Shearwater Sport

Which kayak for you? Will it be something sleek and edgy and challenging to paddle, or a beamy and benign day-cruiser? A cargo-hauler or a sprinter? Some paddlers have fleets of kayaks to suit all occasions. The rest of us should take a long look at the Shearwater Sport. Eric Schade has threaded the needle in designing a kayak that is a jack of all trades. Master of most.

There’s enough beam and stability to be welcoming to beginners. Helmeted experts showing off for the cameras enjoy the Shearwater Sport’s agility in the surf. There’s enough speed to keep up with any gaggle of touring kayaks. The 14'6" length is more consonant with limited storage (and construction) spaces. Rugged scantlings and voluminous storage make this an ideal back-country expedition machine.

Builders ready to sharpen planes and unsheathe their pull-saws can opt for the Shearwater Sport Hybrid, with a strip-planked deck.

A most interesting option is the Sectional, which unbolts at watertight bulkheads for transport inside a small hatchback car and for storage in an apartment, garage, or garden shed. If anything, the sectional is sturdier than the standard, with the same cockpit and storage, opening up delightful possibilities for small-footprint adventuring.