If this kayak were produced in the triple layer poly, as used in my P&H Capella, it would rate 9 in my review. It carves well and doesn't break your back to roll despite its size and weight. An adult paddler and an enthusiastic child can keep up with most solo boats. Perception Hook Angler 10.5 Kayak. Glad I was in So Cal and not the North Sea. for a plastic ocean touring kayak isn't unreasonable We have owned our Northstar for 3 and have been kayakers in singles for about 8 years. Join once, enjoy forever. I bought a plastic Sealution II last summer and am in it almost constantly. North American-style kayaks have foot controlled rudders for added maneuverability and tracking. Overall I am quite impressed with it. Our combined weight with day paddling equipment is about 320 pounds. 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. The Werner Camano is one of the best kayak paddles on the market. Simple the hull has too much rocker to track in a quartering sea. The bottom line is that this is good boat until you need to transport it during warm weather. By dropping 20 pounds off the boat, it handles beautifullyquicker turning and very light on the water. The Hawk is fairly quick but not as fast as a boat with similar dimensions but round chines. After extensive use (and no regular maintenance), the screw that attached the lever to the paddle's shaft showed signs of rust. You can fit an army in the cockpit, which means most people will need lots of outfitting to make it usable. What theyve created is an appealing combination of Brit boat design with the high volume and plush outfitting of the North American tradition. If you are searching for a particular model, size, or color, you may not find it immediately. I love this Chaika kayak, She glides effortlessly and is very respo;sieve. Things we like: the Northstar easily slices through the water, and weighing in at 93 lbs, with two people, is able to maintain a comfortable momentum (once up to speed) with minimal effort. post. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! The cockpits are smaller than the Recreational series, adding thigh braces for more efficient paddling and control. Florissant, MO. Layup is poor with trademark stress cracks on the kevlar hull even on a new boat. It is very fast and has exiptional tracking. It does, in my experience, weathercock in stiff winds when empty. However, most importantly, the blades themselves do not appear to wear down with extended use, and despite its aging appearance, the paddle's actual performance did not falter. She now wears UV protection goggles under these conditions. Wilderness Systems Tsunami 175 touring kayak. You no longer have to rely on having a second set of hands around if you want to adjust or dismantle your kayak paddle. The lever ferule system provided an infallible joint for this 2-piece paddle. My first test paddle of her was on the Ohio River on a calm afternoon. The arctic hawk turns immensly better when at speed, so the first time people try and turn it theyre' often frustrated. The Deck fittings arent (or werent at that time) recessed. I love the low weight, incredible looks, high speed performance, and good stability. Overall, the Phase3 system provides a snug, performance fit that was previously only available with custom outfitting. The Kevlar and glass boats will no doubt address almost all of my concerns. The Karla, Prana and Sisu fall within the Danish-style touring category, along with each kayaks low-volume (LV) editions. The newsletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. I am sure it can be turned quick but we were never able to do so. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Much storage, a removeable soft cooler, and a very stable Kayak. This can be particularly annoying (and even a bit painful) if your hands slip on the shaft. See and review all Current Designs kayaks here. The Tempest tends to be a bit unsteady in transition from edge to edge, but once on edge its stable and cranks nice tightturns. Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak Paddle Lightweight And Durable Adjustable Paddle Length Pros Cons 5. When another kayaker is struggling, you might need to give them a tow. It is a very fast kayak. To complement the whole package, I have ordered a carbon fiber paddle. I paddle a Kevlar Sealution, and love its predictability and seaworthiness, particularly with a load in heavy weather. Get it with a rudder if your not yet good at edging for course corrections. It ride pretty high in the water. Guess that I like the "Greenland" looks - so this is not taking away from an OI, believe me. I have two Current Design Storms and am very impressed with the Northstar. This is true both above and below the waterline, and it makes the Arctic Hawk one of the best looking boats out there. Front storage hatch offers dry storage; large rear storage well can be used for crates, coolers, fishing equipment, scuba tanks or camping gear. The perfect kayak to fit your lifestyle awaits. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. At a whopping 95lbs and 18+ feet in length I can see why. Current Designs transitional kayaks have the premium outfitting you would expect on a sea kayaklike decklines, bungees for storage, optional skeg or rudder, and watertight hatches and bulkheadsbut they are much shorter. It is versatile, lightweight, and compact, making it ideal for weekend getaways, fishing excursions, or camping trips with friends. White over white with black rigging Wilderness Sealution in Kevlar w/ rudder. If youre seeking a good variety of lightweight sit-on-top and sit-inside recreational kayaks, or a dedicated fishing kayak, look to Eddyline. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. This is a true touring craft that demands challenging excursions. Current Designs also offers more high-end material options, including fiberglass and Aramid composites. Find manufacturers suggested retail prices (MSRP) of Current Designs kayaks on their website. [ Read more: Pimp Your RideKayak Personalization ]. Anyone who thinks it weathercocks and needs a skeg is crazy. Now - the down side, which EVERY boat has. Join the Wilderness Systems Email Community. My only complaint is the placement of the knee pads. Transitional kayaks are best suited for day touring and have storage capacity for shorter overnight trips. Tracks poorly, has good speed. Be the first to know about new products, team news and events. In 60 + KM 40 MPH winds that thing stayed up and carried her to safety when more experienced paddlers went through all forms of trouble. GREAT BOAT! A well-stored kayak will not have any mildew or dampness inside the hatches. Best Overall: Wilderness Systems Alpha Angler Carbon. Shopping for a used Current Designs kayak? all. We nevertheless have a wait time for new orders, and our phone lines have seen an influx of calls. Great looks, speed and control. The Epic seemed to move through the waves with less resistance and I had a hard time keeping up. I bought my kevlar Sealution, blue over white, in 1996. Read Sealution Pro reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Their manufacturing facility is located in Winona, Minnesota. Love the extra room behind the seat for stuffing a jacket & my platypus water bottle. Granted I was paddling with a person that had minimal experience paddling and ran out of gas leaving me to do most of the work. 1. Weve also included some buying advice for used Current Designs kayaks and answers to common questions. This is an excellent long expedition boat in terms of gear storage and it's big, long and fast enough that even with some weight or cargo on board you can still make good time. Got feedback? It surfs beautifully and your ride is drythe very English style nose stays high and the bigger the waves, the more fun we are having! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If a button could be pressed and it folded up for transport I'd give it an 11, since it can't 10/10. This beginner-level series covers everything you need to know for your first time kayaking. The Sealution Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems. In foul weather she can put a beginner in a very good footing . For my purposes (lazy summer afternoons spent paddling on a placid lake with my wife), it works wonderfully. Current Designs kayaks are made in the USA by Wenonah. by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,189.00 Details Sealution Pro Description The Sealution Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems . Her hull is lower than any of the other 9 kayak we've owned over the past 15 years. for your first email from REI. Good Job WS. The hull is scratched as expected but of no concern; it is poly, tracks fine; I use the rudder, runs well in all weather. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! In this guide, you will find links to the best Current Designs kayaks on the market, as well as an overview of the types of kayaks this company produces. Durability and robustness were important considerations given the granite islands and shoals that I slide on and off. Kayaks Lifetime Triton Angler Kayak With New High Back Seats Rod mounts and Paddles $420 Each. This intermediate-level kayaking series covers safety and rescue techniques. Based in Washington state, Eddyline specializes in recreational, fishing and day touring kayaks made from thermoformed plastica material that has the durability of traditional rotomolded plastic without the heavy weight. Understanding what kind of kayaking you want to do, and where you want to do it, will help you choose the best kayak for your paddling aspirations. It is light: 38 lbs. I have owned my hawk for about a year and I love it! We have used it on lakes and ocean waters in calm and rough conditions. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! We have gone on paddles of a few hours, and maybe 8-10 miles so far. They can keep you informed on lead times for boats and have insight on what is coming down the pipeline. by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,049.00 Details Tarpon 120 by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,189.00 Details Northstar Description The Northstar is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems . Great double at a great price. 7 Reasons to Consider Kayaking Events This Year, Best Paddling Destinations For Unforgettable Wildlife Viewing, Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences. I never use a rudder (well almost never) and I find it tracks very well even in big seas. These boats fit in the popular day touring category, borrowing elements from dedicated touring kayaks, packaged in the size of recreational kayaks. Wilderness Systems offers the Pungo in a Glass or Carbon construction, both are versatile and lightweight paddle. During blind testing, kayakers were unable to tell the Pungo apart from a standard one-piece as it just feels solid. A second drawback is the heavy spray my wife receives in the front seat when punching into chop. This cuts down on wind resistance and makes it easier to climb back aboard in a paddle float or assisted rescue. 4.5 out of 5 stars 111 ratings | 8 answered questions . The hard-chine hull shape is extremely reminiscent of the Romany. I bought my fiberglass Sealution about four years ago, after test paddling or renting a good number of different boats. To get a 10 out of 10, it would weigh 50 lbs, still be as strong as an ox, and load itself onto our car on command. but in the real world. this is an excellent value and a great tandem kayak choice for novice or expert alike. Well that's the only bad thing or drawback, everything else about this design is extremely impressive. At 5'8" and heavier than I want to be it is a tight fit getting in and out. A big wave will, of course, break over the deck (we always wear skirts), but the boat never submarines. The foam-padded seat is adjustable with a tilting leg support, backband and very comfortable, adjustable hip pads. Top picks: Best Current Designs kayaks for 2023. Unless you have a trailer, are both Crossfit champions in a long term relationship, or live on the water where carrying it any distance is not an issue you are likely to have problems getting it around. We do mostly river & back-water kayaking in the sometimes breezy conditions of South Dakota. )It is my favorite and most used boat. They may have the part in stock or recommend compatible parts to use in the damaged ones place. The ALPHA Angler series features a powerful and aggressive blade designed to deliver higher speeds on the water. This is really the only negative. My family and I do a fair amount of kayaking so I bought two tandems. Paddlers were pleased to note that this paddle's adjustability does not come at the expense of its performance. my time was 1 hour 5 min 26 sec for a 6.5 mile course. Learn basic steps for shore and dock put-ins and take-outs. On the plus side it tracks well, weather cocking is not bad, initial stability is great, she carves a turn all right but if you put her on edge you can spin her faster that most other kayaks I paddle. FREE Returns . If you find a used Current Designs kayak that needs replacement parts, contact the company. Would like to sell it to someone who would appreciate it. Sized from 12 to 15 feet, they favor stability on calm waters and easy turning over speed. My only complaint, it is sluggish running downwind, but maybe that's me. We also periodically polish it with Formula 303 to provide UV protection of the polyethylene and make it shine. account. We found that bent-shaft carbon fiber paddles greatly reduce fatigue and really compliments this boat.