I'm new to kayaking and have been searching for my first kayak. Found a Valley Skerray Kayak in my area that I am interested but have found very little information on it anywhere online. Has anyone owned one or know anything about them and how good are they? What capacity are they? I'm 6ft and 95kg (210lbs). I'm looking for a kayak for camping and multi day trips and had been leaning towards the Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 but this has peaked my interest. Any help would be great.
Cheers
Nick

When you say you're new to kayaking--how new? What experience in what type of kayaks? Before you jump in, I would suggest that you at least visit a kayak store--a real one and not merely a sporting goods store that happens to carry a few kayaks. Sit in as many kayaks as you can and if possible, do some in-the-water demos.

How committed are you to this sport; enough to justify a fairly hefty budget? If so, get the best kayak possible and the best paddle and pfd. There will be all kinds of other things, but those are the base to build on. Determining the "best" is a part of the fun.

Valley of course builds very good boats. I'm not familiar with the Skerray.

Cheers. I have heard that I should try as many out as I can and am looking into a store nearby. I have very little experience, having only played in smaller kayaks growing up and even then it was maybe once a year, but love the ocean and think this is a sport I could get hooked on very easily.

Was into hiking but after a busted ankle I won' be able to carry large loads on that ankle for at least a another year and probably longer. So am interested in mainly kayaks designed for multi day trips but good for both ocean and river. My budget is open to anything as long as it's good quality and will last. Rather grown into a kayak than buy one and be ready for another in 6mths.

Cheers

Nick. I paddle a Tempest 170. I personally love this boat. I wish if had Valley hatches, a larger bow hatch. It is a slender boat and tripping out of it requires some excellent packing skills especially with the 10" bow hatch.
I had a new poly Valley Nordkapp that had a warped stern. Valley would not warranty the boat. I couldn't believe it. Thank God the store took it back and I got another tempest 170. So I personally will never buy a Valley boat again because they won't stand behind their product.
I have no knowledge of the Skerray and can't help you out there.
Try out a few different boats if you can to get a feel for what you want.
Good luck.

Thanks Chad. Good to know. Heard a few things about the quality of the Tempest. A fair few people have said they had problems with the skeg box leaking and a few other issues. Did you have any problems?

It does appear that Wilderness Systems has let their quality slip. The Tempest I got for my girlfriend came with a few issues. The hatch covers all seams a bit loose. I put the hatch covers from one of my Tsunami 140's on her Tempest. The underside of the combing was sharp and I had to sand the edge to smooth it out. The skeg cable where it couples to the skeg box was gooped very sloppy. I re-sealed it. I had to seal a gaping hole at the top of the bow bulkhead. Then I sealed both Tempests where the skeg cable passes through the bulkheads. Other than that both boats are dry and the skegs do NOT leak.
Both of my Tempest's are poly.
I have practiced my rolls in both boats and haven't had any trouble with leaky hatches.
I love this boat.
Whatever boat you choose to buy, just give it a good thorough check over before leaving. I was so excited when I bought the Nordkapp that I didn't notice the warped stern.
Best of luck.

Chad

If you are truly interested in a great kayak that you won't grow out of and for a price and quality that can't be beat, check em out at nckayaks.com.

I was waiting for it Magooch. I love it!