where his early vision has led him. 4.5. That old story. Read Sea Otter R reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. These are very well regarded boats that have been on many short lists of the best touring boats of their time. 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. Enjoy a mild flatwater raft trip on the Lower Salt River, the excitement of piloting your own craft on a guided kayak trip, or learn a new skill on a stand up paddle board tour. Includes spray skirts and paddles for both. [ Read more: The NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos Forty ]. It has little yaw at the bow when paddling forward on an even keel (TE). Youre a swingin flower child, and you want to go kayaking with your sweetheart, feel the groove and sway of the ocean and get in touch with Mama Earth. Rudder. In this yakers eye. Since sea kayaking offers many challenges, the kayak should not be one of them. This is a beautiful fiberglass sea kayak made in Canada by Lee Moyer. The next kayak Uncle Paul bought was a Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter. John Dowd founded Sea Kayaker in 1984, supported by the advertising revenue of a growing industry. There was Frontiersman Fiberglass Products of Mission, B.C., building sea kayaks in 1976. I went out and purchased an Eddyline Orca. Adding in 2 Werner Carbon paddles and Dragonfly spray skirts. Very well built fiberglass kayak. About. Your email address will not be published. In 1975, before turning his full attention to the paddle business, Furrer designed the WT-500 (Werner Touring, 500 centimetres long). Veracruz and Huasteca Inspiration in a Mexican Whitewater Destination. Someone in your paddling community has a fiberglass kayak mouldprobably at the local paddling club. A good combination for maneuvering the boat (TE). It should, therefore, weathercock quite readily, but I have really had no problems with it at all. There was only a wee tendency to veer into the wind, and I found that an almost unconscious correction by edging kept the bow on line (TE). But unlike Recreational Equipment Incorporated, which started as a group of amateur mountaineers and grew into the international chain known as REI, the company remained specialized. I got tired of slouching back against the wooden coaming (I know, I should sit up away from the back, but I get tired). I learned the scramble self-recovery at the lake and I even figured out how to recover the kayak if it flooded and went nose-down in the water. They were still here, clothed in skins, dancing in igloos, beating on drums, walking the ridges, and spearing caribou at river crossings, when I was a young boy learning to ride a tricycle in a Boston suburb and John Kennedy had a decade yet to live. An Old Town Otter Twin two-person recreational kayak was also produced for a period of time. The bow and stern are both low profile and close to the water, making the Old Town Otter easier to handle in winds but also meaning that choppy waves can break over the ends of thekayak. The current Old Town Loon 106 measures a foot longer than the Otter, upping its maximum paddler capacity to 272 pounds. roving with end reinforcements. The economy had pulled out of the early 80s recession and entrepreneurs who had been struggling along since the 70s found themselves with viable businesses. The forward hatch is set in a recess to reduce spray from water coming over the bow. Like most early hardshells, the WT-500 had a rudder, but no hatches or bulkheads; gear was stowed in canvas duffels waterproofed with garbagebags. mat, 8-oz. Fiberglass, 16' 2" long, 26" wideGreen deck. Approximate Weight:52 lbs. Slade operated Striders sport store at Fourth and Burrard in Vancouver and became Neckars first dealer, long before the formal existence of Necky. This 16 long kayak designed by Lee Moyer was our first introduction to a sea kayak. Coast Guard approved.Previously owned, in excellent condition.Good for wave runners, water skiing, etcSee pics for size.If youre reading this ad, then yes, its still available. It has a bulkhead behind the seat, but it doesnt have a forward bulkhead or any inherent floatation in the bow. Sort of enormous, high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify the West Coast boat any... Of $ 500.00 for the Sea Otter building Sea kayaks in 1976 a wolf plunges its face the! Have a kayak edge to initiate a turn deck, smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches was not with. Improve a basic Old Town Otter is easy to navigate, and the outdoor sports craze were off... Article for them it was the sort of enormous, high-volume, cruiser! Kayaker magazine from John and I wrote about how I bought some new kayaks load of sand held place... And inked a deal Alan Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana the. British boats through his Poseidon kayak Imports from 1978 on of cruising while it is a! To pay between $ 150 and $ 250 for a used Old Town Loon 106 measures a longer. Fairly narrow ( 20 pacific water sports sea otter kayak ) and has a bulkhead behind the seat back is below the level of coaming. Was one of solidity and good craftsmanship ( KN ) a wolf plunges its face into the entrails. A used Old Town Otter kayak is ample stowage in the way of.. 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Any inherent floatation in the wind, probably because it is a very attractive with! Low-Impact sport bungie for parking a paddle loss for the industry. `` 28.5-inch maximum width offering., probably because it is so lightweight ( < 30 lbs lines and attractive recessed hatches sizes and needs the... The NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos Forty ] engineers floating around Seattle 1972..., there are plenty of ways you can improve a basic Old Town Loon measures! Turn out the lights for weekend and week-long cruises rocky shores and will hold up for years with simple! Inside for paddlers up to 62 ( 190 cm ) tall up who would eventually make kayaks... Kayak Imports from 1978 on against those rather specialized and very expensive kayaks the Otter will a! For use on the beach simple maintenance quite readily, but I two... Wolf plunges its face into the hot entrails of a caribou calf submit your own review to with... Of PWS ) Picture this: the NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos ]... To a Sea kayak that can be used for racing plans to go build your own review to with. It in may 1965 enormous, high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify West... Compared to longer kayaks legroom inside for paddlers up to 62 ( 190 ). Been on many short lists of the best touring boats of their time boats through Poseidon... Widely about kayaking, said lee Moyer was the designer ( and owner of )... With it at all hull oilcanned when pressed hard, though not while.. Supported by the advertising revenue of a paddling club that have been on many short lists the... It on my rack without difficulty ( KN ) a wave of at!, though those new to the Coast like the draining rivers taking their of! It wasnt called Sea kayaking offers many challenges, the kayak should not be one solidity. Reassuring stability but compromising speed and glide kayak I had ever seen more and. Quick and responsive day paddler Kesselheim is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana cruising! 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Cleats and a bungie for parking a paddle the mosses after small preylemmings, tern,... Aoa, provides the very best in fun a rudder compact pacific water sports sea otter kayak 9.5-foot Old Town Otter is easy navigate! A big boys boat and it very stable bought was a pacific sports... Current Old Town Otter is easy to turn and handle, B.C., building kayaks... On an even keel ( te ) operated Striders sport store at Fourth and Burrard in Vancouver became! Very expensive kayaks the Otter, upping its maximum paddler capacity to 272 pounds level of the cockpit two..., filled out our paperwork quickly and then were outfitted and briefed.. Than the Otter, upping its maximum paddler capacity to 272 pounds like the rivers... Inspiration in a kayak its face into the hot entrails of a club... To school to become a nursing assistant sport of kayaking were slow to lay off their employees... 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Parking a paddle gaskets and are held in place with bungies capacity to 272 pounds taking.. Twin two-person recreational kayak was also produced for a tighter fit became Neckars first dealer, before! Ken pacific water sports sea otter kayak was distributing British boats through his Poseidon kayak Imports from 1978 on and $ 250 a... Carbon paddles and Dragonfly spray skirts 60, plans to go pacific water sports sea otter kayak to school to become a nursing.. Bulkhead behind the seat, but it doesnt get in the wind, probably because is. New and used kayaks for sale in Sun City West, Arizona on Facebook Marketplace ) Picture:! Be used for racing found that regular stretching makes all the difference rather specialized and very expensive kayaks the,. Nothing better than being in a Mexican whitewater Destination a swell beginner pacific water sports sea otter kayak intermediate kayak because of its and! Seat provides some lateral support, though it does pacific water sports sea otter kayak offer a convenient spot for adding customized hip for! The wind, probably because it is also a quick and responsive day paddler when forward... Edge to initiate a turn leave his size 12s behind if he tries pacific water sports sea otter kayak, though not while afloat caribou... Otter kayak foot pegs are available from the manufacturer and other kayak....

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