sporting goods 22; boats 16 . I have paddled the Daggers, Perceptions, Necky which make nice boats but I still prefer the poly Sealution over the other Necky poly's. Not sure why so many people find the 94 lbs. The most notable feature is the Phase3 Outfitting, a high-performance seat and thigh-brace system derived from the FAT 3.0 outfitting that Wilderness Systems sister company, WaveSport, puts in its whitewater boats. That event is a tribute to Harry Teikens design. I purchased a new Northstar about a month ago. Read reviews for the Tchaika Pro by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. As for handling, it certainly does everything that I need, and until I "learn" more, I am completely satisfied. Contacting Current Designs with the registration number on the inside of the hull will also provide a definitive I.D. Solid performing boat with an equally solid construction. Add Tempest 170 Kayak to Compare Related Expert Advice articles. You either swear by 'emor swear at 'em! Before using this paddle, we were concerned that its performance might be compromised when the paddle is extended to its full length. It may take a bit of Internet sleuthing to identify and get more information about the boat. Rounding out the fit are contoured, padded thigh braces that can be easily unscrewed and moved to match different body types. Some testers noted that when the paddle is extended, the lever on the shaft can get in the way of the paddler's hands, as it is not as low profile as we would have liked. The perfect size for weekend camping for smallish women (I'm 5'6", 130). The Impex Force series is known for speedy, rough-water capable hulls. Happily, the companys website contains archived pages with descriptions of every Current Designs kayak ever made. I've had my Kevlar Hawk about 5 months now and with certain reservations I love it. Tchaika Pro Reviews - Wilderness Systems - Paddling.com This is a ROYAL PAIN IN THE A _ _!!! Once in the water, however, the kayak really comes into its own. Our combined weight with day paddling equipment is about 320 pounds. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. My husband and I own 2 ocean kayaks weighing each between 85-87 lbs. st louis boats - craigslist We have done hundreds of miles in it and it has been always a solid performer. I use this for family outings or when I have inexperienced guests in from out of town. The boat also sagged so much that it was bouncing off the roof of my new truck. Did I say it's a beast? The Capella is much more lively but it is tippy and my wife hates it. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Fiberglass kayaks are much stiffer than plastic boats. Great looks, speed and control. I got to watch my sandals float away. The resulta sporty and very seaworthy kayak with a good blend of tracking and manoeuvrabilityis very popular in the U.K. and on the East Coast of North America. Once in the water, the Northstar handles exceptionally well. My only complaint is the placement of the knee pads. It performs very well from oceans to lakes. The foam-padded seat is adjustable with a tilting leg support, backband and very comfortable, adjustable hip pads. Wilderness Systems Pungo Glass Review | Tested by GearLab I recently paddled with a friend (admittedly in better shape then I) in a heavy soft chine boat (Epic with rudder). Reading reviews of Current Designs kayaks helps to understand where these boats excel. Likewise, the shallow V hulls and rounded chines (where the sides of the kayak meet the bottom) provide stability in rough waters but will feel less stable than North American-style or Transitional kayaks for beginner paddlers. For a while I had sole use of them. Two of those early designs, the Solstice and the Equinox remain popular today. I have had my glass Arctic Hawk for over ten years now. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. Things we didnt like: Face it this is a heavy boat at 93 lbs. once in the water it is great. getting it there can be a challenge. They can keep you informed on lead times for boats and have insight on what is coming down the pipeline. This intuitive mechanism is simple to use, even in cold conditions, when fingers are not working their best. The rudder, cables, hatches, etc are still as good as new. We are also working diligently to answer your questions and have recently added additional resources in this area, but our response time may be longer than typical due to the volume of contacts we are receiving. I've noticed a few slight hardware quality problems on Wilderness System boats, but not enough to compromise their overall design quality, safety and fun. Werner Camano Fiberglass Bent Shaft Kayak Paddle High Performance Blades Lightweight Paddle & Good Locking Mechanism Pros Cons 6. This paddle will be suitable for a wide variety of paddlers due to its adjustable and versatile design. Wilderness Systems offers the Tempest sea kayak with a skeg, and the Tsunami (see difference between the Tsunami and Tempest below) with a rudder only. This can be particularly annoying (and even a bit painful) if your hands slip on the shaft. The 15- to 17-foot length and efficient hull shapes mean Danish-style kayaks are also well-suited to day or multi-day touring. A well-stored kayak will not have any mildew or dampness inside the hatches. GearLab is reader-supported. The rear hatch leaked about 2 gallons the first time I did some pool rolling. Yuk. With a 22 beam, its a half inch wider than its British cousins. We're the ones still smiling! The thigh braces are a disgrace -- too small, badly shaped, and badly placed. Another benefit of buying an established brand like Current Designs is the ability to source replacement parts. I've used it in twisty Florida wilderness rivers and rough waves in open water. We have camped, loading it with all needed camping gear and the decks loaded. The lever ferrule system was an instant hit with our team of testers. Do get it if you're going places where you will be on your own a long way from Port. I fell in love when I first tried it out. It is a great first, all purpose boat that handles flat water, some white water, and ocean very well. I keep it washed and waxed. 2. In addition, if you have a variety of crafts, the Pungo can be adjusted to suit the boat size. And one look at the size of the boat, and one lookf the hatches tell you its a tough boat for long trips. The design limits deck spray remarkably well. So, why the 6 out of 10? Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 16 Foot Sit On Top Kayak Pre-Owned $1,000.00 hearududes (1,124) 100% or Best Offer Free local pickup Sponsored Wilderness systems, Artic Hawk, Sea/tour 17 ft kayak, fiberglass Pre-Owned $1,095.00 solidgoodies (1,473) 98.7% or Best Offer Free local pickup Sponsored wilderness systems arctic hawk kayak with a trailer We particularly appreciated this innovative feature when our hands were cold and clumsy. Old Town Castine 130 kayak. Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak Paddle for Recreation/Touring Current Designs timeless designs and robust construction make shopping for a used Current Designs kayak a great option. For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used kayak, read our article How To Buy A Used Kayak. The perfect kayak to fit your lifestyle awaits. Its weight of approximately 95 lbs, plus rudder makes it a risky proposition for car-topping unless two very strong people are involved. It outperforms any other plastic boat I have ever tried. What's bad? This content was made possible with the support of OntarioCreates. Let us know! The Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 has a performance hull with outfitting to match and a volume thats hard to find in a boat of its type. Based in Washington state, Eddyline specializes in recreational, fishing and day touring kayaks made from thermoformed plastica material that has the durability of traditional rotomolded plastic without the heavy weight. Wilderness Systems is to be congratulated for creating the most Mac Daddy piece of furniture ever to grace a sea kayak. A Message to Wildy Fans and Prospective Customers, We are producing kayaks as fast as we safely can and shipping kayaks to dealers daily. On the plus side it tracks well, weather cocking is not bad, initial stability is great, she carves a turn all right but if you put her on edge you can spin her faster that most other kayaks I paddle. I Own a Capella and NDK Explorer. Aramid composites are the ultralights of the kayak world. The inner layer is made of meshed polyester while the two outer layers are made from PVC. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 - amazon.com 3) I did have an episode of weathercocking when I first got it. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Best Kayak Brands For Fishing, Sea Kayaking, Touring & More, Boat Review: Solstice GT Titan by Current Designs, Boat Review: Current Designs Ignite Kayak, Boat Review: Current Designs Squall GTS Kayak, Touring Kayak Review: Current Designs Equinox GT, Expedition Kayak Review: Current Designs Infinity, Touring Kayak Review: Current Designs Stratus 18, 10 Reasons Kushiro Shitsugen National Park Is The Best Place To Canoe Trip In Japan, 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Kayak On Ebay. If you are in the market for poly I would get a Sealution or a Current Design. This is really the only negative. Here are answers to some of the most common online questions about Current Designs kayaks. As always, we recommend a regular rinse after spending time in salty water or sandy conditions. We so like the kayak that we bought a new one in the UK, where we live. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. This is a long-term investment, and the savings of buying used are likely alreadysignificant. Read Northstar reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. The speed issue may be an offshoot of the AH 40lb weight vs. the OI 55lb weight in glass. If I had to guess this boat is probably 50% faster or more than a shorter single in the 12-14 feet range. Amazon.com : Wilderness Systems Origin Recreation/Touring Kayak Paddle |Fiberglass/Nylon Blade | Carbon Blend Shaft (205-225cm), Blue/Black (8070225) : Sports & Outdoors Sports & Outdoors Sports Water Sports Kayaking Paddles $127.99 & FREE Returns FREE delivery Saturday, August 6 Or fastest delivery Thursday, August 4. It is not constructed like my Nordkapp with the glass lay up, watertight bulkheads. (moderate initial). Even when the paddle shaft was extended to its full length, the paddle continues to feel reliably secure and strong. I have two Current Design Storms and am very impressed with the Northstar. These boats fit in the popular day touring category, borrowing elements from dedicated touring kayaks, packaged in the size of recreational kayaks. Aside from the fact that it is a hard shell boat and wide enough for the modern build, it is very like some historical Greenland boats. This 14' is faster than any plastic 16' or 17' that I've paddled. Wilderness Systems Tempest 180 Fiberglass Kayak with Skeg I traded in a Dagger Sitka in Kevlar (too big and high volume for day tours) for this onethis boat is responsive and quick, tracks beautifully, is as sexy a boat as you will ever see on the wateryou can make this one dance! People of all ages are looking to get outdoors, and we have seen a tremendous surge in demand for our products over the last several weeks as a result. Add a 3 foot skeg tapering from zero to 1.5 inches at the stern and the boat changes its whole personality for the better. Note, however, that the weight of the Northstar is not exceptional, even compared to some of the composite boats made by the major manufacturers. and I can load mine on top of our truck by myself. The Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak Paddle is lightweight and sturdy. Finally, remember that online research will only get you so far. This beginner-level series covers everything you need to know for your first time kayaking. The foot pegs are plastic p.o.s.'s. Perception Hook Angler 10.5 Kayak. I give the Gen-2 polyethylene Wilderness Systems Northstar a 9 out of 10. It's a beast to move, even in two people. The kayak did have a huge amount of storage but it made you pay for it. My first test paddle of her was on the Ohio River on a calm afternoon. Wilderness Systems makes recreational, day touring, touring and fishing kayaks, including sit-on-top models equipped with pedal drives. It doesn't need a rudder or skeg though-and a skeg would take a chunk out of the already-low storage volume. I'll also walk you through the best kayak paddles for fishing so you'll hit the water ready. I never use a rudder (well almost never) and I find it tracks very well even in big seas. Beyond the model you are looking for, try more generic ones like sea kayak or Current Designs touring kayak. Hobie mirage outback kayak. Alpha Angler Fiberglass Paddle . When looking at a used kayak, check inside the hatches and cockpit where moisture may have collected. If a button could be pressed and it folded up for transport I'd give it an 11, since it can't 10/10. It's both extremely stable, much less tippy than any single I've tried, and very fast in a straight line. My wife is very comfortable in this boat and has never even nearly come out. The careful design and weight distribution of this paddle mean that it feels light in the water. $25. Wow!! and still find initial stability light after almost two seasons. Our boat's rotomolded plastic construction can get pretty soft while being transported in the hot sun. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. It is available, slightly lengthened, as the Northstar Pro in composite, so those with deeper pockets have another way to avoid the softening issue. Popular Current Designs recreational kayaks like the Kestrel and Solara feature two watertight bulkheads (one in the bow, one behind the seat)a critical safety feature that ensures the kayak will float if it swamps in deep water. Plus the handling is superb for day trips. Hang on when it broaches while on a surf. The NorthStar is a very big, heavy boat. I would like to build One from Chesapeake Lightcraft kit Sean's I am a wood worker got to go check back on these reviews I will tell of my kayaking hurricane Ivan 2004 in my Arctic Hawk. Have taken it everywhere without a worry. This is the first boat I've bought that was the right size for me, and I'm never going back Not a bad boat for its length. To complement the whole package, I have ordered a carbon fiber paddle. Kayak Rack. and have had to had 9oz glass tape to the undersides of the decks around the cockpit to stiffen it up, but the build is other wise very good. Sometimes the choice is made for you, and the kayak is only available in a select build. I would suggest this kayak to someone looking for a double at a reasonable price. Current Designs selection of rotomolded plastic and composite kayaks make for a more comprehensive price range, with some boats more expensive than Eddyline kayaks and some cheaper. Great initial stability and solid secondary stability when the boat is leaned on edge. Despite being suitable for beginner kayakers, the performance of this paddle is not compromised and would suit expert paddlers as well. One of them, the somewhat smaller Sparrow Hawk, is also licensed to Wilderness Systems and would be a better choice for a smaller paddler. There are cheaper paddles available, but the Pungo Glass offers quality performance and durability with the bonus of adjustability. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia. Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 Specs Length: 17' 6" Width: 22" Depth: 14" Cockpit: 32" 14.5" Weight: 50 lbs Max Capacity: 110 lbs MSRP: $3,199 USD / $4,249 CAD (Kevlar) $2,699 USD / $3,499 CAD (Fibreglass) $1,399 USD (Polyethylene) [ Paddling Buyer's Guide: See all Wilderness Systems boats ] The Tempest 170 has the best of both worlds