Squeek, my Current Designs Squamish

 

 

 

Specifications

This article is a review of my Current Designs Squamish. Note that this is not the rotomolded version. According to email from CD, it is a composite aramid/fiberglass. In fact, the light weight is what attracted me to this boat, but it is shorter and fatter than my other kayaks, tempering my enthusiasm. The specifications follow.

• Length = 15' 8"  Width = 23.00”  Depth = 12.50"  Weight = 38.5 pounds
• skeg, no rudder 
• Cockpit opening (coaming) Length = 29.00"  Width = 16.00" 
• Bow and stern hatches, no day hatch 
• Mango deck, white hull
• Fish Form, Soft Chine, Shallow V 
• Paddler Size: Small to Medium

My first outing

I loaded the rear hatch slightly heavier than the front hatch and also carried some stuff in a deck bag and behind the seat. I could easily stash the kayak cart in the rear hatch, despite the skeg box - not true for the sleeker CD Slipstream. The weather was quite calm, with an occasional light breeze. I launched from the Third Street Pier, headed to the Dover City Hall, then returned.

There was no attempt to be speedy, just my usual level of effort. With a 7 nautical mile round trip, the average speed was 2.5 knots.  The kayak seemed slower than both my CD Slipstream and Valley 17.3 Etain, but not remarkably slower. Because of the light breeze, it was difficult to assess weathercocking. However, it did not weathercock whatsoever under those conditions, but that tentative conclusion will need to be reassessed.

Many years ago, I destroyed a disc in my lumbar spine. With routine home-devised 'physical therapy' I get along fine. However, my kayak back band needs to be just right. I must typically reconfigure the back band on a new-to-me kayak to get the required support. This was not the case in this Squamish; it was perfect.

My second outing

This kayak has enough rocker to maneuver decently. In particular, I tested its agility by successive edged turns - starting with a sweep, followed by a bow rudder. I need to edge more strongly and will work on that. Nevertheless, the kayak was responsive.

Earlier I found that it tracked well. On this day the expected winds were unfortunately too light to get a feeling for its weather cocking. So, as before, I want to assess its weather cocking more definitively under various loading conditions. Reviews I read about the rotomolded version indicated that the Squamish weathercocked eagerly. There's no guarantee that the hulls for these two variations are identical. I prefer minimal weathercocking, so I can resist fussing with the skeg. That's just a personal preference developed when I once owned a Mariner Express.

The Squamish is relatively slow. On this outing, I paddled the Sand Creek race course at 3.0 knots, not going all out but trying to move briskly with decent technique. Now 82 years old, I'll not be winning next week's annual race, but maybe won't come in last.

And a third outing, the final test

A little more breeze today and still no noticeable weathercocking. That is my personal preference, but it is no big deal - just a surprise for this Squamish.

Kayak for sale

Between my wife and me, we own 4 kayaks .. two too many, I suppose. Now, in the autumn of my illustrious career, it is time to sell at least one. My wife's Necky Kevlar Looksha IV is not a candidate. Each of the other 3 have their own virtues.

• Valley 17.3 Etain (fiberglass)
• Current Designs Slipstream (fiberglass)
• Current Designs Squamish (carbon fiber)

The Squamish is the slowest of those three, yet it may be the one I keep. Its light weight is the reason. As puny as I am, I can pick it up and place it on my Hullavator or take it off gently. Since I mostly kayak solo, this is a big deal.

Then what?

The Squamish will likely remain in our kayak fleet after the sales frenzy. It will get modified slightly.

• Add a keel strip using the Keel Eazy product from kayakacademy.com
  
• Place a stainless pad eye toward the bow
• Install a paddle holder, styled after those on the Broze Brothers' Mariners, using open deck cleats from topkayaker.com
  
• Incorporate some under deck storage e.g. for the pump or maybe an under deck bag - to compensate for the lack of a day hatch.
  

The other two kayaks are pretty much configured as I want them.