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The Arctic Tern 17 by Pygmy Boats
Varnished mahogany always turns heads at the beach, but the appeal of the Arctic Tern 17, introduced in 1999, had to be more than skin deep to take such a commanding lead in our reader poll.
In 1986, designer John Lockwood produced the first computer-designed kayak kit and went into business as Pygmy Sea Kayaks. The Arctic Tern, available in 14-foot and 17-foot versions, is his 13th kayak design. At less than 45 pounds for a full-size touring kayak, it’s easy to carry. It’s simple to get in and out of the cockpit, and there’s plenty of foot room forward. The angled panels at the perimeter of the deck allow for good interior volume without interfering with paddling.
The initial stability is fair and the secondary stability excellent—a combination that makes the Arctic Tern 17 a breeze to edge. For fishing and photography, a bit of cargo in the hold will provide a steady platform to work from. The single-chined hull tracks well and, set on edge, carves a nice turn. The kayak accelerates quickly and is very easy to drive along at a brisk cruising pace.
If you’re going to build a kayak, you’ll want one worthy of your investment in time and effort. The Arctic Tern will reward your efforts with a finished product that’s as pleasing to look at as it is to paddle.
Pygmy Boats Inc.
360-385-6143
info@pygmyboats.com
www.pygmyboats.com
The Camano by Werner
The Camano was the third in a trio of touring paddles developed by Werner Paddles. Introduced in 1990, the mid-sized Camano quickly became the company’s most popular blade. The Camano has an asymmetrical blade designed for a low-angle touring stroke and strong dihedral for stability. Originally, the blade had a spruce spline running most of its length. In 1998, the wood was replaced with foam, reducing both the overall weight of the paddle and, more important, its blade or “swing” weight. Vacuum-bagging was replaced with a pressure molding system that used heated aluminum molds for the power face and back of the blade.
The current version of the Camano has translucent blades and Werner’s new indexed ferrule, which allows setting the feather up to 75 degrees left or right and in increments of 15 degrees anywhere in between. The Camano has a fairly clean entry, and with a bit of attention, can get anchored in the water without dragging any air in.
The spine on the back of the blade, typical of that blade type, creates some turbulence when used in sculling or linked strokes. For paddlers looking for the next level of performance, Werner created the Kalliste, a foam-cored blade with a smoother back face.
(an additional $50 for bent shaft)
800-275-3311
info@wernerpaddles.com
www.wernerpaddles.com |
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