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Equipment -- June 1998
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In
the early 1990's, Northwest Kayaks began to design
kayaks featuring the Greenland-style upswept
bow. The beneficial features of this type of
design have directly influenced our newest line
of kayaks headed by the Pursuit. This array of
kayaks was developed with the intermediate/advanced
paddler in mind but comfortable and functional
for the advanced beginner. The Pursuit was created
with more bow-to-stern rocker providing for exceptional
maneuverability and handling in a kayak of this
length. The increased rocker and the upswept
bow enable confident paddling through the roughest
of beach breaks. It comes equipped with an over-the-stern
Feathercraft rudder that has been recessed into
the deck, reducing the possibility of weathercocking.
At Northwest Kayaks, we pride ourselves on creating designs that are great
for day paddles as well as expeditions, and the Pursuit is no exception. It
was designed to accommodate enough equipment for an extended expedition and
yet maintain excellent performance without a load. The roomy cockpit and volume
of the kayak comfortably fit paddlers between 175 and 250 pounds but may be
outfitted with thigh braces to tighten the fit. The molded ABS plastic seat
with adjustable backrest creates lasting comfort for the long days in the kayak.
Northwest
Kayaks
KW 6'
2", 200-pound male. Day trips in conditions from
calm seas and light wind to 2- to 3-foot seas,
20-knot wind.
GL 5' 11", 165-pound male. Day trips (one
18 miles with light cargo load), pool practice.
Calm seas to 20-knot winds with 1-foot chop.
TE 6'1", 200-pound male. Day trips. From
calm seas to waves at 11/2 to 2 feet with winds
15 to 20 mph.
Our
reviewers liked the lines of the Pursuit and
were impressed by the quality of the glass work.
The hull-to-deck seam is glassed inside and out.
The Pursuit balances well for a shoulder carry
but, at 59 pounds, it is "not a light boat. [Its
weight] felt about average or slightly above
average for a fiberglass kayak in its size range" (GL).
Toggles for a tandem carry are attached to heavy-duty
U-bolts at the bow and just forward of the rudder.
The
deck fittings are padeyes laced with bungies
for charts, paddle-float rescue and a spare paddle.
Just ahead of the cockpit coaming are a pair
of cleats mounted in recesses. "The cockpit is
large with plenty of room to sit down in the
seat and bring legs in afterward. There is plenty
of foot room. This cockpit could accommodate
a much larger person" (GL). "I thought the cockpit
was especially deep, which gave me some trouble
laying back during rolling or sculling. A smaller
person might feel engulfed" (KW).
The
seat is "slightly contoured with just the right
amount of padding...completely comfortable throughout
a 4-hour paddle" (GL). The seat was "just right
for the width of my hips" (KW), but too wide
for both GL and TE. They suggested adding hip
padding for more lateral stability. The adjustable
seat back "provided plenty of back support" (KW),
but reaches about an inch above the coaming height, "limiting
the ability to lean backward" (KW).
The
thigh bracing consists of a layer of 1/4" foam
glued to the underside of the coaming and foredeck. "There
isn't enough hook in the pads to get a good grip.
I'd add some custom shaped padding here" (TE).
The
Keepers rudder pedals "slide on a rail, and the
slider can be pulled out while seated for foot
brace adjustment. You can get a grip if you push
down with both feet" (GL), but if you push hard
with one foot "the rudder flexes a lot when stowed" (TE)
and results in "spongy bracing" (KW). "When deployed,
the Feathercraft rudder works great. It is easily
retracted into the slot in the aft deck-just
wiggle it in" (TE).
The
initial stability was rated from "low" (KW) and "adequate" (GL)
to "good when on flat water, though it felt a
little twitchy while in waves" (TE). TE and GL
thought the secondary stability was "very solid,
for confidence while edging" (TE). KW liked the
Pursuit's secondary stability while under way-it "really
enhances carved turns"- but felt it "engages
only after what I consider an extreme lean" when
at rest.
The
Pursuit is "very responsive to edged turns" (TE).
A slight edging initiated a gentle turn, a strong
lean produced a sharp turn. "Setting the boat
on the opposite edge straightens it out again" (TE).
The rudder functions perfectly without the feeling
of drag" (GL), "but this boat does not need a
rudder, and I rarely used it" (KW).
"This
boat tracks extremely well. It went whereever
I pointed it, and it did not wander" (KW). TE
and GL both found they needed to make slight
adjustments with edging or strokes to hold a
straight course. For GL, turning downwind and
holding a course downwind in quartering seas "took
some work" while TE and KW found the Pursuit
to be well balanced in wind. The Pursuit has
a very dry ride. Its bow is "very buoyant and
lifts over the waves" (TE). None of the fittings
on the foredeck threw up significant spray.
All
of the reviewers thought the Pursuit felt fast.
With a knot meter, TE recorded just over five
knots at a sustainable exercise pace and just
over 61/2 knots in short sprints. On wind waves,
KW thought he had enough speed to "easily outrun
the waves" though it was slow to accelerate.
TE also noted having to "pour on the power" to
catch some waves, but had enough speed to get
good long rides. While "the bow seemed to wander " while
catching a wave," he had "better control steering
the boat and getting it to respond to leaned
turns [when] at speed on the wave's face."
In
rolling the kayak, KW felt "hindered by the lack
of thigh bracing, spongy foot pedals and the
high freeboard, which tended to obstruct laying
back." GL also noted the loose fit and the height
of the seat back, but still found the boat "very
easy to hand roll."
The
Pursuit is "well configured for paddle-float
rescue [and] quite stable with the paddle float
attached" (KW). "The large cockpit [opening]
and relatively low rear deck make it easy to
climb back in. Reentry and roll was easy [even]
with a cockpit full of water" (GL).
The
tethered plastic hatches have dual gaskets. If
the webbing straps holding the hatch in place
are set up tight, the hatches are watertight.
The aluminum lever that tightens the straps has
a bend on the end that prevents the closures
from releasing accidentally. The hatch openings
(133/4 by 81/4 forward, and 183/4 by 123/4 aft)
are large enough to make loading and unloading
easy. The molded plastic bulkheads are sealed
with caulking.
GL
thought the Pursuit was "well suited for extended
expeditions. Not the most stable for fishing,
but certainly adequate for it, and still fast
enough to keep up with the big boys. If I could
own only one kayak, I would definitely be happy
with this one." "The Pursuit should make a good
cruising boat for a larger paddler. There is
plenty of room for gear, it responds well for
a boat of its size and it's comfortably dry in
a chop" (TE). "An excellent expedition boat," wrote
KW, "it has superior control in rough water and
wind, which would be extremely beneficial on
long-distance trips in unpredictable conditions."
Our
thanks to the reviewers and the editorial
staff at Sea Kayaker for their time and effort.
It is gratifying to hear additional commentary
showing that we have hit out target with
the Pursuit. Customer response across the
board has been positive. At Northwest Kayaks,
we pride ourselves on the strength and durability
of our products as attested to by the number
of out kayaks still in use today. The reviewers
opening comments bring attention to the quality
and craftsmanship displayed in our glasswork.
The Pursuit is designed to accommodate paddlers
similar to and even larger than the reviewers.
As mentioned by the test paddlers, the cockpit
is quite roomy thereby enabling medium to
large paddlers to truly be comfortable. And,
knowing that paddlers come in a variety of
sizes, we also have the Pursuit LP, designed
for small to medium paddlers, or the Pursuit
XL for the large to XL paddler. It is important
to note that a thigh brace is available as
an option to tighten the fit.
Once again, we would like to thank the reviewers for their time and efforts and Sea Kayak for the opportunity to have our product reviewed.
Northwest Kayaks
Options and Pricing
1997
: Foam core reinforced fiberglass with vinylester
resin.
Hatches with double seals, bulkheads,
paddle park cleats, deck lines, Feathercraft rudder, stainless
steel security U-bolts, adjustable foot pedals, seat and thigh
padding.
58 lbs.
custom glass $2515
Dealers in North America and Japan.
Northwest Kayaks
15145 NE 90th St.
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: (800) 648-8908 or
Phone: (524) 8692107
Fax: (425) 869-9014 |
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