In the 70s I did slalom kayaking. We made our own kayaks for $40-50 from materials purchased through the local canoe club using moulds hired from the club as well. These boats were 4 metres (13 ft) in length and weighed 13 - 18 kg (30 - 40 lb), made from fibreglass using chopped strand matt & polyester resin. You could make a lighter & stronger boat using woven rovings as woven mat absorbs less resin than chopped strand. Alternatively, high end comp boats of that time were carbon kevlar at half these weights or less. By the late 70s, I though people were rediculously crazy for buying super heavy PE boats at 6 times the cost & more than double the weight. I still have my KW7 & Lettermann Olymp from those days, though much repaired. I have since purchased a 17 ft Geoff Barker designed Sea Wasp & it's not much heavier than my original slalom kayaks. All of these kayaks are very easy for me to lift and carry on my shoulder. Not so easy getting them on an SUV though as I am not tall, but they are very easy to lift onto a small sedan.
My go to position is the shoulder lift, don't have to rely on others. Trolley is good for across the car park but not much use if you're climbing over rocks and seaweed etc. good video as always.
Thank you for your positive comment. The shoulder lift is great once you get used to it and can do the initial lift. As mentioned in a previous comment, standing the kayak on end might make it easier to get it on your shoulder.
In the 70s I did slalom kayaking. We made our own kayaks for $40-50 from materials purchased through the local canoe club using moulds hired from the club as well. These boats were 4 metres (13 ft) in length and weighed 13 - 18 kg (30 - 40 lb), made from fibreglass using chopped strand matt & polyester resin. You could make a lighter & stronger boat using woven rovings as woven mat absorbs less resin than chopped strand. Alternatively, high end comp boats of that time were carbon kevlar at half these weights or less. By the late 70s, I though people were rediculously crazy for buying super heavy PE boats at 6 times the cost & more than double the weight. I still have my KW7 & Lettermann Olymp from those days, though much repaired. I have since purchased a 17 ft Geoff Barker designed Sea Wasp & it's not much heavier than my original slalom kayaks. All of these kayaks are very easy for me to lift and carry on my shoulder. Not so easy getting them on an SUV though as I am not tall, but they are very easy to lift onto a small sedan.
Thank you so much for sharing this history with us. Great to hear your views on kayak weights and I agree, kayaks now are really heavy!
Good video I really do like all the useful information 👍
Glad you enjoyed it. Always appreciate your comments and support.
My go to position is the shoulder lift, don't have to rely on others. Trolley is good for across the car park but not much use if you're climbing over rocks and seaweed etc. good video as always.
Thank you for your positive comment. The shoulder lift is great once you get used to it and can do the initial lift. As mentioned in a previous comment, standing the kayak on end might make it easier to get it on your shoulder.
Some great advice 👍
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I prefer, Hey buddy, my back is killing me today, can you get this down tot he river for me?
A brilliant solution! Thanks for your comment.
It's easier to get it on your shoulder by picking it up at one end, moving it to almost vertical before putting your shoulder into the cockpit.
Thanks for the comment and advice.
@@EdDaveKayaking I liked the tip about the seat belt protector.
@@nigelwyn Thank you