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Inflatable canoes
Posted by Alaska Series Inflatable Boats on Jan 26 2005
Maybe I can add a little insight to the delay.
There was quite a group of us at the Canoe test it was late in October. The day was Sunny and in the high 20s.
The river was in the shadows most of the day with ice forming on the boats during the test. It was truly a paddling day for the hearty. And a lot of credit goes out to those involved.
We started at daybreak but that time of year the days are short. By the time we got off the river it was getting dark and the paddlers were exhausted. There were plans to go to fire lake for the load testing with in that week but things froze up before that could transpire.
The inflatable canoes involved in the test were.
Aire Traveler. Soar Pioneer Pro, Alaska Series 17’ Tripper canoe, Alaska Series 14’3” Explorer canoe, Incept 15’ canoe and Grabner 15’ canoe
The tests were done in 2 fazes because we had 6 boats and a total of 4 testers and 6 observers/grunts and pea gravel bag haulers.
We used the 60-pound Pea gravel bags for weight and ballast
Each boat was tested in a class I section of Eagle River.
First empty and paddled solo then paddled tandem
Second with 120 pounds (2 sand bags), paddled solo, then tandem.
Third with 600 pounds (10 sand Bags, paddled solo, then tandem
Then in set of 3 the boats were paddled, without ballast, down through the class III section of Eagle River with all paddlers trading canoes as they progressed down the river. This was the safest way to conduct this test is such cold weather. Even in dry suits no one wanted to go swimming!
With the idea of this test being related to Moose and Caribou hunting, having the boats load tested would be a good idea. To load test we do need open water most of the lakes are frozen except the outlet of Kenai Lake.
I read the rest of the Threads on this subject and after talking to the testers about their favorites I don’t think anyone has guessed the testers favorite yet………………….. The suspense continues.
There was a comment about “we're talking about a piece of rubber or plastic here”. I think there is more involved with this Canoe Test then just Rubber and Plastic.. In a lot of cases we’re also talking about peoples lively hoods. Not just for us that sell inflatable boats but also the guides and outfitters. I’m sure they are concerned with their return on investment as well as the safety of their clients. How well a product holds up in the long run directly affects users, retailers and inflatable boat companies alike.
Taking the time to do a complete test in the name if fairness is not a bad thing.
Mike can you keep me up to date on the planning of the next faze of the test?
Jim King
Alaska Series Inflatable Boats,
Commercial quality at Wholesale prices
River Rafts, Catarafts, Inflatable Kayaks, Inflatable Canoes, Inflatable Sport Boats, Inflatable Jet Boats, Tenders and Dinghies.
WWW.alaskaseries.com
(907) 248-2900
Next: Thanks, Alex! Michael Strahan Jan 29 2005
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