Kayaks
This will be the place to look for information on the many Kayaks that Wes discusses in his stories. Most of the kayaks that Wes writes about are white water or touring boats.
Contents
NECKY LOOKSHA IV
Here is a page about the Looksha IV
From The manufacturer’s website:
"The Looksha IV has low profile decks, double hard chines, and a rockered hull. The rocker and chines combine to create a very maneuverable design which responds to the paddler's every move. With rock solid secondary stability, the boat is reassuringly predictable when put on a lean, and carves a turn beautifully. At 17' long and 22" wide the boat has good speed and ample storage for extended touring."
NECKY TESLA IV
Here is a page about a Necky Tesla for sale.
NIMBUS LOOTAS
The Nimbus Lootas is a great touring kayak. The Nimbus page is here Lootas
From The manufacturer’s website:
"The Lootas is a very manoeuvrable, tight-fitting kayak that will accommodate paddlers from 120 to 200 lbs and still be able to carry two weeks' worth of supplies. Flush hatches and deck fittings and recessed, flip-up rudder make for a very streamlined appearance."
NIMBUS SOLANDER
The Nimbus Solander has been in production since 1981. The Nimbus page is here Solander
From The manufacturer’s website: "The Solander (formerly Solander Plus), a smaller version of the Seafarer, is a perennial favourite as it is nimble, sporty, and fun, and will also accommodate gear for longer trips. It has been in production since 1981 and has been revised and updated. Experienced paddlers find that the Solander feels like an extension of their own body (the ultimate compliment!)"
NIMBUS TELKWA SPORT
The Nimbus Telkwa Sport is a touring boat designed for the smaller paddler. The Nimbus page is here Telkwa Sport
From The manufacturer’s website: "Telkwa Sport is for smaller paddlers wanting a tighter fitting, slightly narrower kayak than the Telkwa. It has all the capabilties of the Telkwa but incorporates a smaller cockpit, lower deck and narrower hull. Performance-wise, due its narrorer hull, it tracks slightly better than its larger cousins and may be just slightly faster."
NEW WAVE MONGOOSE
In Dawnwalker chapter 18 Randy Clark is home for the summer from NMU. He approaches Joe McGuiness about kayaking. Joe agrees to work with him and agrees to loan him a boat. The boat is a New Wave Mongoose. Here is a page where a Mongoose is for sale.
Wes Boyd's Kayaks
Wes drew on his own experiences for a lot of his stories. He owned his own kayak and was an avid boater. It seems right that we should include a picture of his kayaks.
In this picture Wes's boat is the one in the middle. It's a Nimbus Telkwa (maybe a TelkwaHV, stands for high volume?). A big man's boat. Wes was a big guy, like 6-2 and 270+ pounds. Nimbus is a company on Vancouver Island BC.
The gray boat on the right is a Shadow Sea Lion by Perception, a 16-1/2 foot boat. This boat is probably Wes's daughter's boat. The boat on the left is Wes's Son-in-Law's boat.
