Shooting Star© is a new, smaller, lower volume, baidarka
from Laughing Loon. The dimensions are 16' 6" long and 21" wide,
The finished weight is 35 pounds. The suggested weight range is from 100
to 200 pounds. It is nimble, responsive and fast.
Shooting Star is not a scaled down version of the North
Star. The volume is lower, especially in the rear deck. The hull is slightly
flattened to improve stability in such a narrow kayak. Though the Shooting
Star is only 21" wide at the widest point at the sheer line, stability
is good and secondary stability excellent. She is very responsive to paddle
strokes yet tracks very well.
Shooting Star will appeal to the paddler who wants a fast
responsive day boat. With all the great speed, tracking and handling characteristics
of the baidarka style.
Some comments, by Ken Katz
"I have been able to paddle my SS in some different
conditions and am very pleased with the boat!"
"Paddling into the waves, the SS seemed to pitch
less than my other boats and was drier than I expected."
"The SS tracks really well when surfing down the
face of a wave.
"I didn't think it was possible to have a kayak
track this well and be able to turn this easily."
"As it sits it is an excellent boat!! It not only
looks fast and sleek, it shines.
Thanks again Rob for an awesome boat!! "
Follow this link to read Ken's full comments.
The Shooting Star© is also a baidarka for the smaller paddler, with enough storage
space for extended trips. It has the forward and stern volume typical of
the baidarka style which gives the Shooting Star as much storage space
as many larger length kayaks.
If you are 100 to 200 pounds the Shooting Star will be
a good all round kayak for someone at the lower weight range or a good
day boat for someone at the the higher end of that weight range.