Yes…
It’s a beast to carry. Almost seems bullet-proof, the plastic is so thick.
Not sure how it compares to those other boats. I usually paddle a Q700, Nordkapp or Seaward Chilco, so it feels slow compared to those boats.
It has quite a bit of rocker and hard chines, so not really designed for speed.
Nimble?? No way
The Equinox is definitely not a nimble boat. I don’t know why Eddyline chose a width of 25" for the Equinox. In my opinion it would perform much better at 24" wide.
The difference between the Equinox and the Journey is immediately apparent on the water. I agree that the Equinox is a great recreational kayak, but I wouldn’t say it performs like a sea kayak. That’s stretching it.
there’s nothing wrong with the Equinox
It will hold your weight, but at your weight it’s be low in the water. It’s not a fast boat, and surprisingly unnimble for its length. Eddyline toutes the “rudder free” design, but what they don’t tell you is that they build a keel – a virtual skeg – into most of their older boats (the Equinox included), only one that can’t be retracted. So they will track fine but give up something in maneuverability. The problem is your requirement to stick to a short boat. The Equinox would be a good first boat (stable, reassuring) and it fits your needs lengthwise. Just so long as you understand that there’s a tradeoff: You say you want to go to the San Juan Islands, but it’s a pretty slow boat. It would handle the conditions fine, but you’d put in more work to get from A to B, and if you’re with others in faster boats, you would struggle to keep up. I got one for my wife (who only likes to paddle lakes) and she loves it. Eddylines are light and look really nice.
I bought my wife an Equinox
– Last Updated: Aug-05-11 7:56 AM EST –
Didn't like the high seat back, so I swapped it out for a backband. Slow but very stable which is comforting to some. With a good spray skirt I've found it's even comfortable in the surf, although the skeg-like keel pretty much rules out going backwards; you lose control.
Edit: In reply to willowleaf's "Puget Sound IS serious open water" comment: Let's not get hysterical. With a good spray skirt, the Equinox would do just fine. I would add perimeter lines, but as far as floatation is concerned it's fine. I would have (and have had) no hesitation paddling it in big stuff.
Strongly agree
There is nothing wrong with the Equinox as a recreational kayak—but there are better choices within Eddyline. I agree that the Equinox paddles slowly for its length.
I think the 14-footer is an important model in any manufacturer’s lineup. And I think Eddyline missed the mark a bit with the Equinox. They tried to correct that with the Samba—but the Samba is too far toward the other extreme (narrow, small). If they had made the Equinox 24" wide they would have hit the mark.
I don’t fully agree with your point about the keel. I find this design turns fine when edged.
Great kayak to start
– Last Updated: Aug-06-11 6:43 PM EST –
My wife had an Equinox and loved it. She eventually traded up to a Kevlar Avocet, but still has fond memories of the Equinox.
I would not call it a recreational kayak. It has watertight hatches front and rear. It's water line is relatively long compared to its LOA. She paddled it on many club paddles. She is a stronger paddler, but never had any issues keeping up. She has paddled it in high winds and rough water and a good chop in San Francisco Bay and it was always great.
I paddled it too and found it very friendly. In winds up to 30 mph it does not weather cock much and is easy to turn to any direction. It holds course fine even in a swell or chop or wind. It does not need a skeg - at least up to the winds we have had it in.
I thought it was one of Eddyline's best designed and most pleasant kayaks. Personally, I would rather paddle it than a Journey. One of our newer club members asked me to paddle his Journey last week. He thought it was pulling to one side. it wasn't, but I didn't care for the fit or overall response of the boat. Maybe I would change my mind with more time, but I thought that it wasn't nearly as much fun as the Equinox.
The Equinox should also hold its value OK when you are ready to get to a more advanced kayak - but IMO it is a great kayak to start with and to develop skills. We loved it while we had it.
Eddyline is a good company, and since you live in Washington, that is a good fit geographically. The Equinox is also good to repair. If you can find your rep (Ethan - ask a store that carries them) he may show you how easy to repair.
“Nimble” depends on the paddler
As I said, the Equinox can perform like a sea kayak with sufficient paddler skill (and the right fit). Get that baby on edge and it spins like a top and carves like a dream.
Nimble
– Last Updated: Aug-07-11 1:33 PM EST –
Well, paddle the Equinox, Journey, and Fathom back to back and see what you think. That's the only way to tell, really.
To me the Equinox felt OK, but not much more than OK. The Journey was noticeably faster at demo.
When I say "nimble" I'm including speed.
I think if you're going to spend over $2000 for a kayak it has to stand out against other, cheaper brands. I'm not sure the Equinox fits that bill, though Eddyline certainly is a standout in general.
Good points
You’re right, the Equinox is a definite step above a rec boat, so let’s call it a transitional kayak. It does have very good stability, and your other performance points are true. But that 25" width is definitely noticeable in the speed. This would be a great kayak at 24".
I think the Journey would fit the OP’s longtern goals better, and save him from having to resell the Equinox with an inevitable loss of a few hundred dollars. Eddylines do hold their value well, and the material and finish hold up well, but still there is a loss upon resale.
Merlin XT
Hey all, ended up with a Merlin XT that is in great shape. Bowrudder hooked me up with an XT he had. Got out today for my first crash course, I have a good friend who is a certified instructor and used to guide for a long time so I’m learning the right way. Love the boat, just need to add a little more hip padding to shim up the cockpit but other than that everything is ready to go. I appreciate everyone’s input, I have a boat I feel should handle the water here pretty well and I wont outgrow it anytime soon.
Congrats
– Last Updated: Aug-08-11 8:00 PM EST –
Congrats on your purchase, I hope it works out even better than intended, and that you have many good days of paddling it to come.
Let us know how it works out
– Last Updated: Aug-08-11 10:39 PM EST –
Especially after you've had it out in the waves. The reviews on the Merlin XT are all over the place. I owned one and thought it had amazing glide, at least in calm water. A recent review said it had terrible glide. Some find it very stable, others don't. I got rid of mine because I didn't like the stability. Hope all goes well for you. One thing I can tell you for sure: it handles totally differently from the Equinox, so hang on to your hat.
Good choice
– Last Updated: Aug-08-11 11:11 PM EST –
I think you are going to enjoy that one. It is a boat you can grow into as well as have fun with while you are building your skills.
I played around with one a good bit and found it to be a lot of fun in waves and swells, even more in the surf zone. You are a good bit smaller than me, so it should be quite nimble, but your weight is good enough to mash it down right to feel stable. They track straight and glide suprisingly well in flatwater but will turn quickly and carve if you don't mind edging, especially if you really put them up boldly, sort of a WW feel to a seakayak from my time trying one. I am still looking around for one to add to my fleet; got a lead I am checking out this weekend.
how far is Virginia
from Connecticut?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220826541892+&clk_rvr_id=254070663307&item=220826541892
Watch those prices
I paid $750 for a never-used Merlin XT at a dealer. It was two or three years old and the dealer couldn’t sell it. Always room to negotiate the price.
$750 for a new Eddyline of any model
seems absurd. I’ve never seen them used for that low of a price.
I need to live where you do.
I’d love to have a Fathom LV in that price range.
Thanks for the link, bowrudder
It’s a good distance, and not an easy trip through the northeastern corridor. That looks like a pretty good boat. I have a line on a couple of them in south of here and plan to be down near the NC/SC line near Cape Fear in the next few days.
That’s nothing
A friend just paid $550 for a (well-used, patched) Journey. No reason to pay full price for any kayak. Set your sights high and trade up until you get the perfect boat.
There was a reason the retailer couldn’t sell that Merlin XL. Probably didn’t demo well with beginners.
If you’re paddling down here
If you’re here anywhere near Wilmington over this weekend and would like a paddling partner, give me a call. I’m going out with Carolina Kayak Club Saturday from 9:30 to 3:00 to Carolina Beach Inlet from Carolina Beach Wildlife Ramp, just north of Cape Fear. No plans Sunday so far. No idea what your situation will be, but figure a friendly offer can’t hurt.
Chris
910-709-8154