Austin Kayak is no more

Was on a search for a new boat. Went to  austinkayak.com and ended up with this :

https://www.the-house.com/austin-kayak-canoe?utm_source=austinkayak_com&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=summit-redirect

Mmmm, that is really a bummer.

I bought quote a few things form them in the past. Sometimes ACK had things in stock that others didn't.

I just found an interesting article online giving more insight in the history of ACK and how they went down:

https://paddlingmag.com/paddling-business/austin-canoe-kayak-closed/

I've also bought several things from them in the past when the local shops didn't have them in stock, certainly they were great when I used them. Lately though when I've needed something oddball I couldn't get locally I've purchased through https://www.mariner-sails.com/ also based in texas oddly enough, so far so good in my dealings with them.

Thanks, Matt.  Other than one Hobie dealer, there aren't any kayak retailers anywhere nearby and ACK was my go-to vendor.  Three kayaks and several big totes of parts.  Now I know about another online vendor, just in case.  Appreciate it.

Right now, the group that picked up the pieces still have a lot of Hobie miscellaneous parts listed. I actually spent a few minutes looking through inventory and discovered they also have a very few kayaks , too.

But if you need pins, ruddrers hardware kits etc, take,the time to look.

Not shilling for them, just stating what I saw. 

Wow, that's a really sad but not unusual story. Looks like a slew of bad decisions and a vulture capitalist take over did them in.

Will have to take a look, see if KayakCity  is still in business. 

... and a vulture capitalist take over did them in.

This is a ridiculous statement. Camping World didn't enter the picture until months after they closed down. Nobody drove them out of business but themselves, and a pandemic that shut down their suppliers.

... and a vulture capitalist take over did them in.

This is a ridiculous statement. Camping World didn't enter the picture until months after they closed down. Nobody drove them out of business but themselves, and a pandemic that shut down their suppliers.

From the article: "ACK and the snow sports chain merged in 2016 with private equity financing from Digital Fuel Capital." Was not referring to Camping World at all....

... and a vulture capitalist take over did them in.

This is a ridiculous statement. Camping World didn't enter the picture until months after they closed down. Nobody drove them out of business but themselves, and a pandemic that shut down their suppliers.

From the article: "ACK and the snow sports chain merged in 2016 with private equity financing from Digital Fuel Capital." Was not referring to Camping World at all....

Ah, fair point.

Still, all they got was financing, then folded 7 years later. Sounds like they wanted to expand and overdid it - much like GIJoes. Bit off more than they could chew.

I doubt they were pushed into that by the investors - more likely they were both looking to do that.

Sad news indeed. I made regular business trips to Austin for many years and stopped by their shop often. They did have a knack for carrying products or parts I couldn't find anywhere else. They'll be missed.