Hello-

I’m shopping for a kayak that is capable of 5-10 day unsupported trips. The use will be on rivers, in the Everglades, and perhaps in and around the Florida Keys. I don’t think I want an overly long boat- 17’ or so is probably my upper limit (transporting on top of a Subaru Outback). I’ve got three boats in mind:
1. Current Design Solstice GT
2. Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 Pro
3. Delta Fifteen 5
The Solstice is a very nice boat but is the most expensive- and longest- of the three. The Tsunami is priced attractively for a composite boat but I have some concerns with WS quality control, from what I’ve read on the net. The Delta is the most attractively priced and appears to be well-made; I looked one over recently and was impressed by the construction of the thermoform (bulkheads etc). Stability is important; the boat must be capable of serving as a platform for photography. I’m not an expert paddler, my limited experience to date has been in an open fishing kayak.
I’m leaning towards the Delta as it seems to offer a lot of value for the money and fits my needs well. The Tsunami is a glass boat at a good price, but is it too good a price? The Solstice is certainly a great boat but comes with a commensurate price tag (though I am sure I wouldn’t regret buying one).
I’d appreciate any comments readers might have about these boats- what you would choose and why.

Thanks,

Wendy

Wendy,

Since you asked; I won't comment on the boats you mentioned, but if you truly are looking for the best boat you can get for your money, or any amount of money, take a look at what is available at nckayaks.com. Look at the super sale they are having on their in-stock boats.

I will let their website speak for them--just let me assure you that these boats are the highest possible quality and the design is everything they say it is and more.

Wendy, I have 2 Wilderness Systems Tsunami kayaks. In my opinion, I would never get one for trip kayaking. I have done 3 day trips in mine in fairly sheltered areas. They don't handle very well in the rougher stuff. They weather cock badly (a rudder will help solve that), they are not very fast, and they don't have very good secondary stability. But they do have a fair amount of space and a good size cockpit. I guess it all depends on what you want.

I also have a Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 and I just ordered a Valley Nordkapp. The Nordkapp is an 18 footer and the Tempest is a 17 footer. Both these boats are great sea kayaks and can easily handle a 2 week trip. They both have very good secondary stability, lots of space for gear, track great, fast, handle great in waves, both have skegs, and they are good looking boats. The Nordkapp has probably the best hatch covers out there. And I like the fact that it has plastic welded bulkheads (I have had some trouble with leaky foam bulkheads). I am getting the Nordkapp to do exactly what you want, 10 day trips. I don't know how good your paddling skills are but generally new people to the sport may find the Nordkapp a bit tippy.
These are my opinions only.

When I bought my Tsunami's, I didn't really know what I wanted. I outgrew the Tsunami my first year paddling. I would not buy one today knowing what I want to do. I keep them now for family and friends to use.

What ever you do, test the boats out. It will certainly help you choose the best boat for you.

Good luck and safe paddling,

Chad

One other thing Wendy. If paddling is something that you plan on doing a fair amount and you plan on growing your skills, then you may want to buy a kayak that will allow you to grow with. Maybe a boat that seems tippy at first won't be for very long.

Cheers,

Chad

My Solstice is a great boat and has nice room even though I am fairly new and not on expeditions yet. It is fast and stable in the rough. Quality is great and service from CD is also great! Will be looking at a new one at the show this Sat. It is very stable in the rough water also. I have no problem feeling secure sitting in 3' waves broadside in the bay.

Thanks to all for the input/suggestions. I've located a Solstice GT HV in Florida at a reasonable price and that's probably the route I'll end up taking.

Wendy

Wendy, be sure to try out any boat you're thinking about--this includes getting it on and off the roof racks and getting it onto the water, paddling it in wind, etc. You did not give any info on your physical dimensions, weight , etc. Sea Kayaker magazine has lately been reviewing more sea kayaks in the 14-15 foot range; many of these are of lighter weight and easier to move about, on the water or off it. Florida paddling is not as demanding of the boat as are many other areas--less likely to be paddling in huge seas, rock gardens, wicked tide races (there are exceptions, of course), so it might be more important to focus on getting a boat that really encourages you to go out and paddle by making you very comfortable getting it onto the water and paddling it around.

Since Magooch put in his usual plug for NC Kayaks, I'll add mine for my Epic 16X, which my Florida paddling friends tell me is popular down there. The boat is only 16 feet long, stable, LIGHTWEIGHT, seaworthy, fast, relatively stable, holds a lot, very comfortable and, sadly, expensive.

By all means, Wendy, be sure to look at everything that is out there. Try out as many boats as you can, but be aware that what might feel like a great fit at first might not be what you will eventually want. This is where one sometimes has to trust in reading reviews and what your instincts tell you.

Strange Magic likes to rag on me for pushing NC Kayaks and I know I sound like a broken record. Believe me, I have nothing to gain by being an advocate of NC Kayaks. I even told one of the owners that I had very mixed feelings about their boats. They are so good, I wish everyone knew about them, but at the same time I like having such a boat and being a bit unique.

I realize that there is very little chance that you would ever be able to demo an NC, because they do not sell through dealerships. Some people might be suspicious of this. If the boats are so good, why not sell via dealers? My best guess is because they would be too expensive. When they are sold factory direct, there is no dealer markup and thus they can be competitively priced. The builders goal is to make no compromise in building the very best boat possible in their particular niche--which is a fast, stable, lightweight, cruiser. And did I mention, these boats are the best looking boats you will ever see.

If you have any questions at all, I would be very happy to answer. Better yet, give NC a call (888 441 8582) Mon, thru Fri. 8:30-600 Pacific Time. Maybe you'll get a chance to talk to Doug Searles. He can answer any questions you might have.

Come on Magooch, everyone knows beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I feel that my brand new Valley Nordkapp is the most beautiful boat out there but hey, to each their own.
Are you sure you don't receive any incentives from NC for all the plugging you do for them? Cuz you should receive some sort of kick back from NC. LOL. I am just having fun with it all.

Chad, a longtime paddling partner of mine is currently piloting his 3rd Nordkapp--when they make a lighter version, he gets it. Anyway, whenever others talk about this kayak or that, he is fond of replying, "The Nordkapp is the kayak that every other kayak wants to be!!" That generally ends the discussion right there. In the hands of someone who knows how to get the best from it, it is one sweet boat. And it sure looks like a million bucks, too.

Not all kayaks!

: Valley Nordkapp -- when they make a lighter version, he gets it.

Ahh, British Heavies.

Sounds like he needs to get his Nordkapps from New Zealand. Paul Caffyn's Sisson made are around 13 kg (28 lb). Paul was paddling the one he used around Alaska last weekend so obviously they do last. His latest one used in Greenland was a take-apart and wasn't much heavier.

Paul Caffyn - first circumnavigations of New Zealand, Britain (not first), Japan, Australia, New Caledonia, Alaska coast, etc. etc.

Alex

An 18' kayak that only weighs 28 lbs? Light is good, but somehow that sounds like it leaves things a bit on the flexy side. Unless they're using a core of some type. Anyway, it sounds kind of spendy.

: Light is good, but somehow that sounds like it leaves things a bit on the flexy side.

That's fibreglass for you.

: Unless they're using a core of some type.

No.

: Anyway, it sounds kind of spendy.

No, it is NZ dollars so is cheap for you in the States. About 78 cents NZ to the US dollar.

Look at -

www.sissonkayaks.co.nz

I think that URL should work. He only builds to orders. Also has strong opinions. You could also e-mail Paul Caffyn if you were serious.

Alternative is wood. My own kayak before fitting out was 13 kg. Adding rudder, pedals, hatches etc. brought it up to 18 kg. Could knock that back if I really wanted to. Now that doesn't flex, doesn't have a gel coat crack problem if it hits rocks and is tough.

Alex

So, is the 28 lb. Nordkapp kevlar, or carbon, or what? I just want to know what Sisson does different that maintains a rigid hull and deck at that weight. I've seen a lot of kevlar boats and they all were pretty flexible in some sections. I'm not saying that flexible is necessarily a bad thing, but if I had my druthers, I'd opt for stiff even if it does weigh a little more. The only really light boats that I've seen that are rigid have a core.