Rafta Kayaks

Buy Australian, direct from the Factory, Sea Leopard sea kayaks, see them being made.

Hawkesbury Classic 2008  Read Justin Jones (from Crossing the Ditch)testimonial on the race, click this link below, http://raftakayaks.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!A04176F402C6B074!291.entry 

New in stock Details can be seen and items can be purchased here: http://www.auctiva.com/stores/viewstore2.aspx?id=670045&styleid=72&siteid=15  or

We now are agents for Rhino, Thule, Rola and Pro racks, so place your orders through us.

Now avaliable, A Range of SEAlLINE Kayak, raft and canoe gear, dry bags, sacks, pouches, map & electronics cases

  Ring Rafta Kayaks on 0418366922 for prices

Kayak/Fishing Night Navigation & marker lights

$32.00 each or 3 for $86.00 Includes P&H

Waterproof

Small dome (comes with belt clip) or Lazer stick, dual function, steady on or flashing Reusable, dependable, durable, impact resistant, compact design, The environmentally friendly alternative to chemical light sticks

The SEACURE

Designed in Australia by the Waterproof Bum Bag Co. for all lovers of the great outdoors!.
They are made from high impact materials and are water, dust and crush proof plus pressure tested to 3 meters.
Order your Bum Bag direct for just $34.95 including delivery Australia wide!

Also brilliant to velcro to your kayak rear deck, clip to your vest and carry your emergency gear in, if you come out of your kayak it all comes with you

2 ml Neoprene wine/water bladder protective pouch, for 4 ltr bladder with carry loops on the top corners to secure it to your kayak, or attach handle or shoulder strap(not supplied), perfect for carrying water/wine on an expedition, just fit the bladder in the pouch, and can stow it anywhere in the kayak, without risk or rupture, or take it with you on a picnic or to any event you are going to $29.00 ea plus P&H

We now have "Rafta paddle leashes" $24.95 plus P&H and soft protective paddle bags $33.00 plus P&H, also carbon wing style, quicklok Jazz Tripper and quicklok Northwest paddles, vests, and other kayak gear , ring 0418366922 for details.

These are a great superbly manufactured (in Australia) Paddle leash (or Fishing rod holder), with about 1 meter of 6 ml Bungeee cord and an olive locking clip on the end to enable you to loop the bungee round a deckline or other fitting and then lock it off securely in the olive.

Unlike the coiled leashes that tap anoyingly on the deck, these give you peace of mind whilst paddling.

 

Paddle bags are by Monique, who is putting the money towards a volunteers trip to help in schools and orphanages in Africa.

They are 220cm long and 25 cm wide with a foldover top with long ties to tie back down around the paddle shaft, so siut all length paddles 

To Order any products seen here, Email RAFTA KAYAKS re purchase enquiries please click here for contact page: http://www.hotfrog.com.au/Companies/Rafta-Kayaks/SendEmail.aspx?company=Rafta-Kayaks,

or phone Bob on 0418366922

 

New after market thigh braces and glovebox for Mirage Kayak owners

Newly created specificly to meet the demand for Serious Mirage kayakers, After market thigh braces for serious paddlers, hold you tight in the cockpit when rolling and bracing, easy to fit. Photo's up now, call me to hear more, regards Bob (click photo to enlarge)

Also under deck very handy glove box, for Mirage and other makes, see photo, Price $80.00 ea plus P&H, rubber hatch version $120.00 pls P&H

  

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• Dimensions 5820mm          Width 540mm
• Maximum depth of front hatch 270mm           Maximum depth of back hatch 160mm
• Capacities, front 91.5 lt, rear 112 lt, total = 203.5 lt, more than most sea kayaks yet decieving looking at it. (New Look Sea Leopard 220lt+) 
• Front hatch 250mm internal diam .               Rear hatch 295 mm internal diam.
• Deck lines 6mm and used to carry boat         Mast step22mm
• Electric bilge pump, Rule 360,                           Map lines
• Plastic rudder peddles                                Plastic rudder 
• Vinyl/rubber backed hatch covers, as they never come off even in extreme conditions.(tested for 20 years by L. Ford )
• Options: -Day hatch, sail, sail cleats, sail cover tube, Rear deck storage lines

Sea Leopard advantages

The main advantage of the Sea Leopard above other sea kayaks is the low decks both front and rear. The rear deck sits only 110 mm above the water and this contributes enormously to being able to steer the boat in extreme conditions.

• Being easier to turn in all conditions assists those paddlers who are weaker or less experienced.

Multi chined hull assists in turning and contributes to enormous stability for a fast narrow boat.

• They are easy to turn both under sail and running down waves.
• The chines make the boat very strong with virtually no hull movement or distortion.
• The boat is narrow with a maximum width of 540mm, which makes it a very fast boat. It is however very unique as it is more stable than most boats that are significantly wider. This is because of the hard chine construction, low deck and low sitting position.
• The Sea Leopard Eskimo rolls easily, and still maintains excellent stability.
• Low rear deck also makes it significantly easier if you have to climb onto the boat for re-entry and can be done easily with or without additional gear in the hull.
• It is also a boat that is equally versatile as a day expedition boat or for long expeditions.
• A fully setup Sea Leopard for expedition with sail tube, pump, 8mm continuous deck lines, mast step etc. it weighs between 24 and 26 kgs and this includes additional strength in the hull.
• A lot of people like the look of the boat as it is unique and when one gets up close details like the pump battery is in its own housing and incorporated into the rear bulk head behind the seat makes this very neat and practical. A lot of thought has gone into where fittings are placed and the type of fitting and this has come about with thought and significant paddling experience in extreme conditions

• The Sea Leopard is my favorite sea kayak. But I know it does not suit everybody. It has a small cockpit, which I love, as you really feel locked into the kayak.

• The credentials of the Sea Leopard are impressive and it spans about twenty years. People like Laurie Ford who has owned several Sea Leopards reinforce this. Laurie would be considered one of the more experienced sea kayakers in the world. Laurie paddled his boats both in Tasmania on the mainland and overseas including Japan and his newsletters and trip reports bear witness to his impressive history and skills as a Sea Kayaker. I do a trip each year where I pack for up to 7 to 10 days but like most people, I also want a boat that is stable and fun for most to the year when we are not doing over nighters. This is also a unique feature as most boats are designed to include additional gear and without this weight they are inherently unstable and in most cases impossible to sit on the rear deck for re-entry. 
•  I have paddled my own boat across Bass Strait and around Tasmania for at least 6 years.

           Phillip Barrett Level 3 instructor