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New Kayak Spotlight: Point 65n Mercury

Posted by on May 28, 2013

The idea concept of a collapsible kayak has been around for a while with inflatable and folding kayaks dominating this space in the paddle-sphere. These collapsible kayaks are a nice option for folks who don’t have the space to store or a means to transport a full-length kayak. I’ve personally struggled with this very problem when I used to live in Boston and Cambridge. It was always challenging for me to find a safe (and affordable) location to store my 16-foot-long P&H Capella 163. Recently, Point 65n solved this problem for the urbanites amongst us through their addition of the touring-oriented Mercury to their impressive line-up of modular kayaks. Here are the deets…

 

Point 65n Mercury 14 Solo:

mercury_solo_lime

  • Length: 14’ (bow 42”, cockpit 64”, stern 62”)
  • Width: 23.6”
  • Weight: 55lbs (Polyethylene)
  • Capacity: 280lbs
  • MSRP: $1199.00

The Point 65n Mercury 14 Solo is a transitional touring kayak that breaks apart into three manageable pieces for easy transport and storage. Each of the sections weighs in at less than 25lbs and the bow section fits into the cockpit section for transport and storage. This also allows folks to move one section of the kayak at a time rather than trying to tackle the entire 55lb kayak all at once! Assembling the Mercury is literally a snap (see video below) thanks to Point 65n’s innovative snap tap technology that allows you to piece it together in only a few minutes! This is a huge advantage over the more traditional folding kayaks which can take a half-an-hour or more to assemble.

On paper, the Mercury doesn’t seem to give up much in terms of features. For starters, I like the fact that it’s made of roto-molded polyethylene. This certainly gives it the edge in durability when compared the more fragile inflatable kayaks. The Mercury also features the Point 65n Symmetry Rudder/Skeg System to assist with tracking and directional control. Based on the video, it seems like they put a lot of thought into the integration of the rudder into a modular kayak. However, my experience with the KayakDave.com Duct Tape Kayak (also a modular kayak with a rudder) leaves me a bit concerned that the cables are liable to become kinked at the section connection point. Finally, the modular nature of the Mercury ensures a safe ride with two accessible watertight compartments for gear and an isolated cockpit section equipped with foot pedals, thigh braces and adjustable seat.

 

Point 65n Mercury 18 Tandem:

mercury_tandem_red

  • Length: 17’10” (bow 42”, front cockpit 64”, rear cockpit 62”, stern 62”)
  • Width: 23.6”
  • Weight: 77lbs (Polyethylene)
  • Capacity: 530lbs
  • MSRP: $1799.00

One of the most exciting things about the Point 65n Mercury 14 Solo is that it can be easily transformed into the Mercury 18 Tandem by snapping in a second cockpit section. Now you have a kayak that you can paddle on your own (in solo mode) or take a friend along (in tandem mode)! Why stop there?? Just keep on adding additional cockpit sections to make your Mercury into a K3, K4, ect! The folks at LL Bean took this idea to the extreme during their 100th Anniversary Celebration when then constructed the world’s longest kayak, a 100-man kayak using the Point 65n Tequila!

Frankly, I don’t know of another multi-person kayak that you can carry alone (albeit in pieces), haul in the trunk of your car, fit in an elevator or stow under your bed!

 

If you’re looking for versatility or a solution to your kayak storage problem then look no further than Point 65n modular kayaks!
Happy Paddling!

-Kayak Dave

 

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