Romany vs Zephyr or Tempest

Tempest 165
I got the Tempest 165 for Christmas and it’s a fantastic boat but don’t even consider it…you’ll never fit. I’m 5’6", 150lbs and with size 10 shoes. The foot room can be a bit cramped for me at times but otherwise it fits me like a glove. The 170 or even the 180 Pro would be great for you size wise.

not necessarily
Fit for the OP may depend on what type of footwear is used, and whether the Tempest seat were to be moved back, as a number of owners have done. There are guys that size that enjoy the T165.

I think sizing will be determined
When I finally get to sit in some options and test things out.



As far as playful vs touring, in my head I’m looking at it the way I approach snowboarding. Some like going fast. Some like trick courses and halfpipes. I like neither, I like going on intermediate runs or whatever level the group of people I’m with is at. I like enjoying the ride, and the moment I see a jump on the side of the trail I’m on it. Same goes if I see a quick run into the woods, or a place to explore. Therefore my board is neither hard for speed, or super soft for tricks. It’s right down the middle. Plenty of speed, but handles beautifully the moment I want to have some fun.



That’s what I want out of my first boat. I want to be able to travel with a pack of kayakers, as well as be able to take enough equipment for short camping trips. However, the moment I get the chance to play in some surf (once I learn enough skills of course) or some small ww patches, I want to know my boat can handle it and it’ll be a great time. I don’t want to get stuck with a boat that can do only one of those two thing beautifully. I want to find one that might not be the best at either, but as good a crossover as possible. We’ll also see what my butt tells me once I sit in a couple of options.



Once again, thanks all for the superb feedback.

One more addition
I also think I’ll be able to get another boat down the line depending on what I like best at that point. Maybe I fall in love with playing in surf, I think at that point it would be excellent to then purchase my next boat specifically for that task. And vice versa…

A quiver full
Welcome to the addiction.



See you on the water,

Marshall

The River Connection, Inc.

Hyde Park, NY

www.the-river-connection.com

hudsonriverpaddler.org

Gremlin!

– Last Updated: Feb-28-13 4:40 PM EST –

That's so not true. I have a buddy at about 6'4" and about 175 pounds who thoroughly enjoys his T165. He just had to move the seat back some.

edit:

Dear Wilderness Systems, God knows how many people are passing up your fine boat because the seat is bolted in too far forward. Make the damn thing easily adjustable.

Your friend,

Kudzu

Now Yer Talkin’
If you want a ‘do everything pretty good’ boat my vote is with the T165. Down the road look at the Alchemy-Delphin-type shorter-funner boats.



And remember, you can move the seat back, or your local shop can move the seat back to make getting in and out easier.

Yes, and, it’s not like they’re clueless
I have a Confluence Wavesport Fuse. The seat pan and attachment is nearly identical to the Tempest. The Wavesport pan is slotted, where we typically drill the extra holes in our Tempest pans. And, there’s a unified thread plate on each side, instead of two nuts. So, you just loosen the external phillips heads, slide the seat, and tighten the screws.

Exclusing others
The Yost designed Swift Saranac Series, 14 and 15 ft, high and low volume decks, respond nicely on the water for me. Easy to get a perfect fit with four, actually five choices, snd designed by a master to track and turn without skeg or rudder.



And they are lighter to tote to the beach.

I fit the 170
Comfortably and not the 165. I’m 5’11" long legs 190 lb. size 12 shoe.

6’4" size 15 foot at 185lb and …

– Last Updated: Feb-28-13 7:20 PM EST –

With a 36"+ inseam I have long legs attached to my size 15 feet...

And, I could live with a Tempest 165 barefoot for "workout" paddles (i.e., a couple of hours at a time out and back). Have not really tried it for longer. The later models (post 2010 or so) have the seats further back; the seats on the older ones can be easily repositioned too (requires 2 new holes - easy to do).

Yes, not much foot room in the 165, but these are not barges - they are meant to be snug fitting. The 170 I can paddle with my paddling shoes on comfortably and without repositioning the seat - that feels rather spatious now (but seemed cramped a few years ago when I first sat in it)...

Romany
Among many benefits of the Romany is that there are many around and you can pick-up a used composite Romany for less than a new poly boat.



I’ve played in dozens of boats and few are as much fun as a Romany. I’ve put more different people in my Romany and seen them smile broadly as they get the feel of the boat.



There are better all round boats (e.g. Tempest 165). There are sexier boats (e.g. Nordkapp LV). There are currently more faddish boats (Delphin, Gemini, etc…). But there are few that are as supportive of skills development and ease of handling in an array of sea conditions.



You will not outgrow a Romany. Do not even consider the poly version.



Find a Romany, try it see how it feels to you. If comfortable get one.


Hopefully this thread…
Hopefully this thread and the varying opinions about what would work, what would fit, etc. and how some people say yes to one boat and others say absolutely no to the same boat has convinced you (the OP) as to why butt time is important…

Absolutely.
I’m starting lessons on Sunday, so at least for now I know I will be testing a couple of differen boats, even if they’re not the ones we’ve discussed in this thread.

Fit indeed!
I love the manueverability of the Delphin and that lovely sound it makes when you break the stern loose and skid.



But I could not paddle one for moe than 45 minutes or so without everything from my waist down going numb, regardless of adjustments. I also could never quite find the sweet spot for a consistent hanging draw . Probably not the boat’s fault, but it does go to show that boat fit has everything to do with what one can, and can not, do with it. A least comfortably and easily.



My Romany, on the other hand, fits ME like an old pair of well broken-in Saucony track shoes. I can paddle it for hours without fatigue ( or shin splints :wink: and stroke combos, draws, braces, etc.are instant, effortless, and instinctual.



So, as everyone here says, "dem, demo, demo … ". And for more than ten minutes a ride.



Best,



Lewesbound


opinions
as you can see everybody has an opinion as to which boat is the best for you. What I’m hearing is that they are all good boats—my advice is not to be an a hurry to buy one–try out as many as you can and then go with the one that suits you best. At your height and weight you have a variety of choices. And don’t believe those folks who say you are too big or too small for a boat–try it yourself before deciding—what one paddler may find as cramped, another would find snug and secure, even responsive. Good luck and have fun paddling

not necessarily II
I’m 6’, size 11 shoe and have been very comfortable paddling a few different Tempest 165s.



Foot wear is important. Two pair are for in my ww boats as my other paddling shoes don’t fit in them. My mukluks don’t comfortably fit in half my sea kayaks.

So for our class this weekend
I got to paddle a p&h Cetus, glass. I couldn’t believe how comfortable and well fitting that was. Towards the end of class (3+ hours of jumping in and out of the boat) I was starting to wish the seat was maybe a little more comfy. But overall, the fit was superb. Extremely out of budget of course. My wife was in an alchemy 14. She really liked it, super nimble and comfortable. We’re certainly thinking of something along those lines for her. We also liked the tsunami 140.



Just thought I’d send out an update.



Cheers!

Seats
Sounds good. Given your initial responses to these boats, the other two will probably grow on you better than the Tsunami.



Seats can be tuned to be more comfortable for long paddles as long as the initial comfort is there. One of the nicer things about having your own boat is being able to mess with it - rearrange the rigging, glue in minicell foam to soften up the hard spots etc.

Cetus Budget Alternative
If you liked the floorplan of the Cetus (MV? HV?) then you will likely react well with the 3 layer poly version of it, the Scorpio. 17’ rather than 17’8" or 17"10". Internal height is a bit bigger then the Cetus MV. Weight is about the same as the longer Cetus in Fiberglass. Price is $1900 vs. the $3900 starting price of the composite Cetus.



See you on the water,

Marshall

The River Connection, Inc.

Hyde Park, NY

www.the-river-connection.com