We bought a used VKV Kåre in the summer of 2006. Kåre is a kind and very safe exercise kayak. Perfect for beginners. It is 492 cm long and 58 cm wide. Our model is from 1976 (we found out after contacting VKV, they were fully aware).
Kåre has a simple wooden seat that is adjustable longitudinally. The steering is done with stick steering which is easy to adjust and feels good.
Kåre has no bulkheads and hatches at the front or back, but instead has floating tanks on the sides so that it floats even when filled with water.
We use our Kåre mostly in our nearest lake, Västersjön too few exercise rounds. But unfortunately it happens (also) too rarely.
Nowadays, Kåre is manufactured again. Now in classic white VKV look with blue stripe. Probably a little heavier than the old models, the new one has a large (reasonably anyway) hatch at the back and a small screw hatch at the front.
Hi
May I ask if you use Kåren for longer trips at sea? Looking for our first kayak (myself and partner) and the new one that has bulkheads and hatches seems very nice, easy to paddle but somewhat small. In terms of packing, I don't think there are any problems, but in terms of stability, maybe?
A VKV Lisa feels a bit big and stable, but maybe it's just a joke?
Had!
Hello!
We have only used Kåren for short day trips. The previous owner certainly drove it on some overnight trips as well. Probably works well, depends on the type of paddling water as well and what the paddler is used to. Can be good with a lot of space, but the disadvantage of big, spacious kayaks is that you usually fill them with good-to-have stuff and so the kayak becomes heavy and the paddling a bit tougher and more boring, but maybe life on land is better 🙂
Thanks for the reply! Sounds good, certainly a good kayak to start with. If you spread the gooey stuff over a couple of kayaks, you'll probably have enough room anyway 🙂