The Kelpie is a narrow, fast boat; our first kayak designed specifically for smaller, experienced paddlers. For those whom a standard kayak can feel like moving a barge, the Kelpie will fit like a glove.
For smaller paddlers, large kayaks have unnecessary surface area, creating drag on the water. The specially designed long, lean, low-volume body of the Kelpie minimizes this drag. For advanced paddlers with technique enough to handle an ultra-narrow kayak, the Kelpie will effortlessly cruise with the big ‘uns—or even leave them in its wake.
- Length: 15’ 9″ (480cm)
- Beam: 20.5″ (52.1cm)
- Weight: 26lbs (12kg)
- Capacity: 190lb (91kg)
- Level: advanced, specialist
- Best uses: smaller paddlers, day trips, ocean, lake
- Characteristics: fast excellent tracking
Kurki
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
The Kurki (crane in Finnish) is a recent addition to the Seawolf fleet. Our combined years of experience in rough ocean waters helped us develop a boat for advanced paddlers. This kayak tracks well and, due to its hard chine edges and shape, turns quickly when put on edge. At 21″ wide, it is surprisingly stable, and its secondary stability helps to keep it upright in rough water. It rolls well, with a lowered back deck. As a touring kayak, it has lots of cargo capacity, and remains fast even while loaded. This design is proof that skin-on-frame kayaks can stand up to the most advanced human-powered crafts on the water.
- Length: 17’ 1″ (521cm)
- Beam: 21″ (53.3cm)
- Weight: 29lbs (13kg)
- Capacity: 240lb (109kg)
- Level: intermediate, advanced
- Best uses: touring, ocean kayaking, multi-day trips, large lakes and bays
- Characteristics: fast nimble excellent tracking great edging
Adaro
Part sea kayak, part river otter
The Adaro is a hybrid kayak designed by our friend and fellow kayak builder Patrick Farneman. Much like Patrick, the Adaro handles exceptionally well in rough water and is at home on freshwater rivers or lakes as well as the sea. It handles like a dream, responsive and nimble to light touches with the paddle. The Adaro is also surprisingly quick for its 12′ length. It offers high stability for beginner and intermediate paddlers. The superior stability and buoyancy mean that it can handle violent rough water very well, such as ocean whitewater and ocean surfing. It cruises at 3.25 knots but long distances against wind are harder than in a longer sea kayak. This kayak rolls like a weighted punching bag—it stays upright easily and its low back deck and high lateral buoyancy mean quick and smooth recovery.
- Length: 12’6″ (381cm)
- Beam: 24″ (61cm)
- Weight: 24lbs (11kg)
- Capacity: 250lb (113kg)
- Level: beginner, intermediate, specialist
- Best uses: day trips, rough water, rock gardening, surfing, bays, lakes
- Characteristics: stable highly maneuverable buoyant playful
Selkie
The wanderlust kayak
The Selkie is our time-tested everyday kayak. It handles nicely, with plenty of stability for beginner and intermediate paddlers, or those who fish or shoot photographs on the water. Its secondary stability and buoyancy mean that it can handle rough water very well, including stormy seas. It has a solid cruising speed of about 3.5 knots and does not take much effort to hold it there. It also has tons of cargo capacity for multi-day trips or larger paddlers. For kayak rolling, the low back deck and high buoyancy makes for easy recovery in rough water.
- Length: 15’9″ (480cm)
- Beam: 24″ (61cm)
- Weight: 28lbs (13kg)
- Capacity: 280lb (127kg)
- Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Best uses: day trips, multi-day trips, fishing, general use, ocean, lake
- Characteristics: stable maneuverable roomy
Mora
A little mora’ everything
Don’t tell the others, but the Mora is our current favorite—an all-star blend of speed, agility, and handling for intermediate paddlers. This kayak handles superbly, with enough stability to shoot photographs from, but fast enough to cut through wind waves with aplomb and keep up with any commercial boat its length. Its secondary stability and buoyancy mean that it can handle rough water like a champ, great for rock gardening, stormy seas, and surfing. It has a solid cruising speed of 4 knots. Despite being only 22″ wide it has a comfortable cockpit sizing. The low back deck makes kayak rolling easy.
- Length: 15’6″ (472cm)
- Beam: 22″ (55.9cm)
- Weight: 27lbs (12kg)
- Capacity: 220lb (104kg)
- Level: Intermediate, Advanced
- Best uses: ocean touring, rock gardening
- Characteristics: fast maneuverable comfortable
Model Comparison
| Kelpie | Kurki | Adaro | Selkie | Mora | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 15’ 9″ (480cm) | 17’ 1″ (521cm) | 12’6″ (381cm) | 15’9″ (480cm) | 15’6″ (472cm) |
| Beam | 20.5″ (52.1cm) | 21″ (53.3cm) | 24″ (61cm) | 24″ (61cm) | 22″ (55.9cm) |
| Weight | 26lbs (12kg) | 29lbs (13kg) | 24lbs (11kg) | 28lbs (13kg) | 27lbs (12kg) |
| Capacity | 190lb (91kg) | 240lb (109kg) | 250lb (113kg) | 280lb (127kg) | 220lb (104kg) |
| Level | advanced, specialist | intermediate, advanced | beginner, intermediate, specialist | Beginner, Intermediate | Intermediate, Advanced |
| Best Uses | smaller paddlers, day trips, ocean, lake | touring, ocean kayaking, multi-day trips, large lakes and bays | day trips, rough water, rock gardening, surfing, bays, lakes | day trips, multi-day trips, fishing, general use, ocean, lake | ocean touring, rock gardening |
Color Guide
We use clay pigments that won’t take years off your life like other acid dyes.
Since we hand-mix the powdered pigment into the polyurethane, you can expect some speckles and streaks of color that add to the unique look and character of each boat.
You can control the saturation of color by adding less or more pigment. Less pigment creates translucent boats that allow more light to shine through. More pigment means more saturated color and opaque skin.
Yellow - Classic
The most popular color and for good reason—yellow boats turn out beautifully. Yellow stands out the best on the water, making it the safest choice for paddlers.
Gray - Camouflage
Gray boats look beautiful on land and disappear on the water. They are ideal for fishing or sneaking up on fowl.
Tan - Buckskin Boat
Tan and light brown are also popular choices. While glossier than sealskin, some people choose tan for its more genuine skin-boat appearance.
Green/Blue
Green/Blue kayaks look great on the water, but they are more dangerous because they disappear easily on the water and it is harder for other people to see you. If you are not certain about this as a color choice, then choose a color that has more visibility.
Red/Cedar
Another classic choice. Though not as bright as the yellow or tan boats, red and cedar brown boats stand out well on the water. We recommend reds to be more saturated or mixed with another pigment to avoid a pink boat.
No Pigment - Translucent
You may also choose to use no pigment at all. Once coated with clear polyurethane, boats become highly translucent, catching the most light. The white nylon will yellow slightly overtime, giving the boat a beautiful weathered look.
Availability
Our pigments rotate based on availability and popularity. The options below represent our principle selection, but we might have swapped colors out for new by the time of your workshop or order.
Color Mixing
You can customize your color by mixing any number of our six clay pigments. Due to the nature of the pigment, it is best to mix similar colors (e.g. tan/yellow, red/brown, green/gray).
