Intrepid Design Statement
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. The upswept native-style ends are still low enough to shed the wind, while the shallow rocker and long waterline give tracking and speed. The flare and volume in the forward quarter provide lift going into waves and a dry ride in sloppy conditions. Combined with the low-volume stern, this also gives predictable handling in following seas.
The Intrepid is available in a low-profile model for smaller paddlers and with two seat styles.
It comes standard with bulkheads fore and aft with a third bulkhead optional. A lockup rudder is also optional. Since sea kayaking offers many challenges, the kayak should not be one of them. Like my other designs, the Intrepid is easy to use compared to other kayaks of similar performance.
Lee Moyer

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Reviewers:
KN5'7", 125-pound female. Day trip in calm conditions.
GL5'11", 165-pound male. Day paddles, conditions from calm to 25-knot winds and 1' chop. Empty and with 100 pounds of gear.
TE 6' 1", 200-pound male. Winds 10 to 18 miles per hour, waves 1 to 1 1/2 feet with slight whitecapping. Intrepid Review:
The Intrepid is "a very attractive kayak with a solid-feeling deck, smooth lines and attractive recessed hatches. The reinforced glass work in critical areas indicates some attention to detail" (GL). "All edges and seams were nicely finished and smooth to the touch. The overall feel was one of solidity and good craftsmanship" (KN). TE and GL both noted that the middle of the hull oilcanned when pressed hard, though not while afloat.
"A solo carry was surprisingly easy. [The Intrepid] was very well balanced at the middle of the coaming" (GL). "The weight was reasonable for its size. I could get it on my rack without difficulty" (KN). For a tandem carry there are webbing straps at the ends of the boat.
Forward of the cockpit are two cleats and a bungie for "parking" a paddle. Two cleats farther forward secure a bow painter that can double as a rescue grab line. Aft of the cockpit there is a day hatch and a flat-bottomed recess for stabilizing the boat with a paddle while getting in and out on the beach, although there is no provision there for a paddle-float rescue. 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 cockpit opening is large enough to get into butt first, then feet, for a quick cowboy rescue. In the foot well there is just enough room for a pair of size 12 water sports shoes"(TE).
The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. It is "very comfortable with good lumbar support. The fit encourages a feeling of stability" (KN). The backrest is a self-inflating fabric-covered foam pad. "For straight paddling, the seat was comfortable throughout a five-hour paddle" (GL). The seat back is below the level of the coaming so it doesnÕt get in the way of reentry. 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 thigh braces "fit and functioned very well, and the foot braces performed solidly and are easy to reach and adjust from the cockpit" (GL). The Intrepid reviewed was not equipped with a rudder.
"The IntrepidÕs initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. The secondary stability is excellent. It felt solid even when edged to the point of putting the side of the coaming in the water. A good combination for maneuvering the boat" (TE). 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 Intrepid is "a straight tracking craft" (KN). "It has little yaw at the bow when paddling forward on an even keel" (TE). "Steering with leaned turns was excellent in calm conditions" (GL). "The boat will initiate a turn with a slight lean and then make a sharp turn when put high on edge" (TE).
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."
The forward hatch is set in a recess to reduce spray from water coming over the bow. A "dry ride except going straight into the wind, when a moderate splash would come up over the bow" (GL).
"Pretty easy to manage in the wind I encountered. 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). "Well balanced for wind. No weathercocking" (GL).
"On wind waves I could easily get enough speed to catch rides. The boatÕs strong turning ability when on edge helped keep the bow pointed down the face of the wave" (TE).
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. 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. Reentry into the large cockpit opening was easy.
There is ample stowage in the three bulkheaded compartments, enough for weekend and week-long cruises. The two tethered plastic hatch lids have rubber gaskets and are held in place with bungies. The aft hatch is large enough for easy stowage of bulky items. 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. No other leakage was reported.
The bulkheads are all curved panels of translucent fiberglass. 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.
GL thought the Intrepid was a "good-looking kayak with good speed and plenty of stowage for long trips. Plenty of stability for fishing or photography." The Intrepid would be "a swell beginner to intermediate kayak because of its stability and maneuverability. It is a fun boat! It does a fine job of doing what it is designed for" (KN). "The Intrepid is an appealing boat.
I enjoyed almost everything about it. It seems quite capable of handing the work of cruising while it is also a quick and responsive day paddler. I could recommend it to novices as well as experienced paddlers. 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).

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Designer Response
Thanks for the kind words. Concerning some of the small details: We do not include rescue bungies because we have never considered them to be positive enough. 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. The bow line can also be rigged as a rescue sling. 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. GL and KN would find that the Low Profile Intrepid fits better, is more secure and is easier to lean and lay back on the roll. TE may have to leave his size 12s behind if he tries it, though. The Intrepid is also available without the third bulkhead and hatch for several pounds and $150 less. Lee Moyer

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Options and Pricing
Designed: 1998
Standard Lay-up: Standard Lay-up: Hand-laid glass with vinylester resin. Hull: 3/4-oz. mat, 8-oz. cloth, 17-oz. roving with end reinforcements. Deck: 11/2-oz. mat and 8-oz. cloth with reinforcements. Extruded vinyl hull/deck seam glassed inside.
Optional Layups:Kevlar.
Standard Features: Bucket seat, foot braces, deck lines, bow line, three curved fiberglass bulkheads. Cargo hatches fore and aft, day access hatch.
Optional features: Rudder. Hung seat. Lower profile model is available.
Approximate Weight: 52 lbs.
Price: Manufacturer's suggested retail $2,450
Availability:From manufacturer. Call for the nearest dealer.
Manufacturer's Address:
Pacific Water Sports
16055 Pacific Highway South
Seattle, WA 98188
Phone: (206) 246-9385
E-mail: info@pwskayaks.com
Website: www.pwskayaks.com