Rockpool Kayaks Design Brief (The ALAW):

To produce the first of a new generation of high performance, fast and comfortable touring sea kayaks. To create a refined mid volume sea kayak with positive directional stability when upright, high secondary stability allowing for maximum turning when on edge. To build a seaworthy hull combined which has maximal forward efficiency. To realize a new cockpit design which allows for a more comfortable, ergonomic and controlling sitting position than any other offered on the market. To employ new and refined construction techniques. To produce a sea kayak which, in capable hands, will out-perform other sea kayaks in rough sea conditions and surfing. To build a sea kayak that is at home playing in tidal races and overfalls. When integrating all the above features the design objective remains: the ALAW will be a beautiful, modern, high performance sea kayak.

Features of The ALAW:

Hull: Length: 17 feet. Width: 21 inches. The ALAW is a high performance touring sea kayak for medium to larger size paddlers. The hull configuration gives high forward speed due to its long waterline relative to the overall length. When upright the hull tracks in a straight line even when coasting, and has been balanced by a combination of volume distribution and shape to give neutral directional stability in windy conditions. The bow and stern have shape and volume to shed water in choppy and rough conditions, without excessive slamming characteristics when dropping into wave troughs. The underwater section of the hull changes character, from Vee'd at the entry point of the bow, rounded through the front section, soft chined under the cockpit, rounded under the stern compartments to a defined built-in skeg section at the stern. The rounded sections of the hull give a cushioning effect in waves while the chined section aids surfing and maximises top speed in downwind situations. All of our testers have noted on the ease of wave catching and maintaining the high top speed in surfing conditions. The squareness of the sides above the chined section combined with the width gives high secondary stability when the ALAW is edged or leaned over. The chines, and the paddler's ability to edge, may also be employed to assist turning in windy conditions. The hull volume distribution progressively disengages the stern during edging, making the kayak easily manoeuvrable with sweep and rudder strokes. While under way, the result of edging and the rounded bow section allows the ALAW to be precisely controlled by bow rudder strokes. Towards the limit of edging the ALAW firms up and becomes a stable platform allowing the paddler to exploit their repertoire of turning strokes, at this limit the stern keel of the kayak will raise to the surface releasing its grip and aiding turning. The ALAW may be steered  while surfing with a combination of edging and strokes.

Deck: The ALAW has a unique deck shape which sets it apart from other sea kayaks. This deck shape serves two major features, first: cockpit ergonomics and second: water shedding. The comfortable seating position is arranged around a relatively elevated knee position which allows the thigh and foot to be aligned. This relieves stress from all the leg joints, especially the outer knee ligaments and ankle. The combination of padded backrest and choice of seat widths makes the ALAW a most comfortable kayak for extended use. The cockpit rim is keyhole shaped with integrated foam-padded thigh braces. Testers have reported that the combination of the elevated knee position, gripping thigh braces and hull secondary stability makes the ALAW a finely adjustable and precise kayak to edge while also facilitating a powerful stroke action. Rockpool Kayaks have designed an adjustable bulkhead footrest angled for a strong natural ankle position, which allows for infinite foot positions enabling the paddler to finely adjust their leg alignment. This overall position places the kayaker in a dynamic and comfortable position for paddling. The seats are GRP shells and rubber mounted on the kayak floor with a securing bolt at seam height. This design relieves the cockpit rim and deck of unnecessary stress and fatigue and provides a firmer seat location for increased feedback to the paddler. The foam hip pads may be shimmed to fine tune hip location. The backrest integrates with the seat to prevent diving while entering. The low back to the cockpit rim makes the ALAW easy to roll, even hand roll. In addition, the raised cockpit helps shed water in rough conditions, keeping water off the spraydeck. Map cases are attached to the spraydeck. Split paddles may be carried on the front or rear deck, or in combination. Decklines and elastics are 5mm diameter, toggles are suspended on rope loops. All hatches have internal clipped guidelines to prevent loss at sea, and the day hatch has an elastic 'cradle' to secure bulky items e.g. flask, from rolling around.

Click here to view custom colour options

[Deck graphics of above ALAW: Brilliant Apple Red glitter over Crimson gelcoat, White gelcoat starfish.]

Construction1: The ALAW is constructed of the highest quality resins and cloth. The ALAW in standard layup of Polyester resin and glass fibre mat and cloth weighs in at 22kg which includes deck, hull, double layered inside seam, glass tape outside seam, three bulkheads and hatches, fibreglass seat and cockpit rim, footrest and deck equipment and internal fittings.

Construction2: The ALAW is available in bespoke lay-up in epoxy resin and high performance cloths such as S-Glass, Kevlar49, Carbon Fibre, Carbon-Kevlar mixed weave, or Carbon-Dyneema mixed weave. These layups are vacuum bag constructed to ensure quality, minimal weight and accurate lay-up composition. Kayak weight may vary between 15kg and 22kg depending on customer specification and intended use. No Polyester resin or CSM mat will be used in these hulls!

Construction Detail: The flush fitting 4mm thick ABS deckfittings are laser cut and engraved with the Rockpool logo and are bonded to the deck recesses with high strength methacrylate adhesive. The ALAW employs the same high performance adhesive to bond the cockpit rim and the three round KayakSport hatches. At present the GRP bulkhead sheets are laminated in place; we plan to develop dished bulkheads in future. These new bonded-in bulkheads will relieve hard points on the hull and deck and make the kayak a more cohesive and flexible structure. Three-piece-kayaks are available with a bolt-free connection which guarantees leak free hatches, weigh saving and less stress on the kayak's hull. The ALAW is available in any colour combination desired by our customers. We are also able to provide a custom colour service, and can supply pigments to match any colour swatch required. Gelcoats may be applied by spraygun which allows for custom graphics and sparkling glitter effects. All glitter boats are sprayed clear before applying glitter, this ensures the best finish, longevity and ease of maintenance. As a guide, quadruple process spraying of graphics and glitter add 300g extra to the kayaks' weight. We enjoy building custom boats and highly recommend an individual custom graphic boat!

The overall visual appeal of the ALAW is unique and stylish. It is a statement of power, gracefulness and individuality. This sea kayak delivers performance, control and comfort.

Pronunciation of the ALAW name:

• First syllable: AL      (as in the man's name)
• Second syllable: AW      (what one shouts when one is pinched!)

ALAW in the Welsh language means melody, is also a popular Welsh girls' name, and is the name of the lake, river and estuary which runs into the sea off Anglesey, close to the Rockpool factory.