Eddyline Raven

Got my hands on the new Eddyline Raven last week. When you drive around the country with a quiver of kayaks you tend to use the right boat for each conditions. The Samba for a quick tour, the 

Fathoms for distance and gear hauling, the Caribbean for sport/fish/swim and the Skylark/Sky 10 for a quick recreational dip. However, in my travels and sales, the reality is that most people are looking for just one boat to do open coast, touring, day-play, social, workout, suntan, etc. The Raven is it. It is the Queen on the chess board. Loose and dry on a wave and yet easy to control direction in a wind.

There are a multitude of brit styled boats on the market and as many opinions on what is best to match. The Raven doesn't just join the pack, it stands alone as the first US made, fully featured, heavy duty thermo-formed rough water design on the market. Slick on the water like a composite boat with the bounce-ability of a plastic kayak. Homerun. And believe me, I was a skeptic when this project began.

Did I need to fill the trailer with another long boat? Shorter boats are selling these days and the rough water paddlers are gravitating to transitional WW and surf play boats. If I was going to add a boat to the trailer I wanted it to appeal to everyone and sell in every shop. Another long boat?! And then I paddled it. The boyish fun of playfulness took over. Been a long time since that has happened for me and I paddle 'em all. I've also met so many paddlers that started with and love Eddyline but needed a boat to match their skills and open-water aspirations. Raven--Check. They would tell me they needed a lower back deck that for the arsenal of rolls they had learned. Raven-Check. Surf? Raven-Check. Light and strong? Raven-Check (they use a thicker lay-up for this model but still easy to shoulder).

This front deck hatch is so useful and totally out of the way.

Eddyline offers two seat shapes (low profile and performance) on the Raven. Both can be adjusted for trim and fit. Easily removable for maintenance or custom seat installation for those that have their own favorite post market seat.

Features
Eddyline Fall 2012 Eddyline Raven
16'6", 22" beam
Cockpit depth forward: 12.5"
Cockpit depth aft: 8.5"

4 Hatches: 2 10" bow/stern hatch, 8" day hatch, 5" forward day hatch w/ waterproof compartment.
Skeg controls on left side which make for easy control by RH paddler.
Sea Dog footbraces
2 seat options w/ low profile backband: Low profile and performance seat (more canting under thighs)

F.I.T (For? Intended Purpose? Type of water)

For: An all conditions sea kayaker, someone who needs a boat that will surf and invite them to improve rough water skills, rolls and edging. We tested with paddlers in the 6'2" range with size 14 shoes that had a nice fit. I'm 6', 175lbs and it fit great with both seat options. I would actually elevate myself slightly in the low-profile seat using a seat pad or foam.

Intended Purpose: With all the performance packed into this boat you really can tackle any conditions from lake to coast. It excels where other models might not: open water paddling, skills training, surf, current. Smaller hatches will have to be packed with small packets of gear (trend these days). The forward day hatch makes this boat convenient for those who need a camera/gps/phone in quick reach.

Type of Water: Anywhere this boat can go. Open water, Sea Kayaking, River/Tide current play. Especially excels in rough water, surf and high winds.

Thoughts from the 2012 Bay Area Paddlefest

Just returned from the 2012 Bay Area Paddlefest.

I am now convinced that events like this are the least effective way to excite people about our sport we love. I watched enthusiastic newcomers leave tired, hungry and confused. It made me sad. Thirty to forty reps all incredibly skillful at showing their products while delicately pointing out a few "items of curiosity" about their competition might not be the best recipe for a newcomer. We mean well. I think all of us reps would like to spend more time training retail staff about products so they can be the best help to the new paddler. The retailer is in the best position to help a new paddler because they know the local waters and can show the products best suited for different locales. I was confused that many of the store employees did not even try the new products that so many companies brought to the beach. There certainly was enough time!

If you are new and interested in getting involved in the wonders of the world of paddlesports I might humbly make some suggestions (ok maybe not as soft and tactful as I would like but this is a blog!)

1. Take a tour, social paddle, sunset paddle or paddling campout with friends or your favorite shop. Do this before a class so that you can just focus on the fun. Get hooked!

2. Think about what you want to do with this sport. Is there a picture in your head of yourself a year from now with your new kayak/canoe/sup? Tell friends, trusted shop employees and family about this "vision".  Maybe they have some insight. A good model that helps me ask customers what is important to them is:

F.I.T   For you (size, skills, aggressiveness, carrying convenience, pocket book)
           Intended Purpose (what are you doing with this boat--camping, fitness, day, tour, fish, etc)
           Type of Water (make sure your craft is safe and equipped for your preferred waterways)

3. Take a class or work on skills you have picked up from your trusted paddlers. Make sure you keep #2 in mind but be open to gaining new aspirations.

4. Rent some boats. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. read. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Be sure to mix 9 parts paddling to 1 part reading/computer "research". I know of a fellow rep who experimented one year by changing the entire internet content of one of his "items". He used friends from all over the country to post reviews and purchased professionals to also swing opinions and add content. Believe me, it happens all the time. Even in the magazines. Especially on the online forums. You can't believe everything you read and those who write it don't know who you are or what is important to you.

5. Buy a boat based upon your assessment with your new found skills once you feel you have reached a reasonable point on the accelerated portion of your "learning curve". Be open to selling this new boat in a year or two. You are not getting married to your first craft. You will only lose 20 to 30% of your investment after 2-3 years if you decide to part with your first boat. Better yet, keep your first boat for friends and family and add to your quiver.

Send the companies you patronized pics, opinions and suggestions regarding your new gear. We will listen and make improvements along the way.