The art of crafting a composite Meridian Kayak.

How at Meridian Kayaks we build your sea kayak.

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Cygnet Corner Inlet for web

Meridian XP sea kayak

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Types of sea kayak construction.

Firstly some background on construction. There are a number of kayak construction types, each with their own peculiarities and attributes. That is, pros and cons.

Plastic

One is Polyethylene which is relatively stiff but also bendable. Making it rather impact resistant but liable to easily scratch and change shape in the heat.

The other is ABS plastic which is hard and rigid. It can be brittle but is very lightweight and inexpensive.

Wood

Without a doubt the most beautiful of kayaks. Displaying the timeless beauty and elegance of cedar, teak, maple, etc. these kayaks can be an artistic masterpiece. Each one hand crafted you will ever come across. Skin on frame.

This is usually a collapsible kayak using frames (ribs) and stringers which a placed together forming a skeleton. A skin covers the skeleton.

Ian Ribbons Director

Ian started up Meridian Kayak Adventures as an adventure tourism operator in March 1998. Since then, as a National Training Provider for Australian Canoe Inc., he has been providing a range sea kayaking service s including instruction programs, eco touring opportunities. From 2006 has been designing and producing composite sea kayaks.

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