photos of the new marlin kayak

[ZEBRA]

here are some great photos of the new marlin kayak .
its a fibreglas kayak so is very light and fast on the water .
we will be doing a full review very soon .
it does look very good .

[dorado]

Terry has asked me to clarify a few things.

Weight fully rigged (hatch covers, rudder, 3x anchor hauls, crate - which goes on the aft hatch recess and comes with it) 2 rod holders, day hatch.) is 23kgs - the Pelican is 22kgs but the extra rigging adds some weight.
Length 4.75m (15' 7")
Beam 62cm (24")
Max depth at bow 37cm
Depth at cockpit 30cm average
Max carrying capacity 180kgs (397lbs = 400lbs!)

Drag figures at 140kgs displacement (loaded with 140kgs - average guy with a load of camping stuff)
2 knots = 0.95 lbs
3 knots = 1.96lbs
4 knots = 3.80 lbs
4.5 knots =5.34lbs
5 knots = 8.00 lbs
5.5 knots = 10.77lbs
6 knots = 12.82lbs
6.5 knots = 16.39lbs

Notice how the drag goes up faster as you go faster - this is because the kayak is catching up to its own bow wave and you are in effect paddling uphill, over that wave. A drag factor of only 8lbs at 5 knots is exceptional though - a touring kayak will be faster because of the extra waterline length. A good touring kayak should be able to do 6 knots at under 12lbs of drag.

All the figures are published on the website - under PELICAN at the moment until I can get a dedicated page done for the Marlin. The hull and deck is the same. Just some cosmetic mods to make it more angler friendly - rod holders, crate, anchor lines and day hatch.

[ZEBRA]

thank you simon good info thats just what i wanted to know . how much simon

[dorado]

This year the Marlin is £1250.00. I have 5 left:
2x all orange top deck over white hull with black fittings and seam line.
2x Orange trim over white hull and deck, orange seam line, hatches.
1x all red deck with white hull and black trim, seam line. Red hatches.

Next year prices will have to go up a bit to reflect the increase in costs of labour and materials and shipping. £1295.00 I will endeavour to keep the Dorado at the same price, any orders taken with deposit for build for the next shipment will be at the existing price of £1495.00. I have none left because we have sold the lot now, so anyone wanting one will have to order it - but that does mean you can specify your own colour scheme instead of having what I have got!!
Talking of which - what colours do people like the best? Just out of interest.

[dorado]

Someone must have a colour scheme they prefer.....or are you all shy?

[ZEBRA]

all orange top deck over white hull with black fittings and seam line.

[johnh]

White top over a green hull, with a red seam line and a big red dragon on the side of the hull ;D

[jonnychaos]

Ok I am not in anyway trying to be controversial or argumentative but what makes the Marlin 2x better than any other fishing kayak because there must be some HUGE advatage to want to spend double the amount of an OK Prowler/BG or trident even. Appolgies if this a silly question.

John

[dorado]

Sit n it and try it - if you want to be able to against the wind without even trying, or carry a load of camping gear.....

but in reality it is the same question as: why is a BMW twice the price of a Mondeo........the high build quality, materials, style, design and performance - it all adds value.

Recycled polythene (most rotomoulded things) poured into a mould with a build time of a couple of hours start to finish, including rigging as a mass produced product with thousands of units being built is going to be cheaper than a hand built, advanced composite, advanced design - exactly like the cars.

So, in a nutshell: lighter, stiffer, faster, more stable, can carry a bigger sea (like the total newbie who was in the first pictures - out in 10 footers on his first day ever in a kayak.......), bigger payload despite being slimmer beam, less affected by wind, rudder as standard (proper rudder and fit, not screwed on with self tappers), better downwind manners - no wanting to go to windward.

Other than that, they are the same!

[dorado]

Dragon motif - no problem we did a Duo for a customer with a custom painted dragon wrapped AROUND the hull - I will send Terry a pic so he can post it up - colour scheme was what customer asked for.

I am still working on the graphics for a custom Skua for myself - with celtic designs on it.

[jonnychaos]

dorado said:

Sit n it and try it - if you want to be able to against the wind without even trying, or carry a load of camping gear.....

but in reality it is the same question as: why is a BMW twice the price of a Mondeo........the high build quality, materials, style, design and performance - it all adds value.

Recycled polythene (most rotomoulded things) poured into a mould with a build time of a couple of hours start to finish, including rigging as a mass produced product with thousands of units being built is going to be cheaper than a hand built, advanced composite, advanced design - exactly like the cars.

So, in a nutshell: lighter, stiffer, faster, more stable, can carry a bigger sea (like the total newbie who was in the first pictures - out in 10 footers on his first day ever in a kayak.......), bigger payload despite being slimmer beam, less affected by wind, rudder as standard (proper rudder and fit, not screwed on with self tappers), better downwind manners - no wanting to go to windward.

Other than that, they are the same!

That told me ;D. Thanks dorado, to be honest I had a theory that was it but I just wasnt quite sure. If its as fast a the Prowler 15 and more stable than a big game then it would be worth the money. On colorscheme then can I have Blue top White bottom with "NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM" on the side please.

John

[kickingk]

Horses for courses, the Marlin is definitely a nice Yak but every boat has to compromise something, no doubt it paddles and handles brilliantly but like a BMW the gel coat must be high maintenance and it can't be easy to drill & rig out. After spending that sort of money the thought of dragging it down a beach or over the rocks at llandulas would fill me with dread. For everyday abuse I'd take a plastic yak anytime, like my trusty Mondeo that puts the miles in and starts everytime.
Just remembered, new car arrives tomorrow (hopefully) so bye bye Mondeo!
If I had the money I'd get a BMW and the Marlin - where did I put that lottery ticket??