Hi everyone, this is my first post, and i'm about to take the plunge and get my first true sea kayak. I currently have a Perception 13.5 poly and a OK Scrambler (for fishing). Both are very capable kayaks, but my goal is to start making overnight trips to our barrier islands, which lie approx. 6-12 miles offshore, and though I could probably make the trip in either kayak, I really feel that I need the extra speed, rough water capability and storage that a 16 plus sea kayak will offer.

My problem is that there are so many to choose from. I realize that i'll have to sea trail before making a decision, but i'm trying to narrow my choices by finding kayaks that fit my specific needs. What I want is a poly kayak that is very stable at rest, is very good in rough water, will be good for a taller paddler (i'm six ft., 165 lbs) and has good storage. I'm willing to sacrifice speed for stability and rough water handling, since i'll probably never be travelling more that 10 miles in a day.

I was leaning towards the WS Tempest or Tsunami, but i'm hearing bad things about leaky hatches.

Any guidance or advice you all can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Jason

Current Designs Sirocco. I've got one and all I can say is that you can't do better. Don't be fooled by initial impressions where stability is concerned. They feel a little tender at first, but you soon find out that waves are this boats specialty. CD does a great job with all their boats, but I think their poly boats are superb.

Check out the kayak reviews on Paddling net.

Thanks magooch, I was actually checking out that kayak on the CD website this morning. It looks great. There is a dealer in Pensacola. I may go see them on demo day in May.

33, you're going to find that the Sirocco looks even better than the pictures. Also, I am about the same size you are, just a little taller and a few pounds heavier. Before I bought my Sirocco, I tried on a few other sea kayaks, but I hadn't really paddled that many. Now that I've had mine for a couple of years, I feel so lucky that I chose the Sirocco.

If you haven't found out already, along with a proper sea kayak, you are going to need a proper paddle, or two. I spent a lot of time looking at paddles and I even built a couple. Everyone is going to have their own preferences and price range, but I chose a paddle that you don't see very often.

When I got my first kayak, it sort of came with a Sevylor Pro. I really liked that paddle, but I wanted a lighter and a little shorter one for the Sirocco. I picked up a very nice Werner and thought that would do the trick, but it just didn't have the power I was looking for. Finally, along came the Sevylor Fiber Pro; I didn't buy it; my daughter gave it to me for a birthday present. I love this paddle and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I think my daughter paid somewhere around $70 for it.

I've tried $400 Swifts, $600 Werners and others, but I'm very happy with my Sevylor. I use my Werner for a spare. I'm not saying the Sevylor is better than any of the high dollar paddles, but it suits me.

Thanks for the paddle tip. I'll probably upgrade paddles when I decide and buy my new sea kayak.

The more I look, the more I'm leaning toward a Current Designs boat. The Sirocco is nice, but according to the website, the Storm is a bit wider and more stable. As a fairly new paddler, i'm willing to give up some speed for stability.

I'm also liking the Solstice, but i'm not sure if a glass boat will be in my budget. I'm going to demo some CD boats in march, and I plan to try all three.

thanks again

Well now, if you're going to widen your scope and consider glass boats, you might also want to consider thermoplastic. All three of the common building materials (polyethylene, thermoplastic and fiberglass) have their pluses and minuses. If you stick with sea kayaking long enough, you might ultimately crave a glass boat. I did and I just recently scratched that itch, but I wouldn't want to be without my poly boats.

As for comparing the Sirocco and the Storm, you just need to get the two boats together and check them out. The Storm is a little longer and little heavier; is fish design as opposed to swede design; uses a rudder instead of a skeg. The Storm might be a bit more stable, but the Sirocco is extremely sea worthy and is probably easier to maneuver.

I haven't paddled a Storm, so I wouldn't be able to compare their performance. All I can say is that the Sirocco, or it's sister the Gulf Stream are fabulous boats and will do everything one can ask of a sea kayak. I happen to think that the Sirocco is better looking, but then I'm prejudiced.

If you do happen to start thinking "glass", I would strongly recommend that you take a very close look at what NC Kayaks have to offer. Here again, I am prejudiced; I just bought a brand new NC Expedition Lt. These boats are absolutely gorgeous and are priced at a bargain.

33, One more thing; naturally I don't know the extent of your experience, but I would caution you about used boats. There are some very good deals out there, but please be very careful when looking at used boats--and new boats for that matter. If you don't do anything else, be sure you turn the boat upside down and sight down the keel. Polyethylene boats can come out of the mold crooked, or can be warped by improper storage etc. Some thermoplastic boats have had trouble with warping also. Fiberglass boats can have crazed surfaces that might indicate further damage, but in any case it would need repair. Just be very careful and look at every square inch of any boat before you buy.

More great advice, many thanks. I have been looking at those NC Kayaks and, WOW, are they impressive.

Have you visited Paddling net? They have a kayak review section that is very informative. You get a lot of opinions and also find out some of the good points and not so good points of the various boats.

Yep, i've been through just about all of those reviews. I keep coming back to the storm (if I decide to stick with poly). I may go glass, if so, i'll still consider the CD boats, but will also have to look heavily at the NC Kayaks.

Well, I pulled the trigger on a brand new CD Storm. I was still somewhat up in the air on my decision, but the deal I got on this boat is unbelievable. I figure if it doesn't work out i'll have a good shot as resale. But it has everything I want (according to the reviews).....stability, storage, and big water capability. I'll post a review and maybe some pics. Thanks for your help!