Rockpool Kayaks: The ALAW Bach

First came the ALAW, the original dynamic concept, our main design ideas gathered over ten years realised in one kayak. We knew that paddlers come in all sizes and smaller paddlers need smaller kayaks. But all paddlers need to carry the same amount of kit, yet have different cockpit sizing for comfort and control. We decided not to chop down an ALAW by taking height out of the seam, but to lower the cockpit 2" at the front, 1.5" at the back. So, the ALAW Bach carries the same volume as an ALAW and has the same hatch and deckfittings, but with a snugg fitting keyhole cockpit.

Paddlers as tall as 6' 2" fit the ALAW Bach, albeit in a "less bent" knee position than in its big brother. Customers who have bought an ALAW Bach say they prefer the more traditional lower deck style while retaining the comfortable knee position in the snug cockpit. The narrow(ish) width cockpit is retained for elbow clearance during edging. While lowering the cockpit, the angle was also modified to keep the ergonomic fit of the thigh grips.

Q: "So, how do you choose between the ALAW or ALAW Bach?"
A: If you're a medium to large size paddler, and you want comfort, choose the ALAW, if you like a snug fitting boat for rough water or use Greenland style paddles go for the ALAW Bach. If you're a small build paddler choose the ALAW Bach. If you're a medium build paddler around the 5'7" - 5'9" try both!

More ALAW Bach details and pictures to follow...

Features of The ALAW Bach:

Hull: Length: 17 feet. Width: 21 inches. The ALAW Bach is a high performance touring sea kayak for small to medium size paddlers. It shares the same hull with the ALAW. 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 Bach 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 Bach to be precisely controlled by bow rudder strokes. Towards the limit of edging the ALAW Bach 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 Bach may be steered while surfing with a combination of edging and strokes.

Deck: 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 Bach 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 Bach 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, rubber mounted on the kayak floor with a securing bolt at seam height. The seats are adjustable front-to-back by 50mm at 10mm intervals. This design of adjustable seat and footrest relieves the cockpit rim and deck of unnecessary stress and fatigue and provides a variable seat location for increased feedback to the paddler. The foam hip pads, located within neoprene pockets, may be shimmed to fine tune hip fitment. The backrest integrates with the seat to prevent diving while entering. The low back to the cockpit rim makes the ALAW Bach easy to roll, even hand roll. Map cases may be deck mounted or 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, the day hatch may have an optionally fitted elastic 'cradle' to secure bulky items e.g. flask, from rolling around.

Click here to view custom colour options

Construction1: The ALAW Bach is constructed of the highest quality resins and cloth. The ALAW Bach 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 Bach 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 Bach 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 Bach 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. 9 out of every 10 boats we build are customised with glitter and/or graphics. As a guide, 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 Bach name:

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

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.