I am getting worried about the feedback I am getting from the QCC Q600X.
Is it stable enough for me in rougher waters, is the seat comfortable, I am not that informed about the hull design, & what is the difference between high back & lower back?
It’s crunch time about canceling the order.
Again I am looking for a day tripper that tracks good, I can car top, I prefer a rudder over a skeg
Curently I am paddling a Pungo 140 that I find tough to paddle against the current 7 in windy conditions. I am male 5’8" 155. Thanks Robert G
Robert, Relax
The QCC’s are great boats! And, you have the 30 day no questions asked return policy.
There is no question that you will find the 600 a bit more “tipy” as compared to your Pungo. This will take one or two paddles to get used to. The 600 has more secondary stability than initial stability and you will learn to use both of these parameters and will begin to view them as assets.
In terms of rough water you will hear comments across the board. Listen to the QCC owners who comment about how the boats handle rougher water or at least those who have paddled them in rough water. I can tell you that many QCC’s regularly spend time in the ocean and other textured water. I paddle mostly salt water and have paddled up to about 3 foot white capping chop on top of a swell. The boats are fine in rougher conditions and as you paddle yours you will find that the boat likely has a significantly higher limit than you do, (certainly this is the case with me).
Back braces, seats, seat pads, paddle placement, deck rigging, are all part of the outfitting process to make the boat your boat. There are many Q owners who have changed out the seat pads and back straps and even the seats. Some of these folks have my total respect as I am way behind them in technique and experience. I have tried another back strap and seat but am back to what QCC provided. These types of things are used and changed for personal preference.
There is a large following on P.Net of QCC fans which Ive found a fantastic source of knowlege.
BTW, you said the “R” word, (rudder), folks on this board will spank you for that, they have me.
Enjoy,
Happy Paddling,
Mark
The information
you provided of your personal specs and what you would like to do with your new boat, you’ll be fine. There are many excellent hulls out there and this would be one. There will be some noticeable differences going from your Pungo to this, but that would pretty much hold true to a number of other boats that you might have picked. Work on paddling skills (clubs, lessons, books, videos, friends etc.) and you will be pleasantly surprised and rewarded. As your knowledge of paddling improves, need for knowledge for picking the best boat will diminish. Believe me I’m not close to the paddling skills I would like to posses, but numerous boats later I am close to understanding it isn’t the boats I posses.
Seats and backbands can always be swapped out for something that might work better for you. Once again this is true on any boat and not just this boat.
Welcome to the cult!!
I was nervous before my Q700 showed up. As mentioned it seemed a little tippy at first but you settle in fast. Someting I wish I’d thought of sooner is to put a small square of clear tape under the hatch buckles to keep them from scratching the finish. I used storage (instead of packing) But I drive on gravel roads too so it may not be a problem for you.
Good Luck
Randy
it’s a great choice
you’ll probably freak out over the change in stability,but these ARE closed deck sea kayaks where you really have to learn how to brace and know how to self-rescue. Sure you could get a more stable ruddered kayak but your height/weight will put you in the more stable than less stable end of the bell curve for that kayak and you’ll have NO excuse to not make time/speed compared to the Pungo.
Basically the difference will be like going from a tricycle to a road bike. You can do it.
Get out in three foot water and fall out of the kayak a lot,I forget your experience but lessons would be a fine idea. Dress for immersion,etc,etc.
Pungo to QCC
As noted in the above post, there will definitely be a learning curve, but not a severe one. The Pungo is wide-beamed and feels initially very stable. The QCC will feel less so, but as you start to edge it onto its side, the secondary stability kicks in and it feels rock solid. This is to be expected moving from any pure rec boat to a higher performance boat. After an initial adjustment period, you’ll be fine, and will come quickly to love the performance the QCCs offer. As to their rough water capability, both the 600 and 700 have a deceptive amount of rocker, which translates to ease of turning for their length. I’ve had my 700 out in steady 5 (with an occasional 6) footers, and it’s been a hoot. Heading into the chop is its forte. It’s a great surfer and takes off on the slightest swell. There are those out there who look at the plumb bow design and immediately assume they can’t handle conditions; I doubt they’ve actually paddled them in said conditions to make this statement. True, there are boats out there that might offer a higher degree of peace of mind when the going gets truly nasty-my Explorer comes to mind-but IMHO, if you’re beyond the limits of the Q-ship, you probably shouldn’t be out there anyway. As to seating, this is mainly personal preference anyway. I jettisoned my stock seat immediately for an IR Reggie bb, and now use no backband at all. My biggest complaint with the seating is the standard frog legged sea kayak position, but this is true of just about any other sea kayak. The layup, fit, and finish of my boat is darn near flawless. Sliding it out of its shipping carton at the trucking depot is an experience I’ll never forget-the loading dock crew all clustered around, and one said: “That is one beautiful boat.” I felt the same trepidation as you ordering a boat I’d never even seen an example of, let alone paddled. feels like a huge risk, doesn’t it? don’t worry. I can think of two negatives you may encounter: The hatches will probably leak a bit-mine do, as do most boats with compression gasket hatch designs. Oh, and the rudder housing drags in the water at speed, so I just leave it down most of the time. Beyond that, it’s as good an all arounder as I’ve yet to come across-does everything quite well. Put your fears to rest, paddle the boat, and if you don’t like it, Phil and crew will take it back and resell it in a heartbeat. No boat is perfect, why most paddlers tend to accrue a stable, but listen to the commebnts of QCC owners; they really are that good.
I Am The Fly In The Ointment
– Last Updated: Apr-02-06 1:26 PM EST –
The difference between a high back deck and a low back deck affects how easy your kayak is to brace and roll. A lower back deck is easier.
Nanci L recently took delivery of a new design from QCC that addressed some of the problems of the deck being too high in her Q600. If I wuz you, I'd talk to the folks at QCC and see if the new design would be suitable for my dimensions.
I urge you not to try to love your new boat 'cause it's here'. By God, the maker cut out the dealer which gave you no opportunity to try it next to other boats. When it arrives, please compare it to other similar models and if you don't like it, by all means ship it back.
Loads like Suburban, Goes like Porsche
and it has great quality. I don’t know where your skills are but the best way to learn to swim is to jump in and get wet. Even if you’re “challenged” at the beginning, just go slow and stay in conditions that are comfortable. Having a big wide boat does little for bracing skills and could give you a false since of security. It is important to learn those skills…and others and it’s fun learning them. After a while the 600 will become second nature to you and it WILL feel very stable. It is a surfing machine. It’s fast. It holds a ton of gear. It’s built like a brick house.
I’m with trilobite02, I take mine out in rough conditions and it eats it up. Remember, if you don’t like the boat QCC WILL happily take it back.
By the way, good choice getting the rudder (smile inserted here).
Take a deep breath and jump. I think you 'll love the boat. If not, no biggy, send it back!
Good luck
Franklin
Rex
That is correct, but only for layback rolls. I do a sweep roll, and prefere the sweep as it leaves me in an operational position at the end. Alot of folks like the layback and you are right that the higher back deck makes the layback more difficult but that is far from the only type of roll. And, as long as you are not talking the layback roll the higher back deck is not noted.
Happy Paddling,
Mark
You’re Right.
I wanna see (test drive) Nanci’s new boat. Did QCC decide on a name for it?
high back deck not a bother to me
The deck didn’t seem too high to me except it might have caught cross winds a bit too much.
I never had much problem bracing or rolling the 600. If I found myself anywhere near leaning back I’d probably screwed up, like catching a wave late and leaning back to try to avoid pearling too badly. Then again I had enough flexibility in my torso that I could touch my head to the back deck. By far, most of the time I was leaning ever so slightly foward and all of my bracing and rolling was learned in this position.
I’m Short Torso, No Flexibility
and all legs. I have to have a low back deck. I can do a muscley brace sitting bolt upright but I can’t roll worth a damn without getting back. I really can lower my center of gravity that way. Even doing a stern rudder is better leaned back.
Kudzu
Find a second generation Q700 (or beg Phil to dust of the deck mold). The one with the cockpit 8" aft of center (new ones are 5" aft -the originals were centered) - then move the seat 3" forward (to current production position). Much better laybacks and contact under the thigh braces. Same handling as current model.
Then two of us can be spoiled!
Naw
Got my eye on Pat’s Mermaid for my fast boat. I think the deck is only about 5" above the bottom of the hull behind the seat.
17’X 20" and low, low volume.
I just looked a your profile.
– Last Updated: Apr-02-06 6:34 PM EST –
and if you are "advanced", I am assuming that you have been paddling for quite some time and have tried some narrower boats than the Pungo in which case I think the 600 would be a great boat for you.
I have a 700, and am close to you in size,and the 700 is ever so slightly on the large size for me even though I like it.
My wife has a 600 and I was in it yesterday for the first time, and I almost felt that it was more responsive then my 700.
If you are an "advanced" paddler you should be able to get in either boat and just paddle away the first time in.
We were both surprised what a delight they were to paddle the first time we were in them.
Cheers,
jackL