5.1. double. Introduction by John Jacoby. Doubles tested include :

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1 5.1 double Introduction by John Jacoby As the word suggests we have taken a sample of the variety of double craft available. There is a wide range of boats in this category and we did select everything from the fastest type of double down to some slower more recreational type doubles. The double s key purpose is to obviously carry two people in the one boat and the general rule is that a double will be faster and more stable than the single version of the same boat. The double is the boat of choice in many adventure races as it provides additional speed and safety in the one package. As a result of the adventure racing boom some new doubles have evolved that have been custom designed and built for the specific purpose of going fast but also providing stability in rough water and sometimes even ocean going ability. Examples of this include the and the Vulcan. Weight and waterline length are critical in the speed results of these craft, although it is possible to go too long which will not do anything to improve speed, but it may assist in the craft handling conditions such as following seas. The doubles are an excellent way to step up to more unstable craft, especially when paddled with a more experienced partner i.e. a K2 will generally feel more stable than a K1. The double sea kayaks generally provide excellent stability even in rough conditions and are extremely good general purpose craft that can be used over a nuber of different applications. Doubles tested include : - K2 - - Vulcan TK2 - Double Shock Prijon Excursion - Cabo XT - Bicsport Tobago 17

2 5.10 k2 Name K2 Type Double (Racing K2) Length (metres) 6.50 SPEED Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 00:57: Distance Paddled in 1 hour (km) Beam (cm) 40.0 (unrestricted beam model) Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Weight as tested 16.2kg Manufacturer/ distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/ material State/Country of manufacture RRP Features & options (options denoted by O) Sprint/marathon racing K2 Fibreglass or carbon/kevlar or combinations Australia Approx $3,000 (glass) Adjustable seats and foot plates Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like What did you least like Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Narrow front at catch Footstraps in front, widen space for front seat, higher volume, better fittings Fast, responsive, boat run Unstable For racing only, practise in warm weather! Advanced marathon or sprint racing 5 Yes, 0 Maybe, 2 No 8.8 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

3 double K2 Photography: Andrew Connolly 19

4 5.11 Name Type Length (metres) 7.49 Beam (cm) 51.5 Weight as tested Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/material State/Country of manufacture Contact Double (Multisport) 24.4kg Unrestricted class, racing double. High standard finish. Don Andrews design. Ideal for flat water marathon or multisport events, eg Hawkesbury Classic, Murray Marathon etc. Has won class records in these events. Fibreglass or carbon/kevlar or combinations NSW, Australia RRP $3500 Website Features & options (options denoted by O) Roger Aspinall www. blue-earth.biz Bulkheads Hatches Adjustable seat and foot plate Custom colour options SPEED Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like What did you least like Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Lightweight, long, hull shape Improve seat, flimsy carry handles, more comfortable seat/thigh braces Run/glide, felt like it wanted to go! Responsive, speed and stability, long and fast, light weight Seat, no knee/ thigh braces, a bit tippy Not suited to beginners, somewhat unstable, built for speed. Recommend for intermediate paddlers. Advanced paddler/ long distances, wanting to go fast and not expecting big waves, AR/ Multisport ocean racing, endurance events, intermediate to advanced paddler in flat water who wants to go fast 5 Yes, 0 Maybe, 6 No 7.7 Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: :58: Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

5 double Hydrostatic Measurements SUPERSONIC Double Length (LOA) 7486mm Length(WL) 7216mm Beam (max) 515mm Beam (WL) 482mm Length/beam ratio Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.62 Water plane area (m 2 ) 2.09m 2 Draft 84kg (mean) 136mm Weight (Kg) 24.4kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Glass Cockpit size LxWxH (x2) 790x392x x394x340 Photography: Andrew Connolly Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means. 21

6 5.12 vulcan 680 Name Vulcan 680 Type Double (Multisport) Length (metres) 6.84 Beam (cm) 62.0 Weight as tested 23.5kg SPEED Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: Vulcan 680 1:00: Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Manufacturer/ distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/ material State/Country of manufacture Contact Race Seakayak/Multi sporter, designed for high speed cruising, light weight & stable - Great on open lakes, open river & small rapids. Holds Murray Marathon record Long Rec2 Carbon & kevlar hull. Half carbon deck. NSW, Australia RRP $3495 Website Features & options (options denoted by O) Ron Elliott elliottkayaks@hotmail.com Foot pump (on rear foot rest) Version available 3kg lighter Different/combination of foot rests available Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like What did you least like Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Light, easy to adjust pedals, tie-downs for gear, good quality finish, nice seat, good rudder Improve foot-rests, need pins on side of foot-rests, limited storage, more comfortable knee braces Fast & stable, light, moved nicely through water, glide, ease of turning, tracked well Carry handles squashed fingers, seat comfort, wide back, seat too low, fat in places, not really for very rough conditions Low storage so not great for touring, medium durability, a little unstable for beginners Intermediate to advanced sea kayaker/ adventure racer 3 Yes, 1 Maybe, 8 No 6.9 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

double Vulcan 680 Hydrostatic Measurements

19m 2 Draft 84kg (mean) 125mm Weight (Kg)

for definition of these measurements and a

7 double Vulcan 680 Hydrostatic Measurements VULCAN 680 Double Length (LOA) 6840mm Length(WL) 6710mm Beam (max) 620mm Beam (WL) 532mm Length/beam ratio 12.6 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.59 Water plane area (m 2 ) 2.19m 2 Draft 84kg (mean) 125mm Weight (Kg) 23.5kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Kevlar/Carbon Cockpit size LxWxH (x2) 780x395x x406x 333 Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means. Photography: Andrew Connolly 23

8 5.13 tk2 Name TK2 Type Double (Racing TK2) Length (metres) 5.48 Beam (cm) 58.0 SPEED Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: TK2 1:02: Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Weight as tested 17.7kg Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/ material State/Country of manufacture RRP Features & options (options denoted by O) Sprint /marathon racing TK2 Fibreglass or carbon/kevlar or combinations Australia Approx. $2500 (glass) Adjustable seats and foot plates Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like What did you least like Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Comfortable seat, open cockpit good for larger paddlers Footbar hard to move, too short/very low waterline, cut-away at catch entry, higher deck, longer bow Stability, good club boat Front bow too close to forward cockpit, wide at paddle entry for rear paddler, slow, get quite wet in rough conditions Great beginner boat Tourer, flatwater paddler, beginner to intermediate marathon racing 0 Yes, 2 Maybe, 9 No 5.0 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

9 double TK2 Photography: Andrew Connolly 25

10 5.14 double shock 6.55 Name Double Shock 6.55 Type Double (Sea Kayak) Length (metres 6.55 Beam (cm) 59.5 SPEED Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: Double Shock :03: Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Weight as tested 32.5kg Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/material State/Country of manufacture Contact A fast double for intermediate to advanced open water paddlers. Ideal for racing multisport events Composite glass fabrics and coremat Tasmania, Australia RRP $3400 Website Ideal Weight Volume Features & options (options denoted by O) John Van Der Woude sales@penguincomposites.com. au N/A front 60L centre 30L rear 90L Low windage Large rear hatch for multisport Front and rear steerage Rectanglar hatches forward/rear Sails (O) Pumps (O) Kevlar (O) Fully customisable Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like about this boat? What did you least like about this boat? Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Seat, carry handles No day hatch, doesn t have full decklines, lighter Stable and comfy, snug seats, nice knee bracing, fast Thigh braces hard and in the way, heavy, turning Good beginner boat Beginner to intermediate sea kayaker, expeditions, touring 2 Yes, 0 Maybe, 9 No 6.3 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

11 double Double Shock Photography: Andrew Connolly 27

12 5.15 prijon excursion Name Type Length (metres) 5.18 Beam (cm) 72.0 Weight as tested Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/material State/Country of manufacture Prijon Excursion Double (Sea Kayak) 39.8kg This is a relatively short double but has excellent stability and maneuverability and good storage with a total of 195 Litres of storage in the front and back bulkhead areas. Ideal for Estuary paddling and Ocean Touring HTP Blow Moulded High Performance Thermoplastic Germany RRP $2,595 SPEED Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like about this boat? Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: Prijon Excursion 1:10: Summary of Subjective Comments Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Easily adjustable foot plate, comfortable seat, thigh braces, rear steering, hatch covers easier than screw lids Toggles on the rudder flipper, foot bar, cockpit rim quite high, lighter Very stable and surprisingly good moving through water, back strap adjustment, great seat, speed seemed quick for size of boat Contact Peter McIntyre Website Ideal Weight pskayaks@oz .com.au N/A What did you least like about this boat? Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? Width, low seat, slow & heavy high cockpit, boat pushes a lot of water, body position, heavy Heavy for getting on car, sta- ble, comfortable but slow Volume (inner storage) Features & options (options denoted by O) Front Hatch 65 L, Rear Hatch 130 L Adjustable footrests, retractable rudder, Front waterproof deckbox, Deck Netting front & back. What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Beginners to intermediate sea kayaker, slow tourer, day trips, recreational, all conditions 0 Yes, 0 Maybe, 11 No 4.2 Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

13 double Prijon Excursion Photography: Andrew Connolly 29

14 5.16 cabo xt Name Cabo XT Type Double (Sit on Top) Length (metres) 4.97 Beam (cm) 76.5 SPEED Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: Cabo XT 1:15: Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Weight as tested Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/ material State/Country of manufacture Contact 36.8kg Favoured for tandem touring and diving, designed to carry lots of gear. When rudderred, the cabo can handle crosswinds and currents which offers peace of mind offshore. Linear polyethylene Silverdale, New Zealand RRP $1649 Website Features & options (options denoted by O) Tina Williams tina@canoesports.com.au Has a 3rd middle seat for a child Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like What did you least like Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Good for carrying gear, robust, nice to have a rudder, no need to adjust foot-rests More foot placements, lighter Could dance on it, carry handles, stable, goes fairly straight, versatile family craft, good safe toggle handles, you could take it fishing, indestructible quality Comfort factor, lack of foot bracing spots, get very wet, heavy to carry, slow and heavy Not designed for rivers/ surf, very large and heavy, weight to lift on and off roof racks, very stable, a fun boat, not for any serious distance Children, fishermen, scuba diver, beginner play boat in surf, rec/ holiday boat, purely fun paddler 1 Yes, 0 Maybe, 10 No 3.7 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

15 double Cabo XT Photography: Andrew Connolly 31

16 5.17 bicsport tobago Name Bicsport Tobago Type Double (Sit on Top) Length (metres) 3.95 Beam (cm) 80.0 SPEED Time hh:mm:ss K1 Nelo (benchmark) 1:00: K2 (fastest in class) 0:57: Bicsport Tobago 1:24: Distance paddled in 1 hour (km) Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Weight as tested 34.7 Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed Construction method/material State/Country of manufacture Contact Standard 2-person sit-on-top Polyethylene France RRP $1099 Website Features & options (options denoted by O) Bevan McKavanagh bevan@glideindustries.com Backrest (O) Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Do you have any suggestions for improving anything? What did you most like What did you least like Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat? What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for? If you had a choice of 6 boats you d like to own would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly. Summary of Subjective Comments Lots of space for bags/esky, can fit 3 adults, comfortable seat Waterproof hatch, can holders, rear seat shape needs to be improved You can stand up in it, compact, roomy, good looking modern boat, fun, 3 people can fit, could act as a pontoon, very stable Comfort factor, heavy, could develop bad technique when person moves up to more advanced boat, get very wet, no speed, leg length options Only for absolute recreation (ie don t ever use in a race or to get anywhere), its weight to lift onto roof rack Family- young kids, recreation, beginners in flat water on short trips, fishermen 0 Yes, 0 Maybe, 9 No 2.5 Doubles Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Summary of scores on a 5 point scale K2 Vulcan 680 TK2 Double Shock 6.55 Prijon Excursion Cabo XT Bicsport Tobago 1. Primary stability Secondary stability How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? How comfortable is the seat? How supportive is the seat position? How did the boat affect your body position? Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? n/a 8. Is the steering effective? n/a 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input? How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat? How wet did you get? * Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

17 double Bicsport Tobago Photography: Andrew Connolly 33

WHITEWATER KAYAKS ANIMAS TRANSITION. WIZ Length: 240cm Width: 65 cm Volume: 240 litres Weight: 16 kg Cockpit: 85 x 48 cm Weight range kg

WHITEWATER KAYAKS ANIMAS TRANSITION. WIZ Length: 240cm Width: 65 cm Volume: 240 litres Weight: 16 kg Cockpit: 85 x 48 cm Weight range kg This is perhaps the best all-round boat available. The versatility, comfort and stability of this boat make it a must for anything from whitewater touring to class III-IV whitewater. The Animas is best