Re: [Paddlewise] Seeking opinions / experiences with kayak models...

At 11:42 PM 5/22/02 -0700, Mr Tex wrote:
>Well, Spring has finally Sprung here in the PNW (I think, the
>sun/rain/snow/hail day a couple of weeks ago really confused my rhodies....),
>and it's time for me to complete my kayak shopping experience.  This has been
>a great, extended fact-finding mission - I think we're at the year-and-a-half
>mark.  (Work somehow keeps getting in the way....)

I love these kinds of threads.

>Anyway, a little background before I solicit the audience for participation.
>
>
>Boat characteristics:
>
>
>glass (kevlar?) around 16', will be used primarily for gunkholing, maybe
>surfing the occasional windwave or powerboat wake, perhaps the occasional
>overnighter (gear load not essential, come from a backpacking background),
>interested in nimbleness and quickness (think sports car), no rudder,
>retractable skeg ok, good tracking but not too stiff, good construction

Is 16' your limit?  There are few 17' boats out there that are pretty nimble.

>My characteristics (as they relate to paddling!):
>
>on the smaller side (5' 9", 160lbs), novice, athletic, not intimidated by low
>initial stability, looking for something I can "grow into" but still enjoy on
>the way there, will be paddling in PNW (Puget Sound, San Juans, etc), likely
>paddling with empty load (boats which require 190+ lbs to perform well won't
>suit me nicely)
>
>Boats, in order of perceived preference (with notes)
>
>
>1a. Mariner Express - like this boat a lot, but seem to remember feeling
>"loose" in the cockpit.  need to sit in one again.  really liked the quickness
>of stop to go (felt light, glided well when stop paddling), turned well with
>my poor attempts at carving, reportedly tracks well.  (Tried to get into the
>Elan, but was too tight.  Another reason I think I may be mis-remembering
>about the fit of the Express.)

I've never paddled a Mariner boat (I think I've only seen one here on the 
East Coast) so I can't comment on them.

>1b. Eddyline Nighthawk 16 (in modulus) - first boat I tried at symposium,
>seemed to fit well and felt "light" and maneuverable.  best liked at symposium
>(no Mariner presence), but didn't like it as much at the end of the day (after
>trying all the other boats).  Knucklebuster for skeg control?  are rubber
>hatches good?

I rented a Nighthawk for a day when I was in Florida in December.  I liked 
it quite a bit.  It seemed quite nimble, tracked reasonably well, and just 
felt really comfortable when it was on edge. It reminded me quite a bit of 
a Necky Looksha.  I didn't have a problem with the skeg controls and I've 
generally found rubber hatches to be quite good.  If anything they seal so 
well that you have to be careful about keeping the air pressure equalized 
or there is a possibility of imploding a bulkhead (that's usually solved 
with a pin hole in the bulkhead).

>2. Impex Montauk - seemed very similar to Nighthawk, but perhaps less build
>quality?  unsure about hatch system, toggles padeyes are screwed in

Haven't paddled a Montauk.  I paddled an Impex Serenity though and was 
pretty impressed with their overall construction.


>3. Kajak Sport Viking - tried this in comparison to Necky boats and some
>Boreal, liked it better then, but not as much during symposium.  recessed
>fitting for skeg control seems good.

The Viking is definitely on my list of boats to try out.  A woman that 
posts here (Marinel (sp?)) bought one awhile back.  I think I've only seen 
her post once since she bought it if that means anything.


>Notes on some other boats I didn't like so much:
>
>
>CD Slipstream - felt too unstable

I don't mind a boat that has low initial stability if I feel confident in 
it's secondary.  The Slipstream, to me, felt unnecessarily initially 
unstable.  The Foster Rowe Rumour felt like it has even less initial 
stability but I felt more comfortable with it's secondary stability.


>CD Caribous S - too stiff tracking

Are you sure the skeg wasn't down?  To be fair, the Caribou *is* 17'8" long 
so it very well would feel a lot stiffer tracking than a 16' boat.


>Heard good things about but haven't tried:
>
>
>NDK Romany 16
>VCP Avocet (not sure if FG available)

For a 16' touring kayak it's hard to beat either of these. The *only* 
reservation about the Romany I have is that it feels kinda sluggish to 
me.  The VCP Avocet is definitely available in glass.  I used one for a 
class a couple of seasons ago and really liked it.  Somehow it feels 
"bigger" than a 16' boat.

Have you tried a Seaward Luna?  It's a really fun boat.  The Endeavor is 
also really nice and quite nimble for a 17'6" boat.

Another favorite 16 footer is the Dagger Meridian.

Although I've never tried one. A P&H Vela might be worth looking at.


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