Another mystery sea Kayak.

[Nick Gates]

This is in nice un-molested condition.
Anyone know what it is? The vendor has no idea.

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122741892612

[Aled]

Early P&H Baidarka

[Nick Gates]

I have Googled the PnH Baidarka, and it looks to have more pointy bows.

[Chris Bolton]

Early Baidarkas didn't have the sharply upturned bow and stern deck that the later ones had. The hull shape is the same, it's just the final 15cm of the deck that's different.

I suspect the change was for cosmetic (marketing) reasons, because the raised ends made the handling worse in cross winds (although they are the same area, when the boat is moving the centre of lateral resistance of the hull moves forward, so the windage at the stern has move leverage).

[Nick Gates]

Many thanks Chris, you are a fountain of knowledge!
How do they compare to contemporary sea kayaks of similar size?

[Aled]

See recent discussion: viewtopic.php?f=45&t=127890

[Chris Bolton]

How do they compare to contemporary sea kayaks of similar size

As in the link Aled made, not brilliantly, but if cheap enough and you don't want to spend more, the sea is still the same as it was, so they do work - just a bit more tippy and harder to control.