The PaddlerUK magazine July 2015 issue 3 | Page 73

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The material has also been extended beyond the deck to
create a dry lip or apron around the front/side edge of the
deck.This increases the level of fit of the deck against the boat.
The design reduces even further the chances of water entering
the cockpit via the underside of the rand.

HULA

CALYPSO

PARADISE II

STRIKE

The deck also has a number of other good features.These
include a nice and bright hi-vis grab loop and a large area of
sticky silicon coating on the inner side of the deck that will
spend its life in contact with the cockpit. Again this helps
prevent the chances of deck implosion and makes the deck
stick.
The size I use is an XL deck with L tunnel waist (33-36”). XL or
big deck will fit almost the entire current crop of kayak designs
from Dagger, Liquidlogic , etc. With the Royale having a low
stretch rand it is critical that you get the right size for your boat
and if you are unsure of the size you need check out
www.skirtfit.com which is a great resource for all paddlers.

SIT-ON-TOPS AND KAYAKS

Pros:
l
l
l
l

Tough deck that will take a beating.
Stays put no matter what you throw at it.
Good fit on a wide range of boats.
Really dry.

Cons:
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l

Tough to get on initially.
Low stretch means getting the right size is more critical than
with a bungee based deck.

New for 2015, the Approach is the do-it-all kayak
in our range of sit-in kayaks. Nimble in waves and
currents, it can hold a steady track with its retractable
skeg, and it has plenty of stow space for longer trips.

Overall the Royale is a very impressive piece of equipment that
is unlikely to let you down. Both fit and performance is good.
The Royale will be my go to deck until it wears out, but after
well over a year’s worth of heavy and regular use, I’m not sure
when that will actually be!

islanderkayaks.com