Recluse

I have paddled and owned many kayaks,I think the recluse is one of the best for my size, 6' 200lbs. Mine is about 39lbs,It's a 2000 model in pretty good shape I bought it used from the second owner. It still had some rough spots on the inside that needed to be sanded. I normally paddle it for 2 to 3 hours on our local lake and river. When I first got it I removed the fore and aft hatch covers that had the wood cut out on top of them they looked kind of funky and they felt pretty heavy too, so I replaced them with some better looking and lighter flush screw in hatches.
I enjoy making it go straight in all kinds of wind and wave and keeping it on course without skeg or rudder using only paddle strokes and braces.

My Recluse arrived from Betsie Bay last week and the "fit and finish" is outstanding. I have been using a 10 year old Aral in pool sessions where I came to appreciate the boat's aesthetics and handling qualities. The new Recluse incorporates all of the improvements Brian Nystrom mentioned in his 2004 review of the Aral and shows that BBK has taken construction to an even higher level.

Beam: 20.5 Inches --- Volume: Very Low

Excellent tracking, almost totally unaffected by wind. No rudder, no skeg, no need for either. A little slow turning, but responds well to a strong lean & sweep stroke. The low overall profile & low rear of the coaming make for easy layback rolls. This boat is very easy to roll anyway you try it. Surfs well, and handles rough water with ease once you get used to the light initial stability. Boat is fast at cruising speed, excellent glide, and top speed is slightly above average. Tends to run over small to medium waves & punch through the tops of larger ones.

Boat is constructed of okoume plywood sheathed in fiberglass. Layup is very stiff & strong. Decks are flat except around cockpit. Small ocean cockpit with wide coaming ridge, which makes attaching sprayskirt very easy. Hull has a few unfaired spots along the chines and keel, but they do not affect handling or performance. Beckson hatches leak slightly, maybe a quarter cup of water after a long rolling session or rough water paddle. Painted hull requires more upkeep than gelcoat, especially if you paddle near rocks or land on rocky beaches.

Overall, an excellent daytripping kayak for someone looking to paddle a hardshell boat that breaks away from the norm of super high volume commercial kayaks, and also for paddlers looking to learn advanced skills and Greenland rolls