Trying New Boats
April 2014
by Natalie Wiest
This is a much-delayed report from way back in April when Austin Canoe and Kayak hosted a demo day (as in Demonstration) in Missouri City. Many manufacturers were represented and many kinds of kayaks, and one canoe, so a great opportunity to try the latest models. Interesting to me also from the standpoint that I used to think I could tell a lot about a boat’s handling capabilities by looking at the design of the hull. That idea proved false and I’m reminded the best way to make a decision about what boat you want to buy next is to go out and paddle it. If you’re in the market, do take advantage of similar opportunities from this retailer and others.
My current stable of boats is getting rather old (just like the owner) and several have developed leaks and other infirmities so time to start looking. My trusty green canoe seems to be the soundest of the lot, so what I’m looking for is in the kayak line, flatwater, whitewater, sea kayak. Yep, that’s why we have so many boats, no one does it all at the highest level and one can never own too many, right?
There was a fair amount of wind and chop on the lake, just what I would like to test the boat’s capabilities in terms of holding a line, stability, and weathercocking (turning into the wind). I’ll give impressions of some of the boats I tried just to give you an idea.
Couldn’t resist giving the Pyranha Burn a turn:
Great boat for spinning and turning, you probably wouldn’t like it on flatwater for a long distance but it was fun for me to paddle such a responsive turny boat after all the straight-tracking canoes and kayaks I’ve paddled of late. If you would like to test how good your paddle strokes are, try paddling this one in a straight line.
I wasn’t really looking for a super whitewater boat, but more for a generalist flatwater boat. Kent Walters suggested he liked the Liquid Logic Remix; I believe Joe Coker paddles this boat and likes it quite well, here’s a quick look at it:
Note it’s a little longer and especially that it has a skeg on the back of it which you can see on the side view. That helps the boat go straight in a wind, ie. Counteracts the dreaded weathercocking (nose pointing into the wind) that is the bane of paddling crosswise to the wind. It also has a nice hatch in the back to corral your possessions and potentially keep them dry for a day’s paddle.
The Necky Rip was next for me.
Notice the stern hull shape, like a built in rudder. The boat held very well in the wind and there was no weathercocking even when I let it coast broadside to the wind. It also has a nice covered hatch.
My old sea kayak could stand replacement too, so I hopped into a P&H Delphin 155 (15 feet, 5” long):
Wow, things have come a long way in terms of outfitting since I bought my Falcon 15 years ago. This boat had the most comfortable and adjustable outfitting “out of the box” of any boat I’ve sat in. It did, however, weathercock, even more than the shorter and higher-decked Rip which was somewhat of a surprise.
I finally got to paddle the Native Watercraft Ultimate tandem I’ve been eyeing for sometime as a nice mix between a canoe, with its carrying capability, and a kayak, with its better windage.
It sure is a nice looking boat – on paper. I hated it on the water – it was incredibly sluggish and just didn’t feel like I could get it up to speed or begin to maintain it. Big disappointment.
So, in the end, I took a spin, with Ellen, in the one and only canoe there at the demo. It was the Wenonah Heron:
Ahhhh, felt like a speedboat after the Ultimate. It handled well, not a lot of weathercocking. Sure was nice to be back in a canoe. Guess I’ll keep looking for the kayak replacement.
Opinions expressed here are simply my own quick impressions, not meant to be an endorsement or a condemnation. If you’re looking for a new boat, by all means get out on the water with it before you make a decision. It’s surprising how different all these boats handle.
All photos are from the Austin Canoe and Kayak website.
Natalie Wiest
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| The author, Natalie Wiest |