Let us have a look at your Kayak.

[Simon Everett]

Hi folks,

had a chance to test the new girl this weekend. The prototype and the Dorado both hold thew water extremely well - it was interesting to find that the OK prototype is actually a drier ride than the Dorado! Testing them side by side over the same waves - the prototype has a ridge running all the way around the deck moulding - on a powerboat you would call it a spray rail - it works, deflecting any wave slap that the hull creates down and away from the yak. In some pretty lumpy seas - 6' - 8' the hatch of the prototype didn't even get wet! I had one or two slops over the bow of the Dorado - but the speed and agility of the South African kayak is awesome and her stability is incredible - I had to really force her to get a capsize out of her at all - leaning right over and pulling like mad. The water was coming in the cockpit before she finally went over. Easy to right and climb back aboard too - about 20 seconds no problem.

The we did the smae with Ok prototype, nearly as stable due to the low c of g and slightly wider beam. Just as easy to get back aboard, but more difficult to push back upright - but very much easier than a Prowler 13 and easier to climb back aboard too. Here are some pics......

[Simon Everett]

 

George setting off early in the morning in the prototype with the bow of the Dorado just in shot

[Simon Everett]

They are both very similar in profile, but the Dorado is much lighter on the water due to the composite construction - about the same weight as it turns out when hefting - I carried both single handed about 100 yards from the car the next day.

 

Here is George heading out across the Sound:

 

[Simon Everett]

And a view from the seat of the Dorado as I followed him out:

[Simon Everett]

 

Fishihng a live prawn on one of our marks - we ended up with just the one prawn as he forgot to clip the net bag of prawns onto the anchor outhaul - so we lost the bait and the new bait/rubby dubby bag :mad: :mad:

[Simon Everett]

Note how high the bow sits though, despite being low profile. The shape and dimensions of this kayak remind me a great deal of the canvass ones that the commandoes used during the war - eeerily similar in fact! They were used to get covert operatins into enemy ports stealthily and in some pretty horrid conditions. If it worked then.....!

[Simon Everett]

 

Look at the ridge running right round the hull-deck join. This is the "spray rail" which works so well at keeping the kayak incredibly dry even in steep seas.

[Simon Everett]

And to show you just how well this works, here is son number 2 in those big waves off Thurlestone..

[Simon Everett]

 

Bear in mind this was his first time out in this kayak - he is 10 - and he got to grips with it in 10 seconds flat - so, no, you don't need loads of beam and a big barge to stay upright!!

[Simon Everett]

 

And another shot which I think shows the waves better. It was awkward trying to stop paddling, pick up the camera and catch the wave just as he was taking the crest - I missed each time!!!