Відео

Completely agree. There’s 100 different options between traditional kayak and hyper-ski where the lines blur. Epic and others make closed-deck boats using surfski bottom hulls and also skis for long-touring. Always loved the rapier: rare and cool.

No thanks! I’ll use my Eddyline for that trip. More storage, more sure-footed. On the flip side, take your tourer to paddle race or downwind group paddle out of Manasquan. Different tools for different jobs.

I feel your pain, Chris.

It’s been a few years since I paddled that boat, but if I remember specs, it was a 100-200lbs person boat. Are you looking for a bigger-person’s boat or a smaller person’s boat?

@@Scootchels right on the cusp of the max. It's usually fairly easy to glean what the range is for height/weight from reviews, but the Seayak reviews are among the top for differing thoughts on it. Sorry, that last bit is clunky. I couldn't get it worded well. It's 5am.

@@-Kurt... yeah - part of the reason for the confusion is that Prijon made different Seayaks. I’m about 190 and thought it was great.

Awesome comment. You are correct - over time, ski manufacturers have added more rocker to gain maneuverability on waves. Still, I always assumed the reason skis can’t be paddled w out a rudder is that the hull is rounded everywhere except the bow, which is shaped like a rudder. The bow “rudder” wants to be in the stern when it’s not overruled by the stern rudder. Love the idea of getting a more stable ski to start. Thanks!

Comparing two boats designed for racing wasn’t the point of this video, but I would certainly enjoy seeing that comparison if you want to create that content for us.

@@Scootchels Your comparison is still pointless & invalid, like comparing a formula 1 race car with a half track.

@@kenwebster5053 Uh…..wrong. It would be like comparing a GT car with a street passenger car, which is a valid comparison. If ya don’t like it, don’t watch it. If you want a different comparison, go create it. Watching this and whining about it in a 3 paragraphs comment is the true definition of “pointless”. NEXT!

@@Scootchels Sea kayaks are the most sea worthy small boat ever invented, capable of multi day Ocean crossings in adverse conditions. They were traditionally used in that way for trading voyages right around the Arctic Ocean. In the vehicle analogy, that definitely equates to an off road survival vehicle. Which is why I used that particular example. Your comparison is still pointless and meaningless. Because you chose to compare a specialist racing boat with a recreational one. Maybe compare a rec recreational ski or SUP with that kayak next time. There is something wrong if you don't get that point & repeating yourself does not strengthen your case. It just shows that you have no grounds to support your case. Say something different. But, whatever Dude.

Totally agree that is odd, but man how I loved that boat. Wish I kept her. Other sea kayaks are a little bit boring after owning a Bahiya. I can’t tell from ur write up whether you like it or not, but if not, hit me up! I’d like to own one again.

You’re correct. Putting the boat up on edge - either edge - shortens the waterline and lifts the bow and stern “keels”. For most kayaks, edging “out” makes a better shape for efficient turns and inward edging causes more fight against the hull shape. I’ve always found outward edging to be less stable and counter-intuitive. Edging inside the turn -or “storm turn”- does take more effort in most boats. If you’re paddling mostly calm water where you can retain stability, or areas where tighter turns are needed, definitely edge by leaning outside as opposed to my inside turns.

Snug for sure. I’m not that size, so it’s a bit hard for me to judge, but it’s concerning enough that I’d suggest a try-before-you-by. You’d “fit”, but I’m not sure you’d be comfortable. There are other boats that are more specifically designed for bigger folks.

@@Scootchels Thanks so much for reply. Any suggestions what kayak to look into for my size? thanks.

@@mehdimho i’m a bit out-of-touch on current models. Most articles will push you to a sit on top, which would work. For sit-ins We used to find Prijon Kodiaks or original Perception Sea Lions (not Sea lion Shadow). They may come up on the used market, but out of print for many years. Sorry I’m not more help.

Nice choice! Enjoy.

@@Scootchels thanks. Any recommended mods?

@@directorstu Personally, I’d start with the cockpit outfitting. Get the fit right with the legs and seat, then you can customize the hip pads and knee braces. Next, it’s safety and operations. Replace any bad bungees, decklines or bad hatches. Also check the bulkheads for waterproofness. The skegs can be troublesome, too, but if it’s working smoothly you can leave as-is. From there, it’s the standards: PDF, paddle, dry bags, rescue float, throw rope. What else am I missing?

@@Scootchels thanks. This all makes sense. I've been playing with the seat and foot settings. Wqs a bit worried about lower back support but happier now. Skeg works well. Bulkheads and hatches look fine. Got a pfd Need the throw line and a paddle. Will buy a cheapish one and make a Greenland wooden one. Need a spray deck so I can get out in some white water.

I have had the Zephyr 160 for a year and half and picked up the Tempest 170 used about a year ago. I like the Zephyr a lot but love the Tempest.

Greay choice! Enjoy.

Agreed!

A very what?

@@Scootchels stupid auto correct.. Sorry, i meant a v8 would be a better comparison.

@@malstewart5633 totally agree...or a faster ‘glass kayak

It’s been a while since I paddled this boat, but I’m 5’10 and had plenty of adjustment left.

I thought exactly the same thing when I saw that. I have a 95 seayak and doing an outside edge turn or rudder and it turns very quick to the point where it wants to edge more due to momentum!

It’s true, Jim. Edging outside lean does make the turn more efficient. It feels more intuitive and stable for me to “Storm Turn”, or inside edge. Both leans shorten the waterline and reduce the bow and keel depth, but I do agree that outside lean takes less paddling to turn. Here’s an interesting experiment…next time ur on the water get a head of steam and edge w out paddling. Does the boat turn? If so, to what extent? In my experiments it seems that the real difference is being on edge vs. which edge I’m on, varying by hull shape.

I hate to break it to you but there is no comparison between remounting a ski and re-entering a sea kayak. Remounting a ski is WAY faster every time. Even if you re-enter and roll a sea kayak you then have a cockpit 1/2 full of water and a skirt to put on while the ski is 1/2 a mile gone. Any boat that is narrower than about 19 " wide is almost impossible to roll as there is no deck to get your knees under. A practiced remount on a ski takes about 30 seconds.

Yup! Kodiak is such a great design and especially well suited for bigger people and/or bigger loads for expedition. Happy paddling!!

Haha! True - every craft is a compromise.

I agree. It’s perspective. If you’re paddling a 10ft barge it’s a rocket, but no, it’s not a high performance boat.

@@Scootchels Still, the points you make about the crucial differences are valid and important, thank you for them. I'd just rather call the kayak a prototypical one.

TheJasongenova if memory serves they made - maybe still make - both.

WACONimages - trip looked fantastic!! Thanks for sharing. You comment came at an interesting time. I happen to have a V7 to throw up against an elite ski and a sea kayak

Crickett Hoffman - So the boat has a pretty high deck that leaves some side area for windage, but with a little skeg drop she stays straight. In fact, staying straight is what she does best. It would be a WORLD different than your Sea Eagle. Inflatables are great but they are notorious for sitting on top of the water where a good sea kayak is planted “in” the water. Just finished a 70 miler in a 170 - had a few good blows but never felt like I was fighting. Just be sure to choose the right size for yourself (obviously).

Most sea kayaks have a pretty standard cockpit so if that doesn’t work your stuck with more of a sit on top. There are some performance sit on tops that aren’t so tippy as the ski we reviewed here. Check out Epic’s V5, V6, V7, V8. Stellar, Fenn, Pyranha and others have recreational sit on top surfski offerings as well. My favorite SOT touring kayak is the Cobra Expedition if you can find one used. There are other performance SOT sea kayaks but I can’t remember models at the moment.

@@Scootchels Thanks. Have you ever tried any solo canoes? Any that you would recommend?

caycug1 - can’t help you there....

@@caycug1 I know this is two years ago but if you are sitll interested in solo canoes there are LOTS of great boats. Fast solo canoes include the Wenonah Prism or Voyager or the Northstar Magic or the Swift Cruiser 16.8 or Cruiser 14.8. There are more general purpose canoes as well like the Wenonah Wilderness or the Northstar Northwind Solo or the NS Trillium, Phoenix, or Firebird. Contact Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison WI. They will steer you in the right direction.

Well said...and loses storage.

@@Scootchels I found the ski simply too tippy for me. I tried one that was supposed to be very novice friendly but it's a totally different animal than sea kayaking. There are more than a few sea kayaks left that are relatively fast and stable but this is going by the wayside. Kayaking in general is greatly declining because people want paddling for two extremes, either nonchalantly fishing, drinking beer and relaxing on the water but not exerting yourself much, or going balls to the wall fast. The third market of course are the SUP's which I find to be both tippy and slow. While there are many things you can do with a SUP, going places efficiently especially having a reserve against wind and waves and weather is not one of them. The "in between" market for people who want to go kind of fast, but don't want to give up the ability to relax seems to be vanishing. I am glad I found (sea kayaks) like the Stellar or Nelo brands which offer a range that is suited to varying skills levels but don't push it like crazy. To me the Ski is like a Ferrari, amazing car sure, but to really enjoy it you have to be going 10/10 all the time and if you're not into going top speed or driving very fast in an extreme way all the time they are frankly pretty lousy. Unless the reason you're going very slow is to have the windows rolled down to make sure lots of babes see you but that's another story....

Mike Coglione - completely understand! It took almost a full season on a ski to feel confident enough to even try anything but the calmest conditions. I’m blown away by the guys who surf 8’ waves across ocean passes. I still like the ski for workout paddles but nothing beats a fast kayak. The “babe” factor stopped being a factor quite some time ago, but that’s another story....

@@Scootchels I know what you mean about the other story. Happily married with two now getting older kids we are super busy. Ski is an amazing community that I would love to be a part of but I don't have the time or resources right now. I am surprised to see that sea kayaks are falling in popularity as it's not that much harder than the sit on tops, and about as hard as SUP but much faster and gives more reserve against conditions than either. The difference is the ski is another huge jump in performance but unlike sea kayaking which gives a big performance bump for only a little more difficulty, the difficulty, effort and even expense of having to keep trading up to faster but less stable boats with ski is commensurately as huge. That said the paddlers on all the surfski/kayak/SUP company facebook pages are pretty attractive. Happy to say, minus the tights we almost look like that in our 40's except a few more wrinkles, a bit less hair but more than a few of them white and somewhat less muscle. But not much or any gut!

Paul Collins -totally agree. Or the Pyranha, but I didn’t have either.

Generically speaking, skis are too fragile and straight-line oriented for rock hopping, but i’d bet a v5 plastic ski would be the perfect craft for tide-race and gardens.

Thanls for sharing. I had no idea if it was brilliant or a gimmick. So glad to hear that it’s brilliant.

@@Scootchels yeah this system allows you to steer the boat with your toes while maintaining a forward power stroke and since the whole foot peg doesn't move forward like many rudder systems you're always able to brace consistently. Also since it deploys beneath the boat much more of the blades surface is in the water so it bites much harder. Really the only downside to this system is fine sediment like silt can work up into the system and fowl it so you want to make sure to clean it thoroughly after use.