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As I wrote in my first post about the Umnak Icefloe Fjord, Derek designed her on request of the Norwegians. He used the Icefloe-design which he modified by taking away the integral skeg. As Willem Molengraaf understood from Derek the hull and deck of the Fjord are equal to the Icefloe.
I quoted in this first post that Derek once talled Willem that he did not like the Fjord.

Just now I found a discussion on the Sea&Surf-forum where Owen wrote something similar on the 26th april 2007:
As I understand from the discussion which was going on, this was due to difficulties holding her on course in a quartering sea.

Probably this was exact the result of the design-target for the Fjord to improve on the Icefloe which holds course well in quartering seas but was difficult in a beam wind; probably because of leecocking.

So what´s the truth??
- Is Derek disappointed because he had to change his favorite Icefloe design for the Norwegians?
- Is the Fjord-design really that bad?
- Did P&H sell only few Fjords because of the image the Icefloe created the years before?
- Is the Fjord not suited to novices in seakayaking, despite her stability being very good.
- Or do you need to have perfect boatcontact before she obeys the "captain".

Personally, having paddled the Fjord in some heavy conditions, I don´t understand Derek´s disappointment about the Fjord.
I thinks she looks good. I can understand however that a quatering sea can knock her of course, but the adjustable skeg will fix this easily as the Fjord will react as the Icefloe once you drop the skeg.
At the end, my feeling is that the Fjord is an improvement of the Icefloe.

But: I will continue paddling the Fjord while trying to understand Derek´s disappointment.

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7 Comments

by JB-NL @ 02 Oct 2008 11:25 pm

That good old Fjord, actually the first Sea Kayak I learned to kayak in.
I Still like the sharp bow, that goes so smooth through the waves. It was not that fast and yes she has some wide "hips" that make you work if you want to roll.
But in my opinion not a bad design, a reliable boat, good tracking and maneuverability also in heavy seas.
But you do not see them around anymore...
JB

by JB-NL @ 02 Oct 2008 11:33 pm

In addition I bought my Fjord by Harry Tieken at Nibbixwoud in December 1986. One of the first kayaks, besides the Meridian with a skeg.
I believe Derek introduced his kayak in the Netherlands at the swimming pool in Leiden (or that area) in autumn that year.

by Rene @ 14 Oct 2008 01:30 pm

Yeah, where are all those Fjords these days?? Certainly not paddling!
Burned???

by JB-NL @ 15 Oct 2008 11:13 pm

LAst Sunday we saw 1 around the Noorderhaaks, a young guy, proudly smiling ;-)

JB

by Dave @ 16 Jan 2009 05:38 am

I've Just purchased a mint fjord in New Zealand, I believe its first home was in Holland, shes all White with blue deck and cockpit trim called the "Pearl".

by Dave @ 21 Jan 2009 05:17 pm

Email from P & H (a sea kayak manufacturer) and we made the Fjord sea kayak from 1982 until the end of 1991.
The Fjord is quite a large sea kayak, it is 16ft 8 inches long and 24 inches wide, it was designed as a full expedition kayak although we did make a few without the hatches and bulkheads.
The Fjord was based on the Icefloe sea kayak, paddlers had asked if we could make the Icefloe more manoeuvrable so we removed the skeg from the stern of the kayak and made some slight changes to the bow. Most of the Fjords had a retractale skeg fitted with a control at one side of the cockpit.

by Rene @ 22 Jan 2009 09:56 am

Hi Dave,

Thx for this information.
It´s interesting to see a kayak, built in Holland, end up in New Zealand.
I think a Fjord is a very capable and safe kayak. My only comment until now is that rolling is a bit heavy.