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Frequently Asked General Questions
Differences
Colours
Repairs and Maintenance
Differences
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What is the difference between plastic and fibreglass?
The most basic differences are:
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Plastic
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Fibreglass
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Rotational moulded products are made as 1 piece and there are no seams that can split.
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Generally made in 2 halves (a top and a bottom), and then joined.
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Very durable and resistant to impact, such as running into rocks or dropping onto the ground.
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If you run into a rock, is more likely to be damaged and require repair.
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You will not experience any irritation from contact with the plastic, and because they made by melting grindings together, there are no loose ends to get tangled in your clothes or skin.
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Some people have been known to get itchy from touching fibreglass and if the small fibres penetrate the skin, they can cause an infection.
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Is generally a little bit heavier.
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Depending on the manufacturer, a boat of the same size will usually be a little bit lighter, but can also be heavier.
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What is the difference between a canoe and a kayak?
The most basic differences are:
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Canoe
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Kayak
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In a canoe you sit on a raised seat with your legs bent to 90 degrees (like when you sit in a chair).
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In a kayak you sit on a seat on the bottom of the hull with your legs straight out in front of you.
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In a canoe you will usually use single paddles (although you can use a double paddle, but it will need to be longer than standard to give you the extra reach down to the water because you are sitting up higher than you would lin a kayak).
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In a kayak you will usually use double paddles (although you can use singles if required).
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In a canoe you can generally take a lot more bulky gear than in a kayak. Most canoes will be able to easily take the hard plastic 30 and 60 litre storage drums.
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In a kayak there is usually less storage space and because you have to get any gear to be stored into the kayak, you can only take smaller items and they will need to be able to fit into dry bags.
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What do I need to consider when choosing between a sit-in and a sit-on kayak?
There are a number of differences between a sit-in and a sit-on kayak, and these are:
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Sit-in Kayak
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Sit-on Kayak
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In a sit-in kayak you will stay drier and warmer, making it more enjoyable to paddle in winter, and meaning that you can use your kayak all year round.
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On a sit-on kayak you are more likely to get wet (even with plugs blocking the drainage holes) meaning that you are more likely to get cold if you paddle through winter.
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With a sit-in kayak, you will need to be able to lower and lift yourself into and out of the kayak in a forward facing position, so some co-ordination and physical strength will be required.
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A sit-on kayak is easier to get onto for people with reduced physical capacities. For those with arthritic or range of motion issues (who will benefit from the general exercise of paddling), a sit-on kayak will allow you to sit side-on to the kayak and then to swing your legs around and into the forward facing position.
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Whilst a sit-in kayak gives you the advantage of being able to stay drier, they also have the possibility of being able to be filled with water.
Whilst Australis watercraft will float above the waterline full of water, the weight of the water will mean that they will become heavy and will make it difficult when you have to swim it to shore to empty it out.
Tip
To get rid of water in your kayak when out on the water, carry a bailer/bucket or hand bilge pump so that you can scoop most of the water out. A sponge is great for getting rid of those last little bits of water.
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Sit-on kayaks are great for children and teenagers because they can climb onto the kayak from the water, and any water they bring over the edge as they climb back in, will drain straight out of the drainage holes, meaning that they can't fill the kayak up with water.
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Colours
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What colours are Australis craft available in?
The colours that make up the Australis range include:
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Red
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Magenta (Pink)
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Purple
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Orange
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Yellow
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Dark Blue
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Light Blue (Sky Blue)
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Dark Green (Heritage Green)
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Light Green (Apple Green)
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Fluoro Green
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Bronze Olive
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Teal
Individual colour combinations can be seen below.
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What specific colours are the watercraft available in?
All Australis watercraft are available in plain colours.
Some models are also available as 2 and 3 colour multis, where you can mix any of the colours above, and where you can also include black or white in the mix.
| Model |
Plain colour |
2 colour multi |
3 colour multi |
Limitations |
Usual Stock Colours |
Examples |
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Canoes and 2 Person Kayak
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| Bushranger |
Yes |
No |
No |
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None |
| Swagman |
Yes |
No |
No |
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None |
| 2-Up |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow
- Camouflage
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None |
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Sit-in Kayaks
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| Funyak |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
- 2 colour multi is speckled only
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- Yellow
- Red
- Orange/Yellow Speckled
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None |
| Barra |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow/White
- Camouflage
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None |
| Bass |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow
- Camouflage
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Bass examples |
| Platypus |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow
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None |
| Saratoga |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow/White
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None |
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Sea Kayaks
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| Gecko |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow/White
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Gecko examples |
| Salamander |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow/White
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None |
| Iguana |
Yes |
No |
No |
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None |
| Komodo |
Yes |
No |
No |
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None |
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Sit-on-top Kayaks
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| Ocky |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow
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Ocky examples |
| Squid |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow
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Squid examples |
| Cuttlefish |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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- Dark Blue/White
- Orange/Yellow
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Cuttlefish examples |
| Illusion |
Yes |
No |
No |
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None |
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Repairs and Maintenance
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Can my craft be welded if I get a hole in it?
All Australis products are made from first use, high density, linear polyethylene.
This material is repairable, and can easily be welded by anyone experienced in plastic welding.
Welding rod repair kits can be purchased from Australis Canoes in colours to match your Australis watercraft.
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What do I need to do to maintain my canoe?
NOT MUCH!!
Australis Canoes are virtually maintenance free, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular with hire operators.
The use of aluminium supports and plastic moulded seats means that there is no wood that can rot over time because of exposure to the elements.
All you need do (if you really want to), is to hose any sand or mud out of the boat.
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What do I need to do to maintain my kayak with a rudder?
We recommend that you hose off your rudder cables and footrests if you have been in sandy or salty conditions to minimise salt build up on these parts, that can make it difficult to adjust for another person.
Before each extended journey or open ocean paddle, check that all of your cables are in good condition and not frayed or close to breaking. It is also a good idea to carry spare cable in your kayak incase one of your cables breaks.
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