From the 1st of September 2020, we will cease production and supply of the moulded rubber Thigh Grips and Square Hatch Covers featured on several generations of P&H Capella manufactured up until 2004.

A Pre-2004 P&H Capella

Our reasons for taking this decision are as follows:

The stated maximum UV resistance lifespan of the high-density polyethylene used in our current production process is around 12 years; this is inclusive of many incremental developments we have made in conjunction with our suppliers over our 35+ years of rotomoulding experience to produce the optimal plastic alloy for canoe & kayak production and assumes average use as well as consistent and proper maintenance. This figure is also in relation to areas of low-UV concentration such as the UK and changes dramatically in areas of high-UV concentration such as Australia.

Top & Side Views of a Pre-2004 Capella

Pre-2004 generations of Capella were manufactured by a third party, prior to Pyranha Mouldings Ltd.’s acquisition of P&H Sea Kayaks, and therefore we cannot verify the exact alloy of polyethylene compounds or their performance with regards to UV resistance.

We are certain, however, that even using a conservative estimation of UV resistance given the available polymer technology during the time of production, at over 16 years old, these models will have long since seen a drastic reduction in structural integrity due to UV degradation.

As a result, we would strongly recommend that any Pre-2004 Capella not be used in any situation in which the paddler would not be comfortable swimming to shore, and ideally be rendered unpaddleable and either re-purposed or recycled.

Pre-2004 Capella Thigh Grips

The Thigh Grips and Hatch Covers in question are also themselves particularly susceptible to UV degradation, especially in comparison to the KajakSport hatch covers used on all P&H Sea Kayaks since 2005, and we, therefore, don’t feel they are representative of the standards of quality paddlers have come to expect from P&H.

A Pre-2004 Capella at Rubha Coigeach Sea Stack some years ago.