sea kayaks
Its been a sport and a way of life for many thousands of years.
I like wood boats by Pygmy and Chesapeake Light Craft, especially the longer, faster boats and the Greenland designs.
‘it’ is not a single boat anymore
It’s a quiver of boats due to the specialization of hull shapes. A rock-garden, surf or play boat and an expedition boat.
Can’t be answered
This question really can’t be answered. It’s whatever makes you smile. There are many that can do a little of everything but not one kayak that can do it all. I have six kayaks because I enjoy the variety. Each one is a little special in it’s own way. 
too broad
Even in the automotive world there are “it” rides for different uses. Heck, I don’t think I could pick one “it” boat for sea kayaking. An Epic 18X and a Romany Surf would satisfy me.
I’m very interested in that boat
I’m hoping to demo one this spring. Very intrigued. Wondering about increase in potential hull speed vs. being exposed on weeklong trips.
Good answer
Somebody gets it.
so it’s only about material?
If the Xplore, Aries, and Pilgrim came in plastic, would they still be considered “junk” to you? (the Scorpio is ‘sorta kinda’ the Cetus in plastic, depending who you ask & how exacting they are).
Not attacking, just askin’. I wouldn’t mind seeing those boats come out in RM or thermoform myself, though I’m certainly not holding my breath.
Define “it”
- If by “it”, implies a boat that does everything better than other boats, it doesn’t exist. The list of “best” in any particular category are not the same for other characteristic. So there’s not one boat that’s better in all area.
- But if by “it” is a boat that allows enjoyment on water, then any boat would do. OK, any boat that’s sea worthy and can be handled predictably in skilled hands. That means just about EVERY single sea kayak on the market.
Each may have different characteristic. But all will put a smile on your face!
- A common criteria for “the” boat (not “it” boat), is a boat with a wide performance envelope, i.e. performs well in many area, though not necessarily “best of the breed” in any single area. That’s where the name of Romany (Explorer), Norlow etc. comes in.
These are boats that, if you can only have one boat, they’re the most balanced COMPROMISE!
if you have to ask…
…you’ll never get ‘it’.
the last “it” car…
…was the Pontiac Aztek.
Sure you don’t wanna rethink that question?
If I Could Have Only One Boat
it would be a composite Tempest 165 with the seat moved back some. But to put it in the Porsche category you need to knock 8-12 pounds off of it.
You can do it, Newbtastic. The world will beat a path to your door.
Breaking Bad
I laughed every time I saw that car on screen. In fact, I smile or laugh whenever I see one in traffic. I don’t point and ridicule. Hopefully the drivers just think I’m in a good mood.
Nah. AMC Pacer/Gremlin…
…in atomic lime-green. Most hideous car ever made. =o
Aztek’s a close second though, I’ll give you that.
the "It boat"
is the one which supplies filler to the kayak mags. Even if the reviews of the “it boat” are done by its sponsored paddlers and/or dealers.
It’s the one that attempts to get you to feel that you need to “upgrade”.
It’s the one to ignore if you like to paddle, think, and choose for yourself.
Hey!
The Pacer was a hideous, ugly piece of sh**.
The Gremlin was a cool looking piece sh**.
Plastic Pilgrim
If they made a Pilgrim in 3 layer plastic or thermoformed I’d have one hanging in my garage for my wife. Maybe one for my daughter too.
Is the Delphin not the plastic version of the Aries?
Newbtastic - yes to plastic
In fact the Delphin is the plastic Aries and a wonderful boat that we considered getting, but we decided to get an Alchemy.
I really have to hand it to P&H and to Wilderness Systems for trying to make a lot of their composite boats have plastic counterparts. In the past Epic did it too and so did NDK. Unfortunately the plastic Romany wasn’t nearly as good as the actual Romany and is wasn’t as good as Plastic P&H boats by a long shot.
IT
A proper IT Kayak would have a 1024 bit dual servo controlled propulsion system cross connected to a redundant RAID 5 navigation control system with everything connected to a 12 core Linux server via an OC3 backbone.
For me, whatever “IT” is
has gotta weigh less tha 35 pounds. That’s it!
Coaster