Cruise in Comfort and Safety!

Wanting to explore the coast with a friend, but in a relaxed, and enjoyable manner? One of the Sea Bear II range offers the perfect kayak for your needs. Extensively used by commercial tour operators because of their margins of safety and comfort, Sea Bear II's have developed an unequalled reputation for safe, user friendly handling in extreme water conditions, including surf.

The Packhorse Express is Ron Augustin's latest offering. Specially optimised for day tripping, and lighter loads. Same famous Sea Bear stability and superb rough water handling, but better speed, tracking, and easier paddling in strong winds. The Express features Ron's unique "Flowtech Progressive Chine Hull" with rounded hull section towards the bow for smooth water flow, and a progressively hardening chine towards the tail for superior stability and handling.

In the Packhorse the centre hatch layout gives three storage hatches, with the large centre hatch spacing the cockpits apart. Offers more storage volume, easier storage access, and more space between paddlers to avoid clashing paddles.

STANDARD FEATURES

• Unequalled rough water handling and stability
• Excellent performance in surf with proven hull design
• Highest quality manufacturing
• Totally reliable engineering of construction and fittings
• Easily driven hull shape for fast cruising speed
• Large storage capacity
• Easy loading through large water-tight hatches
• Fits larger paddlers with generous cockpit length for legs
• Easy adjusting, highly robust footrest and rudder assemblies
• Deck shape makes Sea Bears easy to eskimo roll and minimises water left in the cockpit after self rescues.
• Spray rail and special bow shape give a comfortable, dry ride
• Wear strip protects keel from damage

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

The Sea Bear II was originally designed by Ron Augustin for commercial tour operations. The need was for a safe, stable double kayak that novices could easily handle in our New Zealand conditions that can quickly deteriorate into rough, choppy seas. On Ron and Nancy's first commercial tour, with a group of novice paddlers aged in their sixties, they encountered steep, breaking, beam seas 1.5 to 2 metres in height. The group turned down the suggestion of a ferry ride home, and paddled back to Auckland instead. The double Sea Bears handled the strong winds and conditions with ease, and the paddlers commented later on the safe, stable feeling they had experienced, vowing it had been the highlight of an enjoyable three days.

The Sea Bear II has been refined and optimised since the original kayaks were built, and our production model is the Mk 4. It has been thoroughly tested in the hardest commercial use, for over five years. Sea Bears have developed an enviable reputation for quality in that time as noted by Peter Garlick's (Abel Tasman Kayaks) comments in a recent Sea Kayak Operators' Association newsletter. "Top marks to the (Paddling Perfection) team. Delivery was on time, workmanship was excellent, and a manufacturing flaw was quickly identified and the part replaced. Other good points are the spare paddle holders, easily adjustable footpedals, lightweight construction, and very hard wearing gelcoats."