Tiderace Xcite and Xcite-S by Tiderace Kayaks

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The Tiderace Xcite and Xcite-S are for all of us who find the other popular Brit kayaks too slow or too unmaneuverable. Tiderace Xcites have it all, and they are easy to Eskimo roll (great for learning to roll) and handle great in wind, waves, and surf. The Tiderace Xcite and Xcite-S feel stable, extremely stiff, and strong. The Tiderace Xcite series (Xcite and Xcite-S) are the hottest new all-around Brit style sea kayaks.

Tiderace kayaks are the creation of Aled Williams -- an experienced British kayak designer who created the Rockpool and earlier British expedition sea kayaks. Tiderace Kayaks are the newest, most up to date of all the British style kayaks on the market, and their construction quality is superior because they are built by experienced craftsmen at the same factory as Kayaksport brand kayaks in Finland (Charger Composites, known world wide for their high quality kayak construction). The Tiderace kayaks are the result of much experience in designing and building high quality sea kayaks. Of all the British kayaks on the market, the Tiderace kayaks have the most comfortable seat, most agressive knee/thigh braces, most comfortable and durable back band, best skeg system, and the highest overall quality. Think of Tiderace as Brit kayaks Version 4.0

The Xcite series has a combination of tracking and maneuverability and speed that makes it a great all around sea kayak. Whether choosing your first sea kayak or upgrading from an older, slower, less comfortable Brit boat, you can't go wrong with the Xcite.

As a rough guide, we find:
The Xcite-S is best suited for paddlers 5' 2" to 5' 8", 115-170 lbs
The Xcite is best suited for paddlers 5' 8" to 6' 3", 160 - 240 lbs

The Xcites come standard with the forward day hatch -- at last a hatch anyone can use while on the water! They also have a retractable skeg, recessed deck fittings & reflective safety lines, rubber kayaksport hatches, and adjustable back rest.

Both the Xcite and the Xcite-S have the looks and proven seaworthiness of the Greenland/British look, but updated and without the quality problems of so many similar kayaks. The Xcites have a moderately chined hull that carves turns quickly and handles well in rough seas without the added drag or fragility of a harder chine. The Xcites come standard with features such as: a retractable skeg* with state-of-the-art precise, smooth slider cable control, front and rear hatches, front and rear fiberglass bulkheads (two rear bulkheads in the full size Xcite), fiberglass seams inside and out, recessed deck fittings for safety lines, and chart holder bungees, keyhole cockpit with good hip and knee braces, and a comfortable back band.

*A skeg looks like the fin on the bottom of a surf board except on sea kayaks this skeg is designed to retract into a trunk on the bottom of the hull. With the skeg up, Xcites are very maneuverable; put the skeg down and an Xcite tracks straight even in side wind conditions where most kayaks without rudders weathercock (turn up wind). This combination of good hull design and a retractable skeg are fast making rudders (and all their problems and limitations) obsolete on sea kayaks (at least for people who know how to paddle).

 

What we like about the Xcite is the way it carves turns (unbelievable carving). It also has good speed and is easy to roll. This adds up to a great all-around sea kayak for anyone who fits the two sizes available.

Here's what Tiderace says about their kayaks:

Our hulls are reinforced throughout. We pay particular attention to keel strength as this is the key factor in making the boats last many years. Repeated landings, especially on boulder strewn or rocky beaches can be damaging to a kayak, and we build into our kayaks a high degree of survivability. Our kayaks are slightly heavier than boats from other manufacturers due to the extra reinforcing we specify. All gelcoat is sprayed; this guarantees a consistent coverage to a correct thickness, not too thick as it risks cracking. Strength comes from a laminate high in fibre mixed with the appropriate amount of resin. We believe a kayak hull should not oil-can when sat under its own weight on a rocky shore, nor should it deform when held securely on a roof rack.

Give our kayaks “the squeeze and flex test”! Grab either bow or stern keel section just above the waterline, then squeeze and flex the boat. You’ll notice the difference compared with other manufacturers’, and feel the rigidity that we specify in our construction.

We also pay particular attention to the deck construction. Decks often receive localized stress over different areas. Our back deck easily supports the weight of the paddler, and is ready reinforced to take a towing system. A large pressure is exerted through the knees while paddling in rough water conditions, this area is made strong. The front deck is designed to take the weight during a rescue, and hatch recess areas are stiffened by shape and laminate to reduce flexing while fitting hatch covers.

All seams are Kevlar reinforced, inside and out as standard, as this is a key area in a boats’ overall stiffness. Recess deck fittings are bolted in place and then glassed over on the inside. This gives a smooth interior finish and a high degree of reserve strength to the fittings. The kayak tips are made solid, and the bulkheads are glassed into place for ultimate security. Our seats extend the rigidity of the kayak’s structure by closely conforming to the hull shape, and making contact over two large base flanges padded with high density foam. Bolts join the seat tops to the cockpit rim and also secure the backrest.

 

The Kayak Academy waited a long time for a Brit kayak that was built well enough and designed well enough that we would want to sell it. The Tiderace Kayaks got it right and the Kayak Academy is proud to be their exclusive dealer in Washington State.

Call the Kayak Academy to arrange a demo.
206 527-1825