Bob's Question:
I am considering purchasing a Seaward Endeavor kayak. I am really impressed with this boat; however, I am getting reports this is rather tippy. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.
— Bob BagliniJonathan's Answer:
Hello Bob,
Stability is an extremely subjective subject, but I have a few guidelines that might be useful. First, let's talk about the boat you're considering.
I paddled an Endeavor when the design first came out, and was very impressed with it. I loved the sleek lines, and the maneuverability of the highly rockered hull. I also like skegs as a trimming tool; I think they promote better paddling skills than rudders. The skeg in the Endeavor can be used to fine-tune the handling to neutral characteristics in virtually any condition.
Other nice features of the Endeavor include the fiberglass bulkheads (I hate caulked foam bulkheads, which are notorious for coming loose), perimeter deck lines, and a compass properly positioned well ahead of the cockpit, so it's easy to see and doesn't interfere with a deck bag. The Endeavor also has a solid strap setup for paddle float rescues.
On the other hand, there's not a lot of gear space in the boat, and the situation is exacerbated by the intrusive skeg trunk, which bifurcates the rear cargo hold — inevitable with a skeg boat. Also, the day hatch behind the cockpit steals space in the widest part of the craft, which I would have reserved for large, heavy items such as water containers. Normally I like day hatches, but not when storage is at a premium elsewhere.
So, let's talk about stability, both specifically and in general. The Endeavor does not have a lot of initial stability, so there's a fair amount of rocking motion when you're just sitting in it. I like that: low initial stability usually indicates a responsive design. Final stability — that point of no return just before you go over — is somewhat higher, but still not as solid as many other boats with the same beam as the Endeavor (22< inches). This relative instability might be explained by the very fine (narrow) ends of the hull, which contribute little buoyancy when the boat is leaned.
What does this mean to you? It depends. If you're a novice paddler, you'll likely feel insecure in the Endeavor for quite a while. The feeling will be magnified if you're tall and/or heavy — say over six feet and 170 pounds or so. If you're more experienced and mid-sized, you might find the trade-off worth it for the responsiveness.
There's an ancient myth in sea kayaking circles that a wide, stable boat can't be fast or seaworthy, and a narrow boat can't be stable. Nonsense. One of the most seaworthy kayaks I ever owned was a bit over 24 inches in beam, a measurement many purists would turn up their noses at. On the other hand, I've paddled a few 22-inch-wide kayaks that felt nearly raft-like in their final stability. There are so many variables in hull design that it's impossible to draw firm conclusions from mere length-and-beam measurements.
Here's my test for stability for an expedition kayak. If I can sit beam-on in two-foot chop or larger swells, and look around through binoculars without feeling insecure, then the boat probably has the right combination of final stability and natural seakeeping abilities to take care of me in most situations. This combination will be different for different people, but I've found it most often in boats between 22 and 24 inches in beam.
The bottom line, Bob, is try the Endeavor in the roughest controlled conditions you can, and see how it feels to you when you're not totally concentrated on staying upright. Tip: use waterproof binoculars.
Happy paddling,
—Jonathan
