John Lockwood took the hull of our Osprey Double and fashioned a new, 3 cockpit deck. We call her the OSPREY TRIPLE. She's quick and easy to handle at a mere 62 pounds! Plastic and fiberglass doubles weigh 95-110 pounds. Each cockpit measures 33" x 17", for comfortable paddling and easy entries and exits. You may have seen our 2-part construction article featured in WoodenBoat Magazine, issues No. 131 and 132 (summer and fall of 1996). Click here to see our magazine articles.
Excellent for One, Two or Three Paddlers:
The chief advantage of the Osprey Triple lies in her versatility. Two people can paddle her, or if one paddler wants to go out by themselves--to fish, watch wildlife, or just have some solo time--simply paddle the boat as a single from the middle. This enables you to center your weight in the boat for a balanced paddle, with the hull in good trim. Her 20' length, and 30" inch beam give the Triple excellent stability for carrying a load of even three adults, paddling in synch. To fit 3 cockpits on a kayak requires the holes be set quite close together. The Osprey Triple can be paddled by three people with full-sized kayak paddles. This option requires the people to paddle in synch to avoid clacking blades. When two people paddle from the fore and aft positions, their blades do not touch or clack, even when out of synch.
Great for Families:
A child, or even two small children can sit in the center cockpit while two adults paddle the boat from the fore and aft positions. One day, they'll want to bump an adult out of the fore or aft paddle position and use their young muscles paddling full time. We do not guarantee an eventual free ride for the parents--but it's a possibility!
Kayaking with a Dog:
Some people have pets they like to take on the water, but can't quite all fit in the usual double or single. A large dog can be a comfortable paddling companion when he/she has room to stretch out in the spacious middle cockpit (see video above).
A Touch of History:
Historically, the Arctic peoples used single kayaks for hunting sea mammals. Women (usually) paddled large, beamy, open boats called "umiaks" to transport families and goods, and to go fishing. The triple kayak arrived on the scene relatively late in Arctic history. Russia claimed Alaska as their territory in the 1700's and established fur trading sites along the coastal areas where sea otter flourished. The Russians essentially enslaved the Aleuts in their fur gathering system. They had Aleuts construct 3 cockpit kayaks for the express purpose of transporting a non-paddling Russian between the two expert Native paddlers. These beamy hulls also had a fair amount of room for carrying furs. Now days, triples carry camping gear and fulfill multiple paddling needs.
