Yesterday we mentioned a new low in the price point of pedal drive kayaks - Brooklyn Kayak Company's $1500 PK11. Well, yesterday we saw two more kayaks at that price point - and even one under 1000 dollars!The most intriguing of these new low priced pedal yaks is the Pelican Catch 130. This is the first pedal drive model in their line of thermoformed boats. The Catch 130 uses the same stable, open cockpit design as their popular Catch 120 model. What's unique is the pedal system, which they call "HyDryve". It uses two flippers that move back and forth, just like the Hobie Mirage drive. In fact, it looks and works almost identical to the Hobie drive. This is no coincidence - the patent on the original Mirage drive expired last year, and Pelican makes no apologies for having copied their drive.
Pelican did make one improvement. Because their yaks are thermoformed - two molds of HMWPE plastic joined together - the drive slot is more susceptible to stress fractures. To avoid this, they've added a heavy duty plate for the drive to sit in. Should the plate crack, it can be easily removed and replaced.
Being a thermoformed yak, the Catch 130 is lightweight, a mere 68 pounds minus the seat and drive. The rudder system is easy to operate, and the stadium-type seat has been upgraded from the original Catch series. MSRP is just $1499.
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