Current Designs
I knew Great Outdoor Provision Company was having a demo days event yesterday, but it until I left all my gear at home
that I found out the CD rep would be there with something other than the usual rec and whitewater boats. I must have
looked like an idiot standing there barefoot in my work outfit wearing some ill-fitting PDF and carrying a whitewater
paddle. I jumped in a Gulfstream
and headed out into the lake. I'm not a fan of the Gulfstream. Its pointy ends and bathtub cockpit just don't do it
for me.
As I was pulling the Gulfstream back up the beach, a GOPC employee asked me what I thought. I replied, "I didn't like
it, but I bet I'd love that Cypress on the truck over there. Is it going in the water today?" He replied that it
wasn't a demo boat. I then exchanged my whitewater paddle for a nice low-angle Werner and headed out in an Solstice.
It didn't work for me either, but then I hate ruddered boats.
I guess I must have done something to demonstrate that, despite my appearances, I was serious because the GOPC employee
was waiting for me when I came back in. He said that as long as we wet launched the Cypress, I could demo it.
The Cypress
is CD's latest "British" style kayak. It has all the required elements you'd expect on a modern kayak. Tracking was
better than I expected, as was it's maneuverability. Skeg operation was very smooth and I didn't get a sense that the
skeg is needed very often. Primary stability was lighter than my Explorer and secondary seemed light as well. The
kayak seemed to accelerate fairly quickly, but it didn't feel fast. When moving quickly, the stern design resulted in
the sound of something being drug through the water. I've never before heard a wake this loud. The construction was
superb the seat seemed like it would be comfortable for extended periods of time.
Overall, I liked the kayak, but I think I'll stick with my Explorer.