Hello,

I am looking at getting either a tempest 165 for my wife and a tempest 170 for me or valley aquanaut clubs for the both of us. We currently own a necky elaho and an elaho hv, but are going to be selling them and getting new boats. Mainly because we have moved and the necky's are in NY while we are in Texas. Also, I have liked the necky's, but am really wanting to look at the tempest. However, I also found a good deal on some aquanaut club boats. Getting the Aquanaut vs. the tempest would probably be about the same price. Any thoughts or opinions other than to paddle both boats to see what we like?

Also, I'm looking for a good all around boat. Right now I will be paddling mostly lakes and rivers with the possible occasional trip to the ocean, however, I want a boat that will grow with me. I also want it to be capable of hauling some gear for the occasional overnight or couple night trip, however, I won't be doing 3 week long expeditions. I was also considering the zephyr, but I haven't seen any good used deals on them. I want something that has good speed, but is also fairly maneuverable. I know there isn't necessarily a one boat that does everything exceptionally well. However, I am looking for a balanced boat that is the boat of choice for 90 percent of the time.

Thanks for your help and thoughts!

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I have paddled the Tempest 170. It is a nice boat. I know of at least three people in our paddling group that paddle 165 as well. They all have the rotomold and love them. One of our group has even launched his out of a cypress tree(about 6 ft up) into a lake and will slide off docks and down steep banks into the water with his. He can roll it easily as well. The boat seems to take his antics well.

Don't know anything about the Valley Aquanaut....if you get a chance to paddle both, that may help you decide.

Not to muddy the water but,I personally prefer the Current Designs Cypress over the Tempest and there are previous posts to explain what I like about the Cypress.

Looking forward to see what other responses you have. Good Luck on your decision.

Kevin,
On the Club Aquanaut, here's a little test you might want to try. With the boat on the ground, go around to the stern and very slowly lift it while observing the bow. All of them that I have tried this on, bend right behind the cockpit. I asked a dealer about this and he said, "ya git what ya pay for." On the other hand they might be a very nice boat.

You asked for recommendations and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, here goes. NC Kayaks, or some of the Current Designs are going to be very hard to beat. If you want a boat that will simply spoil you for anything else, I would say you should go with an NC Expedition Lt. I have had mine for about three months and I now cannot imagine life without it.

The Expedition is not a play boat--it is for racking up serious miles on the water. It is all about efficiency, stability, comfort, speed and it's just plain good looking. You won't find a better built, or designed boat anywhere. They just happen to be on sale right now. Check them out at http://www.nckayaks.com.

Thanks for the advice. I may stay away from the aquanaut. I will also check out the other boats you mentioned. Thanks for the advice. I also saw a good deal on a seaward luna. I will checkout the NC boats and CD boats. If I have some more questions I will post them. Thanks!

Kevin

What do you think about CD plastic boats? Do you feel they are the best plastic boats on the market?

What would you say about a comparison between the storm and squall and then the tempest 165 and 170?

Kevin, I have no opinion about the Wilderness boats. I have read many reviews on them. Like nearly every other manufacturer they seem to have some issues.

On the other hand, I have a CD Sirocco and I love the boat dearly. Whether, or not CD makes the best poly boats on the market I'm sure would spark a lot of debate, but I've looked at a lot of them and haven't found any other brand that I liked better. The only problem I've had with mine is the tape that covers the fake hull/deck seam came loose. I contacted CD about it and they sent me a whole roll of the tape. I later found that the best cure is to restick the tape with silicone sealant.

If I were in the market for another poly boat, it would probably have to be a CD. I have never paddled the Storm, nor the Squal, so I can't help you there either. My best advice would be to thoroughly check out any boat that you might be interested in and by all means demo it if you possibly can.

First, be sure the boat fits and then be sure that the particular boat you are interested in is straight. Polyethylene boats can come out of the mold crooked and if they are not stored, or shipped correctlym thet can be bent. Be sure you turn the boat upside down and at least sight down the keel. Be sure the boat is straight from stem to stern and don't make this just a cursory inspection. Take the time to look it over very carefully. Don't settle for a boat with dips, or bulges in the hull, or deck. If you do buy a polyethylene boat, or any boat for that matter, be sure to store it and haul it in a manner that will not warp the boat. Never, never leave it sitting in the sun when you're not using it. I always store and haul my boats on edge--except for the Expedition, which I store on a special padded perch.

One last little piece of advice that I have recently adopted is to not dismiss the feel and handling of a boat, based on a limited demo. Some boats might feel great right off the bat; others might take some getting used to, but then begin to show you their true attributes.

Magooch has some good points and not to throw a monkey wrench into your plans for a poly boat, but are you sure you want to stick with poly? CD has a "Thermoformed Composite System", TCS for short, that I feel is fantastic. Lighter than poly, very strong and durable. Little more expensive than poly, but not as expensive as Fiberglass or Kevlar.

My husband paddles a Kevlar boat and if we go over the same stuff (sometimes unavoidable), I have less "evidence".

Fiberglass and Kevlar have their advantages as well. Weight, strength, repairable if necessary. TCS is repairable, not cheap, but can be done (damage was not due to an issue related water. Let's just say from now on, if someone else ties my boat down I check it BEFORE we take off) Not sure how one would permanently repair a poly...

I've heard stories about problems with the hatches leaking in rough water with the poly boats. Something about the way they're sealed to the hull and the flexing of the boat(?). Not too sure how current that issue is.

But these are a couple of the reasons I'm not looking at poly for my future open water boat...

Happi, so you're still looking for a new boat. Boy, I sure wish you could try out an NC 15'-8". If I didn't already have all the boats I need, that would be my next boat.

I haven't tried one out, but I think they would fit just about as well as my Expedition. If they are even a fraction of the boat that the Expedition has turned out to be, it should be an extremely nice boat. And by the way, the pictures don't come close to how attractive these boats are.

I guess the main reason I brought the 15'-8" boat up, is that you mentioned that composites are more expensive than thermoplastic. That might be true generally, but not so much in the case of NC Kayaks. Their boats are sold factory direct (not through dealers), so even though they are a very high end boat, the price is very competitive with even thermoplastic boats.

I've had enough experience in my Expedition now to appreciate just what the boat is capable of. Frankly, I don't think there's another boat that I would be as comfortable in nor feel as confident in to handle any conditions. I was out yesterday in some very rough confused waves that probably would have caused a lot of apprehension in a lesser boat. The Expedition went through it like it was nothing. I didn't have my spray skirt on and still, not one drop of water got on me, or in the cockpit. The stability is fantastic and the ability to just relax and let the boat take care of tracking is something that almost spoils you for most other boats.

I know I sound like a salesman for NC, but I just think that serious kayakers deserve a boat of this quality and I'm so happy that I became aware of them, before I bought something else.

You're wearing me down...I've been looking at the 17' Quest. Just would like to paddle one first and compare it to the Cypress.

Didn't you paddle one of the 17' boats during your test paddle?
You're strong testimony makes it worth consideration. You probably deal with a lot more stuff paddling the West Coast than I'd ever deal with here in Florida.

One of the reasons I'm looking for the open water boat is that my husband & I want to start paddling some overnighters along the Florida Coast. So the hatch opening concern also weighs on my mind.

I'm really glad that you are enjoying your new boat!

Happi, I sure wouldn't try to talk you out of a Cypress; I think they are great boats, although my choice would be the infinity. I think that Current Designs makes some of the best boats available--remember, I have one.

Yes, I did demo an NC seventeen footer. I have to confess that there were a couple of things that didn't suit me about the boat. Specifically, the seat position didn't allow me to get in and out of the boat in the fashion I am used to. NC remedied that on my Expedition by moving the seat back a little during construction. All of the NC cockpits are the same, so I think the same can be done on the seventeens and maybe even on the 15'-8" boats.

The other issue I had with the NC seventeen was maneuvering. You must remember that I was used to my Sirocco that will turn on a dime without any effort at all. The NC boats can be managed, but it does take a little more technique. However, what you gain in tracking ability is something that has to be experience to be believed. Combine the super stability and tracking of the NC boats and you have a cruiser that is, in my opion, unbeatable. As I have said before, these boats are not play boats--they are meant for covering a lot of water, efficiently and are extremely seaworthy.

All of that said, I realize that everyone has their preferences in boat design and what attributes are important, so it can be a very tough decision. All I can say is that I am very, very pleased with my NC and if I had it to do all over, I wouldn't change a thing. If I could have only one boat, that might be a horse of a differnt color. I don't even want to think about being restricted to one boat.

I guess if I were you, I would try out as many boats as I could and make my decision on what feels and looks right to you. Still, I would see if Doug, or Greg at NC could put you in touch with someone in Florida who has an NC that you could look at.