wilderness systems fiberglass kayak wilderness systems fiberglass kayak

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. Join the Wilderness Systems Email Community. I find the seat kinda uncomfy, and as a result I sit with a paddle float under my knees.The initial stability when the boat is empty is pretty low, so it's not great for photography, or fishing, or playing yahtzee on deck, or whatever. It weighs a ton. Follow the links below to filter the kayaks by type. for sale. 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 big consideration to all of this is expense. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. The careful design and weight distribution of this paddle mean that it feels light in the water. I have paddled the Daggers, Perceptions, Necky which make nice boats but I still prefer the poly Sealution over the other Necky poly's. Has handled anything we've thrown at it, and a far better paddle than the other doubles we own (manitou II, Horizon, Condor). We are used to sharing close quarters and working as a team in a multi-axis environment. They can keep you informed on lead times for boats and have insight on what is coming down the pipeline. Repairs are also straightforward; if youre not confident tackling a repair yourself, its relatively easy to find a professional who can make the fix. They are judged Overall I am quite impressed with it. As boats go this one is fine. The Wilderness Systems Pungo is an immensely popular recreational kayak, loved for its stability and comfort. The lever ferule system provided an infallible joint for this 2-piece paddle. The design limits deck spray remarkably well. Now, this boat is really "mine" and with the outfitting and extras I would give it a "9". 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. The result is a spectacular gold piece of artworkthe natural color of Kevlar. It does, in my experience, weathercock in stiff winds when empty. Almost rolls itself. 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 to catch a ride in a decent size following sea it takes work to keep it at a right angle to the waves (that stern rudder stroke again). The backrest and the seat are too comfortable. for sale. When out of the water, it is stored on edge on three bean bag pillows with a pair of nylon straps from the ceiling carrying a little weight at the ends. Solid performing boat with an equally solid construction. It's extremely stable: we've never even come close to capsizing, even in the rough chop that one encounters off the coast of Maine. No padding on the thigh hooks, none inside the boat. It's ideal for beginners, or anyone looking for more steering capability in conditions. As far as plastic is concerned it does not flex as much as most comparable poly models. Read Northstar reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. I had seen one at a kayak store loved the look. Rounding out the fit are contoured, padded thigh braces that can be easily unscrewed and moved to match different body types. Ours has handled everything from relatively tight rivers and streams to very aggressive open water with equal success, comfort and confidence. Wilderness Systems makes recreational, day touring, touring and fishing kayaks, including sit-on-top models equipped with pedal drives. Current Designs offers more options for beginner and casual paddlers with their recreational and transitional (day touring) models, as well as options for rudder or skeg steering systems. I cannot say enough positive things about the Sealution's ability to handle heavy wind and waves. 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. (I backpack, so hopefully my downsized stuff may fit. Once in the water, however, the kayak really comes into its own. Weve also included some buying advice for used Current Designs kayaks and answers to common questions. Our South Carolina factory is humming with activity, but we are mindful that we need to produce and deliver boats safely. This paddle performed on par with paddles costing quite a bit more. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. They may have the part in stock or recommend compatible parts to use in the damaged ones place. Or any kayak, for that matter? You either swear by 'emor swear at 'em! Great secondary stability, nice low deck. Yuk. Find great deals and sell your items for free. Did I say it's a beast? Also note that WS used three glops of rubber/cement to secure the bottom to the hull, and none of them held so the seat slid side to side. and still find initial stability light after almost two seasons. It sticks. The Sealution is likely the most maligned boat on the market. 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! My husband and I own 2 ocean kayaks weighing each between 85-87 lbs. Add Tempest 170 Kayak to Compare Related Expert Advice articles. Build quality of the seats, hatches and rudder has been excellent as has the durability of everything holding up. harshly as well. Shipping, optional outfitting and construction layup will affect the costs of the kayaks, and it is best to visit your local paddle shop to get the most up-to-dateprices. The NDK Romany series, designed by U.K. expedition paddler Nigel Dennis, is a line of classic Brit boats with a distinctive Greenland-inspired hard-chine hull and fairly low volume. I paddle a Kevlar Sealution, and love its predictability and seaworthiness, particularly with a load in heavy weather. A Message to Wildy Fans and Prospective Customers, We are producing kayaks as fast as we safely can and shipping kayaks to dealers daily. North American-style kayaks are more forgiving than both the British and Danish styles. On the other hand, he stated he felt like he might go over a couple times, and I never did. With the flip of a lever lock paddlers can adjust the feather and the length of this versatile paddle. C urrent Designs kayaks emerged from the wilderness of Vancouver Island in the late 1970s with stable, high-storage sea kayaks suited for multi-day coastal travel. Her hull is lower than any of the other 9 kayak we've owned over the past 15 years. I would love to have a skeg on the boat, although the box would really cut down on what you could carry. My only complaint is the placement of the knee pads. As other reviewers have pointd out, 94 pounds is way too heavy for a kayak, especially if one plans to transport it car-top. By flipping a simple lever on the center of the shaft, the two pieces of the paddle become adjustable, enabling the paddler to easily alter the length and feather of this paddle. 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! no hidden. Old Town Castine 130 kayak. 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. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. This is really the only negative. Lightweight and versatile, this paddle is exceptionally easy to adjust or dismantle thanks to the foolproof lever lock system. Far too heavy! CL. Although slightly lighter, full-carbon models are also significantly more expensive. It has the look of a Brit boat, but pumped up and pimped out. This beginner-level series covers everything you need to know for your first time kayaking. Use Current Designs dealer locator tool to find a local retailer near you. How can we improve GearLab? Even their recreational models have many elements of a touring boat, like two bulkheads and a skeg or rudder. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. It is versatile, lightweight, and compact, making it ideal for weekend getaways, fishing excursions, or camping trips with friends. 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. These dedicated groups are frequented by avid paddlers, so the kayaks will likely be in better condition. 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. Every kayak trips starts with a launch and ends with a landing. Gorgeous little boat. This is a decision that should come when one is committed to kayaking beyond occassional bay paddles. That event is a tribute to Harry Teikens design. Fast and stable. I like this boat so much that I built my skin boat to the same measurements! 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. The newsletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. Read reviews for the Arctic Hawk Pro by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Although we did not feel that it impacted performance, it did impact some testers' comfort levels during extending touring journeys. 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. Tell us more about your interests so we can deliver you the most relevant paddling information. We'll send you a few emails every week. 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. 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. Your kayak and paddle can take you to all sorts of incredible places. The foot pegs are plastic p.o.s.'s. 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. I still find it breathtakingly beautiful. What's bad? Establishing a fair price for a used kayak is tricky. Our combined weight with day paddling equipment is about 320 pounds. At this point, it's a low vol., ! The secondary stability is really good because of the hard chines. Wilderness Systems Tempest 180 Fiberglass Kayak with Skeg 0.0 0 Reviews Item #736649 Red/White This product is not available. I Own a Capella and NDK Explorer. We feel very safe in this kayak in all conditions. Read Tchaika Pro reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. I'm 5'9 155# and it's a good fit -- most of the bigger cockpits swallow me and I can't quickly lean It is a little heavy but like the NDK I am not taking it for walks. Where the Tempest radically departs from its Old World roots is the realm of comfort. 4.5 out of 5 stars 111 ratings | 8 answered questions . The Zephyr 160 Pro from Wilderness Systems adopts the name to suggest that this kayak, while sizeable, provides a light and airy ride for medium- to large-sized paddlers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ninety-five lbs. 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. Sea kayaks are a niche item, and looking on special-interest pages or Facebook groups, such as a regional paddling club, may quicken the search. What the Hawk does not do well is surf. My boat has a rudder, but I've only flipped it down a couple times, for a few minutes each, just to "try it". We are yet to do an over night but have used it on several trips around Porland Oregon and it has performed well. Great boat. It's both extremely stable, much less tippy than any single I've tried, and very fast in a straight line. Hillsboro, MO. If you are in the market for poly I would get a Sealution or a Current Design. We so like the kayak that we bought a new one in the UK, where we live. Ditto for weathercocking. The Kevlar and glass boats will no doubt address almost all of my concerns. My only minor grouse is that the carrying loops are hard on my slightly arthritic fingers. I put my nephew in it and he struggled for about 15 minutes, and then get the primary stability under control. The backrest is pulled back out of the way when I am in it. With a 22 beam, its a half inch wider than its British cousins. Buy the plastic Picollo and save your money. The Hawk carves turns nicely, as would be expected with hard chines. Testers were impressed that this feature maintained its ease of use throughout our rigorous testing period. I have the poly Sealution and I love it. In launching into surf, I have had the front hatch blow off completely in a 4 foot swell. for a plastic ocean touring kayak isn't unreasonable We have owned our Northstar for 3 and have been kayakers in singles for about 8 years. Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 Kayak (2) 2 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. Now I am really "at one" with the boat, and love it. Beyond the model you are looking for, try more generic ones like sea kayak or Current Designs touring kayak. They have spacious cockpits for easy entry and exit. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. I don't experience leaky hatchesmy stuff stays dry and they are large enough to accommodate larger drybags. Happily, the companys website contains archived pages with descriptions of every Current Designs kayak ever made. I keep it washed and waxed. Read reviews for the Tchaika Pro by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. It's not a kayak that you have to "grow into" but it's not one that you'll soon grow out of either! 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 I've had my Kevlar Hawk about 5 months now and with certain reservations I love it. 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 It has an great blend of speed, stability, and manuverabilty. Very fast for a small boat. I'll also walk you through the best kayak paddles for fishing so you'll hit the water ready. 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. I moved it aft of the cockpit and also removed the deck lines by the cockpit, which also occasionally rubbed my hands. Now the down side, it is hard to roll, secondary stability is not great it is slow, the front deck is a little high, it oil cans; even when not abused. You could call it a Romany for the West Coast., [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Wilderness Systems boats ]. This is an SUV of Kayaks, don't get it if you want a roadster. Top picks: Best Current Designs kayaks for 2023. I would suggest this kayak to someone looking for a double at a reasonable price. Layup is poor with trademark stress cracks on the kevlar hull even on a new boat. by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,049.00 Details Tarpon 120 by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,189.00 Details Northstar Description The Northstar is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems . With the pandemic paddlesports boom putting used kayaks in such short supply, quality used kayaks are a rare find. It is made from puncture-resistant, heavy-duty PVC vinyl that's three-layers thick. Wilderness Systems flagship touring kayak, the Tempest, is a British-style kayak, comparable to the Current Designs Sirocco. New paddlers will find these kayaks easier to become accustomed to. Two of those early designs, the Solstice and the Equinox remain popular today. This can be particularly annoying (and even a bit painful) if your hands slip on the shaft. However at my job as an instructor I find a thicker deck would be nice. One good feature is the intangible feeling of ease with which it seems to move through the water. Read reviews for the Northstar by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. As to outfitting - there was NONE. The Capella is much more lively but it is tippy and my wife hates it. 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. Wrapping the boat in two white bed sheets sewn end to end looks a little strange, but it sure solves the problem. Kayaking is a great escape anytime, and especially now. It VERY GOOD, but rather too heavy. Current Designs timeless designs and robust construction make shopping for a used Current Designs kayak a great option. She quick in the water. While another reviewer has dubbed tandems 'divorce boats', my wife and I have found them very copasetic. The paddle's shape, size, and blade curvature deliver the optimal angle for smooth, efficient, flutter-free strokes regardless of paddling style or experience level. I've owned my Hawk for 15 yrs. It's been fifteen years and the love affair is still going strong! It ride pretty high in the water. No ads. Wilderness Systems Pedal driven kayak brands Brooklyn Kayak Company Feelfree Kayaks Hobie Hurricane Kayaks Jackson Adventures Native Watercraft NuCanoe Ocean Kayak Old Town Canoes and Kayaks Pelican Perception Kayaks Santa Cruz Kayaks Vibe Kayaks Viking Kayaks Wilderness Systems Sit-on-top kayak brands 3 Waters Kayaks Advanced Elements Aire We have not experienced any heat related warping of the plastic hull, and based on other reviewers comments have taken great care to ensure our Northstar is well supported in transit & storage. The NorthStar is a very big, heavy boat. My only complaint is that there is not enough clearance for your feet, they start to feel cramped between the deck and the floor. I've had my Arctic Hawk for about 6 years. Paddling Magazine is your best online resource for Current Designs kayak reviews. It surfs beautifully and your ride is drythe very English style nose stays high and the bigger the waves, the more fun we are having! Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. 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. Fine American kayak manufacturers exist throughout the U.S., and kayaks are made by companies such as Perception, Wilderness Systems, Dagger Kayaks, Old Town Canoes + Kayaks, Otter, Osprey, and Jackson Kayak. And, of course, using a Greenland style paddle! If it is an older kayak or the decals have been removed, the owner may not know the model name. $25. 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. Let us know! Evolutions of these early Current Designs kayaks include the Solstice and Equinox, two classic designs that are still availabletoday. 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. North American-style touring kayaks are direct descendants of the first boats that Current Designs made. [ 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 Kudos also to my faithful Lightning brand paddle. The downside is often poor comfort, sometimes less than stellar workmanship and heavy weight. Here are answers to some of the most common online questions about Current Designs kayaks. Not to mention getting it on and off the car and carrying it to the water. How to Choose a Recreational Kayak Paddle, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Reliable, lightweight, easy to adjust and extend, Very sturdy and durable locking mechanism, smooth blade performance, easy to adjust, lightweight, Exceptional value, quality blade design, fiberglass reinforced nylon blades, Durable blade and shaft construction, ribbed fiberglass shaft provides textured grip, Heavier than some models, locking mechanism prone to wobble, Heavy blades, play in snap button locking mechanism system, Heavy aluminum shaft, play in locking mechanism, This paddle consistently was a top performer across all metrics and it was not hard to select this paddle as a winner, This well-designed paddle delivers outstanding value without sacrificing on performance or durability, This model features durable blades that deliver powerful strokes at an affordable price, This is an affordable entry-level paddle that can get you and your family out on the water.