The speed of a kayak not only depends on its shape, but also on the building process. The hull must be so rigid and formstable as possible, and for this purpose wood is by far the best material. Consisting from microscopic tubes it offers a suddenly increasing resistance to pressure deformations.
Plywood is stable in any direction because the fibres are now arranged in a net structure. A further improvement is obtained if the veneers are hot moulded. With a curved shape the layers are tensioned by the high pressure and the glue is locking this tension. The result is a wooden shell, unsurpassable of lightness and rigidity, ideal for a racing kayak.
Especially the K2 is exposed to give under the paddlestrokes. A bend or a partial deflection cost some power; witch can only be taken from the paddlers. From this reason we have been looking forward to improve the rigidity of our K2, the moulds of the “GLIDER”, however, does not withstand the pressure of 7 – 8 atm needed. The “GLIDER” was designed 1964 by Jørgen Samson and during the past years the paddlers left the traditional smooth paddling technique. They turned to violent strokes, witch made the paddles break and the kayaks bounce.
The paddles and the single kayaks are already fit for the style of to-day, but the K2 need to be improved at the following points:
1. more rigidity in the hull
2. more horizontally running
3. less bouncing and lurching in the stroke
4. less squatting aft
5. less waver making according to the latest experience
6. more freedom of movements
These demands resulted in a change more marked then we are used to see. The new K2 design of Jørgen Samson, the “MAKKER”, possess a long U-shaped fore body with cleaving lines of small lifting effect. The central section is semicircular, gradually sharpening abaft at the keel. In the aft body unusually big reserves of carrying capacity are found just above the water line.
What the designer had in view also became a reality. The “MAKKER” has been tested radically and paddlers from many nations agree that at last they got a K2 moving straight, quite straight through the water. The “MAKKER” does not bounce neither dive nor zigzag. The improvement is mainly felt in a spurt and on shallow water. The paddlework itself also got better conditions, the deck being narrower and the cockpits spaced further apart. Neither a start nor a spurt is disturbed from unrest in the kayak and the paddlers can make the most of there strength and technique.
The “MAKKER” has been emphasized for its fine performance both from light and heavy crews. This new model had to come out as it really is fit for racing of to-day.
Paddlers: max 350 kg
Designer: Jørgen Samson
