Belfast, Maine 04915
207-338-6424
info@touringkayaks.com
| |
152
Lincolnville Ave. Belfast, Maine 04915 207-338-6424 info@touringkayaks.com |
|
|
|
|
FAQWhy Fiberglass?Why NC Kayaks and QCC?Why Water Walker?And More.207-338-6424 |
| Why
Fiberglass? One of the first decisions paddlers must make when buying a boat is whether to choose plastic or fiberglass. Here are some trade-offs to consider when making this decision: |
| Fiberglass kayaks weigh less. |
Plastic (polyethylene) kayaks weigh more. |
|
Fiberglass kayaks are more expensive. |
Plastic
kayaks are less expensive. |
| Fiberglass is less resistant to at least some types of impact damage
than plastic (thus the use of plastic kayaks for whitewater). Contrary to what
is commonly thought fiberglass is more resistant to scratches and is
also easier to repair once scratched or damaged. (But somehow we care more
about those scratches in fiberglass). |
Plastic is more resistant to at least some types of impact damage.
Plastic picks up scratches fairly easily and is more difficult to repair once
scratched or damaged. |
| Fiberglass boats are more rigid & have finer lines, and thus move
through the water more efficiently. |
Plastic
boats are less rigid & have more rounded lines, and thus move through the
water less efficiently. |
| Fiberglass boats are prettier to look at. |
Plastic
boats are (alas) not as pretty to look at. |
| The hulls of fiberglass boats retain their original shape for the life of the boat. | The hulls of plastic boats tend to become warped or distorted over
time. |
| Fiberglass boats are more difficult to damage though leaving in the
sun, tying down too tightly, or storing improperly. |
Plastic boats are easier to damage through exposure to sunlight, tying down too tightly, or storing improperly. |
| Fiberglass boats last longer. | Plastic boats do not have as long a life span.. |
| Exceptions to each of the above comparisons do of course exist. The
comparisons are intended to clarify the advantages of each material for those
new to the sea kayak market. And while some paddlers are very content with their plastic boats, a lot of people who initially buy plastic later move up to fiberglass. The great advantage of our boats is that the price point for some of these boats is not far above that of plastic. And although plastic sea kayaks have improved considerably in the last ten years, they still cannot match fiberglass kayaks in terms of speed, responsiveness, and beauty. Let's face it, a big part of sea kayaking is the aesthetic experience of being out there, slipping almost effortlessly though the water. Plastic boats can be dependable and sturdy but they they can't compete with fiberglass sea kayaks in terms of providing those feelings of grace and exhilaration. |
| Why NC Kayaks and QCC?
We have carefully chosen lines of kayaks that each represent an outstanding balance of high quality and low price. With most fiberglass sea kayaks now in the $2,200 - $2,800 range and full size plastic sea kayaks selling for more than $1,200, our glass sea kayaks start at around $1,500. At the same time, our sea kayaks perform with the best. One mark of a high performance sea kayak is its ability to track straight without a rudder or skeg -- the designs of all the kayaks we sell ensure that they go where they are pointed. The problem with some other manufacturer's designs is that they track so well that they are difficult to turn -- and no fun to paddle along a meandering shoreline. The best boats track straight and turn well when put on a slight lean -- all our boats do this, as a test paddle will quickly reveal. The full experience of sea kayaking involves becoming one with your boat enough so that you can control its direction with subtle shifts of the hips and knees, thus making a rudder unnecessary. For those interested in this kind of experience (which takes some -- but not a great deal of -- practice) a rudderless boat is an excellent choice. For those who want one for security or convenience, rudders are now available on all our boats as an option. |
| Why Water Walker? Water Walker Sea Kayaks began as a backyard business devoted to helping people get out on the water in fun, safe, and affordable high performance boats. We now also offer custom guided tours of the waters of midcoast Maine, again with a mission of providing a highly personalized quality experience to our customers. |
| Direct Sales: Markup is what happens when a product is passed from hand to hand to hand to hand before it is sold. And while markup is not necessarily a bad thing (people have to make a living), it does lead to higher prices. In contrast to most kayaks on the market, our kayaks pass through very few hands on their way between the manufacturer and you. For example, QCC and NC kayaks are sold only factory direct (no distributor or retail markups). While this can make it challenging for many paddlers to see a boat before they buy one, it also means that when you buy one of these boats that compared to other makes of kayaks, there is very low markup on these boats. Shipping Kayaks: Through
arrangements with shipping specialists such as Fastenal, we can ship composite
and polyethylene kayaks nationwide for considerably less than you could as a
private individual. Shipping Paddles & Paddling Gear: In-stock items are
shipped within 36 hours of your order -- and often faster, especially if you
ask. Depending on the item, we ship via UPS ground and Priority Mail. We can
often ship Next Day Air or other express shipping if you ask. Extra charges
apply. Our cost for shipping a 2-piece paddle ranges from $12.00 to $18.00. Our
cost for shipping a 1-piece paddle ranges from $22 - $40.00. After You Buy, then What? We'll still be here to help you make the most of your kayaking experiences in any way that we can. Need advice? Equipment? Repairs? Have a problem? Please contact us. Please read our list of safety tips (provided by TAPS) and follow them -- sea kayaking is a relatively safe sport, but only if you are well-informed, well-trained, and well-equipped. Check out our tips for customizing and maintaining your fiberglass kayak. Get ideas for paddle trips or contribute one of your own at WaterWays Paddle Trip Exchange. Please send us your comments on our boats! We value your feedback and will use it to better serve future customers. |
FAQ's
Not necessarily! Rocks along the shoreline are easy to avoid because of the easily recognizable changes in wave patterns they create..
At a water depth of 6 - 12 inches, simply place your paddle in the groove behind the cockpit and lean onto the paddle blade closest to shore. This provides stability while you deftly hop out of your boat. From here your fiberglass kayak is a lightweight carry.
Yes.
|
| QCC Janautica |
Top WW Sea Kayaks (Home) Site Map |
. . .Like walking on water. |
| Water Walker Sea Kayaks | Belfast, Maine | 207-338-6424 | info@touringkayaks.com |