For my purposes (lazy summer afternoons spent paddling on a placid lake with my wife), it works wonderfully. This is really the only negative. This one will do everything the bigger boats will do except carry a lot of gear. If this kayak were produced in the triple layer poly, as used in my P&H Capella, it would rate 9 in my review. I continue to find it fun and exciting, and am nowhere near its equal yet. I cannot say enough positive things about the Sealution's ability to handle heavy wind and waves. It has the look of a Brit boat, but pumped up and pimped out. Use Current Designs dealer locator tool to find a local retailer near you. Kayak Rack. I LOVE THIS BOAT!!! With the pandemic paddlesports boom putting used kayaks in such short supply, quality used kayaks are a rare find. I always see smller paddlers in too much boat. You have entered an incorrect email address! $500. The following Current Designs kayaks have received the highest star ratings by reviewers in our Paddling Buyers Guide. We have put a bit of effort into our teamwork, and can now paddle synchronously without much attention, and for long distances. I bought this Kayak two years ago. I've used it in twisty Florida wilderness rivers and rough waves in open water. (1st time) I also rerigged the deck bungees "Greenland style", added carved caribou toggles, protective deck tape, and other little niceties. Testers noted that the performance of this paddle is far superior to its look. Let us know! When looking at a used kayak, check inside the hatches and cockpit where moisture may have collected. Current Designs kayaks are widely available across North America at specialty outdoor and paddlesports shops. 2. However, the system continued to function. 3) I did have an episode of weathercocking when I first got it. Tandem kayak - the perfect two-person paddling experience. It is inexpensive and stable and moves through the water well. Theres no real downside to buying an older kayak that has been well cared for. With the flip of a lever lock paddlers can adjust the feather and the length of this versatile paddle. It is very fast and has exiptional tracking. It is really built for the slender paddler. My wife and I have owned a Northstar in the USA for two years, and have traveled about 600 miles in it during two winters in the Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades and the Keys. The careful design and weight distribution of this paddle mean that it feels light in the water. Before that I rowed competetively for 20 years. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! The low-profile, backband seating makes it easier for experienced paddlers to perform a roll in these boats. I do mostly river paddling in FL. Known for tournament-winning fishing kayaks, wilderness system now offers premium paddles for anglers. Wilderness Systems Kayaks | USA & Canada | The Undisputed Leader in Premium Kayaks Wilderness Systems Wilderness Systems Dagger Dagger Perception Perception Mad River Mad River Adventure Technology Adventure Technology Boardworks Boardworks Facebook - Kayaks Twitter - Kayaks YouTube - Kayaks Instagram - Kayaks 2021 - 2022 Lineup The Hawk carves turns nicely, as would be expected with hard chines. I would not recommend it for complete beginners as it is a little tippy and, as it has no rudder, takes a little skill to handle. Hope this helps you. With two aggressive, full size paddlers looking to show off, we routinely leave even elite solo paddlers gasping after an hour or so. North American-style touring kayaks are direct descendants of the first boats that Current Designs made. For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used kayak, read our article How To Buy A Used Kayak. There is no way one person can get it on a car top without something like hully rollers. Best Overall: Wilderness Systems Alpha Angler Carbon. Kayaks Lifetime Triton Angler Kayak With New High Back Seats Rod mounts and Paddles $420 Each. Features a protective and replaceable skid plate and configurable deck . LASER 16' All Fiberglass Bass Boat, 115-hp Evinrude, 1990. The boat always feels very stable and seaworthy, and although it tracks very well (I rarely use the rudder except in crosswinds and following seas) it also turns easily, much better than a lot of 16-17 ft boats I've tried. The front hatch seems completely watertight. If it is an older kayak or the decals have been removed, the owner may not know the model name. I have never known the Valley hatches to need this type of wedging to work well, so this really stumps me. For a while I had sole use of them. During one of these episodes the Northstar slammed into my other kayak so hard it broke the rudder off my other boat. Thermoform kayaks are not as light as Current Designs Aramid blends, but are still easy to handle. Yuk. With such a long history in the sea kayak world, many Current Designs models are no longer in production. no hidden. The Sealution is the first sea kayak I have ever owned even though I had and have the use of two Aquaterra Chinooks through our club. It was, with camping gear, pretty heavily-laden, but still performed well. Build quality of the seats, hatches and rudder has been excellent as has the durability of everything holding up. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! 7 Reasons to Consider Kayaking Events This Year, Best Paddling Destinations For Unforgettable Wildlife Viewing, Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences. such a problem. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. 5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars, 2 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. You can unsubscribe at any time. We mostly do day paddles, but once took a three-day trip with it. They can keep you informed on lead times for boats and have insight on what is coming down the pipeline. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Gorgeous little boat. If you want a wider selection of full-size touring kayaks, choose Current Designs. Add Tempest 170 Kayak to Compare Related Expert Advice articles. Now I am really "at one" with the boat, and love it. I'm 5'1" not over 145 lbs. The bottom line is that this is good boat until you need to transport it during warm weather. It seems like I've paddled it in almost every bit of water over 7" deep in Central Florida. This is an excellent long expedition boat in terms of gear storage and it's big, long and fast enough that even with some weight or cargo on board you can still make good time. I have owned this boat for about 8 years, though I am still pretty much a beginner (it was my first). Hillsboro, MO. [ Paddling Buyer's Guide: See the Wilderness Systems Zephyr 160 ] Wilderness Systems Zephyr 160 Pro Specs Length: 16' Width: 23" Depth: 17" Weight: 54 lbs Capacity: 300 lbs By entering your email, you agree to receive automated marketing messages from REI. My only complaint is the placement of the knee pads. Moving the seat up also allows me to lock in to the non-adjustable thigh hooks. Again, it's not a little difference, destinations compared to small to medium singles are reached very quickly. The first few dozen times I tried to roll it I kept popping out. refresh results with search filters open search menu. Things we like: the Northstar easily slices through the water, and weighing in at 93 lbs, with two people, is able to maintain a comfortable momentum (once up to speed) with minimal effort. Wilderness Systems is another widely-known North American kayak company. It's a well-behaved boat with impeccable manners, and no vices. I normally paddle around the island of Montreal or in one of the lakes in the vacinity. The result is a spectacular gold piece of artworkthe natural color of Kevlar. Another benefit of buying an established brand like Current Designs is the ability to source replacement parts. After all those trips, it shows little wear except for a sag in the plastic (slight concave area) under the cockpit. When looking at a used plastic kayak, also check the bottom (hull) of the kayak for oil-canningwavy dents that indicate a sun-damaged kayak; these deformities reduce the kayaks paddling efficiency and performance. This boat makes me a believer in hard chine (I want a Valley Q-boat now). My Arctic Hawk is a 1993 model that I recently bought used and then rehabbed. So, I got damp at first with paddle water run off. No ads. Paddlers were pleased to note that this paddle's adjustability does not come at the expense of its performance. It is available, slightly lengthened, as the Northstar Pro in composite, so those with deeper pockets have another way to avoid the softening issue. That came out to taking long, slow strokes, instead of the short, choppy ones we're taught here. After extensive use (and no regular maintenance), the screw that attached the lever to the paddle's shaft showed signs of rust. In this guide, you will find links to the best Current Designs kayaks on the market, as well as an overview of the types of kayaks this company produces. The Northstar is an excellent kayak for our purpose, i.e. 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. If you are hard on your equipment, more delicate Aramid construction may not be the bestchoice. Buy the plastic Picollo and save your money. It has an great blend of speed, stability, and manuverabilty. Not sure why so many people find the 94 lbs. Later I was buying a used demo kayak on layaway came in to make a payment saw an Arctic Hawk just put on the rack still in plastic had to have it, I learned kayaking in it. quad cities. The Sealution 2 is the cats meow for her. Renting a boat is also a great way to test how it fits and performs. The Tchaika Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems. If I had to guess this boat is probably 50% faster or more than a shorter single in the 12-14 feet range. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Great for tight rivers as
And, compared to a single, it's incredibly spacious, with ample room for both seating and gear. Note, however, that the weight of the Northstar is not exceptional, even compared to some of the composite boats made by the major manufacturers. beautifully and is well constructed. 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 Impex sea kayaks are more suitable for intermediate and advanced paddlers, and exclusively use skegs. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. traditional touring kayak with two bulk heads and a full sit inside cockpit. I get compliments on it everywhere. Finally, if you are ordering replacement parts, please review our Shipping Notice. I never clocked any speeds but we tend to reach the same destinations we go to in our singles much sooner. 7 Reasons to Consider Kayaking Events This Year, Best Paddling Destinations For Unforgettable Wildlife Viewing, Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences. I drilled holes to move the seat forward about 2", and then could reach the foot pedals. They are judged
Read reviews for the Arctic Hawk Pro by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. The thigh braces had to be padded a little. Weve also included some buying advice for used Current Designs kayaks and answers to common questions. solo day trips up to 20 miles in potentially demanding circumstances, in a kayak robust enough to cope with being grounded on beaches and hauled single-handed onto a pickup. I would love to have a skeg on the boat, although the box would really cut down on what you could carry. 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. I feel this boat has no equal in the world of poly boats. I give the Gen-2 polyethylene Wilderness Systems Northstar a 9 out of 10. Weathercocks badly in a following wind. She now wears UV protection goggles under these conditions. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Current Designs kayaks are made in the USA by Wenonah. by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,189.00 Details Arctic Hawk Pro Description The Arctic Hawk Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems . My only complaint is that there is not enough clearance for your feet, they start to feel cramped between the deck and the floor. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. I wanted a low volume Greenland style boat and the Arctic Hawk certainly has the look. . I am sure it can be turned quick but we were never able to do so. Just for Members: 20% Off Select Bike Racks. E-mail me for pictures and directions. When you find one that matches your needs perfectly, remember, its always best to try before you buy.. I was able to have a chance to paddle this boat in Sydney Harbor and was rather unimpressed with the performance. I've owned my Hawk for 15 yrs. This is true both above and below the waterline, and it makes the Arctic Hawk one of the best looking boats out there. Boat Review: The Tempest 170 Composite by Wilderness Systems, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Kayaking Key West: Tours, Rentals, Fishing, Mangroves & Snorkeling [2020 Guide], First Look: The Dagger Vanguard Is The Result Of A 15-Year Evolution In Modern Longboats, First Look: The Pyranha Firecracker Is Ready To Make Noise (Video), Enter to Win the Aquaglide Chelan 140 Kayak Prize Pack. I have owned other boats and have paddled many others. Fast, light, maneuverable, tracks well, easy to roll. Remove 1 or more items before adding another item to compare. I tried out multiple boats and this one was the certainly the tops. Read reviews for the Northstar by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. We feel very safe in this kayak in all conditions. These boats are ideal for someone who wants a lightweight kayak that is easier to load on and off a vehicle or carry to the launch. My wife and I are often the fastest boat in our group, especially on long legs where staggered hydration breaks give any double a strong advantage. Wilderness Systems Tsunami 175 touring kayak. In places like Resurrection Bay and Ketchimack Bay the ability of an expedition kayak to handle rough seas is a life and death issue; you can leave on glassy water and have 4 foot quare waves a little bit later with just a little wind blowing against a tidal current. I had seen one at a kayak store loved the look. They do have the same name as Polaris is latin for the Northstar and while it's 10lbs lighter, I don't think I can tell much difference in the weight. Seat and Outfitting - The seat is one of those "all inclusive plastic bottom and back" seats that does not allow laybacks. It ride pretty high in the water. While they may resemble kayaks you would see at a big box store or on Amazon, Current Designs kayak-building expertise means that their recreational kayaks have better performance and safety than a generic budget kayak. Finally, if you are ordering replacement parts, please review our. Join the Wilderness Systems Email Community. If a button could be pressed and it folded up for transport I'd give it an 11, since it can't 10/10. The comfort level is now 100% perfect for me with about 8 hours of work. I am 6' 210 lbs. Reading reviews of Current Designs kayaks helps to understand where these boats excel. By dropping 20 pounds off the boat, it handles beautifullyquicker turning and very light on the water. Oh yes, and it's a great value. We are used to sharing close quarters and working as a team in a multi-axis environment. Tandems. more-or-less indefinitely. Current Designs timeless designs and robust construction make shopping for a used Current Designs kayak a great option. North American-style kayaks have foot controlled rudders for added maneuverability and tracking. The slightly leaky hatches are an annoyance, but common for the hatch design in general. I have owned my hawk for about a year and I love it! My boat has a rudder, but I've only flipped it down a couple times, for a few minutes each, just to "try it". It performs very well from oceans to lakes. The relative long inter-cockpit space on the Northstar means that a mis-stroke by the stern paddler (usually me) does not lead to the forward paddler being struck (which would not be good for marital relations). by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,189.00 Details Sealution Pro Description The Sealution Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems . One is the position of the rudder lowering mechanism. I've had my Kevlar Hawk about 5 months now and with certain reservations I love it. Every kayak trips starts with a launch and ends with a landing. The hatches have remained dry on all trips we have gone out on thus far; it has excellent stability in rough waves; plenty of attach points & webbing to tie stuff on the top when heading out for a long trip; the rudder provides excellent response & control and is easily raised or lowered from the rear cockpit (I would recommend lubricating the pedal controls with a light grease on the slide mechanism for smoother operations); The Phase-3 seat is awesome you can adjust that puppy for a very comfortable seat and it breathes quite nicely even on the hottest days; being of polyethylene construction it is virtually indestructible for most river hazards (we can run over rocks, branches, and whatever is just below the water without fear of cracks or tears); bottom line this kayak is joy to own and has provided hours of kayaking pleasure. 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. As far as plastic is concerned it does not flex as much as most comparable poly models. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. It is light: 38 lbs. Join once, enjoy forever. Current Designs focuses on sit-inside touring kayaks. Shopping for a used Current Designs kayak? I still find it breathtakingly beautiful. At my request, it has no hatches, no bulkheads, no decals, and no skeg. (moderate initial). The lever ferule system provided an infallible joint for this 2-piece paddle. The big consideration to all of this is expense. 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. As always, we recommend a regular rinse after spending time in salty water or sandy conditions. all. Wilderness now makes a replacement for the Northstar called the Polaris which is very similar and we bought one as the kids are old enough to paddle now, one parent in back with one kid in front, but still waiting on it. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the paddle continues to deliver a trustworthy and reliable performance regardless of what length you set it at. $220. It doesn't need a rudder or skeg though-and a skeg would take a chunk out of the already-low storage volume. Unless you have a trailer, are both Crossfit champions in a long term relationship, or live on the water where carrying it any distance is not an issue you are likely to have problems getting it around. Well, storage, seating, and the quality of the bulkheads are certainly upgrades. For a 150-lb paddler like me, the plastic version is
The kayak did have a huge amount of storage but it made you pay for it. After settling on a style and model of kayak, what material should you go for? The bad points? It is in fact (In Plastic) a great beginners boat and will carry you farther into intermediate than most people will ever go. Learn basic steps for shore and dock put-ins and take-outs. The Hawk is 22" wide and 17'11" long. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! I have also taken it to Nova Scotia where I've been out in the open ocean. This is a long-term investment, and the savings of buying used are likely alreadysignificant. With two paddlers-the prime reason one elects a tandem-this otherwise-handsome craft simply cannot track a straight line without using a rudder; it does track in reverse, if thats important to you. This can be particularly annoying (and even a bit painful) if your hands slip on the shaft. Overall, the Phase3 system provides a snug, performance fit that was previously only available with custom outfitting. Wilderness Systems makes recreational, day touring, touring and fishing kayaks, including sit-on-top models equipped with pedal drives. Ditto for weathercocking. The purchase of two new Northstars on different continents is a tangible indication of our respect for this craft. So if I love this boat why the 7? If youre looking for an impeccably finished, thoughtfully designed single or tandem touring, recreational or transitional kayak, theres likely a Current Designs thats a great match for you. Although slightly lighter, full-carbon models are also significantly more expensive. in Kevlar, 42 in glass. I thought my Outer Island was sexybut the hard chines, flat decks, and great lines of this boat blow the OI away in looks!! In 60 + KM 40 MPH winds that thing stayed up and carried her to safety when more experienced paddlers went through all forms of trouble. We use this kayak in true wilderness areas in Alaska. There are cheaper paddles available, but the Pungo Glass offers quality performance and durability with the bonus of adjustability. Not to mention getting it on and off the car and carrying it to the water. Find manufacturers suggested retail prices (MSRP) of Current Designs kayaks on their website. The Capella is much more lively but it is tippy and my wife hates it. The Werner Camano is one of the best kayak paddles on the market. Wilderness Systems is to be congratulated for creating the most Mac Daddy piece of furniture ever to grace a sea kayak. I positively live in it, and that includes teaching some pretty strenuous rescue classes. 53 and not as strong as I used to be , I find it impossible to load alone on my Montero as I cant manage the 14 ft length without hearing Danger. Florissant, MO. A beautiful, light boat. This content was made possible with the support of OntarioCreates. I am still learning to roll, but according to Seakayaker's review the boat rolls really easy. 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. Instead of obsessing about danger, focus on stacking the odds in your favor. The Hawk is a pretty low volume boat for an 18', with about 11" depth up front and 8" behind the seat. A joy to paddle with little wind. My husband and I own 2 ocean kayaks weighing each between 85-87 lbs. Sporty sea kayak adopts the best elements of British and North Americandesign, The new Tempest 170 from Wilderness Systems is the brainchild of Steve Sherre of Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak in Oregon, shaper/designer Bob McDonough and the Wilderness Systems design team. The lever ferrule system was an instant hit with our team of testers. In true Brit style, the hatch covers are tight-sealing rubber and the three bulkheads are moulded fibreglass. Have taken it everywhere without a worry. We nevertheless have a wait time for new orders, and our phone lines have seen an influx of calls. 4/9 . You no longer have to rely on having a second set of hands around if you want to adjust or dismantle your kayak paddle. Now, this boat is really "mine" and with the outfitting and extras I would give it a "9". I had to resort to sweep strokes, rudders, edging, etc to keep on course in a stern quartering 25kt wind with windblown waves at 1-2 feet. Over all this is the top boat in my top five list, and it makes any instructor look good in front of their students. It is a little heavy but like the NDK I am not taking it for walks. They enable us to paddle together, without the otherwise inevitable widening of a gap that would occur if we were each paddling our own single-person boat. I paddled in open ocean, bays, lakes and calm rivers. It's classified 'Light Touring' due to storage, (just a back hatch). A well-stored kayak will not have any mildew or dampness inside the hatches. All Impex kayaks are constructed using Kevlar fusion materials, compared to Current Designs range of materials. I have the poly Sealution and I love it. I'm 5'9 155# and it's a good fit -- most of the bigger cockpits swallow me and I can't quickly lean
You could call it a Romany for the West Coast., [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Wilderness Systems boats ]. Bummer! Werner Skagit Fiberglass Touring Sea Kayak Paddle Highly Durable Secure Locking Mechanism Pros Cons 7. The Hawk is fairly quick but not as fast as a boat with similar dimensions but round chines. This mechanism is common in adjustable SUP paddles, but we have not seen it used in 2-piece kayak paddles. It turns well and tracks well, although I do admit to using the rudder, especially in a current or a cross wind. Also, the extra weight makes it necessary to add an extra weight in the bow for proper balance.
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