Recently bought a used (2001) Feathercraft Big Kahuna. Used it about a dozen times now and I can't say enough good about the boat; now that I have figured out to put it together and have it tuned to fit me.
One surprise, that I have seen hinted at in a few posts, is the seeming fragility of the polycarbonate frames. I just broke the aft frame just behind the cockpit by getting into the boat on my lawn to adjust (fiddle) with the rudder pedals and sea sock. I placed my hands bearing my weight on the cockpit rim adjacent to the frame and started to swing my feet into position when there was a jolt. I got out and saw immediately that the frame had broken and separated just to the port side of the keel, top and bottom. Close inspection with a glass reveals a lot of crazing, like in plexiglass, and that this seems to be the initiating point of the cracks. It's a 16 year old boat so there is bound to be something.....
I had it in mind that I would fabricate a new set of frames from UHMW at some point. That point is now. I have fabricated and shaped parts out of UHMW for other applications and it is easy to work with ordinary woodworking tools so it's just a matter of putting in the time.
Other than the deck being every so slightly faded, the rest of the boat seems to be in very good condition indeed so I have nothing to gripe about....
I have used my WindPaddle and also mounted and used my KayakSailor 1.6m and it does very well with either. A little velcro, a couple of small foam pads and some straps is all that is needed for the KayakSailor. Easy on and off.
Packed for airline transport with all the ancillary equipage its right at 50 lbs and quite manageable. I'm a happy guy.
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