The Apex Rec/Touring Carbon paddle weights just 27 oz and is the lightest option in the Apex series. I would take more weight if it would stop the oil canning. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. I put my nephew in it and he struggled for about 15 minutes, and then get the primary stability under control. The hatches have remained dry on all trips we have gone out on thus far; it has excellent stability in rough waves; plenty of attach points & webbing to tie stuff on the top when heading out for a long trip; the rudder provides excellent response & control and is easily raised or lowered from the rear cockpit (I would recommend lubricating the pedal controls with a light grease on the slide mechanism for smoother operations); The Phase-3 seat is awesome you can adjust that puppy for a very comfortable seat and it breathes quite nicely even on the hottest days; being of polyethylene construction it is virtually indestructible for most river hazards (we can run over rocks, branches, and whatever is just below the water without fear of cracks or tears); bottom line this kayak is joy to own and has provided hours of kayaking pleasure. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Zephyr 160 Pro from Wilderness Systems adopts the name to suggest that this kayak, while sizeable, provides a light and airy ride for medium- to large-sized paddlers. [ Read more: Pimp Your RideKayak Personalization ]. They are more sleek and lower volume than North American-style touring boats, with narrow, upturned bows to cut through waves. Establishing a fair price for a used kayak is tricky. It's been fifteen years and the love affair is still going strong! And, of course, using a Greenland style paddle! An adult paddler and an enthusiastic child can keep up with most solo boats. If you like to camp you will have trouble carrying large items. It's meant to take weight. Sea kayaks are a niche item, and looking on special-interest pages or Facebook groups, such as a regional paddling club, may quicken the search. I really didn't feel a need for it, so it's now up just about all of the time. Its a great choice for intermediate to advanced paddlers looking for a playful British design that performs well in surf and rough water but also has a comfortable cockpit and expedition-capacity volume. Our only complaint is that when you tilt the boat, there is some lateral flex and creaking in the seats plastic shell that you dont get in other boats whose seats are made of more rigid materials or glued directly to the hull. GearLab is reader-supported. all. I bought my fiberglass Sealution about four years ago, after test paddling or renting a good number of different boats. Before using this paddle, we were concerned that its performance might be compromised when the paddle is extended to its full length. The plastic is high quality and has held up to years of sitting under the sun, being dragged and launched and landed on rocky beaches or shores with minimal changes or damage. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Join once, enjoy forever. A rudder is perfect for paddlers who want extra boat control and the ability to steer using their feet. My only minor grouse is that the carrying loops are hard on my slightly arthritic fingers. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Not to mention getting it on and off the car and carrying it to the water. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. 5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars, 2 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. 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. What's bad? 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. quad cities. 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! Fiberglass kayaks are much stiffer than plastic boats. The 10 Best Kayaks of 2023 - Your Complete Guide - Boat Safe She's a tight entry but a very nice snug fit. I always see smller paddlers in too much boat. quad cities. She quick in the water. We so like the kayak that we bought a new one in the UK, where we live. The Best Kayak Paddles for Fishing in 2023 | Field & Stream Anyone who thinks it weathercocks and needs a skeg is crazy. The 5 Best Kayak Paddles of 2023 | Tested by GearLab Seat and Outfitting - The seat is one of those "all inclusive plastic bottom and back" seats that does not allow laybacks. My wife and I have owned a Northstar in the USA for two years, and have traveled about 600 miles in it during two winters in the Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades and the Keys. The Current Designs lineup is divided into five categories: Recreational, Transitional, North American-style touring, British-style touring and Danish-style touring. Kayaks for sale in Webster Groves, Missouri - Facebook That event is a tribute to Harry Teikens design. Nothing wrong with it, just no need for my situation. We are producing kayaks as fast as we safely can and shipping kayaks to dealers daily. such a problem. This is definately not a good day trip or even two day trip tandem. Just for Members: 20% Off Select Bike Racks. It carries a rudder (as I did on my first kayak) but I use it only for strong wind and current conditions. $220. By entering your email, you agree to receive automated marketing messages from REI. Our advice is to discuss your needs with your local Wilderness Systems dealer. no speedster, but I'll bet the composite version improves performance. Guess that I like the "Greenland" looks - so this is not taking away from an OI, believe me. It is inexpensive and stable and moves through the water well. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. As a medium-sized business, when so many others are struggling, we are grateful that our primary challenge is to do more rather than less, and we thank you for your interest and support. Intermediate and advanced paddlers will find it has plenty of initial stability and tracks will on an even keel. Read reviews for the Sealution Pro by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. The Sealution 2 is the cats meow for her. Use Current Designs dealer locator tool to find a local retailer near you. This is our first kayak. Current Designs selection of rotomolded plastic and composite kayaks make for a more comprehensive price range, with some boats more expensive than Eddyline kayaks and some cheaper. And at 18 ft and 42 pounds it is an easy carry. O'Fallon, MO. Utilizing a carbon blend shaft and fiberglass blades, this paddle is lightweight and transfers a lot of power without being too stiff on the joints. It is a wickedly heavy beast. We enjoy using this paddle on extended tours as it does not cause our arms to tire, unlike some of the heavier models tested. It is a great first, all purpose boat that handles flat water, some white water, and ocean very well. Shipping, optional outfitting and construction layup will affect the costs of the kayaks, and it is best to visit your local paddle shop to get the most up-to-dateprices. Much storage, a removeable soft cooler, and a very stable Kayak. After our initial struggles.we purchased a Thule 897XT Hullvator which effortlessly loads the boat on top of my 3-dr Geo Metro and a NRS boat cart.thus problem solved !!! Finally, if you are ordering replacement parts, please review our. Alex Matthews is the author of many magazine articles and several books about sea kayaking. 2. One of them, the somewhat smaller Sparrow Hawk, is also licensed to Wilderness Systems and would be a better choice for a smaller paddler. Now, this boat is really "mine" and with the outfitting and extras I would give it a "9". Return this item for free. If you find a used Current Designs kayak that needs replacement parts, contact the company. The fiberglass blades deliver a smooth and effective stroke, giving the feel of a well-balanced paddle. The boat is highly maneuverable and fast enough, and the light weight of the composite construction makes it a joy on and off the water. I took it out on the water today for trials. I cannot say enough positive things about the Sealution's ability to handle heavy wind and waves. Although we did not feel that it impacted performance, it did impact some testers' comfort levels during extending touring journeys. Transitional kayaks in Current Designs lineup bridge the gap between recreational and touring kayaks. It is made from puncture-resistant, heavy-duty PVC vinyl that's three-layers thick. The Werner Camano is one of the best kayak paddles on the market. 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! 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. I have own this boat for many years and would not be alive to write this article if it wasn't awesome I've been seven miles off the coast of Maine lake Champlain original Greenland design still the best with a heavy camping load. For a while I had sole use of them. We have done hundreds of miles in it and it has been always a solid performer. This is a ROYAL PAIN IN THE A _ _!!! 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 . However, this is preferable to the solid water that we have experienced in other designs. Overall I am quite impressed with it. As boats go this one is fine. 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! The other night, [I had the dust cover off in preparation for the next day's outing]I happened to walk into the room and was a little startled by the sheer presence of the boat. I bought this Kayak two years ago. This rigidity makes the kayak faster and more responsive. I purchased a new Northstar about a month ago. Bummer! You can fit an army in the cockpit, which means most people will need lots of outfitting to make it usable. This boat makes me a believer in hard chine (I want a Valley Q-boat now). Read Arctic Hawk Pro reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. 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. The seats are very comfortable with a cup holder. Finally it weathercocks like crazy so definitely get a rudder or skeg. The Deck fittings arent (or werent at that time) recessed. We are used to sharing close quarters and working as a team in a multi-axis environment. no favorites. As mentioned by others here the seat could be more comfortable (maybe some foam will help,) and it is by design a low volume boat (so it is not ideal for carrying a lot of gear) despite it's size. This is the first boat I've bought that was the right size for me, and I'm never going back Not a bad boat for its length. I am sure that all plastic boats are the same in order to keep the weight down. It is not constructed like my Nordkapp with the glass lay up, watertight bulkheads. Overall, I'm rating the Northstar a 7. 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. You either swear by 'emor swear at 'em! I've paddled this boat for about 3 1/2 years and I love it for most of my paddling. As waves get larger the boat feels more stable. After extensive use (and no regular maintenance), the screw that attached the lever to the paddle's shaft showed signs of rust. My wife and I are moderately-experienced day-kayakers, having paddled singles and tandems on lakes, on Long Island Sound as well as on the lower Hudson. Rotomolded plastic kayaks are less expensive, heavier and generally more durablethey can take a beating, but it is challenging to fix them should you manage to damage the hull. 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). The Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 combines the best of both worlds. We use this kayak in true wilderness areas in Alaska. I have a very well-practiced ritual for getting it atop my van, which uses some custom-made guide ropes, but still the process is never easy. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 16 Foot Sit On Top Kayak Pre-Owned $1,000.00 hearududes (1,124) 100% or Best Offer Free local pickup Sponsored Wilderness systems, Artic Hawk, Sea/tour 17 ft kayak, fiberglass Pre-Owned $1,095.00 solidgoodies (1,473) 98.7% or Best Offer Free local pickup Sponsored wilderness systems arctic hawk kayak with a trailer This mechanism is common in adjustable SUP paddles, but we have not seen it used in 2-piece kayak paddles. Available in polyethylene, fibreglass or Kevlar, as well as a smaller 166 version. 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 Wilderness System Pungo Glass is a quality performance paddle with the added benefit of being exceptionally easy to adjust. The kayak tracks nicely and turns on a dime. Still wondering if Current Designs kayaks are right for you? Well explain how tow belts work and basic towing techniques.

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