Sea Wolf Description

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Sea Wolf Reviews

Read reviews for the Sea Wolf by Absolute Wooden Kayaks as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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4

Two years have passed since…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/3/2007
Two years have passed since my last note. I added a rudder to the boat, vastly improving tracking, weathercocking and broaching in following seas. I reconstructed the front hatch cover to more accurately match the deck curvature. I cranked down on the hatch straps--only a few ounces of water leaked in after a capsize and rescue. The rear of the cockpit is still too high. Raising the seat two inches might help a bit. If I had the time, I'd move the cockpit back 4 inches and lower the rear of the cockpit. Instead, I think I'll just sell the boat...
4

I would almost change my…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/6/2005
I would almost change my rating on this boat because of all the things that went wrong, but can't as I think Absolute has resolved those since my experience in Fall 2002. 1. I actually broke the contrived footbrace when paddling--resolved. 2. The hatches as I made them leak quite a bit, maybe 2 quarts after about 10 minutes of rolling and bracing--common to many kitmakers' hatches--not resolved. 3. A high cockpit rim and a poorly padded backrest put pressure on my midback--probably resolved. 4. As I mentioned in my review below, small waves washed over the front deck when paddling in small chop, but also, the water hitting the front edge of the front hatch cover drenched me (the kitmaker probably resolved this by moving the cockpit back 3"). My particular boat needs cockpit relocation (sternward) and reconstruction (lower in back), a better back rest, watertight hatches (VCP or Kajaksport--not pretty but effective) and a rework of the front hatch installation to minimize splash.

On the plus side, the boat has so much rocker that the stern hangs out of the water when I set it down empty. Primary stability is very good and few other boats I've paddled can match its secondary stability. Once leaned to max, the bow and stern hang out of the water and you can spin the boat so quickly you almost puke, esp if you use a Greenland paddle in extended position. People constantly admire the thing. Mine looks great with the deck bright finished, the hull bottom dressed with epoxy/graphite and the hull sides painted white.

4

I built a Sea Wolf kit in…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/2/2005
I built a Sea Wolf kit in 2002 before Roy Folland sold his kayak kit making firm.

Positives: 1. Straight forward assembly--no rocket science degree required. 2. Easy solo carries due to its light weight (48 lbs. with fiberglassed deck & hull, hatches, bulkheads, bungees) compared with most Fiberglass boat (those 55 lb. cows!) My Pygmy Coho with hatches and bulkheads runs at about 43 lb. 3. Leaned turns give quick results. 4. Its long waterline, which gives you good speed--I know--I have other boats. 5. The one piece deck looks marvelous.

Negative: 1. It now costs more ($875) than a comparable US boat kit from Pygmy $(735) or Chesapeake Light Craft($779). 2. Short cockpit keeps me (31" inseam) from entering buttocks first, legs last. 3. The high rear of the cockpit almost hurts and does little to facilitate layback Eskimo rolls (layback rolls can be done--you just do them with your derriere off the seat and fall back down when upright again). I may raise the seat height or eventually reconstruct and relocate the cockpit. 4. The website says it weighs 39 lb--mine @48lb doesn't.

Mixed: 1. My boat trim skewed toward bow heavy--small waves washed over the front deck--Roy assured me that they moved the cockpit back 3" to correct this--I won't buy another to test that. 2. You could easily adjust the footbrace with a strap/buckle at your hip, but the strap stretched and creaked when wet--I have replaced it with a Keepers plastic footbrace system, whose footbrace can deform and fall off the rail under pressure--that happened with my other kayak. You also didn't see mounting bolts on the outside of the kayak. Absolute may have a different system in place now. 3. The hatches leaked, but most hatches will leak, except for the watertight Valley Canoe Product hatch covers. 4. I disliked the 4:1 mix ratio of the included epoxy. I prefer the 2:1 ratio of System 3 epoxy which Pygmy ships.

5

It is easy to highly rate…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 10/29/2004
It is easy to highly rate something you are vested in through purchase and build. You are not likely to admit you are wrong! But this boat is an excellent all round example of a Greenland style kayak which my partner really does rate as excellent. The Sea Wolf is good for up to 165lb (Sister Sea Lion 240lb). The 4mm gaboon ply and epoxy construction is thoroughly documented in the Build Manual and help is only a phone call away. The extremely accurately cut panels built up well. On the water the boats paddle well, track beautifully and for long thin boats turn remarkably well. Good stability once leaned over and turning is much easier. Plenty of room for camping gear. We have paddled them on lake and moderate seas and felt very secure. We also built the sister Sea Lion for me and I love my boat too.

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