Play the sea

[Billy g]

I'm currently saving all my spare pennies for a rough water, play boat. Lots of options out there to choose from.
Current list includes:
Delphin150
Tiderace Xtra
Aries150
Dagger Stratos14.5s
I'm eagerly awaiting the Dagger 12.5s
Hammer
Jacson karma rg
Have I missed any options? Have you got any opinions on these dream boats?

[Sam Sandwich]

If you want a Dagger Stratos on steroids look at the Valley Scirona. Beautiful boat

[Billy g]

Thanks Sam, I will look at them too.

[Billy g]

As I'm only 5'6" and seventy kg I'm looking for a boat with small cockpit, lowish volume. Most boats seem to be designed with bigger people in mind.

[PeterG]

Only one choice at your height and weight -the original and best

http://www.portsmouth-canoe-club.org/kayaks/anas-acuta

[Billy g]

You are right Peter, the anas should never be over looked. I will add to my list and make sure I borrow one for a test drive.

[Sam Sandwich]

Also forgot - you may want to consider the NDK Romany or other NDK

[Fozzy]

I've got both L and S Stratos and a Sirona 16.1 (mv) a friend of mine used the Sirona for a week and then bought the LV 15.10 version and loves it.
As for me, much as I like the Stratos I never paddle them now, I'm always in the Sirona

[Mark Gawler]

As I'm only 5'6" and seventy kg I'm looking for a boat with small cockpit, lowish volume. Most boats seem to be designed with bigger people in mind.

You should look out for an Avocet LV, my wife paddles one, she is a simalar size. A Rockpool Isel may be worth a look.

[Billy g]

I should probably add, I currently paddle a tiderace xplore s, and love it for long trips and expeditions. I'm essentially after a boat to compliment the xplore, just short trips, rock hopping and tiderace play round the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast

[RichJ]

I'm very biased and would suggest you consider the Xtra you mentioned. You may well be aware there is a low volume version? Also, the Tiderace Vortex should be up there for consideration. A most excellent plastic boat.

Good luck!

Rich

[rockhopper]

I had a Delphin 150 for a while but found it a bit 'heavy' when paddling....didn't feel nimble...which was a disappointment as I expected it to be great. I do have a Rockpool Isel but whilst small it is still quite a long boat (but great to paddle).
I would suspect that if you wanted a 'play' boat (light and manoeuvrable) then something like the Aries would be a better bet as it is shorter than the Isel and also, being composite, it will feel lighter and more manoeuvrable than the Delphin. You could also consider a Valley Gemini. The Anas is also great as a play boat provided it isn't one of the really old ones as they are quite heavy, especially at the front end (lots of resin !!).

Rog.

[swagstaff]

Valley Gemini RM which is smaller than the Sirona 16.1 RM and would suit your size.

[Billy g]

Thank you all for your replies. I can see there are a few more boats to add to my list.

[mcgruff]

You are right Peter, the anas should never be over looked. I will add to my list and make sure I borrow one for a test drive.

I'd love to spend some time in a hard-chine Greenland kayak. It's a kind of classic reference point to compare other boats to.

Only thing I'm not sure about is if a dry suit or a wet suit would give you more protection against fast-breaking puns.

[Fozzy]

If you're in Pembrokeshire join the Sea Kayak Cymru facebook page. They're a very active group and a lot of the boats mentioned are owned by members who I'm sure will be only too happy to help, advise and let you try boats.

[adventureagent]

[coldwind]

Billy g, I own two of those boats, well, not exactly but a 155 Delphin and a Jackson Karma RG. At your height and weight i think the Karma would be a bit of a barge. Its a bit of a porker. I'm sure the 150 Delphin would fit the bill but for half the price the Stratos deserves a test paddle

[jasonpeach]

I agree that delpin 150 is a very good bet. One on eBay at the moment for £600... Not mine I hasten to add!

[Billy g]

Thanks again for all your thoughts, yes I had heard the karma might be a bit big for my size, I'm hoping when the baby stratos 12.5 is out that it will be the perfect rock hopping play boat. Having paddled the delphin 150 for just a day I know it is a boat with potential that deserves another look.

[MYSSAK]

As I'm only 5'6" and seventy kg I'm looking for a boat with small cockpit, lowish volume. Most boats seem to be designed with bigger people in mind.

I think part of it is not about keeping bigger people in mind, shape and volume is often affected by the purpose how kayak is intended to be used.
I am biased so I stick only to Xtra and Xtra HV in my comment.
I have paddled both on number of occasions and although I’m slightly taller and heavier than you (5’11 and 76kg) it still might be relevant. I tried both versions of Xtra and my preferred choice is HV version. It simply stays higher on the water, there is not much difference in the design but it was interesting to see how difference in handling on the wave. Also I like to have my knees slightly higher so HV cockpit suits me better.
Surprisingly my wive who is much smaller and lighter came to the same conclusion and she is paddling Xtra HV as her main kayak. I think Xtra would be fine for most people in weight range 60-75kg.


Michal