GEAR
Nine Top Solo Touring Kayaks
By Rick Hill
During this endeavor more than one person mentioned that kayak reviews are frivolous because, "How can you say what is going to be good for somebody else?" After all, they would expound, "owning a kayak is a personal experience. Something you must form a relationship with." Would you review your sister's choice for a mate or your best friend's date? You betcha. And so, if we would subject fellow humans to such a degrading examination, rife with subjectivity and casual observation--why not do it to a boat?
We decided to do just that and analyze these sea kayaks for potential relationships. And to be choosy, we reviewed "personalities" you might call Sport Tourers. A boat you can paddle in waves or a little surf, duck into sea caves, or prowl between the local railroad bridge pilings; and a kayak that can carry enough gear for a long romantic weekend. Your basic, "Seeking excitement--long term possible," type of arrangement. We ended up meeting nine. Some we liked enough to take out again, and some we weren't so sure about. But then, who hasn't had that said about them at one time or another?
Atlantis by Dagger (Polyethylene)
This kayak instantly endeared itself to everyone's consciousness because nobody could figure out how the rudder retracted. Dagger has designed a system similar to deep-hulled sailboats where the rudder is the extension of the submerged keel. It either locks in a straight position, or unlocks so you can rudder right or left. It doesn't retract. At first glance the clean lines and longish hull promised some speed and lively twitching, though, as with a blind date, first impressions can be deceiving. There is room enough for casual wet exits and testers found the initial stability to be steady with no tendency towards surprise. When leaned, however, the boat became stiff and fought back too aggressively. Tracking was good with rudder locked, but carving a turn took a solid heel and some major sweeps. Getting turned around quickly required an aggressive rudder combined with the lean and sweep combination. The in-line rudder design results in a reduced angle when it is deployed and, thus, less foot travel on the pedals. That means if you are leaning and sweeping while ruddering you still have good purchase on the thigh and foot braces and, therefore, combining the two seems more reasonable than in other boats. Larger paddlers found the top speed medium and lighter individuals also wanted more. Cargo room was adequate for extended touring, which may be the boat's happier niche. Decent stability suggests a kayak one could get into at the entry level, and we tipped our collective hats to an innovative rudder design.
Capella by P&H (Polyethylene tested--available in composite)
Our reviewers had low expectations when they met this one at the door. Simple lines, minimal accessories, and square hatch covers suggested run of the mill--but it turns out that plainness, like beauty, is only skin deep. Capella's cockpit provides room enough for paddlers in the 190-pound, six-foot range while still offering intimacy for smaller types. The polyethylene hull is smooth and stiff and the boat comes standard with a drop skeg or an optional rudder. You won't need the rudder. Initial stability will coax beginners to give it a go while reminding them not to doze off. The hull carves turns well and ever-present secondary stability allows sneaking back from a point of no return. This boat asks you to paddle the total spectrum of its hull and will reward you for doing so. Tracking was adequate with skeg up and although top speed isn't Olympic, all agreed it was plenty for touring with the acceleration necessary for catching waves. At 17 feet, this boat can get itself around much faster than it should. Extreme rocker on edge and the ease in holding it there allows turn-around that friends waiting for Eskimo rescues will appreciate. And though a narrow profile and rear skeg box will keep luggage to a minimum, those square hatches will help in squeezing in what you need.
Raven by Eddyline (Composite)
And the boat everyone thought would be a dog--wrong again. The Raven looks squatty compared to designs appeasing a Greenlander's taste, though we agreed it was one of the more attractive boats. It looks like a wide little boat, but with almost 17 feet of length and only 22 inches of beam, it isn't. It is, however, deep and roomy with those 22 inches continuing along the length of the hull. Thus, packing it for a long weekend means including all the extras. That volume also results in respectable stability when sitting, and the Raven heels quickly to a point and then firms up. Reviewers agreed there must be some juncture where the boat would pass over the edge, but with 45-degree water and the seam buried, no one wanted to go all the way. It accelerates quickly, but the extra roominess sacrifices top-end speed. Still, "dog" is an inaccurate impression. The Raven wants to have a good time-it carves nicely and came closest to a flat spin of any reviewed. Reviewers had some debate on tracking finesse, but the rudder takes care of directional uncertainty until one gets the hang of it. "I kept thinking about packing this boat full of camping gear and heading off to the wilderness," wrote one reviewer. And that was after only one date.
Sea Lion by Aquaterra (Polyethylene tested- available in composite)
The Sea lion is not fresh meat, but it has had a facelift. When they build a kayak hall of fame, the Sea Lion should be there for helping to establish an expanding plastic kayak industry. In its younger years it had a reputation as being fast and nimble. But at 17.5 feet, it isn't small by today's standards. Still, its 22-inch beam and sharp entry line allows for decent top-end speed though reviewers felt they had to work to keep it there. It moves efficiently at a more relaxed touring pace-which was the idea in the first place. The cockpit will accommodate a wide range of body sizes while cargo capacity easily transcends normal packing parameters. There is ample stability when getting underway and leaning is predictable for carving deliberate, quick turns. The Sea Lion won't spin, but it will two-step around. Secondary stability is good to a point but there is an eventual edge after which things happen quickly. Tracking, as expected, is good. The Sea Lion garnered high ratings as a boat with the security for heavy seas and heavy loads. Its length and volume make for a good ride down larger waves though it won't like wiggling through surging sea-cave entrances. It is a kayak suited to touring but with enough pluck to handle some thrills.
Solstice GTS by Current Designs (composite)
There's a side to many sea kayakers which shares more kindred spirit with sailors than with river-brethren. It has to do with that yearning to pack it all up and head off into a rolling sea--forever. And for that group, the Solstice GTS is the one to take home to meet mom. The boat is sleek and long and sturdy and is the craft to have a chart under the bungi cords and a compass on deck. If that is your criteria for fun this boat should meet it. A little over 17.5 feet puts it in the long range, though the 22-inch beam doesn't go far. The profile is low in the water and the fit is snug--especially for larger paddlers. Initial stability was fair to good--with heavier paddlers finding it better. Secondary was more elusive with larger reviewers, while the rest felt it held well on edge. Some kayaks come equipped with rudders if tracking is suspect and the Solstice needs one to turn. Changing course quickly without one requires a proficient technique for catching a wave and sweeping while the bow or stern is clear of the water. But it does track--and it doesn't matter if you are straight up and down or leaning halfway to the water. It was considered the speed champ of the group regardless of pilot weight. The fun lies in its dead-ahead speed wherever it is pointed, whatever the conditions. Pack it up and head it out.
Looksha Sport by Necky (Polyethylene tested- available in composite)
The last couple years have found Necky adding whitewater and surfing boats to its stable of jaunty touring kayaks. It was inevitable that, somewhere along the way, a mating of the two would emerge--and the Looksha Sport is it. Kayakers of both breeds were confused with the Sport's 14.5-ft. length and substantially rockered and multi-chined hull. And though the flat bottom provided adequate initial stability, the rocker drew expletives from those who thought boats should turn only when spoken to. A rudder comes standard with every boat, and for traveling any distance is a good idea. Actually, the boat tracks better when put over on one of the chines. But the Sport doesn't get interesting until it is surrounded by chop or confused seas. The chines were a bit confounding for finding a point of final stability for some, while others discovered a flat surface that held solidly. When they did, the boat turned quickly and carved sharply. Sometimes, it locks onto a wave and goes where it wants, at which point you are paddling a short, rockered, flat bottomed hull--just like one of Necky's rodeo boats. The Sport is deep and spacious despite its short length and narrow width. Love it or hate it, this one won't bore you.
Sea Yak by Prijon (polyethylene)
Whatever a Sea Yak is, this must be what they look like. With a sometimes-wild color scheme and elephant ear-sized hatch covers, your mom might call this one a little goofy looking. Even though the Yak seems intent on a good time, it isn't as irresponsible as it first appears. The waterline length of this boat is in the 16-foot range and beam measures around 23 inches. The result is a kayak with a good deal of reserve buoyancy packed into a shorter package--reflected in a solid feeling of initial stability. Volume is organized so that even leggy paddlers were comfortable getting in and out of the cockpit. The Sea Yak gets up to speed quickly and the speed it reaches is adequate for 16 feet. But as appearances suggest, the Yak isn't about walking the straight and narrow. The boat leans and carves and scoots around when asked, while tracking well when it is time to head home. Secondary stability is reliable and comfortable though one larger reviewer found an edge that produced a couple of quick thrills. A peek under those prominent hatch covers reveals enough space for multiple days. The Sea Yak represents a sweet disposition in a sporty package that will allow beginners to experience the livelier side of sea kayaking from the start; definitely a boat you can grow into.
Alto by Wilderness Systems (polyethylene)
Wilderness Systems has never met a kayak niche it didn't like--and the Alto fits this review's niche well. The design is unpretentious with no attempt to make the boat anything but what it is--a narrow, 16-foot kayak with touring potential. The one tested came without a front bulkhead but included an attached flotation bag as standard equipment. Hull construction is stiff and the deck has a semi-coarse surface with subtle designs etched in. The Alto would fit in a straight touring-class if it was any longer, but decreased volume infuses it with responsiveness. The cockpit maintains the trend of providing legroom and easy exit with adequate outfitting to lock your body in. Wiggling the boat back and forth, the feedback is good once on edge. If you are on the heavier side there remains a range of uncertainty as to where the fun ends and the swim begins. When carving a turn the stern will come around quick if you are looking for more of a pivot. There doesn't appear to be much rocker built in and it turns well for lack thereof. Of course, that also helps for keeping the Alto pointed where you want to go. Gear capacity is average compared to other boats tested, though not compared to other longer models. This was another kayak that works well in tight situations without over-taxing motivated beginners. And it certainly will handle quieter pursuits when you need a break from the fast lane.
Egret by Old Town (polyethylene)
Sometimes you show up for a date and find they have brought along a friend. And the friend is okay, but they tend to be shy and sort of hang around and you're never sure if they're enjoying themselves--although they probably were. In this group, that individual was the Old Town Egret. The Egret isn't a bad boat by any means, but it was the most docile. At around 14 feet it certainly had the right idea, but its substantial beam resulted in a little too much stability. The cockpit is wonderful for getting in and out but the lack of thigh braces meant rocking and rolling inside the boat. Initial stability was steady while the hull admirably resisted leaning until really pressed, at which point it quit resisting at all. Tracking was good but not fast. The Egret scores high in the recreational-class, but it will need a little more pizzazz if it wants to hang out with this crowd on a permanent basis. If you love Old Town designs, you may also want to paddle the new Millennium in the 16- and 17.3-foot lengths. The Egret is a great beginner's boat that will do well in narrow confines when the weather isn't kicking up. And, it's a boat that should help you decide if your life could use a little more adrenaline or if it is fine the way it is.
| Sport Tourer Specs |
| Manufacturer | Model | Length | Width | Material | Weight | Burden | Price | Information |
| Current Designs | Solstice GTS | 17'7 | 22 | FG/KV | 53/47 | N/A | 2595/3095 | (250) 655-1822, Fax (250) 655-1596 |
| Dagger Canoe Co. | Atlantis | 17'2 | 23 | PE | 69 | 335 | 1289/3095 | (423) 882-0404, www.dagger.com |
| Eddyline Kayaks | Raven | 16.75 | 22 | FG/KV | 56/48 | 360 | 2399 | (360) 757-2300, www.eddyline.com |
| Impex International | P & H Capella | 17 | 22 | PE | 60 | N/A | 1539 | (516) 286-1988 |
| Necky Kayaks | Looksha Sp. | 14'4 | 22.5 | PE | 58 | N/A | 625/1150 | (604) 850-1206, Fax (604) 850-3197 |
| Old Town Canoe Co. | Egret DL | 14'6 | 24.5 | PE | 54 | 225 | 749 | (207) 827-5513, www.octcanoe.com |
| Perception/Aquaterra | Sea Lion | 17'2 | 22.5 | PE | 67.5 | N/A | 1199 | (800) 59-KAYAK, www.kayaker.com |
| Prijon/Wildwasser Sport | Sea Yak | 16'1 | 24 | HTP | 58 | 100-300 | 1099 | (303) 444-2336, www.wildnet.com |
| Wilderness Systems | Alto | 15'8 | 22.5 | PE | 52 | 185 | 849 | (336) 434-7470, www.wildsys.com |
|
|