Valley, NDK, TRace, Rockpool, P&H- Strongest Lineup Overall?

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

Ok so I'm going with the definition of kayak as being "something that floats in water" does this sound about right?

So we have lollypop sticks (at the smaller end) all the way up to some parts of Antarctica. Have I missed anything?

[Jim]

But with a single blade they wold be canoes wouldn't they?

Oh hang on, aren't there some native north american kayaks which were paddled with a single blade?

"Most modern kayakers associate a single blade paddle with canoes. However, single blade paddles have been used for centuries in kayaks, especially in the western arctic, Alaska and Siberia. Koryak, Chukchi, Aleut, Kodiak, Bering Sea, Bering Strait and Mackenzie Delta hunters used single blade paddles. Kodiak and Chugach paddlers used single blade paddles almost exclusively."

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

To my mind paddles were never a factor. If you're going to include SOT's then that opens the gate to pedal powered SOT's. So our definition is it floats and it moves. Hmmm maybe Antarctica isn't a type of kayak after all.

[nickcrowhurst]

[quote="Jim"]But with a single blade they wold be canoes wouldn't they? Oh hang on, aren't there some native north american kayaks which were paddled with a single blade?quote]

Verlen Kruger, who lays claim to having paddled more miles in a kayak than anyone, normally used a single paddle, on the basis that on very long trips it enabled him to rest one side of his body alternately, and thus paddle further overall. Valerie Fons book account, "Keep it Moving" of their trip down the Pacific Coast of the USA is excellent. Here's a link to a truly remarkable character in the history of kayaking: http://www.krugercanoes.com/
Nick

[soundoftheseagull]

Rockpool have an interesting range. The Alaw boats have a lot of competition in the marketplace, though Mike does a great job of keeping the low-volume ethos and 'mysticism' of the brand going. People really do feel like VIPs buying from Rockpool. John Willacy coming on board has obviously been a fillip and the Taran has spread the Rockpool word, perhaps even being responsible for really launching the idea of the fast sea kayak for the everyday paddler. The problem with Rockpool is the low level of resources and production. No plastic and questions over the ownership of the company make proper expansion into niches at any appreciable volume nigh on impossible.

No Kayak, having owned an Alaw Bach and now the GT along with currently trialling the Taran my interest is purely based on curiosity as I have no business links, I find this comment fairly bemusing can you expand?