Our South Carolina factory is humming with activity, but we are mindful that we need to produce and deliver boats safely. The Northstar is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems. If you can, always test paddle before buying any boat. beautifully and is well constructed. [ 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 Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Weathercocks badly in a following wind. I get compliments on it everywhere. It weighs a ton. Finally, if you are ordering replacement parts, please review our Shipping Notice. Renting a boat is also a great way to test how it fits and performs. 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. Proper storage is crucial; UV rays cause devastating damage to kayaks. I am 6 240lbs, my girlfriend is 52 and (well lets not go there) but needless to say we both love the speed & stability that the Northstar provides and we can both easily slide in & out of the 20 inch wide cockpit. Check out the Sirocco and Squamish, two of Current Designs British-style touring kayaks. For a while I had sole use of them. But, I adjusted my stroke to a lower silhouette and quickly dried. This intermediate-level kayaking series covers safety and rescue techniques. $1,100. [ Read more: Pimp Your RideKayak Personalization ]. They can keep you informed on lead times for boats and have insight on what is coming down the pipeline. This is my first kayak, so my impressions are admittedly narrower than some others. I still find it breathtakingly beautiful. 2) I removed the seat it came with, and sit on a foam pad, which lowers my center of gravity. And I wish the front hatch was recessed, since it throws up a lot of spray: the hawk is a wet ride. Key Takeaways My first test paddle of her was on the Ohio River on a calm afternoon. It is amazingly fast, tracks like a arrow and stable, turns on a dime. The low-profile, backband seating makes it easier for experienced paddlers to perform a roll in these boats. Nothing wrong with it, just no need for my situation. Fiberglass kayaks cannot handle as much abuse as a rotomolded plastic kayak, but they are far from fragile, especially Current Designs heavy water reinforced layup. The newsletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. Current Designs kayaks are made in the USA by Wenonah. Understanding what kind of kayaking you want to do, and where you want to do it, will help you choose the best kayak for your paddling aspirations. It handles wind and moderately rough conditions very well. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. The purchase of two new Northstars on different continents is a tangible indication of our respect for this craft. My wife and I are moderately-experienced day-kayakers, having paddled singles and tandems on lakes, on Long Island Sound as well as on the lower Hudson. The Current Designs lineup is divided into five categories: Recreational, Transitional, North American-style touring, British-style touring and Danish-style touring. The Tchaika Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems. The page also lists outfitters that offer rentals where you can try before you buy. The slightly leaky hatches are an annoyance, but common for the hatch design in general. Under other brands, these may be categorized as Ocean Play kayaks, great for surfing, rolling and rough water. Theres no real downside to buying an older kayak that has been well cared for. If it is an older kayak or the decals have been removed, the owner may not know the model name. 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. in Kevlar, 42 in glass. These boats have far more rocker (the amount of upsweep from the center of the kayak to its ends) than all of the other kayaks in the Current Designs fleet, making them supremely maneuverable and rough-water capable in the hands of more experienced paddlers. So, why the 6 out of 10? All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! One is the position of the rudder lowering mechanism. One of the reasons is it has a keel running down the length of the boat, reinforcing it along the length of the boat. The boat is highly maneuverable and fast enough, and the light weight of the composite construction makes it a joy on and off the water. I fell in love when I first tried it out. We have used it on lakes and ocean waters in calm and rough conditions. They can keep you informed on lead times for boats and have insight on what is coming down the pipeline. I own a glass Arctic Hawk and love it. $220. She now wears UV protection goggles under these conditions. The hull doesn't have enough rigidity so it will collapse where the racks contact the boat. Unlike many of the paddles we tested ( which commonly use a snap button system to join the two pieces), we did not feel any 'play' in the shaft even when the paddle was put under stress. The graphics on the wrapped blades are prone to scratching, and with time, the edges look worn as the laminate peels back. See and review all Current Designs kayaks here. Lightweight and versatile, this paddle is exceptionally easy to adjust or dismantle thanks to the foolproof lever lock system. All in all, the boat performs well though I haven't had a chance to take it out in rougher conditions, so will have to see if it is the "nightmare" that a previous reviewer mentioned in rear quartering seas. This paddle performed on par with paddles costing quite a bit more. Read Arctic Hawk Pro reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. traditional touring kayak with two bulk heads and a full sit inside cockpit. Not to mention getting it on and off the car and carrying it to the water. It can be ordered from its designer, Mark Rodgers of Superior Kayaks, in mahogany plywood and epoxy. Note, however, that the weight of the Northstar is not exceptional, even compared to some of the composite boats made by the major manufacturers. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. Fast, efficient and straight tracking. If this kayak were produced in the triple layer poly, as used in my P&H Capella, it would rate 9 in my review. Current Designs offers more touring designs in the 15- to 17-foot range, aimed at paddlers of all sizes and experience levels. and I can load mine on top of our truck by myself. This is better than being upside down but I suspect that an advanced paddler would want a round chine boat with less secondary stability. for your first email from REI. Repairs are also straightforward; if youre not confident tackling a repair yourself, its relatively easy to find a professional who can make the fix. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 - amazon.com Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. They have spacious cockpits for easy entry and exit. $500. This is really the only negative. Here, you will find specifications, prices, reviews and where to buy Current Designs kayaks. The turning is a little slow unless both paddlers start to synchronize. I purchased a new Northstar about a month ago. 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. 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. st louis boats - craigslist Utilizing a carbon blend shaft and fiberglass blades, this paddle is lightweight and transfers a lot of power without being too stiff on the joints. We enjoy using this paddle on extended tours as it does not cause our arms to tire, unlike some of the heavier models tested. 4.5 out of 5 stars 111 ratings | 8 answered questions . This rigidity makes the kayak faster and more responsive. 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. How can we improve GearLab? We nevertheless have a wait time for new orders, and our phone lines have seen an influx of calls. I'll also walk you through the best kayak paddles for fishing so you'll hit the water ready. Evolutions of these early Current Designs kayaks include the Solstice and Equinox, two classic designs that are still availabletoday. for sale. refresh results with search filters open search menu. The Pungo Glass scored highly across all rating metrics, particularly excelling in performance and durability. It is versatile, lightweight, and compact, making it ideal for weekend getaways, fishing excursions, or camping trips with friends. Fast and stable. Beautiful, fast, comfortable boat. Also Mark rogers wouldn't produce a boat that weathercocked that bad. I've paddled this boat for about 3 1/2 years and I love it for most of my paddling. Wilderness Systems Pungo Glass Review | Tested by GearLab Search in all categories, rather than specifically recreation, as sometimes kayaks are listed underboats. My Sealution II was a 60 lb. Tchaika Pro Reviews - Wilderness Systems - Paddling.com They go by the very unfavorable nickname; divorce boats. If you like to camp you will have trouble carrying large items. Kayaking is a great escape anytime, and especially now. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia. . At 5'8" and heavier than I want to be it is a tight fit getting in and out. In sum, the Hawk is an excellent boat for those looking to make the transition from a stable boat to a more performance centered boat, or for those who love Greenland style lines and handling. It is available, slightly lengthened, as the Northstar Pro in composite, so those with deeper pockets have another way to avoid the softening issue. This boat makes me a believer in hard chine (I want a Valley Q-boat now). Great boat. I have the poly Sealution and I love it. Anglers who use different seat positions will appreciate the built-in adjustability (240cm to 260 . 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 thought my Outer Island was sexybut the hard chines, flat decks, and great lines of this boat blow the OI away in looks!! It may take a bit of Internet sleuthing to identify and get more information about the boat. Happily, the companys website contains archived pages with descriptions of every Current Designs kayak ever made. It is light: 38 lbs. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. And one look at the size of the boat, and one lookf the hatches tell you its a tough boat for long trips. But with outdoor recreation booming, and delays in supply chains impacting kayak availability, where can you find a used Current Designs kayak? Now, this boat is really "mine" and with the outfitting and extras I would give it a "9". The fiberglass blades deliver a smooth and effective stroke, giving the feel of a well-balanced paddle. quad cities. Our boat's rotomolded plastic construction can get pretty soft while being transported in the hot sun. The cockpits are smaller than the Recreational series, adding thigh braces for more efficient paddling and control. Hit a local lake offering whitecaps and cut right through them Coming off of another great boat by Wilderness Systems, their Pungo this boat tracks well, turns great for it's length and is a breeze to get going. Gorgeous little boat. The Hawk is fairly quick but not as fast as a boat with similar dimensions but round chines. It outperforms any other plastic boat I have ever tried. That came out to taking long, slow strokes, instead of the short, choppy ones we're taught here. The backrest and the seat are too comfortable. I use Thule racks and pads. The secondary stability is really good because of the hard chines. Paddling Magazine is your best online resource for Current Designs kayak reviews. Transitional kayaks are best suited for day touring and have storage capacity for shorter overnight trips. Remove 1 or more items before adding another item to compare. I have paddled the Daggers, Perceptions, Necky which make nice boats but I still prefer the poly Sealution over the other Necky poly's. We recently purchased a Northstar, assuming an upgrade from a year-old Perception Carolina II. Although slightly lighter, full-carbon models are also significantly more expensive. It is a wickedly heavy beast. These boats land at a higher price point than fiberglass, but you are paying for significantly less weight. On a more tangible note, the prismatic coefficient clearly suits our weight. Their manufacturing facility is located in Winona, Minnesota. 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. After our initial struggles.we purchased a Thule 897XT Hullvator which effortlessly loads the boat on top of my 3-dr Geo Metro and a NRS boat cart.thus problem solved !!! The only truly light-weight tandem that I'm aware of is the Bullitt by West Side Boat Shop, which at 45 poulds is less than half the price of the Northstar (but its quite a bit more expensive). I positively live in it, and that includes teaching some pretty strenuous rescue classes. The front hatch seems completely watertight. My Arctic Hawk is a 1993 model that I recently bought used and then rehabbed. The hard-chine hull shape is extremely reminiscent of the Romany. 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. There are cheaper paddles available, but the Pungo Glass offers quality performance and durability with the bonus of adjustability. Fits my 6' 200 lbs. 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 This is an SUV of Kayaks, don't get it if you want a roadster. Aramid composites are the ultralights of the kayak world. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! As other reviewers have pointd out, 94 pounds is way too heavy for a kayak, especially if one plans to transport it car-top. Our only complaint is that when you tilt the boat, there is some lateral flex and creaking in the seats plastic shell that you dont get in other boats whose seats are made of more rigid materials or glued directly to the hull. If you want a wider selection of full-size touring kayaks, choose Current Designs. Wilderness Systems is to be congratulated for creating the most Mac Daddy piece of furniture ever to grace a sea kayak. I have never known the Valley hatches to need this type of wedging to work well, so this really stumps me. The main difference is that the Polaris is a bit shorter as it lacks the center storage compartment. She's a tight entry but a very nice snug fit. It turns well and tracks well, although I do admit to using the rudder, especially in a current or a cross wind. It's been fifteen years and the love affair is still going strong! When we're both paddling this thing, it absolutely hauls ass. I recently paddled with a friend (admittedly in better shape then I) in a heavy soft chine boat (Epic with rudder). Well explain how tow belts work and basic towing techniques. 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. If a button could be pressed and it folded up for transport I'd give it an 11, since it can't 10/10. I purchased this kayak for my bride of 3 decades - she's 5'3" with a much smaller waist line. The hatches are plastic and the nylon bands securing them have suffered some fatigue but at least you don't have to worry about rubber. Current Designs focuses on sit-inside touring kayaks. Read Northstar reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. It will rotate toward the wind when you're sitting there, but if you keep it moving you'll be fine. The Hawk carves turns nicely, as would be expected with hard chines. 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. Follow the links below to filter the kayaks by type. The speed issue may be an offshoot of the AH 40lb weight vs. the OI 55lb weight in glass. The Apex Rec/Touring Carbon paddle weights just 27 oz and is the lightest option in the Apex series. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! You have entered an incorrect email address! With two aggressive, full size paddlers looking to show off, we routinely leave even elite solo paddlers gasping after an hour or so. This is a true touring craft that demands challenging excursions. The Wilderness System Pungo Glass is a quality performance paddle with the added benefit of being exceptionally easy to adjust. As to the outfitting and seat, I cut the entire seat out, built a "very nice" foam seat and back, did knee, thigh, hip braces in foam, took out the footpegs and put in fitted foam bulkhead and put in a vertical pillar of foam behind the seat to stiffen the rear deck. Hang on when it broaches while on a surf. Hobie mirage outback kayak. Well that's the only bad thing or drawback, everything else about this design is extremely impressive. This kayak is really not that heavy; a small wheel cart to carry it should eliminate any problem. Use this information to help guide your search, comparing the type of paddling described in the reviews to what you are hoping to do. Wilderness Systems Tsunami 175 touring kayak. 8 Best Kayak Paddles Reviews 2023 [Beginner Lightweight - GameQuarium We feel very safe in this kayak in all conditions. The rear hatch leaked about 2 gallons the first time I did some pool rolling. Almost rolls itself. This mechanism is common in adjustable SUP paddles, but we have not seen it used in 2-piece kayak paddles.
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