I can inky compare with the Stratos S, the virgo paddles straighter and faster but is still very agile especially when edged, is about the same stability wise and feels a bit more sea kayak than tourer, and is a better bet for trips that may involve going in a straight line for a while, the hatches ...

Have you considered modular take apart kayaks ? Whilst the total sum of the parts may be heavy, each section is quite light and can be dismantled for easy storage and transportation, also worth getting a trolley to help with the journey from car to launch. You can also add sections should you wish t...

Stratos now SOLD

No problem, these are only my opinions, someone else may think the Hydra is the best of the lot, so still important to try them.

The Stratos is a great, relatively cheap, agile and fun kayak, 2 sizes mean you will probably fit well in one of them, I have loved mine and will be sorry to see it go, downsides are hatch covers that aren’t great, the rear cover on stratos is a loose fit, the Stratos isn’t the easiest kayak to padd...

Up and Under in Cardiff sell both models you mentioned and they do have some demo kayaks available.
I recently demoed the P&H Virgo and thought it was a very good kayak, also have a look at the Valley Gemini SP rm

Now Sold

Theres quite a few minor scrapes, nothing deep.

thoma83 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 13, 2019 1:33 pm

Out of interest what are your dimensions? I'm trying to decide between the large and the small.
I'm 185cm tall 87kg
Thanks.

About the same as you, would guess the large would be a little too roomy ?

Arthur wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 13, 2019 12:18 pm

Someone is going to get a really nice kayak at that price. I thought you loved it Simon... or did you love it so much, you had two of them?

I tried the P&H Virgo and liked that more, it addressed some of the Stratos weak points, but only slightly!

Hi, yes 07740466107

Approx 2 years old, usual scratches etc, very agile and playful kayak, good for rockhopping, day trips, surf, rivers, a great kayak. £450 Brecon. S Wales https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565628985771-5640.png https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565628985930-8070....

Peak UK adventure zip in S/M size, very good condition, front pockets for kit and hydration pack pocket at rear, approx 18 months old with light use, always rinsed after use. £45 https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565285101411-5920.png https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/...

RichardP wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 4:54 pm

Has anyone tested the Valkyrie as yet shown in the north sea kayak video above?
Interesting to know thoughts. looks Racy !

Have a chat with Elan at up and under in Cardiff, 02920578579 he has experience of this kayak and was thinking of buying one

Summer cag, short sleeves, 2 layer breathable fabric, used maybe 5 times.
£35

Used a handful of times, durable and breathable 2.5 layer fabric, neoprene ankle seals, medium size. £50 https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565279053833-3867.png https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565279053897-4820.png https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads...

Selling this unused, a very nice full on sea kayak cag, waist, wrist and neck seals, foldaway hood, 2.5 layer breathable fabric. Weather never been bad enough for me to use it so going to buy something lighter. £120 which is half what i paid. https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/15652...

View from the cockpit and the Lava version, you can see the moulding behind the cockpit for the paddle shaft, which i assume is for self rescues etc. https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565265338500-0038.png https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/62252/1565265348350-6633.png ...

Here are my thoughts after a short demo at Sea kayak Oban. Initial and secondary stability very high, kayak feels very steady in the water, not too high in the water like a lot of bigger kayaks, definitely designed for the day trips, though would hold enough gear for a short camping trip, it felt re...

Tested the Virgo today, thanks to Oban sea kayak, thought it was lovely, agile but tracks well, very planted and stable in chop and wind, feels reasonably fast for its length,fun with a following sea, a good day boat that beginners and the more experienced paddler will love https://media.ukriversgui...

Put the P&H virgo on your list to try, has a demo today and thought it was lovely, nice and lively but really solid stability and agile too.

knowing what sort of trips you want to do will help you narrow the selection down a bit, no point buying a long and fast kayak if you want to rock-hop or explore caves and passages, and don’t worry if its not a “real” sea kayak because maybe a “not real” sea kayak is a better kayak for your needs, i...

Have a look at the Dagger Stratos, a short playful kayak thats totally stable and forgiving, though not the best for going fast in a straight line.
A longer straighter option would be the Venture kayaks Jura.

Had the Essence 16 for a while, not the most responsive of kayaks, but stable and comfortable.

Oban sea kayaks. The Virgo will have to be very good to tempt me away from the Stratos, which for the price is a lovely kayak, ok the hatches aren't that great and its only single layer plastic, but its a great sporty little kayak, depends what you want to do though, it would be less than ideal for ...

What about the new Virgo ? Haven’t tested one yet but hear good things, will be trying one in August along with the Zegul arrow play and others, meanwhile i will enjoy my Stratos

Any chance of a picture and an idea of what model this is please ?
Thanks

The day hatch behind the cockpit is of limited appeal to me, would rather have a bigger space for trolley etc, the little hatch in front of the cockpit more useful for cameras, snacks etc.

Now on P&H website

May be worth looking at the point 65 range of sit ons, these are sectional can be taken apart, so if you have the 2 seater, you can leave one section out to make it a solo kayak.