Ellesmere

The Boreal Designs Ellesmere is a sea kayak for the intermediate to expert paddler. Available with either an ocean or keyhole cockpit, it is a skeg kayak that handles well, is a good all-rounder and a great rough water boat.

At 350 liter total volume, it is large for a more or less Greenland-style kayak. By comparison, the NDK Explorer, a somewhat similar kayak, is 310 liter. The comparison to the Explorer is interesting - comparing the first model of the Ellesmere to the Explorer shows an almost identical deck layout - even the recesses for deck fittings are the same shape. The volume of the Ellesmere is distributed as follows

• Forward dry storage - 70 liters
• Cockpit - 170 liters
• Rear dry storage (including optional day hatch) 110 liters.

With 180 liters of dry storage, this kayak can be used comfortably on any weekend trip and can handle extended trips with careful gear selection and packing. The hatch covers are made by Kayaksport and are pliable rubber. These are less likely to stiffen up in cold conditions than the VCP hatch covers found on some kayaks. They are also watertight. In fact - they are airtight. I drilled tiny holes in midpoints of the bulkheads to allow pressure equalization. The forward hatch opening is round and the rear is a large oval.

With an ocean cockpit, the forward deck is low and smooth - fairly flat compared to some sea kayaks. This makes for less water shedding than a peaked deck and the ride can be wetter than some other kayaks. The rear deck is flat - while a bit high for a Greenland-style kayak, with careful adjustmant of the backband and lifting your backside off the seat a tad, you can easily do a full layback - great for a wide assortment of rolls. The flat deck and doubled-bungie rear paddle park allows for good paddle float self rescues - the paddle is relatively easy to slide into position and stays in place.

The Ellesmere's deck layout is now in its fourth revision. For 2005, the rope-based skeg control has been replaced with an innovative dial-based control. This dial sets the skeg to any position between retracted and a full 50° extension. The skeg itself has also been redesigned - the old ABS plastic skeg has been replaced with an aluminum one.

The initial stability of this kayak is essentially zero. When you first sit in it, the kayak can roll to either side several degrees with virtually no resistance. Secondary stability is substantial without being excessive. The kayak will sit on edge comfortably allowing the paddler to cruise on a carved turn. In fact, the kayak is more stable at about 25° heel than it is sitting flat. This leads to an interesting situation where the Ellesmere feels more stable in rough water than in still water.

The kayak carves turns smartly but if the skeg is retracted and the turn is aggressive, the stern can skid out. Unusual behavior that is a result of the stern hull shape when on edge. Carving is supposedly aided by a reverse chine along the top of the hull. If this chine is submerged, it generates a turning moment. How much this reverse chine actually contributes is debatable.

The kayak weathercocks somewhat in a crosswind. Most Ellesmere paddlers I know prefer to leave the skeg deployed just a bit all the time, though you can paddle it without a skeg in all but the worst conditions. When you really want to manouver, retracting the skeg allows the boat to spin like few others.

The kayak rolls sweetly. It's a fun kayak to roll and a balance brace is easy and comfortable.

The cockpit has a seriously sculpted bucket seat. The seat has a bump in the front between the legs, like a few whitewater kayaks. If your butt fits this seat, you can control the kayak and it is the most comfortable seat I've ever been in. The curvature provides full support without any circulation restrictions. Coupled with the ocean cockpit, this is a great combination. If you don't fit this seat well, it can be quite uncomfortable. For those that prefer no bump at the front of the seat, you can get one made without on special order.

The kayak is available in fiberglass, Kevlar or carbon fiber with many colours of gelcoat or a clearcoat.