At some point back then, Valley changed the way they made these boats - this one is yellow on the outside, but has a mottled whitish colour inside. I think that means it is some kind of multi-layer molding.
Deck lines and shockcord are all good. The skeg is cable driven, and it works fine. Very comfortable seat and backrest. Sliding footrests. Adjustable knee braces. Stainless steel eye on rear deck for towline attachment, and can be used for a security cable whilst on a roofrack.
At some point in the past, I was routinely carrying bits and pieces which were difficult to fit in - I removed the divider between the two rear compartments, to make one big compartment. So now it is easier to get more stuff into, and the bigger heavier objects can be packed nearer the centre of the boat.
The Avocet is still a Valley current model, and is quite an unusual kind of sea kayak. It is very manouverable, has a lot of secondary stability, and is a great boat for playing in big seas, tide races, rock hopping, caving, coastal exploring. Suits small to medium paddlers, and is a boat that enables you to set it up to a good neat fit.
If you are a river paddler, the Avocet will have a familiar feel to it.
It is easy to roll, and is incredibly easy to do solo deep water re-entry and roll-ups. You don`t even have to empty it or put the spraydeck on, it paddles fine with the water still in it.
Contact e-mail - "turnonagain-enigma" at "yahoo.co.uk". £550 and boat is in the Oban area.
