| Q. |
Can
water enter the hull even when the hatches are closed? |
| A. |
Yes, a little. It is impossible to avoid some
seepage in a craft with underdeck storage. It should only be a
small amount - perhaps a few cups after a day in the surf and it
is easily drained through the bunghole. Gear stored below deck
should be put in waterproof bags if it needs to be kept dry.
 |
| Q. |
What
clothing should I wear? |
| A. |
Dress
for the environment and for safety. Long sleeves and a hat help
protect against sunburn. In cold weather, wetsuits are a sensible
choice because they keep you warm but don't weigh you down if you
capsize in deep water. Even though it normally takes only seconds
to get back aboard, heavy clothing can hinder or prevent you
pulling yourself up. Always wear a life vest.
|
| Q. |
Can I
haul my Viking kayak up onto beaches and riverbanks? |
| A. |
One
of the benefits of Viking's tough superlinear polyethylene
construction is that unlike fibreglass, it is possible to do this.
However, it may graze the underside of the hull. If this occurs
over a period of time, it could amount to real damage which would
not be covered by the warranty. So it is a matter of common sense
and deciding how long you would like your kayak to last. The
Viking kayaks owned by a New Zealand fishing tour operator, have
for years been frequently hauled up and over rocks. so far they
have withstood this punishing treatment - with many scratches and
dents. But the owner prefers to offer his clients access to the
best fishing areas, even if it means he will need to replace his
kayaks earlier than normal.
|
| Q. |
How
do Viking kayaks handle in white- water? |
| A. |
Viking
kayaks are designed to perform in lower-grade white-water. By
using a knee strap kayakers have extended their use to more turbulent conditions.
Some white water tour operators report that in the event of a
capsize, people find it easier to climb back into Viking kayaks
and they don't have the problem of trying to bail out or retrieve
heavy, water filled kayaks from a fast flowing river. However, for
extreme white water, including going over falls, a purpose built
sit-inside kayak and a high level of skill are appropriate.
|
| Q. |
What
makes a Viking kayak different from a traditional sit-inside
kayak? |
| A. |
The
open top is the major difference. To most people a kayak is a
craft with a closed top that has an opening in which paddlers sit
with their legs covered. If that type of craft capsizes,
inexperienced people can have difficulty getting out while under
water - this can be pretty scary. Also, in those circumstances,
that type of kayak will often fill with water - which will need to
be bailed out before re-entry. Viking kayaks' open cockpit places
no restraints on any part of your body, so capsizing just tends to
make people wet, before they quickly flip the kayak over and
clamber back in.
|
| Q. |
Do Viking kayaks
capsize easily? |
| A. |
No,
they are a lot more stable than many kayaks. There is not the
sensation of tippiness that some kayaks give, they are easy to get
into and they can handle quite rough water. The longitudinal flat
sections (shoulders) adjoining the hull act rather like pontoons,
providing stability.
|
| Q. |
Can
heavy loads affect buoyancy |
| A. |
Viking's
full shaped hull gives generous load capacities (see
specifications for each model) without interfering with buoyancy
or steering performance.
|
| Q. |
What
are Viking kayaks like in the surf? |
| A. |
Exhilarating!
No real skill required.
|
| Q |
Can
Viking kayaks handle rough seas? |
| A. |
Yes,
they're designed to perform in semi-rough conditions. Key factors
being their stability and buoyancy - they sit very lightly on top
of the water.
|
