Advice on masters K1

[Laughing Gull]

Hi,
I'm looking for advice on masters K1 kayaks. Has anyone here paddled Roman Romaster, Roman Furius, Sipre Tevatron LX, NK 43 or Nelo Viper 44 and could compare these? I would in particular appreciate input on how well these kayaks cope with more choppy waters and crosswinds. After some time with more stable K1s I am thinking of the next step. I will mainly use the kayak for fitness training on a larger lake and for taking part in long distance river marathons, so the kayak will most likely be equipped with an overstern rudder and comfort our many hours is important as well.

Thanks!!!

[mrcharly]

There are very few UK long-distance river marathons that require an overstern. The steering is very inferior compared to understern.

What are you currently paddling?
Based on my experience, I wouldn't ever buy a new boat without paddling one first.

(I bought a 2nd hand boat that was supposedly a Jaguar. It was a CleaverX, considerably less stable and I've struggled with it).

If you are mostly doing fitness paddling, it can be possible to pick up one of the older 'diamond' shaped boats for very little. You'll get more use of a stable boat (will be able to paddle when weather is less than ideal).

[Airconan]

Hi,
I'm looking for advice on masters K1 kayaks. Has anyone here paddled Roman Romaster, Roman Furius, Sipre Tevatron LX, NK 43 or Nelo Viper 44 and could compare these? I would in particular appreciate input on how well these kayaks cope with more choppy waters and crosswinds. After some time with more stable K1s I am thinking of the next step. I will mainly use the kayak for fitness training on a larger lake and for taking part in long distance river marathons, so the kayak will most likely be equipped with an overstern rudder and comfort our many hours is important as well.

Thanks!!!

I've got a Roman romaster super lite marathon, nelo quattro and NK43. Paddled the vipers 42,44.

The nelo quattro is really a sprint boat, super twitchy but fast for the focussed.
The romaster is slightly less twitchy than the quattro, but quick and excellent glide. Again it's not an easy paddle especially over distance where fatigue and paddler age is a factor.
The NK43 is a super stable and a light fun boat. The boat has a flat hull and limited rocker, doesn't accelerate or glide particularly well but it's a steady slower performer that's forgiving.
I found the vipers to be much the same as the NK43, limited hull rocker, larger flat surface area so super stable but plodders.
The exception of this would be the new viper 40, which looks fantastic as it's based on a p24 Cinco hull with more of a flat aft section for stability.

Hope this helps