I probably should go straight to Eddyline and ask them my question, but I thought maybe someone who posts here might have a less biased experience. That in no way is meant to be critical of Eddyline, but after all they are in the business of selling plastic boats, so I'm looking for a completely objective opinion.

Okay, the question is, how do you deal with cosmetic scratches in the finish. Can they be polished out with polishing compound, or some other product? What about deeper scratches?

I don't have an Eddyline, but they do make a boat that looks kind of interesting and I think their Carbonlite 2000 seems to be a great material.

Hi magooch! Finally a topic where I have a little bit of experience. I paddle a CD Kestrel 140 TCS. I'm pretty sure that the TCS will be simular to the Carbonlite.

1) It is very tough material. Some scratchs and scrapes, but after everything I've put my little bird through, everything has been minor. The durability is exceptional.
2)I've heard and read all the stuff about using wax or wax-like stuff (technical talk here)vs just a good cleaning and using like 303. So, I'm going to "come out of the closet" and admit...I POLISH MY BOAT! There I said it! Here are my reasons:
a)The polish does seem to fill the little scratches and the boat looks better
b)She comes out with a killer mirror like finish and the boat looks better
c) After polishing the hull, she will literally slide down the bank (grass, soft sand, slanted deck planking, etc) towards the water. With the hull so slick, I believe this makes her glide through the water easier,over logs easier and then the paddler looks better(?)
d) Since I do polish her, if I have a little scrape, doesn't it make sense that the polish will take the little scrapes and less of the boat? So....you guessed it...the boat looks better.

I use something simple like the wipe on and buff off polishers with silicone in them. It's easy and in my mind helps protect the boat. Mind you this is only my humble, misguided, women's way of thinking, opinion.

I don't think that you can beat the thermoformed composites for a great combination of durability, weight and an easy to maintain finish at a reasonable price.

I hope somewhere in thhis rambling I have answered your question. Tom & I just got back from a nice paddle on the Fl Gulf coast. Beautiful paddle but got a little warm. So if I'm way off base, I'll blame it on the heat.

Have a great day!

Thanks for the reply, Happy. Heck, I use wax on my roto kayaks. It does seem to make them slide through the water easier, but I assume it's much the same as how waxing the car makes it seem to run better.

Am I wrong, or weren't you looking at getting a sea kayak a few months back? You were asking for suggestions and I said you should take a look at NCs offerings. I think you were possibly considering CDs Cypress.

I got the chance to try out the NC 17 footer and the 19 foot Expedition. I still think these are some of the best built and best looking boats that I've ever seen, but I was less than impressed with the handling. These boats want to go straight--turning is a major event that takes an equal effort. I admit that being used to my CD Sirocco probably disqualifies me from critiquing boats that are designed to travel in a straight line, but it did cause me to reevaluate what appeals to me when it comes to boat design.

That said, the NC Expedition is still very high on my list of boats I would like to have, but it is by no means a replacement for the Sirocco. In fact, it made me appreciate the Sirocco so much that I can't see ever replacing it.

From what I've read about the Cypress, that might be a great boat, but I'm probably going to watch for the chance to get an Expedition when NC has a good special going.

Hi!

I've got the new boat on hold for now.:( Unless I win the lottery or something. We are really close to being totally out of debt and my husband has put a hold on purchasing toys until we reach that goal.

So I have to get by with my Kestrel for now. And that is not necessarily a bad thing...I really do enjoy paddling it.

Once the toy purchasing ban is lifted...I will resume the quest. Maybe within the next year there will be a thermoform sea kayak along the same lines as the Cypress.

A little disappointed that there have not been any other post re: your subject. It would be nice to hear what some other folks have to say.

Have a great day!

Hey Happy, yeah, I agree that maybe waiting for that new boat might be a good thing. One thing I've learned about kayaks is that picking that perfect boat gets harder and harder the more you look. I think I've been very lucky in my choices so far; I kind of lucked out and got boats that are better than I could have done if I knew what I was doing. By the way, if you've never tried a Sirocco, or a Gulf Stream, you really should if you get the chance. As you probably know, first impressions aren't always the last word, but it has a lot to do with what you're used to.

I happen to love the style of the Sirocco/Gulf Stream; it just turns out that the boat is an unbelievably capable boat that never ceases to amaze me at what it can do. The handling and maneuverability has to be experienced to be believed.

I've also learned that speed is not necessarily directly proportional to length, width and weight and in any case, the cruising speed of most sea kayaks is generally about the same and has a lot more to do with the skill and to some degree, the power of the paddler and his weapon of choice (the paddle).

I am also very particular about how well constucted a boat is. I don't like boats that are flimsy; I like em rigid enough to sit on the deck anywhere and not bend. I realize that most kevlar boats and a lot of fiberglass boats are kind of bendy in certain areas and that doesn't mean they are poorly built, but I still prefer rigid.

I think my next boat will be fiberglass, but I wouldn't rule out thermoplastic. So far though, Eddylines are the only thermo boats that meet the rigid test. I wouldn't rule out polyethylene either, except that my next boat will probably be in excess of 18 feet and poly boats get kind of heavy in those lengths.

Yep, I agree on all counts. Will also try a Sirocco, but am trying to steer away from rotomold. I believe the thermoformed to be a superior material as durablity goes. And so much lighter.

Gulfstream is a fine boat too. And I have not ruled this one out either. I do like that it is a little roomier than the Cypress. Athough the Cypress seemed to fit very well (once I got in the boat).

Anyway its a moot point for now. Eddyline has a pretty good reputation in our area. Reasonably priced as well. Seaward has a nice line as well. Been looking at the Chilco online. Have not paddled it, Tom says to wait until we are ready to buy before we bother private owners and he is right.

Have you paddled any of the Eddyline boats? Night Hawk and Fathom both look good.

Catch ya later.

I talked to a man at Seawrd about two weeks ago and he told me that about one third of there sales is thermoform boats. He and alot of there staff have gone with the termoform boats because they are a good compromise been fiberglass and poly.

My wife and I paddled both the nighthawk and fathom and we're very impressed with them. Each boat had it's own special thing as far as performance but even more, the construction was excellent. I noticed little details like the slot for the skeg being rounded off and cleanly finished. The hull had some flex but I found it quite acceptable and compared to rotomold there was no comparison. Eddyline has impressed me to the point of future purchase. I can't wait :-)

I have paddled a 17 foot Eddyline and wasn't that impressed. However, I would like to take a real good look at the 18 foot Falcon.

My dilemma is that I am totally enamored of the looks, quality and competitive pricing of the NC boats. Everything else I've looked at just doesn't stack up, except in maneuverability. But even on that count I've just about convinced myself that the purpose I have in mind for my next boat (long distance cruising), the propensity of the boat to want to track like it's on a rail would be a good thing. In any case, I have no plan to ever be without my faithful, fabulous Sirocco--unless I might trade it for a Gulf Stream.

I paddled the 17 Nighthawk and found it was just too much boat for me. The cockpit was loose and the boat felt lazy in turning. The 16 was a different animal, more responsive with a better fit. I prefer good tracking so this boat really called to me. I'll be bringing one home soon.

Hey Magooch, I've been looking online at the Sirocco, anything stand out about it that makes you so found of it? Did you have to get some padding for the seat? I've been using a Hurricane Tracer 165 and I really like it, the only problem is its a little to sleek, not much room for hauling gear, how does the Sirocco do in that area? The Tracer is fast though and does handle very well in rough waters which is mostly what we seem to be having lately.

Well Paddler, I could write more about the Sirocco than there is room here to write. I guess the short version is that the boat just does everything I want it to do and never gives me any reason to doubt it.

When I got the boat, I was mostly taken by its style and looks, but now that I've had it for a while, I'm just so impressed with how the boat handles and it's comfort.

The seat comes with a pad and I can't tell you much about its ability to carry gear. I don't camp, so I don't carry much stuff.

I haven't paddled that many sea kayaks, but I have demoed enough and looked at a lot of boats and I've not found one yet that even approaches the comfort and fit. That's just me though, as I'm aware that all of us have different definitions of comfort and fit.

I've paddled longer, lighter boats and I'll be darned if I could tell if they were any faster. My theory is that once you get past 16 feet, there isn't a whole lot of difference until you get into the really skinny boats. I paddled one boat that is over 19 feet and is said to be very, very fast, but I came away thinking there wasn't enough difference that I could tell. In fact, I actually believe that I can sprint my Sirocco faster than I could that larger boat.

The bottom line is that you have to experience any boat in a lot of different conditions to really know what it's all about. The Sirocco has taken me through some very daunting conditions and never, never let me down. It seems like the rougher things get the more the Sirocco likes it.

I've been looking for another sea kayak--not to replace the Sirocco, but to be my long distance ego show boat. While the Sirocco is a very nice looking kayak, there simply isn't any way that polyethylene can compete with a flashy composite. I'm leaning very much toward the NC Expedition, but I'm still looking.

Magooch, you mentioned you were drawn to your boat by its looks, thats one of the things I like about them too. If you're looking for a shinny boat at a low price, maybe you might want to look at the Tracer 165 (Thermoform). Everywhere I go I get comments on it. It really is a great looking kayak and I think it could hold up to some of the worst weather conditions. I had it out the other day when the wind was blowing so hard the water was foaming and we had to get close and yell to hear each other, the Tracer was amazing, the weather didn't phase it at all. I've paddled 7 different boats and the Tracer is one of my favorite composites. As far as plastic goes, the Prijon Kodiak. I don't know if you have ever got a chance to try that one but it is really a nice ride. Very comfortable fast and has a lot of room for gear, if you should decied you need the room. I haven't got to try a fiberglass one yet but I'd like to. I like a boat with some speed, I had one once that handled well, was roomy and comfortable but was amazingly slow. I didn't realize how slow until going out with a thermoform. The Expedition is a good looking boat and I'm sure it will do a lot.

Paddler, I've seen the Tracer and I agree it is a nice looking boat. However, if and when I get another sea kayak, I think it will be something between 18 and 19 feet. If I were looking for another boat in the 16 to 17 foot range, again I would have to be comparing to the NC Kayaks offerings.

I may have to go back to the NC shop and ask for another demo, but first I'd like to take another look at the Eddyline Falcon. I don't like the shape of the stern, but a demo might convince me that the stern is not a big deal. My experience is that pictures often don;t do justice to the actual boat, or somtimes the pictures are better than the actual boat.

Magooch, please excuse my ignorance, I still have a lot to learn but why a 18 or 19 foot boat? Stability or just your type of preference, or?
As far as the picture go, you’re so right.

NWPaddler, sorry for the long delay with this reply. A lot has happened since my last post on this thread.

My reason for wanting a longer boat is to fill a desire for a boat that should be a little easier to paddle long distance. When I say long distance, I'm not talking about loooong distance. When I take off on the Columbia sometimes, I just like to cover a lot of water--maybe 15 miles one way. I usually try to time the tides so that I get a little help on the way back. Sometimes the wind becomes a factor too.

The Sirocco does a fine job, but a longer boat should--at least theoretically have a little higher cruising speed. I guess I'm going to find out, because there is a beautiful, brand new NC Expedition sitting in my shop. This boat is not going to be my everyday boat, but I'm going to have a hard time picking one of the other boats for a while.

The weather has been pretty wintery here lately, but there might be a chance today, or tomorrow to take the Expedition to the river and start to get familiar with it. I don't like getting on the Columbia when it gets too high from runoff, so I might have to go to a lake.

One more thing; I got a GPS for Christmas, so I will be able to actually find out the real differences in the cruising and top speeds of all my boats.

Hi Magoch,
First of all, I should disclose that I represent Rockpool Kayaks from Wales UK. We decided to build their Alaw Bach in thermoform and have Eddyline build it to our specifications. We are trying to blend classic sea kayak design with the latest technology. We are finding the boats very well accepted both here and in the UK and Europe.
Now to answer your specific question; Minor scratches can be polished out with plastic polish. I recommend Mequiers. Deeper scratches can be sanded and then polished or filled with a mixture of Methacrylate adhesive and plastic paint. When nearly cured (15 minutes) just scrape off the excess, sand and then polish.
There is a great video on Eddyline's website that shows a repair.

Cheers,

High, Paddle Pro

I see that you just responded to a message that's pushing three years old

The only reason I'm bothering to comment is that last August I bought a RP Alaw Bach TCC demo from Evergreen Outfitters. It was a little banged up but that was going to happen anyway.

And what a great boat. Right now the water temps are too cold for me but late last September I took it out on Lake Erie on a small craft advisory day when the wind was so strong I could barely hang on to my paddle (probably not a very good idea going out that day).

Anyhow the RP was easy to control and swing around in the wind. Even tried a couple of rolls just to see what would happen. It was just like rolling on flat water. Now about the only thing I would like to see is a comfy seat pad designed for the Alaw to help cushion my bony ischial tuberosities.

In closing, hope the Alaw catches on over here. It seems to be built to accommodate smaller paddlers (that's me @ 5'6" and 145 lb) as the cockpit is pretty narrow and there's not exactly a mountain of foot room.

Yeah paddlepro,
I demoed one of the Eddyline Alaw Bachs (what's up with that name) and found it to be a quick, easy handling boat. The thing about the boat that grabbed me right from the start was how it stood up to having the rep. stomp all over the deck before he let me paddle it. I mean he literally stomped it from end to end. It twisted and flexed a bit, but popped right back with little to no evidence of the battering it had just taken.

Apparently the only thing on the boat that wasn't quite up to the abuse it had received in its short life was the seat. It's been a while since I paddled the boat, but as I recall, there was something about the track the seat was mounted on.

Not to be critical and I realize that every design has some compromise in one aspect, or another, but the boat seemed to hit the wall prematurely when it came to speed (for a 17'-2" boat). It just might be that the boat is so easy to bring up to speed ... but some of the others who tried the boat said the same thing. That in no way is to say the boat is slow. It's just that it seemed like there should be more there if you could just generate a little more horse power, which I couldn't. I didn't have the chance to surf it, or see how it reacted to confused seas, but knowing it's lineage I'm sure it has that covered and then some.

For paddlers who like to challenge what the sea can dish out and know they are going to slam the boat around, the Alaw Bach in Carbonlite 2000 should be at the top of the list.

Well, that's an area where I'm not experienced but my previous boat was an Eddyline Fathom LV. I've taken the RP out in conditions that I would have never managed to stay upright in the Fathom. For maybe the third or forth time I got to surf some four to five footers that were beyond my ability in the Fathom. The RP made it ever so easy. It opened up another parallel universe of kayaking for me.

As for the speed wall, I can't say that at this point it's been a factor. I have yet to paddle the RP with others and have no frame of reference. I do have a gps for tracking speed but I never bother as I'm slow no matter what I'm paddling

I guess to be fair, one should actually check the speed of any particular boat with a gps before making claims one way, or another. However, some boats I have paddled give the feeling that the stern of the boat begins to squat as you reach the upper limits of the boat's flat-water velocity. I think for most paddlers--including me--that condition becomes a very effective speed limiter. In the case of the Alaw Bach, I thought that squating feeling came at a point where I was not even close to my maximum effort. I felt like I was in a strong exercise mode that I should be able to sustain for a little while. The impression I got was that there was no point in pushing any harder, because it just wasn't going to do any good.

The conclusions I have come to on my own boats is that what really counts is how easy the boats glide through the water at a moderate paddling effort. The actual top speed of the boat is irrelevant for the most part, because I'm not going there except under very unusual circumstances. And I fully expect to hurt myself if that condition arises.

Rented a Eddyline S-18 Falcon yesterday. Boat was fast and felt stable enough. I must be getting better LOL! I did notice on many rental eddyline thermoformed boats the noses were busted up a bit. I guess if you own it you will take better care of it. People looked to have rammed the nose into the dock or something. Composite Current design boats don't show that. That may be due to more experience people renting? One I did rent was fairly old and beaten up cosmetically. Material seems tough with little flex if any. I am renting a CD Nomad today like the one I am restoring because I can't wait any longer.

If scratches on a TCS boat are cleaned, dabbed with color and then coverd with polish, they can hardly be seen. In the case of major cracks (i.e. seeing daylight thru them), a TCS boat can be very reliably repaired pretty cheaply. Delta and Eddyline TCS boats are very similar. My Delta 18.5 had two 18" cracks that were repaired by my local kayak shop for $200. It takes a hell of an impact to break thru a TCS boat. In my case a loose bow line was snagged by the front wheel on my car and bent the boat like a banana. TCS is tough and repairable.

Yesterday, in a rather klutzy moment, I managed to drop my RockPool off the top of my car. Didn't even bother to check the hull. When I got home later I didn't notice any new "beauty marks".

So far this summer the RP has been to Lake Erie, Huron, and Superior where I managed to find many rocks to beat my hull against

To quote Marv from Sin City: "I love thermoformed boats. No matter what you do to them, you never feel bad."