The model meets paracanoe standards in the "K1" boat class. The paracanoe version also includes a specially designed "Para seat" and a manual rudder cord locker located in the cockpit of the boat.
The balanced hull gives predictable handling qualities and high initial stability at all speeds, conditions and over a large load range, making the boat a great option for all beginners to gain confidence. On the other hand the flattened midship and stern sections keep a low volume and a hull area similar to a slimmer fitness model. This makes the Spirit 51 not just stable but quite efficient and never too bulky.
Paracanoe Seat
The paracanoe version is delivered with two seats. Besides the para seat, that provides adequate support, the touring seat also comes with the kayak, so that it can be used for the widest possible purpose.
Of course, para seat and touring seat are convertible.
Rudder & rudder (cord) locker
The kayak is equipped with a responsive plastic understern rudder as standard. It provivides excellent tracking and easy steering but is exposed to imact damages of both the rudder blade and the boat hull.
However choosing the durable stainless "marathon" rudder will slightly decrease the response of steering, it minimise weed pick-up that is often a must for summer paddling in still water. Hence this is our most popular non-standard fitting option for a fitness kayak.
Footrest
Fitness kayaks have tiller bar (T-bar) steering as standard and they are equipped with simple yet reliable footrests with easy-to-adjust spring sliding system. The fixing frame & fittings of the footrest are positioned behind the footplate, so the full width of the boat is available for your feet. This provides comfort & full use of the tiller bar for effective steering. It is also perfect for club use to regularly adjust the footrest distance.
Reaching under the footrest you can find two thumb nuts at the bottom of the fixing frame - they are to secure the footrest position. Don't forget to realease them before adjusting the footrest distance by the spring slider.
In non-STANDARD constructions, the footplate is covered with EVA traction pad for non-slip and increased comfort & equipped with adjustable foot strap to add more power to paddle strokes through leg drive.
Full & adjustable angle footrest is also available for maximum leg drive & customisation.
However our spring sliding footrest system provides high adjustability, let us know if the boat is for a much shorter or taller paddler (approx. under 170 cm or over 185 cm). Then the complete footrest system will be moved more forward or backward during the construction of the kayak.
Bulkheads & compartment
Rear and front bulkheads are installed as standard in all fitness kayaks.
A bulkhead (partition) is an upright wall within boat separating watertight compartments so that the capsized boat does not sink. The divided area (compartment) behind the rear bulkhead may be also for cargo storage.
A small (d: 10 cm) hatch is placed in the rear bulkhead, mainly to let the rear compartment to dry when not in use and to ventilate the stored boat.
Athlete weight: 60-120kg
Boat details:
Length: 520 cm
Width: 55 cm
Stability level: 8/10
Boat weight: 16.5-13 kg
(Specified weights are valid for standard fittings. They are approximate and may vary by ± 5% due to manual production.)
Cockpit size: 102x42 cm
CONSTRUCTIONS
Our composite boats are made in multiple constructions (layups). We designed them to meet the needs of as many recreational users as possible - from clubs & hobbyists to top-ranking athletes.
Different materials and technologies are used in each construction. They determine the weight, stiffness and interior appearance of the boat. In practice, an upper construction results a stiffer, more lightweight & spectacular boat, but it requires more caution during use
STANDARD: Economy fiberglass layup for hobby & recreational use. Long life, easy to maintain and repair.
- Single Skin: woven fibreglass and choopend strand mat
- Polyester resin
- Hand lay-up
- Weight: 5
- Stiffness: 5
SUPER: Stiff and light layup with sandwich core & hibrid reinforcement. Good trade-off between weight, stiffness & impact resistance.
Recommended for fitness, fast touring, long distance river paddling & for experienced paddlers in extreme conditions.
- Sandwich core material
- Carbon-kevlar reinforcement (clear surface available)
- Vinyl ester resin
- Vacuum bagging
- Weight: 7
- Stiffness: 7
EXTRA: Economy carbon constrution for Sprint training
- Sandwich core material
- Carbon reinforcement (clear surface available)
- Vinyl ester resin
- Vacuum bagging
- Stiffness: 8
DESIGN & COLOUR CUSTOMISATION
All boats are made to order. You can choose your preferred colour(s) of the hull, the deck areas, the trim (seam between deck & hull), the cockpit rim (coaming) and the seat.
These deck designs are available in all constructions HERE
