Simply portability and transportability.

Each of the larger sections is as short as we can get it, meaning more options for transport and storage.

The 5 sections fit into 3 bags for transport, as the bow and tail fit inside the cockpit, and then the 3 bags fit inside:

• The oversize luggage dimensions of most airlines
• The rear of a medium sized car
• The lift in a block of flats
• The garage of a motor home or campervan
• Down below in most yachts
• Any hotel room!!

KARRYAK^® weighs 21.0kg for the non-control blade, traditional tail, version and 22.5kg for the control tail version with rudder and skeg control blade.

These weights include all deck tapes, elastics, hatch lids, decals, and an average amount of seat customisation.

Individually, no section weighs more than 11kg (cockpit), and the lightest sections are approximately 1kg each (bow and traditional tail).

Currently there is one standard layup, which is simultaneously both the strongest and the lightest that we make.

KARRYAK^® is made mostly from carbon-fibre impregnated with epoxy resin, with some aramid layers in the hull, and each modular section is cured as a one-piece monocoque in an autoclave.

This method uses the strength and properties of carbon-fibre and aramid to the maximum.

Although we don’t think 21.0 to 22.5kg is heavy(!), there is a fine balance between making a light sea kayak and making one that is durable for all expected scenarios.

KARRYAK^® Pioneering Sea Kayak has been designed to be used in all normal sea kayaking conditions and environments.

Whilst looking after a sea kayak is always preferable, we acknowledge the reality that paddlers do clip a rock now and then, or land on a dumping stony beach sometimes.

Making KARRYAK^® robust is as important as making it light.

Any modular sea kayak will be heavier than a non-modular version of the same design, and adding a rudder always adds more weight too, so when taking these into account, we really think that KARRYAK^® Pioneering Sea Kayak weight is about right . . .

KARRYAK^® has one model, with 2 different versions; one with a rudder and skeg control blade (control tail) and one without (traditional tail).

The laminates, construction and the outfitting on the deck are all identical on both versions.

The bow, front, cockpit and rear sections are identical.

The difference is only in the footrest and the tail section.

 

The traditional tail version has the same plate footrest, but without any of the moving parts associated with a rudder or skeg function, does not have the cords connecting footrest to control blade, and has a fully enclosed tail section.

Suitable for lakes, canals, rivers, surf, rock-hopping (rock-gardening), guides looking for maximum storage, or for someone who just thinks that rudders and skegs are unnecessary, or a cheat or a faff!

It weighs 21kg and has an assembly time of less than 5 minutes.

 

The control tail version is the full specification version with footrest mechanism for both deployment and retraction of the control blade giving adjustment for the skeg function and left/right steering for the rudder function.

The control blade assembly is housed in the control tail section. It deploys, by foot, swinging out of and retracting into a sheath-type recess in the tail section. Once retracted it is fully protected from rocks, sand, beach etc and well out of the way for emptying, rescues, and towing.

The control tail version is ideal for anyone doing anything, and weighs 22.5kg, with an assembly time of up to 15 minutes.

Yes, we make a traditional tail section that has no provision for a rudder and skeg mechanism, and is ideal for surf, rock-hopping, rivers, canals and lakes etc.

Yes, to upgrade you will need to buy a separate control tail section, which comes complete with all the cords, sleeves, control blade mechanism and footrest parts.

The control blade fulfils the function of both rudder and skeg, so if you only want a rudder, just deploy it as a rudder and use that way. If you prefer just a skeg, then deploy as a skeg only.

We think that once you have experienced KARRYAK^® with a control blade that can be tucked safely away when launching and landing, deployed as a skeg for any point-to-point paddling or crossings, then used as a powerful rudder to catch waves on a downwind run, you will see why we have developed our foot-operated control blade…!

Not quite, as we use an aramid in hull sections both to give the carbon-fibre some flexibility and to reduce the potential for penetration through the laminate. Aramids are used in bullet-proof vests for the same reason, although we are using it for protection from sharp rocks and spikes!

We also use 3D printed parts, e.g., the joint pins, moving rudder and footrest parts, and this tough plastic is further strengthened with continuous filament carbon-fibre where appropriate.

All plastic parts are light and float!

Yes, once assembled, you can transport KARRYAK^® just like any other composite one-piece sea kayak, on the car roof-rack or kayak trailer etc.

There is no need to break KARRYAK^® down into all 5 separate sections for travel each time.

KARRYAK^® can be transported in 1 to 5 parts, so we are sure everyone will find their favourite transport and handling combination.

KARRYAK^® has been specifically designed to be flown on most airlines as standard oversize luggage.

The majority of size restrictions for oversize luggage, on most airlines, are from 180cm long and above and for the combined Length + Width + Height of 275cm and above.

The largest KARRYAK^® modular section is the cockpit, measuring 170cm long, 54.7cm wide and 35cm high, giving a combined sum of 260cm, and fitting well inside both airline requirements.

There is no reason to mark KARRYAK^® as fragile, basically because it is not.

Although KARRYAK^® bags have shown signs of wear (doing their job) no kayak damage has been found during flight tests to date.

In bench tests, we have reproduced what we think is ‘reasonable bad handling’ and all sections have survived undamaged.

Flight tests have been made with each section containing paddling, camping, and personal equipment, with each bag weighing from 15kg to 20kg i.e., they have definitely not travelled empty!

KARRYAK^® has been designed to appeal to those that want a sea kayak that turns easily, yet happily keeps up at the front of the group; it’s not racy, but quick enough; it’s not an all-out play boat, but turns and surfs very well, and has really good primary and secondary stability, ideal for active and dynamic paddling as well as being a great platform for photography; it is a competent all-rounder.

The hull is forgiving and not at all grabby; in and out the surf or rocks it is a dream to throw around, with the skeg down it tracks very well in a wide range of winds and seas, whilst with the rudder deployed, it comes alive downwind and down-wave.

KARRYAK^® Pioneering Sea Kayak is the first modular, pre-preg, carbon fibre, sea kayak, designed and built as a set of monocoque sections for strength and ease of handling, and is a step change in design, functionality, and user experience with an array of innovative features.