It's my 4th kayak (you can never have too many?) Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Best Kayak Brands For Fishing, Sea Kayaking, Touring & More, Boat Review: Solstice GT Titan by Current Designs, Boat Review: Current Designs Ignite Kayak, Boat Review: Current Designs Squall GTS Kayak, Touring Kayak Review: Current Designs Equinox GT, Expedition Kayak Review: Current Designs Infinity, Touring Kayak Review: Current Designs Stratus 18, 10 Reasons Kushiro Shitsugen National Park Is The Best Place To Canoe Trip In Japan, 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Kayak On Ebay. Things we didnt like: Face it this is a heavy boat at 93 lbs. once in the water it is great. getting it there can be a challenge. I don't know about any complaints because it's the only kayak I ever owned u just have to learn how to paddle like Greenlanders do they've been doing it for thousands of years. It is available, slightly lengthened, as the Northstar Pro in composite, so those with deeper pockets have another way to avoid the softening issue. We are producing kayaks as fast as we safely can and shipping kayaks to dealers daily. Now - the down side, which EVERY boat has. Sometimes edging is not enough to correct this, and you have to use a sweep stroke or, with a really stiff wind at a bad angle, use a stern rudder stroke. My only complaint, it is sluggish running downwind, but maybe that's me. Learn basic steps for shore and dock put-ins and take-outs. White over white with black rigging Wilderness Sealution in Kevlar w/ rudder. I was so captivated by my experiences, I just recently stepped up and replaced the II with a full Kevlar model. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. I would recommend this boat only for strong paddlers. The first few dozen times I tried to roll it I kept popping out. Fast, light, maneuverable, tracks well, easy to roll. The cockpits are smaller than the Recreational series, adding thigh braces for more efficient paddling and control. Repairs are also straightforward; if youre not confident tackling a repair yourself, its relatively easy to find a professional who can make the fix. Now, this boat is really "mine" and with the outfitting and extras I would give it a "9". While a foot longer than the craft it replaced, it is no faster. Current Designs offers more touring designs in the 15- to 17-foot range, aimed at paddlers of all sizes and experience levels. North American-style touring kayaks are direct descendants of the first boats that Current Designs made. The Impex Force series is known for speedy, rough-water capable hulls. 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! In addition, if you have a variety of crafts, the Pungo can be adjusted to suit the boat size. I have put retractable skegs on both. As other reviewers have pointd out, 94 pounds is way too heavy for a kayak, especially if one plans to transport it car-top. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. This cuts down on wind resistance and makes it easier to climb back aboard in a paddle float or assisted rescue. All Impex kayaks are constructed using Kevlar fusion materials, compared to Current Designs range of materials. All trademarks property of their respective owners To give you an idea, on my agenda over the next six months is a paddle over to Todos Santos in Baja California, exploration of Monterey Bay and the Elkhorn Slough and an eight day exploration of the islands off of Belize. I am 14 in the adult mens division 4th place. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! We mostly do day paddles, but once took a three-day trip with it. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! Evolutions of these early Current Designs kayaks include the Solstice and Equinox, two classic designs that are still available today. One good feature is the intangible feeling of ease with which it seems to move through the water. A beautiful, light boat. I bought this Kayak two years ago. CL. This content was made possible with the support of OntarioCreates. [ Read more: Pimp Your RideKayak Personalization ]. Some of the ergonomics and fittings do look older and a bit dated but that's what you get when you paddle an old boat. And, compared to a single, it's incredibly spacious, with ample room for both seating and gear. I have heard that you can negate this behavior with weight in the stern of the boat, but would rather put a skeg on it. 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. Testers were impressed that this feature maintained its ease of use throughout our rigorous testing period. Overall, the Phase3 system provides a snug, performance fit that was previously only available with custom outfitting. The cockpits are big and easy to get in and out of. They may have the part in stock or recommend compatible parts to use in the damaged ones place. Current Designs also offers more high-end material options, including fiberglass and Aramid composites. Not to mention getting it on and off the car and carrying it to the water. Our combined weight with day paddling equipment is about 320 pounds. If an outfitter near you rents Current Designs kayaks, chances are they will be replenishing their fleet as the kayaks get olderask if they are planning to do so at the end of the season. If you like to camp you will have trouble carrying large items. We nevertheless have a wait time for new orders, and our phone lines have seen an influx of calls. The arctic hawk turns immensly better when at speed, so the first time people try and turn it theyre' often frustrated. Its weight of approximately 95 lbs, plus rudder makes it a risky proposition for car-topping unless two very strong people are involved. At 5'2" and 110lbs., the Tschaika fit me with just a bit of adaptation. A rudder is perfect for paddlers who want extra boat control and the ability to steer using their feet. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! I couldn't count the number of lobster bouys that I collided with, because I couldn't see past the brim of my wife's hat! So very wickedly fast, and despite my top heavy frame, very stable! See and review all Current Designs kayaks here. The inner layer is made of meshed polyester while the two outer layers are made from PVC. Buy the plastic Picollo and save your money. The Tempest 170 is a nimble cruiser capable of holding its own at a touring pace. 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. You can fit an army in the cockpit, which means most people will need lots of outfitting to make it usable. Kayaks Lifetime Triton Angler Kayak With New High Back Seats Rod mounts and Paddles $420 Each. Durability and robustness were important considerations given the granite islands and shoals that I slide on and off. She now wears UV protection goggles under these conditions. Transitional kayaks are best suited for day touring and have storage capacity for shorter overnight trips. Alex Matthews is the author of many magazine articles and several books about sea kayaking. 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. With a high floatation pfd I find that I do not end up completely upside down, a fact that makes the renter and roll easier. As with any kayak, the lighter the layup, the higher the price. But that is easly fixed by adding glass tape to the underside of the deck. The Hawk is a pretty low volume boat for an 18', with about 11" depth up front and 8" behind the seat. Although slightly lighter, full-carbon models are also significantly more expensive. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. A joy to paddle with little wind. sporting goods 22; boats 16 . Contacting Current Designs with the registration number on the inside of the hull will also provide a definitive I.D. How to Choose a Recreational Kayak Paddle, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Reliable, lightweight, easy to adjust and extend, Very sturdy and durable locking mechanism, smooth blade performance, easy to adjust, lightweight, Exceptional value, quality blade design, fiberglass reinforced nylon blades, Durable blade and shaft construction, ribbed fiberglass shaft provides textured grip, Heavier than some models, locking mechanism prone to wobble, Heavy blades, play in snap button locking mechanism system, Heavy aluminum shaft, play in locking mechanism, This paddle consistently was a top performer across all metrics and it was not hard to select this paddle as a winner, This well-designed paddle delivers outstanding value without sacrificing on performance or durability, This model features durable blades that deliver powerful strokes at an affordable price, This is an affordable entry-level paddle that can get you and your family out on the water. Another benefit of buying an established brand like Current Designs is the ability to source replacement parts. At a whopping 95lbs and 18+ feet in length I can see why. They are more efficient, faster and have better tracking (making them easier to paddle straight) than Recreational or Transitional models. I've got some lifting issues and this one in Kevlar comes out to 34#, yep 34. The only aspect of the paddle that slightly disappointed the testers was the graphic adornments. Amazon.com : Wilderness Systems Origin Recreation/Touring Kayak Paddle |Fiberglass/Nylon Blade | Carbon Blend Shaft (205-225cm), Blue/Black (8070225) : Sports & Outdoors Sports & Outdoors Sports Water Sports Kayaking Paddles $127.99 & FREE Returns FREE delivery Saturday, August 6 Or fastest delivery Thursday, August 4. These boats have far more rocker (the amount of upsweep from the center of the kayak to its ends) than all of the other kayaks in the Current Designs fleet, making them supremely maneuverable and rough-water capable in the hands of more experienced paddlers. New paddlers will find these kayaks easier to become accustomed to. Transitional kayaks in Current Designs lineup bridge the gap between recreational and touring kayaks. I had to resort to sweep strokes, rudders, edging, etc to keep on course in a stern quartering 25kt wind with windblown waves at 1-2 feet. The rudder I find to be excellent, very precise, and trouble free after many miles. There is no way one person can get it on a car top without something like hully rollers. Wilderness Systems Tarpon Kayak Paddle for Recreation/Touring | Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber Blades | Adjustable Carbon/Fiberglass Shaft (220-240cm) Visit the Wilderness Systems Store 14 ratings -11% $35124 List Price: $394.99 FREE Returns Style: Carbon Fiber Blade Carbon Fiber Blade Fiberglass Blade 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. For recreational kayaks, expect to spend around $1,000 for a plastic kayak or nearly $2,000 for an ultralight rec kayak; transitional kayaks range from $1,350 to $3,000; and touring kayaks cost between $1,600 and $4,400 (all prices USD). I own two Artic Hawks. A rudder would look too out of place and would add little over a skeg. Find manufacturers suggested retail prices (MSRP) of Current Designs kayaks on their website. The result is a spectacular gold piece of artworkthe natural color of Kevlar. We nevertheless have a wait time for new orders, and our phone lines have seen an influx of calls. Swapped my Outer Island for this boat in Kevlar. I go through periods lasting years when I paddle almost every week. no hidden. The thigh braces had to be padded a little. post. Return this item for free. Wilderness Systems Tempest 180 Fiberglass Kayak with Skeg 0.0 0 Reviews Item #736649 Red/White This product is not available. Things to worry about: Well that's the only bad thing or drawback, everything else about this design is extremely impressive. I continue to find it fun and exciting, and am nowhere near its equal yet. Let us know! I bought a used fiberglass Sealution from a fellow paddler here on the board. On a more tangible note, the prismatic coefficient clearly suits our weight. As to the outfitting and seat, I cut the entire seat out, built a "very nice" foam seat and back, did knee, thigh, hip braces in foam, took out the footpegs and put in fitted foam bulkhead and put in a vertical pillar of foam behind the seat to stiffen the rear deck. The page also lists outfitters that offer rentals where you can try before you buy. The kayaks that have evolved in the Pacific Northwest tend to sport novice-friendly rudders and have much higher volume. The newest category to emerge from Current Designs, Danish-style touring kayaks are the brainchild of esteemed Danish kayak designer, Jesper Kromann-Andersen. The boat was purchased for "workouts" mainly, not racing or touring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is a wickedly heavy beast. It weighs a ton. The Arctic Hawk in my opinion has no weathercocking problem, and I don't think the greenlanders(or inuit in srostaker or who evers words) would have died from it. and I can load mine on top of our truck by myself. Weathercocks badly in a following wind. My Sealution II was a 60 lb. I wanted a low volume Greenland style boat and the Arctic Hawk certainly has the look. This is better than being upside down but I suspect that an advanced paddler would want a round chine boat with less secondary stability. It VERY GOOD, but rather too heavy. Got feedback? I'll also walk you through the best kayak paddles for fishing so you'll hit the water ready. Old Town Castine 130 kayak. I purchased a new Northstar about a month ago. Coaming - The rear coaming makes putting a sprayskirt on a real chore as there is very little clearance, hence don't use skirts with good sized bungees as they won't go on. Aside from the fact that it is a hard shell boat and wide enough for the modern build, it is very like some historical Greenland boats. Love the extra room behind the seat for stuffing a jacket & my platypus water bottle. The Sealution is the first sea kayak I have ever owned even though I had and have the use of two Aquaterra Chinooks through our club. They are judged The lever ferrule system was an instant hit with our team of testers. I got to watch my sandals float away. 99. It's a hot rod, very fast and responsive. I have the fiberglass lay up with deep teal deck, purple seam line, white hull. I'm 5'9 155# and it's a good fit -- most of the bigger cockpits swallow me and I can't quickly lean It may take a bit of patience and perseverance to find the right one, but through online classifieds like Kijiji or Craigslist, Current Designs kayaks can be found.