gear
The How of Why
03.01.2012
After being asked by Nikon to make the movie “Why” using their new D4 DSLR camera (which is now at the top of the C&K wish-list, along with the remote control helicopter they used to film Dane Jackson hucking waterfalls in Veracruz, Mexico), adventure filmmaker Corey Rich also decided to capture what went on behind the scenes of the project.
C&K’s 2011 Holiday Gift Guide
12.03.2011
Presenting a paddling gift under the tree is never easy. There’s no good box or bag to conceal a boat or a paddle—and picking the right size, fit, and outfitting is often is best left to the discerning user anyway. Let’s make this easy. Here’s our picks for the easily stuff-able, box-able and shippable paddling items that work for any single- or double-bladed paddler on your list.
Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.25.2011
BIG WATER. Anglers read these two words differently than other kayakers. For the fish-obsessed, the term elicits visions of powerful dynamos with turbocharged tails, ocean denizens such as yellowtail, striped bass, tuna and even marlin.
Cobra Kayaks Marauder – Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.24.2011
Get this straight right from the start: This is a new Marauder, a meaner machine than the predecessor that shared its name.
Native Watercraft Manta Ray Angler 14 – Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.24.2011
Is it wrong to love a boat for the seat? If it is, we’re in trouble.
Fluid Kayaks Bamba – Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.24.2011
South Africa’s Fluid Kayaks has launched the Bamba, its first purpose-built fishing kayak.
Ocean Kayak Trident Ultra 4.7 – Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.24.2011
Built and bred for the ocean, Ocean Kayak’s own supremely well-equipped New Zealand import stands out.
Hobie Mirage Revolution – Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.24.2011
This pedal-powered dynamo hit the ocean-going sweet spot from Day One.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 – Big-water Fishing Kayaks
10.24.2011
The Tarpon name is a proud one reaching back to the early days of the modern kayak fishing movement.
Packing Light
10.14.2011
Canoes have a problem: They’re not always floating. Sometimes you have to carry them. And that can be an issue, especially in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, the birthplace of John Rushton’s legendary pack canoe. The map tells the tale: a scattergun-like array of remote lakes and rivers stretching from New York to the tip of Maine. Every one is a unique and beautiful place to paddle. All you have to do is get there. And therein lies the rub.
Wenonah Canak – Packing Light
10.04.2011
As the name would suggest, Wenonah’s new Canak isn’t really a canoe or a kayak; it’s a blend of both.
Old Town Pack Canoe – Packing Light
10.04.2011
An extremely practical little boat, the Old Town Pack is built for abuse, if not speed.
Hornbeck Blackjack – Packing Light
10.04.2011
Constructed entirely of carbon fiber, including the thwarts and backrest, and made in Peter Hornbeck’s pine shed just a short drive from our put-in at Follensby Pond, the Blackjack is simply the lightest pack canoe you’ll find anywhere.
Swift Pack 13.6 Carbon Fusion – Packing Light
10.04.2011
If you want an open-deck canoe that feels like a kayak, consider the Swift Pack 13.6, a pint-sized lightweight carbon/Kevlar trimmed solo canoe that paddles exactly like Swift’s popular Adirondack Kayak.
Placid Boatworks Spitfire – Packing Light
10.04.2011
Touted by this Adirondack boat-crafter as “the most sophisticated pack canoe ever designed,” the handmade SpitFire is a modern remake of the classic Adirondack pack canoe—only longer, faster, and more stable than Rushton’s original.
Tunnel Vision
09.02.2011
Something bad happened to North American tent design shortly after the first freestanding dome tents became popular in the 1980s. With the exception of those who clung to tired yet trusty A-frames, the camping masses shunned non-freestanding tents as being old and dated.
Creek Streak
08.19.2011
Squatting in the rain on the banks of Washington’s East Fork of the Lewis, MacGyvering a drain-plug from a rotten stick and duct tape, it hit me; creekboating is an odd human behavior. The practice pushes the limits of what’s possible in a small, plastic boat, and challenges manufacturers to make reliable kayaks that paddlers can trust.
Buyer's Guide
