CD lists the Infinity as a "fish form’ expedition kayak.
Probably more that you want to know… 
You said you felt like you were paddling up hill. You may well have been. Take a look at your bow wave as you paddle; once you hit hull speed you are pushing it up higher, making the crest-to-crest longer, and you start paddling up the backside of your bow wave instead of in the trough in between the bow wave and the follower.
Having said that, it doesn’t explain the difference between the two boats or why a strong paddler can’t exceed 6 mph in a boat that length.
that’s fascinating and feels like something worth investigating… it really does feel like I’m pushing too much wave in front of me… don’t know if this is correctable with technique or what…
The waterline has been optimized for length in the Infinity, with relatively little rocker as well… You describe the Arluk as a ‘fast sea kayak’ and correct me if I’m wrong but it appears that this category is underrepresented in today’s offerings… could the influence of more recreational-minded paddlers entering the market be the cause? Also, the classic Necky design has essentially disappeared with the brand itself; the super low wetted surface area of that hull design (super skinny bow and stern) may be what gives my Arluk its swiftness and effortless acceleration.
This was a great read… I do suspect the more Swede-form Arluk pushes less water than the fish form Infinity… “The finer bow more gently parts the water for less wave-making resistance.”
I suppose the CD could have been designed with a greater concern for directional stability… “Fish-form advocates correctly point out that Swede-form is less directionally stable (other things being equal).”
Thanks for that input, you sure do have lots of experience with this brand. The Arluk may have just performed quite exceptionally for me. This Infinity is simply not gliding and accelerating the way I need, and actually surfs poorly compared to the Arluk, probably due to the bow shape and abrupt waterline entry point.
I actually have video of myself accelerating in the Arluk, and it’s possible to see the whole boat lurching forward under single paddle strokes as it speeds ahead into a touring pace. The moment of inertia feels simply too great in the CD.
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This is category used in classifying boats for competition:
Single Kayaks
Sea Kayak – L:W ratio less than 9.25:1
Fast Sea Kayak – L:W ratio between 9.25:1 and 10.99:1
High Performance Kayak – L:W ratio is greater than 10.99:1
My wife has a QCC 600X, which in spite of being nominally two feet shorter, is classified as being very close to the Arluk. The Arluk’s upswept bow loses nearly two feet of waterline length.
The demise of the classic sea kayaks is probably driven by sales. I’ll probably get called out for my guessing that newer entrants to the sport, especially the younger crowd, seem to be primarily interested in SUPs, rec boats, play boats, and white water boats. Many older first timers and people with younger family members seem to be more interested in rec boats, fishing kayaks, canoes, and SOTs. Price and relative ease of handling probably have an influence as well.
While some of these people may eventually move on to sea kayaks at some point, the bulk of sales is not for $3000 to $5000+ for 16’ - 18’ boats. When Johnson Outdoors bought up Necky, one of the first things they did was expand the line into multiple play boats. They eventually dropped all of their sea kayaks with the exception of the Lookshaw, which is no longer available in a composite layup.
This is extremely informative and confirms some of my suspicions… Really helpful, thanks so much.
What makes a kayak efficient is the frequency of the bow wave it produces. A long entrance gives a loner period between those bow waves.
That is opposite of what makes many boats stable. Stability is based on wider shoulders and hips on a kayak. This cuts the frequency of those bow waves. It is kind of like the difference between big ocean rolling waves or choppy seas. On rollers you can surf and use the energy of the water to help propel you. It is almost impossible to do that.
Too many kayaks today are designed on a computer and don’t see water until they are in production. By then the costs are too high to trash it, so they sell a model that is a dog.
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I think a CD HV Nomad / Extreme would have been more suited to your liking. When I paddle in a group many say it seems one stroke and your gone. I assume you got it used maybe you’d be better to try something else if your not going to have to spend a bundle.
From what I know CD makes a hull to test paddle before production.
Here is a list of boats with LW ratio’s
Yes the extreme would have been smarter - I already listed the Infinity on Facebook marketplace. It’s just too recreation-oriented for me.
What state are you in?
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Northeast Ohio.
My guess is seat position or ballast would help. If it’s relevant, I am much faster in my plastic Prijon Marlin than in my Kevlar CD Isle. I think that is due to the Marlin being tighter on me (the Isle is a BIG boat,like the Infinity) and that I am close to the weight limit in the Marlin.
Isn’t isle 24" wide? Much bigger than infinity by 2" if I am not mistaken?
Oh to far for me to purchase. Thanks.
I know that there has to be some relationship of numbers used for classification but, gosh, this method places my Tempest 170 Pro among the Fast Sea Kayak class which in real life it ain’t fast.
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Just like cars, falling into a category doesn’t make the vehicle competitive! Classifications don’t take into account the hull shape, weight or stiffness.
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