Design, Make and Evaluate 1 Introduction: I am a regular kayaker and own three kayaks. I take part in many of the sport’s sub activities such as kayak fishing and surfing. When kayaking I have noted two significant problems. Problem 1 Transport Two and three man kayaks are becoming more and more popular with consumer groups such as families with small children. They enable small children to participate safely in kayaking outings and for small groups to kayak together. I am the owner of a three man kayak but have noticed a problem with the ergonomics of the The shape, size and, most importantly, the weight of the product make the transportation of the kayak, usually from the car to the water’s edge, near impossible to achieve single handed. For an adult wishing to kayak with a small child they would be required to lift the kayak to the water’s edge with no other help, this shows a clear opportunity for the design of a new product. The solution to this problem would present other issues in itself, however. The solution must be able to be portable in the kayak so it can be taken on the kayaking trip. It is not unusual on longer trips to have to transport the kayak off the beach at a different destination to where it was launched. Therefore the product would need to be able to be carried by the kayak itself which would present size and weight issues. Problem 2 Stability Kayak Learners When learning to kayak many beginners and young children find kayaks very unstable and can easily roll over. This can act as a deterrent for young people and beginners learning to kayak, and also as a safety issue. This is most true of flat bottom kayaks which are fast becoming the most common style of kayak on the market due to their increased manoeuvrability on the water. Kayak Fishing Kayak fishing is another area of kayaking that suffers from the unstableness of kayaks. Kayak fishing is a growing activity and is often favoured over fishing from a boat due to less hassle and the fact that kayaks can be taken into almost any water including shallows in which boats cannot function. However, to fish comfortably and successfully, stability on the water is required. 1 Design Brief My family using a three man kayak A young child kayak fishing A three man kayak Design Brief I propose to design and manufacture a product that will aid the transportation and stability of a variety of designs of kayak. The product should enable a single adult to transport the kayak with ease from a car to the water’s edge. It must be light weight, capable of being stored conveniently when not in use at home or in a garage and be durable and safe. The product must also be capable of being transported to a separate launching site by the kayak itself without affecting its performance on the water. In conjunction with aiding the transportation the product must also aid the stability of the kayak on the water for beginners and provide a stable platform for kayak fishing. The performance of the kayak should not be affected when the product is not in use. A Marketable Product There a gap in the market for such a product. A device that would ease transportation of a kayak over land, and then stabilise the kayak on the water for beginners, young children and kayak fishermen, is likely to sell well to the kayaking community. The Client There is a kayaking club near to where I live at the Priory Marina in Bedford where I can meet and talk to experienced and qualified kayakers about issues with my project and ascertain a thorough external evaluation. I know several families with small children who would act as the ideal target audience and client for the product that I intend to design. Kayaking shops near where I live and in Devon where I do the majority of my kayaking would serve more opportunities for research and possible client input.