Delphin 150

[Dave28]

I've read what Douglas has to say about the P&H Delphin 155 on his blog, and tried one out last weekend, and was well impressed.

At only 75kg, though, I'm well on the low side of paddler weight range for the 155.

Is there anyone who has had experience of both the 150 and the 155 and can comment on their performance relative to each other?

[Nick P]

Dave,
I 'tried on' a 155 and a 150 at the SW Canoe Show in Exeter. I'm 5'11" and 78kg and I preferred the 150 - it just felt right! The 155 felt too big on me.
150 was good on the water too, from what you can tell in Exeter canal - would be good to try it in the rough stuff.
Nick

[GregMiller]

I was looking to go down this route as well.
Anyone any views on the CoreLite Vs the Single Layer construction?

I don't think I'll put myself in conditions requiring the WW outfitting but interested in thoughts about the different constructions.

Cheers,

Greg

[Douglas Wilcox]

The Delphin 155 I have been using is the three layer corelite. It is lighter than my single layer Rockhopper 340. It is also stiffer and lighter than a single skin Valley RM sea kayak I often use. In fact when paddling the Delphin 155, I couldn't really say whether it was composite or polyethylene. I can just lift it onto J bars on a low roofed car so I would not care for the heavier single skinned version myself.

One of the great features of the Delphin 155 is that even at my weight of 90kgs, I can still use it for weekend camping trips. I think the 150 will be much more of a day play boat unless you are very light.

I really like the Delphin especially in waves and I notice that the hard rails and concaves in the bow (which I think are key to its performance in waves) are softened in the composite Aries version. The Aries may well perform differently.

Douglas

[Dave28]

Thanks for the responses.

I have to say that Kayaks and Paddles are really coming up trumps - they got me a 155 to try last Saturday and next Saturday, and now they've got their hands on a 150 for me to try on Thursday.

I should also give the BCU boat insurers a positive mention. They have treated my Riot as a constructive total loss, after I was driven bow first on to a rock wall by a rogue set, and it was cracked right across the bow deck and down one side of the hull, and are prepared to treat the Delphin as a like for like replacement.

So much help and encouragement at what would otherwise have been a totally frustrating time!

[Dave28]

Went out this afternoon in Plymouth Sound between Mountbatten Breakwater and Drakes Island with both the 155 and 150.
Force 5/6 Southerly, gusting stronger, opposing a strong ebb tide, gave quite gnarly water especially between the Breakwater and South Mallard Cardinal.
I found that it was much easier to control the 150, and turn it through the wind, than the 155, though both boats gave me anxious moments when I had to drop the shore side edge to turn outwards.
Down wind and swell both boats were an absolute joy.
In flatter water, and protected by the breakwater, both boats - as Douglas reported in his blog - would easily turn a full circle just by edging whilst paddling ahead both sides. Once again, though, I had to be much wider awake than I ever needed to be in my Riot, when dropping the downwind edge.
On balance so far my preference is for the 150; but I hope to try a full sea paddle in the 150 (full for my low endurance capabilities that is - Douglas would probably think the 24k planned to be no more than a pipe opener) on Saturday.