Harpoon TR Design Statement: I well remember how much I enjoyed the easy glide of an Olympic flatwater racing kayak. These memories and the growing popularity of long-distance races triggered the design of the Harpoon TR (T for touring, R for racing).
The design intent for the TR included the following criteria: to provide a kayak for the paddling purist who appreciates the speed and efficiency of a competition-caliber hull; the seaworthiness, stability, and cargo capacity for extended trips; and generous bow and stern cargo hatches for loading bulky gear. And, as with all my other designs, elegant lines and good looks were of equal importance.
The TR shares the same gene pool of all the other Easy Rider CR™ kayaks. It incorporates special deck moldings to take advantage of Easy Rider’s innovative outrigger, catamaran and high-performance airfoil sailing options.
To enhance the open water safety in adverse conditions, the TR can be used with our highly refined paddle-float rescue system or the Instant Outrigger™ Safety System, or it can be paddled with a removable safety outrigger.
Peter Kaupat
Reviewers:
VS 5′ 2″, 160-pound female. Day trip in light winds.
GL 5′ 11″, 165-pound male. Day trips, paddling in calm conditions. Sailing in winds to 10 knots.
TE 6’1″, 200-pound male. Several day trips in various conditions calm to 4 foot wind waves, winds from 0 to 20 knots.
Harpoon TR Reviews:
The manufacturer provided two Harpoon TRs: a fiberglass version fully outfitted for sailing (the subject of the review), and a light carbon-fiber model equipped to take an outrigger or catamaran with the other boat. The layup had an “excellent appearance” (GL). The outrigger poles are set in grooves in the deck and are secured with fiberglass fittings that bolt into a reinforced area of the deck.
While the grip on the coaming makes it manageable to carry solo, the TR’s 651/2 pound weight and 19-foot length takes some getting used to. Toggles on the end make an easy assisted carry.
The deck fittings include a number of cleats and molded-in features to accommodate the sails and the outrigger. There are bungies forward and aft of the cockpit but no accommodation for a spare paddle nor grab lines forward. On the aft deck the nylon cord rudder lines could be used to hang onto the boat. There is a stainless steel U-bolt for locking the boat.
The cockpit opening is “huge, easy to get in and out of” (GL) and “long enough to get in butt first then feet” (TE).
The “footwell is about at the limit for taking size 12 shoes” (TE). The cockpit is fairly deep, providing freeboard for sailing but making the boat more difficult to roll (GL). The molded fiberglass seat is comfortable and has a series of mounting holes to reposition the seat. The adjustable back rest has a padded cover and is “comfortable and provides good support for the lower back” (TE).
Ordinarily the curved fiberglass thigh braces are glued under the coaming to fit the customer’s leg length. The thigh braces installed at an “average” position worked well for the reviewers and with custom placement and padding would be comfortable and secure.
The foot braces and rudder pedals are molded of a single piece of fiberglass that bolts to a track along the keel line. For VS, whose feet are small enough to set her heel against the base of the pedal unit, the system “wasn’t mushy at all and provides nice support.”
“It doesn’t have as much stretch as I expected although the pedals will twist under high pressure” (TE). “The rudder turns the boat well, rides easily over obstructions, pulls up and deploys easily. My main concern is the vulnerable position it is in when pulled up. The rudder is easily removed for transport or surfing” (GL).
The TR has “very light initial stability but sound secondary stability. The initial feel is a bit tippy and may be disconcerting to a novice” (VS). “The stability was in keeping with the high-performance feel of its speed and turning ability. With an outrigger in place you can stand up in the cockpit with complete confidence” (TE).
The reviewers “preferred paddling without the rudder because the boat responded well to leaning” (GL). “When set on edge the stern swung around smartly, making tight maneuvering possible. Though not a stiff tracker, the TR held a straight course without needing to take corrective strokes” (TE).
Only TE had much wind to paddle in. He noticed a slight tendency to weathercock, but tracking held the boat on course without requiring strong corrective strokes. TE also noted that the high bow gave the TR a very dry ride since the bow climbed over most waves. GL thought the TR’s speed “was exceptional with the rudder up. 
There was a definite drag with the rudder down.” TE, using a knot meter in the carbon-fiber TR, recorded 47/8 knots at an exercise pace and hit a peak speed of 67/8 knots in a short sprint. With the outrigger on, he could hold 41/2 knots and sprint at 5 1/2 knots. VS agreed that the TR “moves out smartly and holds its speed well.” Only TE had wind waves to surf: “lots of speed to catch and ride waves.”
The TR has fiberglass bulkheads fore and aft, sealing off stowage space “adequate for a long trip” (GL). There is additional stowage space in both ends of the cockpit. Large hatches make loading and unloading easy. The masts and sails can be stowed inside through the hatches. The neoprene covers are protected by tethered fiberglass lids. After a half dozen rolls, GL reported that both compartments remained dry.
The TR was provided with two outrigger poles, two fully battened 24 sq.ft. sails (with zipper reefing) and an outrigger float. The leeboards pivot on the ends of the cross poles. The float is weighted with bags of lead shot to provide more resistance to the pressure of the sails lifting the float. “The sail rig and outrigger are pretty straightforward.
The fittings all seem stoutly made and up to the job” (TE). “The kayak certainly showed a nice turn of speed in light conditions, and it was very fun to sail. Once the leeboards and sails were trimmed for the course I wanted to hold, the kayak would hold the course without having to constantly work the rudder. [When] the wind died it was an easy matter to unrig the boat. [It ] was heavier to paddle with the outrigger in place, but still quite manageable” (VS). “With the float to windward, ballast (bags of lead shot) helps keep the float down. Gusts can bring it out of the water but the rig will roll slowly so a sudden capsize didn’t seem imminent. With the other kayak and partner in place of the float, we roared along, I would guess at in excess of 7 knots. We took on waves to 31/2 feet and winds to 20 miles per hour with ease” (TE).
“The TR is a respectable kayak. It has good speed, tracking and maneuverability.
What makes the Eskimo an extraordinary vessel are the outriggers and various configurations for sailing. As a solo cruiser the outrigger adds the security of great stability and the advantages of sailing, without being too slow to paddle. I’d definitely choose the TR for making distances well beyond my standard kayak paddling range” (TE).
“For a kayaker looking to expand his horizons, the compromises in a dual-purpose craft may well be acceptable, adding new dimensions to the sport” (GL). “Overall, the sail rig is a huge success. I fully expected the boat to be a set of unfortunate compromises, but it is a nice touring kayak and an entertaining, useful sailboat” (VS).
Designer Response
As a designer who puts all his know-how, talents and passion into every new design, I admittedly was a little skeptical and apprehensive about placing my new touring-tracer, the Harpoon TR, into the hands of Sea Kayaker’s test team. In the past, I viewed Sea Kayaker as a primarily purist kayaking magazine and therefore felt my multiuse approach ingrained in all my designs might not be appreciated. I feel Sea Kayaker did a great job in taking the TR through its paces. I consider their test report fair to the design and unbiased and honest to the readers.
We provided a lightweight all-graphite racing version as well as an expedition grade custom glass TR. This version shines with fast acceleration, rapid turning ability, and easy out-of the water handling, features demanded by performance -oriented racers for whom I designed the TR. By adding an outrigger a paddler can extend his training into water conditions which may be considered extreme for most paddlers.
All Easy Rider kayaks have the same large cockpit opening resulting in optimized cockpit comfort, easy foot rudder adjustment, and easy paddle-float reentry. Optional custom-fitted thigh braces will provide the tight fit desired for Eskimo roll practice.
All my kayaks have enhanced tracking, without losing the sporty rudder response necessary for high-performance sailing. Our rudder system, trimmable and self-centering, makes it easy to maintain directional control—important in turbulent waters, crosswinds and following seas. The small amount of drag introduced by the marine-grade aluminum rudder blade can be minimized by sharpening the leading edge with a file or by only partially submerging the blade.
Keep in mind that fast performance kayaks are only faster that the typical sea kayak in the 4.5 to 6+ knot racing speed range. In reviewing Sea Kayaker back issues, the TR is one of the fastest kayaks ever tested. In comparison with other fast sea kayak designs it stands out with nice initial and great final stability, especially when loaded with 100 pounds of of cargo.
I am very pleased the test report confirms my design goals and that it recognizes how much fun the addition of sailing option can add to the sport of kayaking.
Peter Kaupat
Options and Pricing
Designed: 1997
Standard Lay-up: Glass, Kevlar/graphite or all graphite with additional reinforcement for outriggers and sailing rigging as necessary.
Standard Features: Hatches, bulkheads, adjustable seat and back rest, rudder, custom installed thigh bracing, paddle park cleats, security eye, compass.
Options: Outrigger poles and floats, trampoline, sails, Instant Outrigger™ paddle-float rescue system, molded foam seat pad.
Approximate Weight: custom glass, 55 lbs.; Kevlar/graphite, 49 lbs.; all graphite, 40 lbs.
Price: custom glass $2800, Kevlar/graphite $3300, and all graphite $4200.