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'Phantom Stealth' Freestyle Whitewater Kayak
The Phantom Stealth is a radical new freestyle whitewater design. My design objectives were rather ambitious: I wanted a kayak with sharp edges for responsive carving; a flat, rockered bottom for hole spinning; slicey ends for easy cartwheeling; good bow volume to generate huge aerial loops; stern volume to eliminate squirrely eddy line behavior; enough length to easily attain upstream features; easy rolls; and really cool looks.
I think the Phantom Stealth has met my objectives! The deck's flat, angular "control planes" interact responsively and predictably with the water. The analogy is that of a ping pong paddle that a player angles against a ball. The bow deck's sharp central spine also helps limit unwanted side slipping during stalls and when initiating loops.
Shown here is the stitch-and-glue prototype I built from plywood and fiberglass.
Do-It-Yourselfers: See the gallery for a series of how-to design and construction photos. Sign my guest book and let me know what you think! --Andy
Send E-Mail to: benn6120@att.net
Copyright © 2009 Andy Bennett. All Rights Reserved