Thermoforming Eddyline Kayaks - Forming The Future

Here is a detailed video on Eddyline Kayaks and it's highly raved Thermaforming Carbonlite 2000 material.  The Caribbean model, a great high-end fishing kayak that will live up to your passion for decades because of Eddyline's quality and great costumer service.

I've always liked the looks of the Eddyline brand. The Caribbean looks like a neat boat. I wish they made a sea kayak about 17' x 24" with a rudder. Since they don't Current Designs is looking good for a fiberglass boat. It's good to see they have that Caribbean line though. It stands out.

I love eddylines products, they are so lightweight and efficient. They make some real beeauties
 

looks like a good product. thanks for sharing.

I've always liked the looks of the Eddyline brand. The Caribbean looks like a neat boat. I wish they made a sea kayak about 17' x 24" with a rudder. Since they don't Current Designs is looking good for a fiberglass boat. It's good to see they have that Caribbean line though. It stands out.

I'm not part of their sea kayaker Pro-Staff, but I'm sure they'll take your feedback. 

I love eddylines products, they are so lightweight and efficient. They make some real beeauties
 

Thank you!

looks like a good product. thanks for sharing.

Sure thing!

My first fishing kayak in 1970 was an ABS thermo-form product, the Royak. Roy Grabenauer was a diver/spearfisherman in southern California that first used this product for his SOT kayak in 1968. Tim Niemier, founder of Ocean Kayaks also a so. Cal waterman, was considerably younger than Roy took things to the next level with rotomolding techniques and polyethylene plastics in the mid-70s. Both are visionaries imo, but Tim had the head for business and took kayak production into the future while Roy stuck to his original design.

I'm happy to see Eddyline sticking with the material and develop it so kayaks can be made lighter. The market is hungry for lighter kayaks, and as the current generation of kayak fishermen age and moving around a 80+ lb kayak begins to limit their fishing time new options like this will find traction.

The downside going forward for Eddyline will be keeping up with design. Since the company doesn't have the market share that polyethylene boat manufactures have, I doubt they will have the ability to keep up with fast changing design features the end consumer demands (e.g., FF mounts, tackle and rod storage systems). Best of luck to them all the same.

My Royak on a Baja island, a very long time ago:

That looks like a weather buoy.  Nice to see you still are wearing the same hat. 

My first fishing kayak in 1970 was an ABS thermo-form product, the Royak. Roy Grabenauer was a diver/spearfisherman in southern California that first used this product for his SOT kayak in 1968. Tim Niemier, founder of Ocean Kayaks also a so. Cal waterman, was considerably younger than Roy took things to the next level with rotomolding techniques and polyethylene plastics in the mid-70s. Both are visionaries imo, but Tim had the head for business and took kayak production into the future while Roy stuck to his original design.

That's an interesting divergence of manufacturing there.  What makes it even more interesting is that Tim Niemier is high on thermoforming these days.

-Allen

I'm assuming the profit margins are higher with PE as opposed to a thermo-form plastic boats and this was the cause of the manufacturing divergence. An engineer buddy of mine figured PE hulls cost about $2/lb to make.

If cost wasn't the driver in production kayaks we'd all be riding 30 pound carbon fiber hulls. Sadly, the all mighty dollar determines our options.

They look fragile.  Are the decks thermoformed plastic and the hulls still fiberglass?

They look fragile.  Are the decks thermoformed plastic and the hulls still fiberglass?

Having used their seakayaks over rocks, oyster beds etc I can say that they are extremely strong and impact resistant...No fiberglass, its all polycarbonate/acrylic plastic IIRC. Eddylines are the most sturdy and lightweight plastic kayaks I've ever seen.

@ Ray,
Check out their Night Hawk 17.5 HV. Built for large guys who have big feet.

Demo'd the Caribbean back in '12 at the East Coast Paddlers Symposium in Charleston. Loved it from the minute I sat down on it. Compared to my T15, It had an odd sheen, which I attribute to the differences in materials but from nose to tail it exuded quality. Turned when I wanted, didn't feel slow or rocky, and damn that thing could scoot even with my obese posterior on it.