Zephyr from Esquif will be at GAF, not a prototype but

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:30 pm

the production model. The new Teaurea will also be there.

opus&binkley · Post by **opus&binkley** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:38 am

Heard a rumor that Esquif will be giving discounts etc. during GAF on saturday...any truth to that rumor?

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:19 pm

Talk to David he will get there on Friday.

David Nickerson · Post by **David Nickerson** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:59 pm

I believe NOC will be extending considerable discounts at GAF on remaining 2005 Esquif stock, but you should check in with the good people at NOC for confirmation of that.

-David

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:07 pm

NOC will have discounts on Esquif boats at GAF including ordering a new Zephyr. You won't be able to take one home from GAF but can paddle one. I'm trying to confirm the pricing at GAF but it's going to be "significant."

I'm going to buy several this fall for our instruction program due to the special pricing.

Wayner

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:43 pm

Have you got to paddle one yet? I've only been in the prototypebut for an intermediate boat it was pretty dam good.

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:38 pm

Louie wrote:Have you got to paddle one yet? I've only been in the prototypebut for an intermediate boat it was pretty dam good.

Not yet but am looking for this one to show up at NOC later this week.

Wayner

opus&binkley · Post by **opus&binkley** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:52 pm

Wayner wrote:NOC will have discounts on Esquif boats at GAF including ordering a new Zephyr. You won't be able to take one home from GAF but can paddle one. I'm trying to confirm the pricing at GAF but it's going to be "significant."

I'm going to buy several this fall for our instruction program due to the special pricing.

Wayner

How about discounts when ordering a new Taureau?

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:44 pm

Most in stock Esquif boats will be $100-200 off. Not sure if they have a Taureau but will check.

Wayner

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:47 pm

OK, the Zephyr (actually two of them) is sitting outside my office. It looks sweet! They will be available for demo this weekend at NOC. Everyone that sees them...including kayakers!...say it's the coolest looking boat ever.

I'll drop in a review as soon as I get a chance to paddle one.

Wayner

Post by **sbroam** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:55 pm

Maybe I missed this - but what's it going to retail for? Are any other boats candidates to be made in Twin-Tex?

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:23 pm

I believe Robson has used it in some of their boats that were listing at OR for about $2,000. To kickstart the interest in the boats Esquif is offering through NOC (I think this is happening with other retailers too but not positive) the Zephyr for $1,400 right now. I know the price will go up but am not sure when or how much.

Wayner

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:40 pm

Zephyr - First Impressions

Many of these thoughts are in comparison with the Spark, which has been my primary canoe this year, but also take into account many other boats I have paddled over the years.

Weight - the prototypes were "overbuilt" to stand up to the rigorous testing this winter (read Eli and Louie are going to pound on them, I'm only good for a few good boofs and rock spins

) so weigh in at 41 pounds. The production boats will be 10 pounds lighter. At 41 pounds they are still much lighter than a royalex canoe of similar size and around the same weight as my Spark. When they production boats come out, they will feel crazy light.

Stability - the boat has reasonable primary stability and really good secondary stability. It is certainly more stable and less edgy than the Zoom platform on which the boat is loosely based.

Speed - the boat has good speed for its length and stability. Although not quite as fast as the Spark, it was still quick off the line and carried momentum very well.

Predictability – I found the boat to be very predictable and it did not seem to have a mind of it’s own like some boats seem to have until you get to know them better.

Other characteristics – one other thing I noticed while paddling the Zephyr (for the 45 minutes I was paddling on a class III rapid) was that compared to most other canoes I have paddled, this one seems easier to correct in the current. What that means in the terms of real boating is, if you mess up your line, it will be easier to correct your mistake. If you have never made a mistake while running whitewater rapids, this may not matter to you.

Summary – I’m really looking forward to spending a lot more time in the Zephyr and look forward to hearing comments from other folks as well. We all have our own perspective on things and this is just mine. Paddle the boat and let us know what yours is.

Paddle on!

Wayner

Post by **PAC** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:49 pm

Any chance of you attending taking some pictures for the rest of us and posting? Thanks!

Wayner · Post by **Wayner** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:40 pm

updated info:

The new Zephyr demo canoes are here for the weekend, but no boats are yet available for sale. So here's the scoop. You can put in an order for a Zephyr with outfitting with a $300.00 deposit. The boats will sell for $1349.00. Esquif tells us that this is an introductory price that will go up at some future date.

Let us know if we can help.

Sincerely, Art
NOC Mail Order
800-367-3521

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