I’m interested in purchasing a Falcon S18. There’s one for sale for $1000. Seems like in good condition. Is that a good price?
I’ve read all the reviews and it seems like it’s a good fit. I’m mostly a day paddler with occasional weekend camping. I’m 5’10’ 175 lbs. Any input of the kayak?
yes, that’s a good price
Agree, Good Price
Is it thermoformed or fiberglass? Newer models are thermoformed and have a skeg. Older models are fiberglass with no skeg. I owned a fiberglass one and it was an excellent boat but it did need the skeg they finally added.
Why this particular kayak?
Yes, $1000 is a good price. When buying a used kayak, make sure you understand your needs and don’t respond impulsively to a particular kayak just because it’s there. Where are you going to paddle, and in what conditions? What is your level of experience?
It will also help you to understand Eddyline hull designs. The Falcon S18 is a discontinued model. Newer Eddylines have a redesigned hull. Having owned both the old and the new hull in 15’-16’ lengths, I feel that the new design is much better and certainly more stable. Pay attention when Eddyline rates stability as “medium,” as with the Falcon.
This well-done video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO50oLqZcFk points out, and the reviews agree, that because of the very low and narrow entry, the Falcon tends to punch into waves rather than riding over them. Compare this to the flared, high-volume bow of Delta kayaks, which rides up over waves. The video maker rates the Falcon as fast but lacking stability in rough water and suitable for a strong intermediate to experienced paddler. Is that you?
My own biased opinion is that you should have a good reason for getting an 18’ kayak. Kayks from 14’ to 16’ can be used in a variety of places and conditions. An 18 footer is for larger bodies of water.
If it were me and I wanted an Eddyline, which is the top thermoformed brand, I would save up another $500 and buy a used Fathom 16, which has the new hull, or a Delta 16, which is very hard to find.
Now that is odd !
I use my 18 foot sea kayak in narrow twisting rivers, Mangrove tunnels that are only a few feet wide, ponds and swamps.
I’ll take it anywhere you take your 16 footer.
-and it holds more camping gear, and is faster than your 16 footer.
Jack L
Faster where?
Not faster when a lot of starting and stopping is involved.
That brings up a good point for the OP, who should understand that a long kayak is only fast if you have the strength to get it up to speed and the stamina to keep it at speed, and if the conditions permit that, which is not always the case. Paddling an 18 footer could be compared to trying to get a bike or car going in high gear.
Meaning, a shorter, lighter kayak is faster in stop-and-start conditions, like meandering in and out of coves in a twisting marsh. For that I find a 13 footer ideal.
Nothing radical in those statements.
Feedback
Thanks for all the feedback.
I’ve been paddling the Puget Sound for 2 yrs now. I would consider myself an intermediate paddler. I’m looking for a kayak that I can “grow” into as far as paddling skills. Seems like this is a good fit. I will also check out the Fathom yak.