I am a relatively new kayaker and have completed an afternoon basics course with the plan to certainly take more classes soon.

My wife and I are trying to take advantage of the end of season sales going on and have been demoing a number of kayaks. I am looking for something that will primarily be day touring but with enough flexibility to do some overnighting or some multiple day trip but primarily day touring should our interets continue to expand. We started out primarily looking at transitional boats but have been encouraged to look at higher performaning sea kayaks.

We have been working with a well known and respected paddling shop in the Portland area. I have demo-ed, the Perception Expression (we took the class in this boat), WS Tempest 170, Valley Aquanaut LV (well acually just sat in it or tried to sit in it as I was not able to fit my long legs into), the Valley Aquanaut HV, the Valley Etain and the P&H Delphin. I am looking primarily at skeg boats.

I am 6'0" with long legs (33" inseam")and weigh between 190-195 lbs. The best fits of the above boats are the WS Tempest 170 and the Valley Aquanaut HV with a bit of foam added for my nobby knees. Various members of their sales staff have indicated that I get a good fit in the Aquanaut. Of the boats I have demo-ed the Aquanaut feels like it hadles the best and is just a bit more precise than the Tempest.

My question is: am I too light for the Aquanaut keeping in mind my intended use?

You are on the light end, based on Valley's specs, but within the range. A little gear puts you right there.

Do they have a Valley Nordkapp you can try? Its weight range is a little lower.

Most reputable kayaking shops will have demo days where you can try various kayaks. There is a great opportunity to try a number of different boat's models before you surf.

Hi pjmsj21,
As long as you're looking, go to nckayaks.com and take a look. They are having a great Christmas Sale and the prices are right. They're built in Tacoma Wa. It sounds like you are located in the Northwest. I would very strongly suggest that you take a drive up to Tacoma and see what they have to offer.

I own one of their Expedition models, and after paddling it for several years now, I wouldn't trade it for anything. In one sense, I would have to say that they are not a beginners boat, but that would be wrong. Why should a beginner start with something they will not be happy with in a short while. These are lifetime boats that you won't tire of. And they are absolutely gorgeous.