Today I visited the seakayak-demo-day by NDK and kanoshop.nl.
For me this was an interesting event to compare Tiderace and NDK; two kayak brands sharing some roots.
But what I want to write about now is the Xcite, which I am currently testing.
My testkayak is one of Wieger's kayaks; which he is so kind to lend me for testing.
What I learned today is that the testkayak is produced by Plastex in Poland, whereas the newest Tiderace kayaks are produced in Thailand.
Although this has no effect on the kayakdesign, there are differences in the cockpit.
The differences between the newest Xcite, I saw yesterday, and the Xcite from Poland are:
- Footrests
The adjustable footplate is replaced now by the smaller footrests on rails.
Although they are very easy to re-adjust while seated, I have personally never been happy with this kind of footrest. Of course for the producer this is the simplest system which fits almost all kayakkers. But is does not allow for shifting foot- and leg position during long trips.
Although there is an easy solution possible by sliding a big plastic (PVC) tube over both footrest-plates. This is an invention done by me
Click here to see an older post about this. (excuse for writing in Dutch, but hopefully the pictures speak for themselves)
What is not so easy to solve, is the mounting a footpump. On the old footplate this was easy, but now, on the split footrests, I don't see an easy solution.
A traditional solution, to order your kayak with the front bulkhead positioned on your leg-length, is not possible in Thailand; explained Kanoshop.nl to me. Probably it is possible to order the kayak without this bulkhead: in which case you have to do the job, applying a bulkhead, yourself or get it done by a local company.
- Seat
The seat has now a more or less fixed position. Only by drilling some extra holes you could change the seat-position. This in contrary to the Plastex-version where it is easy to move the seat over approx. 10cm. You can find pictures on this site in an older post of mine: please Click here.
I don't think that changing the seat-position is something that should be possible. Personally I would not change the position as delivered by the factory.
- Back-band
The back-rest-band is now very rigid and fastened with 2x2 bolts. In this construction the back-band will not flip over during entries. If this has effect on the comfort is something to find out later. But a first impression is positive.
Anyway the seat-/back-band combination allows you to layback on the aftdeck very easily.
Over all I am happy with the new seat-construction because it looks very neat and reliable. As the whole kayak does. The new construction seems more reliable than the Plastex solution anyway: the 4 bolts holding the adjusting-strips for seat and footplate, secured against the polyester with glue, were easy to brake down.
The only thing now is to invent something for the easy mounting of a footpump. But that's not something specific for Tiderace-kayaks as quite a lot of seakayak-brands deliver these split footrests. Especially in the PE-seakayaks.
Personally I think that a footpump is important: When it is heavy weather and you are in trouble and exited, assuming that your paddling-mates are not at hand or lost you, you will have to help yourself. Especially when the water is cold, you can not risk staying in the water for too long while waiting for help.
In that case a re-entry is the only way to survive. But after the re-entry you will have to empty your cockpit and when you are alone, only a footpump will do the job. Or, of you dare to rely on electrical systems, an electric pump.