I’m looking for any people who are willing to share personal experiences paddling the Rockpool Tarantella.
I would love to hear especially from people who have paddled the Tarantella and Taran or Taran 16, and are able to compare these models.
Specifically, is the Tarantella slower than the Taran or Taran 16?
I can find lots of info on the Tarans, but very little on the Tarantella, so any knowledge is appreciated.
Until I saw this post I had never heard of that boat.
I haven’t paddled any of those boats so probably this is worth less than my 2 cents, but the Tarentella is designed for smaller paddlers, and it seems like aside from being lower volume it’s meant to perform like the Taran.
Street, I have Google.
Valley is big in USA but I’ve only heard of Rockpool on the internet. Seems like a better question for a UK web group.
You’ll find a lot more info on UK forums. We’ve got a Taran 18 and an Alaw, and know a few others with Rockpools floating around the mid-Atlantic, but have yet to even see a Tarantella.
Yes, asking on UK forums sounds good. I’ll try there.
Looking at the specs of each boat on Rockpool’s website, I see that the Taran 16 and the Tarantella have the same length and width, so it would make sense that the Tarantella shouId be as the fast as the Taran 16.
I guess I was wondering if the lower volume would affect its preformance in some way compared to the other Tarans.
Well I have demo paddled both the Tarantella and the Taran as well as most boats in the Rockpool line. I did not see any speed difference between the two. They are both fast boats for sure! The Tarantella is a low volume boat and suited for the smaller paddler. Its really about what fits you? Height, weight and size.
I own a Rockpool Isel the low volume version of the Alaw Bach. It simply came down to fit. I am 5`10 and 170. After looking at many low volume boats I made the right choice.
I don’t know your location , however the US distributor for Rockpool is
Sea Kayak Connecticut give them a call they will be happy to help.
And yes there all lots of happy Rockpool owners in the states too.
If you live in or near to Maine you can find Rockpool boats at Nanuq Kayaks (https://nanuqkayaks.com/) . I know one very happy Taran owner and whilst I can’t really talk about what it’s like I know he went from a Romany to a Taran and couldn’t be happier.
Thanks for the responses.
I’ve been looking for a boat that is fast but also fairly low-volume. I’ve been impressed by what I have heard about the Taran, so that made me interested in the Tarantella.
Hi I have a Rockpool Tarantella. I purchased it at Sea Kayak Connecticut 6 years ago. I am 5’9" and weigh 155lbs, size 9US men’s shoe, 32 inch waist, 33 inch inseam. The kayak fits me perfectly fine. The Rockpool Taran Lineup has nearly all of the same cockpits, However, the Tarantella is made to be low volume, so the deck height from bow to stern has been dropped 3/4". It is 16’10" like the regular Taran 16. Being a plumb bow, my friends and I all notice that the wetted surfaces to their 18’ kayaks is the same, because they have a foot of pointed bow raising up in the air, doing nothing really. The plumb bow is to keep both hydrodynamic efficiency and to stop the bow from diving. The Tarantella catches little wind and rolls like an absolute dream. This kayak rolls you and then pats your back when its done, every time. This kayak is fast, I have and expensive Werner euroblade and Gearlab Greenland paddles, and it flies with either one. For trips I can slide 2 MSR 5 liter dromedaries in the back and 1 behind my seat, and MSR or Trangia 25 cook set in the rear, silnylon tarp, 0 deg F. sleeping bag, Big Agnes fly creek UL2 tent, warm clothes, raingear, extra wide and long Nemo sleeping pad, fuel and food for 5 days in this Tarantella. It tracks great, catches and rides following seas surf ski like, has enough rocker for pivoting 2 foot standing waves, ( its not a Delphin, lets make that clear ) 6 inch eddielines, stability and maneuverability to power through and over boils and confused refracting waves. Rolls like a dream when loaded. I did Add much more water once and a ton of canned grocery food, for a 2 week trip and the back deck was a touch under the ocean water, which was concerning, however, it was sheltered kayaking behind islands and it was fine. after a day I had the inch or 2 of clearance I was used to seeing behind me. I think the Kayak would work for people up to 5’10 and 170lbs. It’s fine for expedition paddles where resupply is possible every 5 days. If you can not get resupplied after 5 days your in the 18’ Taran. Would I choose a Taran 16 or 18 over this? If I were taller than 5’10" and my knees needed to be higher in the kayak, yes. If I am expedition paddler who goes out for 6 days+ days before resupply, yes, (I do 5 day trips often in this kayak, no problems) Also, I wear a size US size 9 shoe and I have heard stories of the Taran lineup being cramped for people with size 12 shoes. I would say the Tarantella would take shoes up to size 11 ( a guess ) and after that the 3/4" gain in deck height with the 16 and 18 might be needed. So, long story short, If you like fast day or overnight outings, or if you pack some ultralight backpackers gear, and mix in dehydrated food for space and weight savings somewhat and like 5 day trips, are about 95 to170 and up to 5’10" tall, and like rolling every time in my opinion the Tarantella will not let you down.