Das Seekajak

Nach langer Suche habe ich endlich bei Gadermann im Hamburg ein passendes Seekajak für kleinere und leichtere Personen gefunden: ein P&H Vela. Wie es der Zufall wollte, wurde in Holland gerade eines gebraucht angeboten, nur einmal gefahren, zu einem sehr günstigen Preis. Die technischen Daten:

Material: Diolen / GFK
Länge: 477 cm
Breite: 54 cm
Gewicht: 23,5 kg
Volumen: unter 275 l
Cockpit: 72 x 38 cm

Ausstattung: 3-fach abgeschottet mit Tagesluke, Gummideckel 2x rund, 1x oval (dicht!), einstellbares Skeg, Sitz aus GFK (altes Modell) mit 2 Positionen, Rückengurt einstellbar und gepolstert, Bug- und Hecktoggle, Rundumleine, Kartendeck, Paddelhalterung, Fuß- und Kniestützen.

Zur ersten Probefahrt ging es auf das nahegelegene Kleine Meer (Hieve), einem künstlich vertieften Flachmoorsee am Geestrand. Durch die Tiefe von bis zu 24 m kamen bei der herrschenden Windstärke 5, in Böen 6, einigermaßen hohe Wellen zum Testen zustande.

Fazit der Probefahrt

• Das Vela ist handlich und leicht zu tragen.
• Die Primärstabilität ist gering im Vergleich zum Wanderkajak, Ein- und Aussteigen bei schwierigen Ufern nicht einfach.
• Das Vela benötigt kein Steuer.
• Mit dem einstellbaren Skeg lässt sich das Boot sehr genau trimmen.
• Das Boot lässt sich leicht ankanten und so auch leicht steuern.
• Die Sekundärstabilität ist hoch, der Übergang zum "Umkipppunkt" ist jedoch scharf.
• Und natürlich: Es fährt schnell und beschleunigt noch schneller. Ideal zum surfen.
• Nein, ich bin nicht gekentert. Aber fast - beim Aussteigen! Im Boot hinstellen wie bisher ist nicht mehr so einfach.

Modifikationen: zuzätzliche Gummibänder für Reservepaddel, Holzkugeln über die Gummibänder, Toggle mit Gummiband fixiert (schlägt sonst dauernd aufs Boot), Kompass in Lukendeckel (Silva 85R), Schaumstoffblock anstelle der Fußstützen. Paddelfloat: Feststofffloat Marke Eigenbau. Handpumpe. Wasserablauf im Sitz (12 mm Loch). Siehe auch: Basteltipps

P&H Trivia

• P&H Website
• Sirius, Capella and Quest wurden von Peter Orton entworfen, das Sirius basiert auf Derek Hutchinsons Baidarka, der auch die ersten P&H Kajaks entwarf
• Das Vela wurde später als Nischenprodukt von Julian Patrick (P&H Direktor bis 2001) und Peter Orton entworfen
• Das P steht für Patrick (sr.), das H nicht für (Derek) Hutchinson sondern für Henderson, gegründet wurde das Unternehmen 1967 von Julians Vater

Bildergalerie: Jungfernfahrt Drömel

Mein neues Seekajak:

Ein P&H "Vela"

Start auf der ...

... Alten Maar

Bug...

...und Heck

Auf der Hieve...

...bei Windstärke 5-6...

...und einsetzendem Regen

Kleinere Wasserläufe sind auch kein Problem

Die "Hieve"

Schaumstoffblock statt Fußstütze

Grönlandpaddel als Reserve

Kompass auf Lukendeckel

Selbstbau-Paddelleine

Hier ein Beitrag von J. Patrick über P&H: (Quelle)

Regarding sea kayaks (P&H used to be involved in anumber of kayaking disciplines and is still 3 brands, P&H Sea Kayaks, Revenge polo kayaks and Gorilla paddles)I was involved more in the strategy side I.e. deciding what needs designing, at what length, width etc. When I got interested it was all Derek Hutch boats, Icefloe, Orion, Fjord were all derivatives of the same design at 60cm width and Baidarka/Dawn Treader, again the same design with different ends at 52cm width. Basically there were fast boats and stable boats with not much in between. And yes I do believe Derek's boats were of a freeboard that suited himself. At the time North Shore were doing well in the middle range, I.e. boats at about 56cm. After the market research I did a marketing plan which basically said "dump the wide boats except the Onion (oops Orion), replace the Baidarka with a new design (Sirius)and put something (in plastic and glass) in the mid stability zone (Capella). Also part of the plan was to replace the seating which was in those days bloomin awful.I did some work on the Sirius (most done by Peter Orton) and also designed and shaped the Vela (small kayak, not so prominent as niche market). Years ago I shaped the Iona for Derek Hutch and a two person and three person tourer for the Swedish agent. I was also the person who instigated the new seating system after interviewing over 100 paddlers and finding comfort to be the number one selling point.

The Sirius, Capella and Quest were all designed by Peter Orton (note that the Sirius was based around Derek's Baidarka hull - don't worry he knows!).

The Quest came about when some customers suggested that the Capella was a great kayak but they would like something with a little more tracking capability. The Quest is a cracking kayak, fast and stable and it does superb leaned carved turns.

When paddler's buy a kayak they often discuss speed and stability. Speed is an interesting one as I do not believe it is possible for most paddlers to judge the speed of a kayak by paddling it. I have paddled a 17' sea kayak followed by a 14 ft. design tourer and to tell you the truth it is hard, even with this wide variation to feel a difference (without having a comparison paddler with you). I know someone who is at the moment trying to assess this for various designs using GPS and a heart rate monitor (in other words keep a constant heart rate whilst paddling and see how far you get in say 5 mins, swap boats and do it again), should be interesting. This information might worry a few manufacturers as who knows what it might throw up.

Stability is one of those things that is down to the paddler. At the moment I live in North Wales and am paddling a lot in the poly Capella (which is actually a surprisingly quick boat). Once moving I believe it to be very stable but somebody else I paddle with finds it rather tippy and unnerving. Having said that in lumpy conditions I struggled to put my woolly hat without looking like an accident waiting to happen the other day. Paddlers like to feel stable when "faffing around" at a standstill. The Romany is a stable boat at rest and does well because of this.

Edging and carved turns - very important part of boat design and superb in Capella and Quest but very poor in some designs (will not mention here). If buying a new kayak always test this.

Anyway - am in danger of rambling, any questions gladly answered (although am somewhat biased of course :-)

Bye for now
Julian

Und ein anderer von Peter Orton:

Not trying to be pedantic but I always like to keep the record straight. The Vela was developed from a prototype for a single hatch day boat, that we were going to call the islander. Although this never went into production (to expensive for the intended market) it formed the basis for the Vela and Easky models. Julian and I are good friends add I'm sure we wouldn't fall out over who was credited with the Vela design, yes he did much of the shaping i.e. model work but the core design and specification had already been established and inside all kayaks was a licence sticker crediting me with the design.

Not trying to be too egotistical over this but I am very proud of the designs I have been involved with. Obviously no design is done in isolation and I have been fortunate to have had several good people to bounce ideas off over the years, Julian being one, Jason Buxton being the one I currently rely on for second opinions on ideas.