Rockpool Kayaks

Very very pleased with Rockpool. I have ovned a Menai, Alaw and now both a Alaw Bach and a Taran.

Great kayaks, sympathetic people.

Great kayak designs and high quality builds.

I purchased a Rockpool Alaw Bach in 2008 having tried 8-10 other boats. I went for the Alaw Bach for three reasons: its relatively light weight, its manourvability and its feel around me. I asked Mike Webb at Rockpool for a bespoke colour scheme which was also a bonus; it's unlikely that anyone will nick my boat :-). I've now had the boat long enough to say that I know her well, and I'm still very much attached to her. The quality of build is superb so that there is little or no maintenance to be done, perhaps cleaning and a polish every now and then, brushing and lightly oiling the threads of the bolts that hold the footplate and seat in positition (I've done this once in eight years). And I've had to re-seal the bulkhead between the front compartment and the cockpit a couple of times as the sealant has been popped when I've left the hatch covers on in hot weather (caused by expansion of the air inside the forwards compartment). At first glance the seat looks simple, though it's that simplicity that makes it comfortable. I'm happy paddling for 6 hours, after which my rear is in need of decompression. The adjustable footplate is a great feature allowing flexing and relaxing of feet and lower legs without losing contact. This is important during long journeys on energetic water. The backrest pivots allowing me to lie back against the rear deck and also provides sufficient back support to push against when I need grip the boat a little more and power forwards. The simple addition of foam pieces in pockets at the side of the seat is all that is needed to adjust the width to suit the paddler. I've left mine the same for the last 6 years despite the fact that I've expanded and contractred during that time; that familiarity works for me. Trim can be easily adjusted by moving the seat and footplate or adjusting the loading between the three compartments. I tend to carry enough kit to be able to do the latter. The compartments are a touch smaller than on some expedition boats but I don't carry a case of beer so I have no problem carryng kit for a 5-day trip and if I was a more careful packer I'd last longer. Toggles and deck lines are ample and not overly invasive though some leaders might like a towing cleat fitted. How does she paddle; cleanly and elegantly; the rocker allows great manouvrability without too great a compromise to the straight line, whilst edging is forgiving with even, gradual increase in effect until the obvious physical limit. Mine doesn't have a skeg fitted and in many boats that might be a major issue but as long as I've adjusted the trim effectively the Alaw Bach keeps the line quite easily. Unladen, the Alaw Bach is a little bouncy (I'm only 75kg) but I carry 10-15kg of addition kit on even the shorter trips and the bow cuts then lifts to give a smooth and surprisingly dry ride. The extra weight also helps reduce the effect of wind, as does the low rear deck; I carry splits on the front so the combination of easily adjusted seat and footplate and low rear deck work well in setting the trim for an efficient paddle. Inate stability is fine, and she's a fast boat so stability increases significantly on the move and when laden. I often paddle alongside plastic boats and so I wait for them to catch up or reduce my speed both reduce stability and I'm happy to bob around without much twitching. My Alaw Bach is now scratched and looking well-used, she could do with a polish and perhaps a keel strip in the near future; she's 8 years old and going strong; there are many positive features of this boat and the way she handles and very few negatives (all minor and expected compromises). If Mike hadn't created theTaran I'd buy another Alaw Bach if I live long enough to out-paddle this one. 9/10 for build and quality. 8.5/10 for performance and handling. S