Still thinking here....ID characteristics and giving them a numeric value after explanation. i.e.:

Length: Length of a kayak impacts the character of turning as well as speed. The shorter a kayak the slower, the longer the faster. Shorter, easier manuverability, longer, less ability to turn. It can also affect characteristics such as tracking and storage, weight, etc.

Scale is 1-10, 1 is 5 foot, whitewater, 10 is 21 foot, sea kayak

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5ft 7ft 9ft 11ft 12ft 13ft 15ft 17ft 19ft 21ft

so,

•Heritage Redfish 14 = 6.5
• Hobie Adventure = 7.5
• Hobie Outback Fisherman = 5
• Hobie Outfitter = 5
• Hobie Quest = 6
• Hobie Revolution = 6
• Hobie Sport Fisherman = 3
• Malibu Mini-X = 3
• Malibu X-Factor = 6.5
• Native Ultimate 12' = 5
• Native Ultimate 14' = 6.5
• Ocean Kayak Caper = 4
• Ocean Kayak Drifter = 5
• Ocean Kayak Malibu 2 XL = 6.5
• Ocean Kayak Prowler 13' = 6
• Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 = 7
• Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game
• Wilderness Systems Pamlico 145T = 6.5
• Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 = 5
• Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 = 6.5
• Wilderness Systems Ride 135 = 6
• Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 = 5
• Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 = 7
• Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160i = 7.5

So if long distance, straight line performance were important to me, I could look at each model and get a general sense of they're ranking to each other and to the standardized model.

No wdo the same for rocker, explain function and then scale and rate, maybe even get your chine in here, could give numeric value to equal primary and secondary a 5, with 1 being great primary, lousy secondary and 10 being exact opposite. Scott

Let's see how we can squeeze the rest of these (from Topkayaker) into categories:


Model-Manufacturer, SOUTHERN ACCENT 17-Adventures Through Kayaking, KAHUNA-Aquaterra, SWING-Aquaterra, SYNCHRO-Aquaterra, PRISM-Aquaterra, BIG KAHUNA-Aquaterra, SOLARIS DLX-Azul, SOLARIS-Azul, TOBAGO-Bic Sport, SCAPA-Bic Sport, BILBAO FISHING-Bic Sport, KALAO-Bic Sport, BILBAO-Bic Sport, SCAPA FISHING-Bic Sport, QUASSOU-Bic Sport, YAKKA 80-Bic Sport, YAKKA 120-Bic Sport, YAKKA 120 EXPLORER-Bic Sport, KALAO FISHING-Bic Sport, CLC SIT ON TOP (KIT)-Chesapeake Light Craft, TOFINO-Clear Water Design, JITTERBUG-Clear Water Design, REVISION-Cobra, QUAD-Cobra, PLAY-Cobra, DOUBLE+1-Cobra, MARAUDER-Cobra, ESCAPE-Cobra, STRIKE-Cobra, NAVIGATOR-XF-Cobra, FISH 'N DIVE-Cobra, EXPLORER-Cobra, EXPEDITION-Cobra, ELIMINATOR-Cobra, FISH N DIVE-XF-Cobra, PRO FISHERMAN-Cobra, TANDEM-Cobra, SURF SKI-Cobra, PLAY XL-Cobra, TOURER-Cobra, TRIPLE-Cobra, XL-Cobra, WAVE WITCH-Cobra, NAVIGATOR-Cobra, T/A TRAVELER-Cobra, RANGER-Coleman, VOYAGER II-Coleman, QUEST-Coleman, PRO 2 TANDEM-Competition, CK 3.4-Competition, CK 4.4-Competition, CK 4.4 PRO-Competition, PRO EXPLORER-Competition, SPLASH I-Crescent Kayak, SPLASH II-Crescent Kayak, KESTREL 140 SOT-Current Designs, ALTURA-Current Designs, SPEEDSTER-Current Designs, TRIBAL-Dag, COTIER-Dag, KOMPAK-Dag, LAGOON 2-Dag, LAGOON 1-Dag, FREELAND-Dag, MIDWAY-Dag, GRAND CAYMAN-Dagger, FROLIC-Dagger, CAYMAN-Dagger, PEGASUS-Dagger, TIKI-Dagger, SPIRIT-Dimension Old Town, SOLO-Dimension Old Town, SPIRIT DUO-Dimension Old Town, TYPHOON-Dimension Old Town, VOYAGEUR-Dimension Old Town, MAYFLY-Dimension Old Town, CRICKET-Dimension Old Town, MOOREA-Dragonfly Innovation, ESKIMO 17 CRX 3G SK-Easy Rider, ESKIMO 18-6 CRX 3G SK-Easy Rider, CUB SCOUT-Easy Rider, ESKIMO 19 CRX 4G Harpoon SK-Easy Rider, FISHERMAN-Emotion, MOJO-Emotion, CO-MOTION-Emotion, MOJO ANGLER-Emotion, MANEYAK-Emotion, FISHERMAN PRO-Emotion, CHARGER-Emotion, TANDEMONIUM-Emotion, EXHILARATOR-Emotion, MAVERICK-Emotion, VOYAGER-Emsco, EPITOT-Epi, EPIBRAT-Epi, V-10 SPORT-Epic, GP SPORT-Epic, V-10L-Epic, V-10 SURF SKI-Epic, ONDA-Extreme, UNO-Feathercraft, GEMINI-Feathercraft, JET STREAM-Feathercraft, JAVA-Feathercraft, TRI-YAK-Feel Free, NOMAD-Feel Free, MOVE-Feel Free, APOLLO-Feel Free, GEMINI-Feel Free, TRIFLY-Fifth Axis, CHUMANI-Fluid, VAYA-Fluid, SYNERGY-Fluid, C-4-Futura, BLADE-Futura, FUTURA II SPORT TOURING-Futura, TANDEM SPORT-Futura, SPORT-Futura, ARROW-Futura, B-2-Futura, FUTURA 15-Futura, JAVELIN S-Futura, JOURNEY-Futura, SPEAR-Futura, SPECTRUM-Futura, INFERNO-Futura, Sl-R-Futura, Sl-X-Futura, Sl-A-Futura, FUTURA TR-Futura, BEACH KAYAK-Future Beach, WATER SKATE-Future Beach, GETAWAY-Getaway, SWELL-Great Canadian, RASCAL-Great Canadian, SEADART 14-Heritage, PELICAN-Heritage, SHEARWATER KV-Heritage, SPLASH-Heritage, TANDEM-Heritage, SEADART LP-Heritage, MARQUESA-Heritage, FISHERMAN PRO 14-Heritage, SEADART XL-Heritage, SEADART 14 ANGLER-Heritage, SEADART KV-Heritage, REDFISH 14 ANGLER-Heritage, REDFISH 14-Heritage, REDFISH 12 ANGLER-Heritage, NOMAD-LP-Heritage, NOMAD-KV-Heritage, SEADART 17-Heritage, NOMAD-II-Heritage, FISHERMAN PRO 17-Heritage, OSPREY-Heritage, SHEARWATER II-Heritage, EXPEDITION MKII-Heritage, EXPEDITION-LP-Heritage, REDFISH 12-Heritage, REDFISH 10 ANGLER-Heritage, DOLPHIN-Heritage, MAKO-Heritage, FISHERMAN-Heritage, OSPREY SCOUT-Heritage, REDFISH 10-Heritage, SEA OTTER-KV-Heritage, SEADART MKII-Heritage, EXPEDITION KV-Heritage, SEA OTTER-II-Heritage, MIRAGE ADVENTURE FISH-Hobie, MIRAGE TANDEM-Hobie, LANAI-Hobie, MAUI-Hobie, PURSUIT-Hobie, ODYSSEY-Hobie, MIRAGE OUTBACK-Hobie, MIRAGE REVOLUTION-Hobie, MIRAGE OASIS-Hobie, MIRAGE ADVENTURE-Hobie, MIRAGE CLASSIC-Hobie, MIRAGE OUTFITTER-Hobie, MIRAGE OUTFITTER FISH-Hobie, ASPIRE-Hobie, SPORT-Hobie, MIRAGE OUTBACK FISH-Hobie, SPORT FISH-Hobie, MIRAGE REVOLUTION FISH-Hobie, KONA-Hobie, QUEST FISH-Hobie, QUEST-Hobie, Mirage i12S-Hobie, Mirage i14T-Hobie,HOP ON TOP 12-Hop On Top, HOP ON TOP 18-Hop On Top, HOP ON TOP 16-Hop On Top, POCKET ROCKET-Hunt Johnsen Designs, WAVE WITCH WOODY-Hunt Johnsen Designs, WAVE WITCH CLASSIC-Hunt Johnsen Designs, WAVE WITCH HORIZON-Hunt Johnsen Designs, WITCHLET-Hunt Johnsen Designs, PHOENIX 160-Hurricane, PHOENIX 120-Hurricane, PHOENIX 140-Hurricane, PHOENIX 130-Hurricane, FUNYAK-Hydra, ADVENTURER-Hydra, AQUANAUT-Hydra, AQUANAUT TWIN-Hydra, CONTROL RIDER-Hydra, XST-Innovex, PARADISE II-Islander, WAVE RIDER-Islander, COLADA-Islander, VENTURA-Islander, PARADISE I-Islander, MAKAI-Islander, STRIKE-Islander, MOKU-Islander, HULA-Islander, REGGAE-Islander, LIPSTICK-Islander, FESTIVA-Islander, BIGSTIK-Islander, FLORIDA-Janautica-Splash Dance, SUNTIME-Janautica-Splash Dance, BLUEFISH TANDEM 17-Jem, SABOLO-Jem, CAPE FEAR SOT 16-Jem, WADEFISH 15-Jem, BARRACUDA-Jem, SEA HORSE-Karel’s, STEALTH-Karel’s, RODEO-Karel’s, CUDA SINGLE-Karel’s, CUDA DOUBLE-Karel’s, CUDA SKI-Karel’s, FANATIC TWIN-Kiwi, FANATIC-Kiwi, TAD KAT-Kiwi, ANGLER-Kiwi, STEALTH-Kiwi, TADPOLE II-Kiwi, KAYAKI-Kiwi, SEA VU-Kiwi, CALYPSO-Kiwi, ROGUE RIVER-Leisure Life Ltd, MANTA RAY 10-Liquid Logic, MANTA RAY 14-Liquid Logic, MANTA RAY 12-Liquid Logic, BEAT-Mainstream, TWIST-Mainstream, CAN-CAN-Mainstream, RENEGADE-Mainstream, JAZZ-Mainstream, FANDANGO-Mainstream, DOUBLEPLAY-Mainstream, IMPRESSION-Mainstream, KINGFISH-Mainstream, TANGO-Mainstream, EXPRESS-Malibu Kayaks, EXPERIENCE 14-Malibu Kayaks, PRO 2 TANDEM-Malibu Kayaks, SURFRIDER-Malibu Kayaks, X-FACTOR-Malibu Kayaks, VISION CLASSIC-Malibu Kayaks, EXPERIENCE 18-Malibu Kayaks, MINI-X-Malibu Kayaks, PRO EXPLORER-Malibu Kayaks, MALIBU 4.4-Malibu Kayaks, MALIBU 3.4-Malibu Kayaks, EXTREME-Malibu Kayaks, MYAK-Myak, ORCA-Na, MAGIC 10-Native Watercraft, MAGIC 12-Native Watercraft, MAGIC 14.5-Native Watercraft, DOLPHIN-Necky, DORADO-Necky, CRUISER-Necky, CRUISER II-Necky, SPIKE-Necky, PROWLER BIG GAME-Ocean Kayak, DRIFTER-Ocean Kayak, SPRINTER-Ocean Kayak, AEGEAN-Ocean Kayak, SCRAMBLER XT ANGLER-Ocean Kayak, ZUMA TWO-Ocean Kayak, CAPER ANGLER-Ocean Kayak, ZEST TWO-Ocean Kayak, YAK BOARD-Ocean Kayak, YAHOO!-Ocean Kayak, POCKET TRACKER-Ocean Kayak, SIDEKICK-Ocean Kayak, SCUPPER PRO TW-Ocean Kayak, MALIBU TWO XL-Ocean Kayak, SCUPPER CLASSIC-Ocean Kayak, SCUPPER PRO-Ocean Kayak, KEA-Ocean Kayak, SCRAMBLER XT-Ocean Kayak, SCRAMBLER-Ocean Kayak, DRIFTER ANGLER-Ocean Kayak, PROWLER 13-Ocean Kayak, BIG YAK-Ocean Kayak, ZEST TWO EXP-Ocean Kayak, VENUS 11-Ocean Kayak, SCRAMBLER XL-Ocean Kayak, POCO-Ocean Kayak, CABO-Ocean Kayak, DAWN TRAKKER-Ocean Kayak, MANTA-Ocean Kayak, MALIBU TWO-Ocean Kayak, RRRAPIDO!-Ocean Kayak, FRENZY-Ocean Kayak, MARS-Ocean Kayak, VENUS 10-Ocean Kayak, CAPER-Ocean Kayak, PROWLER 15-Ocean Kayak, PUFFIN-Old Town, SANDPIPER-Old Town, REBEL-On The Edge, OUT LAW-On The Edge, HAMMERHEAD-Orange County Rm, H2YO-Ot (Old Town), DOUBLE HELIX-Ot (Old Town), HELIX-Ot (Old Town), SALISH-Pacific Northwest Design, KWANAT-Pacific Northwest Design, SWIFT-Paddle Yak, DARTER TOURER-Paddle Yak, PRO-X SURFSKI-Paddle Yak, DARTER TRIPPER-Paddle Yak, FUSION-Paddle Yak, TANGO DOUBLE-Paddle Yak, HURRICANE-Paddle Yak, SOLO TOURER-Paddle Yak, KINGFISHER-Paddle Yak, SWIFT HYBRID DOUBLE-Paddle Yak, VOYAGER DOUBLE-Paddle Yak, THRILL-Pelican, CHALLENGER-Pelican, PHANTOM-Pelican, VIPER-Pelican, WATERSNAKE-Pelican, APEX 116-Pelican, APEX II-Pelican, ZEST-Pelican, BURST-Pelican, CASTAWAY 116-Pelican, APEX 129T-Pelican, PRISM-Perception, FIVE-O-Perception, SWING-Perception, SYNCHRO-Perception, TORRENT-Perception, SEARCH 15 ANGLER-Perception, KOHO 9.5-Perception, ALOHA 8.5-Perception, LANIKAI 12.5-Perception, CASTER 12.5-Perception, CASTER 11.5-Perception, BIMINI-Perception, SEARCH 13-Perception, KOHO 11.5-Perception, SEARCH 15-Perception, NAPALI-Perception, ILLUSION-Perception, MANDALY-Perception, PRISM BACK COUNTRY-Perception, SEARCH 13 ANGLER-Perception, TWISTER-Prijon, DELPHIN-Prijon, SURF JET 305-Pyranha, COMANCHE-Quiver, NALU-Riot, TRACER FISHING-Riot, ESCAPE EXP-Riot, DELTA EXP-Riot, ENDURANCE-Riot, ESCAPADE-Riot, ESCAPADE EXP-Riot, CRYSTAL-Riot, TRACKER FISHING-Riot, FIJI-Robson, KONA-Robson, KAILUA-Robson, CROCO-Robson, INDY KID-Robson, ROYAK-Royak Marine, OCEAN DUO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, SLIDE MASTER-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, TANGO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, OPTIMO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, TANGO KAYAK VISION-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, TEMPO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, MAMBO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, OCEAN QUATRO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, PASEO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, TEMPO ANGLER-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, SLIDE SUPER-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, DISCO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, TANGO ANGLER-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, OCEAN QUATRO ANGLER-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, EXPLORER-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, LOKO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, ZEST 240-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, PICCOLO-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, BAIA SPORT-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, COMANCHE-Rtm Kayak & Canoe, REVENGE HYBRID-Seda, REVENGE KEVLAR-Seda, REVENGE FIBERGLASS-Seda, UNIVERSAL-Shane, SPIRIT CTR-Spirit Paddle Sports, SPIRIT DOUBLE CTR-Spirit Paddle Sports, SWELL-Sun, SUNFIN CADENZA-Sunfin, FISHPRO-Tideline, FISHPRO TWO-Tideline, TIDELINE ANYTIME-Tideline, TK1 XTRA FLOAT-Tracker, MAHI MAHI-Trinity Bay, TONGA-Trinity Bay, WAHOO-Trinity Bay, X-15 SCRAMJET-Tsunami, X-0 CROSSOVER-Tsunami, X-7 MOJO-Tsunami, X-1 ROCKET-Tsunami, X-2 STARSHIP-Tsunami, X-3 TRIDENT-Tsunami, MAKO-Twogood, PREDATOR II-Twogood, OFFSHORE SX-Twogood, OFFSHORE XT-Twogood, PORTLOCK-Twogood, OFFSHORE GT-Twogood, CONDOR TANDEM-Twogood, CHALUPSKI-Twogood, VICTORY SPECIAL OCI COMB -Valhalla, VICTORY-Valhalla, VIKING W.DOUBLE OUTRIGGER-Valhalla, VIKING INTERNATIONAL-Valhalla, VICTORY SPECIAL OCI COMB -Valhalla, VIKING INTERNATIONAL-Valhalla, VIKING W.DOUBLE OUTRIGGER-Valhalla, VICTORY SPECIAL-Valhalla, VICTORY SPECIAL XX-Valhalla, VIKING-Valhalla, SURF JET-Venture, SHEARWATER-Venturesport, BAYRUNNER S-2-Venturesport, FX-Venturesport, FJORD-Venturesport, STINGRAY S-2-Venturesport, STINGER LS-Venturesport, DOLPHIN-Venturesport, DART-Venturesport, FREEDOM-Venturesport, HAMMERHEAD-Venturesport, MAKO MILLENIUM-Venturesport, NEEDLE-Venturesport, ISTHMUS-Venturesport, DORADO FISHING SKI-Venturesport, CROSSTRAINER-Venturesport, SKUA-Venturesport, UX-Venturesport, SKUA DUO-Venturesport, TEMPO-Viking Kayak, MILO-Walden, NALU-Walden, CUDA-Walden, NALU EXPEDITION-Walden, RACING SKI-Wave Master, PADDLE SKI-Wave Master, TARPON 120-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 140 ANGLER-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 160i ANGLER-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 120 ANGLER-Wilderness Systems, RIPPER-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 160i-Wilderness Systems, RIDE 135 ANGLER-Wilderness Systems, RIDE 135-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 140-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 100-Wilderness Systems, FREEDOM-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 80-Wilderness Systems, EQUATOR-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 160-Wilderness Systems, TWO-CAN-Wilderness Systems, RIDE-Wilderness Systems, RIOT-Wilderness Systems, PARADISE-Wilderness Systems, KAOS-Wilderness Systems, TARPON 130T-Wilderness Systems, Pelican-Kaskazi, Dorado-Kaskazi, Kaskazi OS1-Kaskazi, Raven-Kaskazi, SCUA AR-ARX-Kaskazi, Duo AR-ARX-Kaskazi, The Thong-Kaskazi, ECHO-Wavedance, PACER-Wavedance, ENCORE-Wavedance, CALYPSO-Wavedance, CAPRI-Wavedance, ESPRI-Viking, AQUA II-Viking, TEMPO EXPLORER-Viking, TEMPO FISHERMAN-Viking

That's a lot of farking kayaks!!!

So the problem is breaking them down into sub-categories and then ranking them based on different parameters on dimensions and performance

dimensions will lend themselves to objective data points. The performance will be more subjective. i like identifying characteristics and give them a 1-10 ranking. I want a stable contact, get something about 7.5, stability based on width, chine style, etc. Still alot of stuff. Scott

quote:

Originally posted by Scott:
dimensions will lend themselves to objective data points. The performance will be more subjective. i like identifying characteristics and give them a 1-10 ranking. I want a stable contact, get something about 7.5, stability based on width, chine style, etc. Still alot of stuff. Scott

Agreed. Let's find some objective data points to categorize them and then they can be rated individually.

What I want to avoid is having a thousand kayaks listed alphabetically and then just listing ratings/facts about them.

We need a way to point someone to a specific kayak, or group of kayaks, based on their specific needs.