fitness paddling: exercise, train, race by kayak & canoe

It is always interesting to watch developments of a new racing boat. I have received the following correspondence with numerous pictures of Barracuda 5.6, a new multisport kayak, from Matjaz Svetek, Ljubljana, Slovenija.

We are a Slovenian kayak canoe maker with long and successful history, mostly in white water slalom and downriver racing boats, with dozens of medals won on our boats in world cup and championship races.

Barracuda 5.7 is a new breed of highly developed computer designed kayaks. The hull itself went trough 9 evolutions on a computer before we reached our current design.

The boat is optimized for marathon speeds so the hydrodynamics are tuned towards an easly driven hull (at 5-6 knots of speed) while being very stable for this class of boats.

We have tested a prototype hull against varous kayaks (Fenn Milenium, K1 masters, etc) and the results surpased our expectations as they fully confirmed that smallest weted surface in combination with refined good aspect ratio hull was the key to this level of preformance. The boat might not outsprint a K1 master kayak but it kicks its ass easly with 0,3 knot advantage at sustained speeds and is quite close to a surfski on flatwater. The computer simulations predicted the boat to be on par with extremely fast Nelo Moskito and Seawanquish while being much much more stable. The high stability and large rocker made for a boat that can be raced without rudder but will be offered with both flatwater type underhung rudder or retractable stern hung rudders.

As the design continued we came to a conclusion that in order to make these newer longer boats lighter we had to reduce all un necesary surface and make a simple neat looking kayak without any extravagant deck shapes that don't contribute much to either ergonomics or preformace .

The basic dimensions:
Length: 5.7 m (18'8.4")
Width : 49 cm (19.3")
Waterline width: 46 cm (18.1")
Rocker: 11 cm (4.3")

Regards Matjaz Svetek
Jost Svetek & Co d.o.o.
Jurckova c.70
SI-1108 Ljubljana
Slovenija

Related posts:

• Rocket and Rocket+, New Multisport Kayaks by NordicKayaks from Sweden
• Marauder and Dark Starr - New Racing Kayaks from West Side Boat Shop
• JKK Supernova, a Multisport Racing Sea Kayak from New Zealand - Review by Jeremy Rodgers
• West Hansen on Choosing that Next and Faster Boat for Ultramarathon Racing
• Van Dusen Mohican Unlimited Racing Kayak

• The Rocket (610x54cm, 20'x17.7" is designed for long distance speed in all kind of water conditions, targeting the experienced athlete. The cockpit is more open than the typical multisport kayak, this to allow smooth seating and exit, but yet tight enough to allow a roll. The design of the deck is aggressive and extremely narrowed in front of the cockpit to ensure a close catch with the paddle stroke. Though, the nose area of the deck has enough volume to not dip down in waves or in big rapids.
• Rocket+ is made from the same super fast Rocket hull but with a wider waterline to create more stability and minimizing the loss of speed. Rocket+ is targeting the experienced athlete with extreme ocean racing in mind or the intermediate athlete in average conditions.

NordicKayaks has its origin and base in Vaxholm Sweden. We are focusing on developing fast multisport kayaks for all type of racing conditions, targeting intermediate to experienced paddlers. The top model “Rocket”, which is one of the worlds fastest kayaks all categories, measures 6.10m and weights 12 kg We are not limited to the ICF regulations and can therefore design and develop boats that are innovative and meet the high demands and needs from our customers.

Related posts:

• Marauder and Dark Starr - New Racing Kayaks from West Side Boat Shop
• JKK Supernova, a Multisport Racing Sea Kayak from New Zealand - Review by Jeremy Rodgers
• West Hansen on Choosing that Next and Faster Boat for Ultramarathon Racing
• Van Dusen Mohican Unlimited Racing Kayak

Doug Bushnell is adding two new unlimited racing kayaks to Thunderbolt X and Thunderbolt T-REX:

• Marauder
  Hull narrowed to 17” at the widest point on deck, 14 ⅞” at the 4” water line. Waterline length 21'. A drop of 6-8 seconds per mile over the Thunderbolt-X at 7-9 miles per hour. Changed stability curve
• Dark Starr
  Still low resistance, but with greater stability than the Marauder. Hull is 18” at the widest point on deck, 15 ⅛” at the 4” water line. Waterline length 21'.

Related posts:

• WSBS Thunderbolt Racing Kayak by Doug Bushnell
• Thunderbolt X, Thunderbolt T-REX, Bullitt K-2 Tandem - New Racing Kayaks from West Side Boat Shop
• Outfitting Thunderbolt Racing Kayak - Tiller Bar Footrest and ONNO Gas Pedals
• Outfitting Thunderbolt Racing Kayak - Sliding or Guerney Gears Bumfortable Seat?
• Suction Cup Mount for Garmin Edge GPS on Thunderbolt Deck