From: robertm@cres1.anu.edu.au (Robert McArthur)
Newsgroups: rec.boats.paddle
Subject: Re: Info: New seakayak "Pitterak"
Date: 13 Dec 1992 07:36:48 GMT
Organization: Centre for Resource and Environment Studies, Australian National University
NNTP-Posting-Host: 150.203.59.4

In article <1992Dec07.123100.11500@rchland.ibm.com> mitchell@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Andy Mitchell) writes:
>In article <9R2TBMQC@cc.swarthmore.edu>, klawton1@cc.swarthmore.edu (KathleenLawton) writes:
>|> 
>|> okay. Can anyone tell me where I can get the basic info on this boat?
>|> You're all speaking from a greater level of knowledge about it than I have;
>|> I'm really interested in finding out about it. 
>|> 
>|> Kathleen
>|> Lawton
>

I've paddled a Pittarak (sic) a couple of times and have paddled in groups
including them a number of times also.  They are not a boat for beginners IMHO
as they are skitty, tippy and fast.

Details: the P has high upswept bow and stern, and a strong V along the entire
boat, especially at the ends.  They come with two hatches and bulkheads, and
a hand-pump.  A skeg can be fitted either into the rear bottom (permanent) or
as an attachment to the stern.  Likewise, a rudder can be attached to the stern
and Larry Gray, the designer, has fitted a permanent rudder in-built into the
glass at the stern.  This last dosen't seem to have gone down too well with
people as they are worried that if you go hard into the sand off a wave,
the stern may not take the pounding.

Boat length is about 15-16' - reasonably short.  Good amount of storage - it
qualifies as a medium-long haul expedition type kayak.

As to performance, I found it quite fast and very, very maneauverable.  By
turning on its side, you can turn the boat *fairly easily* in its own length.
But, the tradeoff to get this is that the primary stability is lousy, and the
secondary is excellent.  Aside: primary stability is how stable the boat is
when riding flat on the water: ie. how hard is it to tip over from being flat
and leaning over.  Secondary stability is the ability of the boat to heel to
a certain angle and then not go further without a lot of trouble.  (apologies
for the brief and maybe misleading description for afficionados)

So, the P will be tippy until it reaches an angle of lean where its V is flat
on the water, whereupon it is difficult to turn it over even though you are
not upright.  Most experienced people find that this is easily bourne and
overcome given the joys of maneauverability and acceleration.

I have had problems with a rudderless, skegless P with winds on the rear
quarter.  The boat, because of the upswept bows and stern, tended to yaw a
lot.  Apparently the rudder or skeg cures this as you would expect.

The P has the Hutchinson designed Ice Floe (sp?) as its father (UK design).

With regard to its self-righting capability, it is easier than many boats but
no way, as I would argue for *any* boat, is it totally simple.  The Towards
2000 show which had Larry hand-rolling the P is interesting.  Perhaps all that
need be said is that Larry is probably the most, or second-most, experienced
sea kayaker in Australia (and very high up on the whole world stage).  He
could possibly roll the P with both hands tied to his ankles and a tooth-brush
in his mouth!

The second P double is about to roll of the production line and, I must say
having been in the first, is a beautiful boat.  Perfect for teaching and
really getting places!

There are two types of P, the 'expedition' and the 'nautillus'.  The first I
have described above.  The second, which I haven't been able to get a go in
yet, is slightly different as the strong V has been cut slightly so the
bottom is a bit rounder.  I've heard that this keeps most of the nice bits and
removes some of the points - everything is a trade-off...

Prices are (about) $A 1650 for either.  Double is (very about) $A 2800.

Let me know if you need anything else, including the address of the current
producer, or that of Larry Gray.

Robert

-- 
Robert McArthur			Centre for Resource and Environment Studies
	     				     Australian National University
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