Inflatable Kayaks
Bill Bill Tuthill
take them on airplanes and in backpacks. However, I'm rather
disappointed with the choices on the market. Does anybody know
anything about the Thrillseeker, made in W Virginia? I've never
seen one, but a friend saw them at the Gauley festival.
Here's a rundown of self-bailing models I've tried.
Padillac Most durable, but too heavy at 47#. Doesn't bail
$850 well until you cut bigger holes in the floor. OK
for heavy people, but normal people slosh around
in it. Lacks 1-way valves.
Achilles Lighter and durable, but still too heavy at 45#.
$895 Also too short. Slow bailing can't be improved.
The best IKers I know swear by this boat because
it is stiff and stable. Lacks 1-way valves.
Maravia Went out of production this year. Very light at
Challenger 32#. The drop-stitched floor lacks a pressure
NA release valve, and the bras are really rinky-dink.
Best IK for surfing. Not terribly durable.
Aire Lynx High and dry, but kind of skittish. Its worst
$810 problem is lack of bow and stern rise, causing it
to flip when running waterfalls and big holes.
Light at 36#; inflatable floor model is compact.
Durability is a big question. Many people say
openly, "this boat is a piece of shit".
Momentum A good bargain, 60% hypalon for hundreds less than
$699 comparable boats. However, bow and stern rise are
too radical, making it wander in the wind. Quite
stable, tracks well. Probably not for class V.
Riken Cherokee Too expensive considering its quality. Flaccid
$895 material means you can't brace, and you get tacoed
in the smallest of holes. OK for class III. Lacks
1-way valves.
Legacy Rejected because it's not available with inflatable
$659 floor, only with foam insert. OK for class III.
Lacks 1-way valves.
Bruce Jones
>Does anybody know
>anything about the Thrillseeker, made in W Virginia? I've never
>seen one, but a friend saw them at the Gauley festival.
>
Yes, I saw a couple of Thrillseekers while on the Upper Yough this summer.
I met the owner/inventor while on the river and he let me borrow his for
about 10 minutes on some relatively flat water. It felt like it would be a lot
of fun. They are very light (about 30 lbs) and seem to be quite maneuverable-
people were rolling them. They are different from boats like the Paddleyak in
that the floors are a foam material, not inflatable. Prices start at $800.
They have placed fairly well in several WV kayak races in the last several
years. I probably would have bought one on the spot that day but they are
custom made for each buyer and in July there was an 8 week waiting period;
I would have got it after the California season was over.
If you're interested, here is the address of the maker:
Custom Inflatables, Inc.
P.O. Box 80
Albright, WV 26519
(304) 329-2359
If anybody has one or gets one, please let me know what you think of it.
Bruce
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Bruce Jones bjo...@apple.com
Manager, Applications Group AppleLink: BRUCE.JONES
Macintosh System Software 408 974-3454
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Bob Dias
on a NRC recommendation. The NRC declared that the plant was
susceptible to a catastrophic accident due to the age of the
plant's reactor vessel.
I'm wondering what effect the shutdown, if it continues through
next summer, will have on releases on the Deerfield. Is the dam
located in Monroe Bridge associated with the Rowe plant, or
with another of Yankee Atomic plant?
Also, has anyone heard anything about how the company reacted to
the turnout for the 4 release weekends this summer. As I recall,
they were going to judge whether there was 'sufficient' interest
to do the releases again next year.
--
Paradise waits Bob Dias
on the crest of a wave di...@APS.Atex.Kodak.COM
her angels in flame
Rick Hudson
The Yankee Rowe nuclear plant was shut down earlier this week
on a NRC recommendation. The NRC declared that the plant was
susceptible to a catastrophic accident due to the age of the
plant's reactor vessel.
I'm wondering what effect the shutdown, if it continues through
next summer, will have on releases on the Deerfield. Is the dam
located in Monroe Bridge associated with the Rowe plant, or
with another of Yankee Atomic plant?
The plant uses the Sherman Dam, which is a couple of miles upstream from the
#5 Dam which diverts the water around the Monroe Bridge section. The effect of
the shutdown will that the water will be somewhat cooler than we saw last
summer.
Also, has anyone heard anything about how the company reacted to
the turnout for the 4 release weekends this summer. As I recall,
they were going to judge whether there was 'sufficient' interest
to do the releases again next year.
FLOW (a coalition of boater groups) is negotiating with NEPCO (the owners).
NEPCO is not the one that will judge whether there is sufficient interest,
FERC, the Federal Energy Resource Commission, is the one who will make the
decision when the dam is relicensed in 1993. The releases were for studies
needed in the relicensing process. It is in the interests of all involved to
settle the issues before the relicense process with FERC. To that end FLOW and
NEPCO are talking about release schedules. The *hope* is that an interim
schedule for 92 will be pounded out in the next few weeks. I will post the
release schedule as soon as FLOW and NEPCO make them public. The schedule
for the 30 year license will probable have to wait until the economic
studies are completed. However, FLOW feels that the studies will only
improve our position, so we are willing to wait.
--
Richard L. Hudson, Research Associate
University Computing Services
Lederle Graduate Research Center
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-1220; Hud...@cs.umass.edu
Steve Susswein
There's a new IK on the market that looks real interesting. It's called
the pack-cat, and is essentially a small, narrow cataraft designed to be
paddled with a kayak paddle. The tubes are 10" in diameter, and the
entire craft including 2 tubes and 2 crossbraces (one is the seat, the
other is a footrest) weighs less than 30 pounds. There's also a 2
person model. A number of the 2 person model were used on a self
supported trip down the middle fork of the salmon last summer (class
IV). Cost is around $600 for the one man, $800 for the 2 man.
Steve
THOMPSON,JOHN C
Steve Susswein
The pack cat is made by a company in Durango, CO that's been making
waterproof bags for years. I think the name of the company is Jack's
plactic welding.
Steve
Bob Broome
I thought Jacks Plastic Welding was out of Aztec NM. At least it was when
i test drove one of there Cat boats on the Cal Salmon last spring.
Bob