Cool, capefear…
Will do when I am down that way this summer!
Baffin Opinon
I’ve demo’d both the Etain and the Baffin and am a similar weight. The Baffin I paddled was a C3 but I was quite impressed. Make sure you try one. The cockpit was great for tall paddlers. At 6’2 I could easily sit down and tuck my legs in. The seat and thigh braces were perfect, interesting saddle horn type seat. For me it was a sporty boat, stable enough but easy to throw on edge. I assume in part due to the great outfitting. It also tracked well enough without the skeg. The waterline was decent, to me it felt like a nice performance boat for the bigger guy. Sort of like a T170 but with a cockpit I fit in properly. I see the P3 has a slightly different shape on the hull though(chines). The new T models look to be the same shape as the C models but the T3 won’t be out for a while I was told when I went to order one.
Another plastic model I’d like to try that I don’t see on your list is the Perception Essence 17.
Very grateful for all the responses
My apologies for being quiet; for some reason they were expecting me to actually work today.
The Essence 17 seems to have been an inspired suggestion, as I have been very happy with the Perception boat I have now. I also know where I may be able to try one out. The only downside - and it’s minor - is that I was hoping for something more different from the Carolina.
The Zephyr is a good inclusion, but I would prefer to go a little longer. Everything else about it looks right on, though.
Your point about the Tsunami 175 is a well taken. I should think it would be a ruddy aircraft carrier to turn, but I think it merits further research.
I only had to time to briefly look over the Prijon Kodiak, but it looks like a definite consideration.
The CD Sirocco sounds like a splendid boat, but the website identifies it as being suitable for medium to large paddlers, which I am unfortunately not. I really enjoyed your write-up, though.
The Delphin 155 sounds like an awfully fun boat
I’ve run out of time and will have to check back on the Delphin 155, Etain, and Denali.
Thanks so much.
Happy Friday!
I am digging most of these ideas. I spent my day, disjointed as it was, reading about the Etain and the Kodiak. The Kodiak seems something of a frontrunner at this moment, but there doesn’t seem to be a consensus about whether or not it is maneuverable or can be rolled. The Kodiak seems a great example of the truism that any boat should be tried before purchase.
The Etain consistently sounds good but that brought up the Cetus HV, which hadn’t come up yet but sounds a twitch better.
I just read a little about the Delphin 155. It sounds a very cool boat, with lots of interesting ideas behind it, but it sounds more like a funner version of my Carolina, and less like a longer sea kayak. Maybe when I’m rich and famous, but it’s not the kayak I’m looking for right now.
I’m training through the weekend, but I’ll keep researching next week. Ideally, I can get out and try a couple demo models next weekend.
Thanks again
el C
Venture Jura HV
– Last Updated: Apr-28-14 1:04 PM EST –
If you can find a Venture dealer (British made by P & H ) their Jura HV (High Volume) is a well made, reasonably priced rotomold boat with a rudder-like skeg, designed for bigger guys.
I've had a smaller model Venture for 4 years and have been really impressed with the performance and features -- very fun boats to paddle.
http://www.venturekayaks.com/kayaks.php?kayak=Jura%20HV
http://www.paddleva.com/APP02535-Venture-Jura-HV-Kayak-w-Skudder?gclid=CJGugO3Ug74CFeZDMgodI2gAhg
Interesting boat
I was not familiar with it, but ARC is not far from me so I may have to check it out. I’ve been considering a poly boat to use more inland in areas with a lot of oyster beds and shells to spare my Eddyline.
The cockpit and deck height dimensions look good on paper for a big guy. I’m surprised that they only consider it a 275# max weight boat. Not so thrilled about the “scudder” idea.
Jura HV
Just unwrapped a Jura HV but haven’t had it on the water yet. Loaded with features for the $. The Skudder system is a cool bit of engineering that looks like it took a lot of prototyping to dial it in.
Close up pics at:
http://wp.me/pFgdM-CI
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-connection.com
hudsonriverpaddler.org
Venture features
– Last Updated: Apr-29-14 11:26 AM EST –
I like the features on the Venture boats (my ex liked my Easky LV so much he bought himself a standard Easky 15). The seat is pretty nice (though I may replace the back with a backband) and I especially like little features like the embedded steel rod that allows you to easily lock the boat to your roof rack for security and the molded in recess for a compass.
Sharp looking boats for the money and with performance similar to kayaks costing twice as much. Hatches leak a bit unless you are extra careful to get the gasket aligned and smoothed down. The plastic is a little thinner than, say, a WS Tsunami of equivalent size, but it does make the boats about 15% lighter and easier to carry.
I find the Easky far more fun to paddle than similar models I've owned/borrowed/rented by Necky, Dagger, Perception and WS. I originally bought it to use as a "beater" version of my costly Feathercraft Wisper folder (it has similar specs), but it's grown to be a favorite in my fleet -- really a blast in rough water with excellent secondary stability but tracks straight when I want to cover some distance. I actually seek out power boat and barge wakes to surf with it when I am out on our big rivers.
I guess the Jura is fairly new but looks like similar lines with the low stern deck, higher bow and slight rocker (I gather it will be replacing the larger Easkys?
Valley Etain 17.7
The Valley Etain 17.7 will be available to demo at the Kayak Centre of Rhode Islands Demo Weekend - May 3rd and 4th.
Valley
– Last Updated: May-01-14 8:17 PM EST –
I had a "plastic" Valley Aquanaut HV that was a real nice boat. I wish I had never sold it. I liked the type of plastic Valley uses better than the average roto boat. Seemed stiffer to me, kind of a good compromise between what you usually see in roto boats and higher end composite boats. Kind of a best of both worlds. I'd recommend checking one out. It also was a skeg boat, so that sounds like it suits you as well.
Cetus HV
The Cetus HV is a good boat that would probably fit you well, but it’s only made in fiberglass. (Other options have been plastic, or at least available in plastic).
The plastic cousin of the Cetus is called the Scorpio. The larger of the two sizes is definitely not large enough for you though, so scratch that one off.
I haven’t tried a Jura HV yet, as it’s brand new. Worth a try. It’s a bit shorter and wider than most of the options you’ve heard so far.
Nate Hanson
www.PinnipedKayak.com
Sirocco
I’ve had a Sirocco for about 8 years and I second the comments that gave a gold star to the boat. CD uses a single layer poly, and I have no complaints about that aspect of the boat.
Now–for a 270 pound person, it is going to depend on where a lot of that weight is. If its in your trunk, you probably aren’t going to fit the seat that comes with the Sirocco. I’m almost a hundred pounds lighter and my rear end is not large and if the seat were one centimeter narrower, it would be uncomfortable.
If by chance you end up with a Sirocco, there are three things that will probably need attention right away. The tape that surrounds the faux hull/deck seam comes off right away unless you stick it on better with water proof glue. I used silicone sealant. Number two is to replace the bungees that hold the back-band up with a larger size. The originals are worthless. Number three is to change the original deck bungees to the next larger size. These three minor irritations are very easy to fix and why CD would not do these upgrades to begin with is perplexing to me.
I know of a shop that has two brand new Boreal Design built 17’-4" Vaags that are on closeout for $2600 each. You grab one of those up and if you don’t like it, I’ll trade you my already modified Sirocco in better than new conition for the Vaag.
Or, demo another Etain 17-7
at The River Connection, Hyde Park, NY as it doesn’t take a lot of convincing to put the Gone Paddling sign on the Showroom door.
Sorry J, had to plug in.
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-conneciton.com
hudsonriverpaddler.org
Still going…
So it looks like the Jura has checked in on this list. It sounds like a great boat. I am leaning towards longer, but I think the only point I’m absolutely tied to are plastic construction. The security lock sounds a brilliant feature.
There are Venture dealers scattered around the area, so I should be able to try one out shortly.
The Sirocco has also come back. Their website claims the boat is best suited for the Medium to Large paddler, but while taking a second look due to all of the comments this week, I see a reference to 375lbs max weight, and a lot of reviews from larger paddlers who liked the way she floats. I’d have to say the Sirocco is back on the list.
Aquanaut sounds a little harder to find, especially in plastic, since they are no longer in production.
That said, here’s the list as it stands:
Prijon Kodiak
CD Sirocco
Valley Etain
Wilderness Systems Tsunami 175
This week has been bizarrely busy so I haven’t done as much research as I’d like, but it is coming along.
As far as the battle of distributors go, I solemnly guarantee that I will demo any boat that is mailed to me!
Cheers.
Standard warning
When you buy any polyethylene boat–no matter who builds it and whether it is new, or used, be sure you check the keel line for straight from end to end. Not talking about rocker, or lack of it. Just be sure the boat is not bent. Do not accept a boat that is warped. Also take a good look at the deck to be sure it hasn’t gotten hot and slumped.
Sadly
– or maybe not so sadly – all my weight is just above the beltline. I suspect it’ll work, insofar as I would actually be wearing the boat. I have a quite fun car that fits the same way.
el C
Thanks a lot
I’ve heard that before, so it was something I already had in mind. I do appreciate any suggestions and assistance I can get, though.
Oversight
I forgot the Jura HV on my shortlist, but it’s there.
review of Jura performance
I found this on the water review of a Jura on the Venture web site:
http://www.venturekayaks.com/news/
Sounds like a pretty nice boat (though you do have to account for the paddler being a Venture test pilot.)