Hello,
I currently have a current design solara 135. I want a lighter kayak and if possible with a better glide. By staying in the large recreational coaming for my dog. I don’t need a lot of storage space.
I’m currently hesitating between 2 choices:
Eddyline sandpiper 130
or the
Delta 12AR.
Can you help me understand everyone’s behaviour on the water and make a choice?
thank you all for getting me out of this mess.
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i forgot to tell, i’am 56 years old, 6,3 feet tall and 265lbs. i want to stay with sit-in.
CD Kestrel 140?
A little bit longer and a little bit slimmer than your Solara, with just a slightly smaller cockpit opening. Much lighter though, and with better tracking and glide.
i’am ganna tcheck that, tks!
You’re a fairly big guy. Honestly, you and your dog and gear are nearing the upper limits of capacity on those two boats, which is going to tend to make them unstable and not easy to paddle. Using such relatively short and wide boats is probably one reason you are not getting good glide, The two you are considering have even lower rated capacity than what you have which will further sink your waterline. You may also have trouble fitting your height into the Eddyline so I would not consider that one unless you can test paddle it.
The Kestrel might be the ticket if it fits.
BTW, it is possible to train some dogs to ride on the deck. Check out Paris the Pup who cruises all over Alaskan waterways with her buddy, Chuck :
A local paddler has rigged up a pad surrounded by pieces of pool noodle to give their dog a spot on deck to stand up or lie down.
Hey, guys! Do you all work for current design? 
I guess even longer than 14 feet would be even better?
(I have to feed the long winter evenings with reflection…)
Yeah, since longer boats can be narrower and still have the needed volume displacement to support your weight they are often not heavier than shorter boats. Of course it depends on design, but longer is generally faster and tracks better. Eddylines are an exception and their shorter boats tend to be higher performing than similar dimensioned boats by other makers.
Just out of curiosity, why do you prefer a sit-inside kayak? Since you are taking the dog with you there is no way to use a spray skirt anyway so what do you see as an advantage over a sit on top, or even a solo canoe?
CD makes good kayaks. But, there are many other good makers too.
The problem is that kayaks over 14’ (unless it’s a sit on top) typically don’t have large enough cockpit opening for you and your dog.
How big/heavy is the dog by the way?
simply, I like to be close to the water. I just have to reach out to get my hands in the water. I find the kayak more versatile and certainly lighter than a canoe or sit-on.
Eddylines exception??
because the hull? specific hull?
tks.
@ouidja said:
simply, I like to be close to the water. I just have to reach out to get my hands in the water. I find the kayak more versatile and certainly lighter than a canoe or sit-on.
I’d never try that with the canoe I had, but it’s easy with a sit-on-top.
@willowleaf said:
Just out of curiosity, why do you prefer a sit-inside kayak? Since you are taking the dog with you there is no way to use a spray skirt anyway so what do you see as an advantage over a sit on top, or even a solo canoe?
simply, I like to be close to the water. I just have to reach out to get my hands in the water. I find the kayak more versatile and certainly lighter than a canoe or sit-on.
Not all canoes are high sided tanks that put you way above the water. Many solo and pack canoes are lighter than the average kayak of similar length and can have higher capacity. My 13’ 8" fiberglass Lady Bug canoe is only 37 pounds and there are many composite hull solo canoes that are under 20 pounds.
You sit low inside a pack canoe and it is easy to reach the water, especially in the narrower ones. My Bug is not a pack canoe (it has a low pitched seat), but I paddle it with a kayak paddle and even with my short arms I can put my hands in the water while sitting or kneeling in it. It is actually 2" narrower than your Solara and an inch less deep. See photo below of the Bug. And another photo of one of my paddling companions in England paddling a Swift solo canoe with his dog, Ira. That Swift canoe is 30 pounds lighter than your Solara and perfect for a dog. It has a capacity of up to 400 pounds (my vintage Bug would be too small for your weight).
I kind of suspect you are just not very familiar with the wide range of boat designs that are available. You may want to consider some alternative options that could serve your purposes (lighter weight and room for the dog) better than another recreational model kayak.
