With summer holidays just around the corner, sit-on-top kayaks are particularly popular. This interest applies not only to tourists but also to fishermen who see the kayak as an attractive alternative to the fishing boat. The kayak-summum of the moment is the Tyr; a carbon-fibre kayak that combines a slim design with a lightweight design.
The Tyr is the brainchild of Eric Jackson, a four-time world champion in white-water kayaking. He combined his expertise with that of Russ Emanis, who headed the composites programme at Lockheed Martin, and Bob Blair, a designer of award-winning stand-up paddleboards.
The Tyr has a Styrofoam core in a carbon fibre shell (hand-painted) casing. This brings the kayak's weight to around 18 kg. Comparable kayaks used for fishing typically weigh easily one and a half times as much.
Moreover, unlike most other sit-on-tops, the Tyr's hull is flat, allowing the kayak to move easily through fairly shallow water. A fin on the underside ensures good manoeuvrability.
Tyr's hull is slightly curved at the front, allowing it to cut through waves quickly . Thanks to the kayak's open cockpit, incoming water also simply drains out of the rear. This prevents unnecessary drag and water noise.
The paddler sits in a moulded seat made of carbon fibre. It can be turned to either side and slid forwards or backwards. It can also stand upright; slipping is prevented by a layer of natural cork covering the deck. The equipment is stored in a modest loading area at the front, whose hatch is closed magnetically. Magnets are integrated in several places to keep metal objects (such as tools or lures) in place. Currently, the developers are diligently seeking investors through crowdfunding.
