So very wickedly fast, and despite my top heavy frame, very stable! 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 . It turns easily when leaned, tracks well on the straights and did not disappoint. Sometimes the choice is made for you, and the kayak is only available in a select build. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. The rudder was difficult to work and provided minimal steering. The only aspect of the paddle that slightly disappointed the testers was the graphic adornments. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. beautifully and is well constructed. and I can load mine on top of our truck by myself. My wife and I came to kayaking with over twenty five years of two-up motorcycle touring experience. We found that bent-shaft carbon fiber paddles greatly reduce fatigue and really compliments this boat. Beyond the model you are looking for, try more generic ones like sea kayak or Current Designs touring kayak. It ride pretty high in the water. Wilderness Systems makes recreational, day touring, touring and fishing kayaks, including sit-on-top models equipped with pedal drives. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. One good feature is the intangible feeling of ease with which it seems to move through the water. What Kayaks Are Made In The USA? Everything You Need To Know - Kayaks Point After settling on a style and model of kayak, what material should you go for? Finally, if you are ordering replacement parts, please review our. This is a true touring craft that demands challenging excursions. Still LOVE this boat, though! During one of these episodes the Northstar slammed into my other kayak so hard it broke the rudder off my other boat. It is inexpensive and stable and moves through the water well. She quick in the water. 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 Current Designs British-style touring kayaks are designed to handle the rough, windy waters common to the British Isles. Rotomolded plastic kayaks are less expensive, heavier and generally more durablethey can take a beating, but it is challenging to fix them should you manage to damage the hull. 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. I got to watch my sandals float away. Return this item for free. . I have paddled the Daggers, Perceptions, Necky which make nice boats but I still prefer the poly Sealution over the other Necky poly's. This 14' is faster than any plastic 16' or 17' that I've paddled. Read reviews for the Tchaika Pro by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. The bad points? 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. For a 150-lb paddler like me, the plastic version is Badly laid out hull - deforms easily & does not always return to original shape. For my purposes (lazy summer afternoons spent paddling on a placid lake with my wife), it works wonderfully. By dropping 20 pounds off the boat, it handles beautifullyquicker turning and very light on the water. The Norstar kayak moves through the water much better but doesn't have the storage of the Sea Eagle. In true Brit style, the hatch covers are tight-sealing rubber and the three bulkheads are moulded fibreglass. I paddle a Kevlar Sealution, and love its predictability and seaworthiness, particularly with a load in heavy weather. I have owned this boat for about 8 years, though I am still pretty much a beginner (it was my first). No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Best for Beginners: Pelican Poseidon Angler . The kayak tracks nicely and turns on a dime. No doubt about it, we swear by 'em! Great for tight rivers as Current Designs offers a full line of lightweight composite kayaks, as well as ultra-durable rotomolded plastic designs. So, I got damp at first with paddle water run off. Union, MO. (Give it a 9, but don't thing that there is a '10' boat). My only minor grouse is that the carrying loops are hard on my slightly arthritic fingers. )It is my favorite and most used boat. It's ideal for beginners, or anyone looking for more steering capability in conditions. I do think that the front hatch should be recessed, because of the way it shoots water in your face. The classic Brit traits include: no rudder (although a skeg is optional), three fibreglass bulkheads sealed with rubber hatches, low windage, a snug fit and good performance. E-mail me for pictures and directions. She's a tight entry but a very nice snug fit. It was, with camping gear, pretty heavily-laden, but still performed well. I thought my Outer Island was sexybut the hard chines, flat decks, and great lines of this boat blow the OI away in looks!! Or any kayak, for that matter? It doesn't seem to have aged much at all and appears to be nearly indestructible considering how much abuse we put it through. I have two Current Design Storms and am very impressed with the Northstar. I'm 5'11" and have a 35" waist. They may have the part in stock or recommend compatible parts to use in the damaged ones place. I bought my fiberglass Sealution about four years ago, after test paddling or renting a good number of different boats. By entering your email, you agree to receive automated marketing messages from REI. I have found a little leaking in the oval hatch after rolling class. That came out to taking long, slow strokes, instead of the short, choppy ones we're taught here. However, the system continued to function. 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. I can put one of my sons in the forward cockpit, when they were little I would have my wife follow along in a single and there was nothing she could do to keep up even though I was paddling alone. Their manufacturing facility is located in Winona, Minnesota. What the Hawk does not do well is surf. A beautiful, light boat. All trademarks property of their respective owners more-or-less indefinitely. Shopping for a used Current Designskayak? Very fast for a 14ft. Best Current Designs Kayaks For 2023 - Paddling Magazine We have done hundreds of miles in it and it has been always a solid performer. 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. 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. Finally, fiberglass is more expensive, but the boats are lighter than plastic ones. I never use a rudder (well almost never) and I find it tracks very well even in big seas. 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. It is a little heavy but like the NDK I am not taking it for walks. Be the first to know about new products, team news and events. 2) I removed the seat it came with, and sit on a foam pad, which lowers my center of gravity. I've had my Arctic Hawk for about 6 years. I paddled a rental plastic Sealution II and was not impressed. The comments about it not being for beginners are wrong if the beginners want to paddle for excitement. Bummer! The Arctic Hawk Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems. In launching into surf, I have had the front hatch blow off completely in a 4 foot swell. I paddled in open ocean, bays, lakes and calm rivers. This is my first kayak, so my impressions are admittedly narrower than some others. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. Got feedback? 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 is a wickedly heavy beast. Moving the seat up also allows me to lock in to the non-adjustable thigh hooks. In foul weather she can put a beginner in a very good footing . 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. No ads. Tchaika Pro Reviews - Wilderness Systems - Paddling.com Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Build quality of the seats, hatches and rudder has been excellent as has the durability of everything holding up. Great secondary stability, nice low deck. Paddling Magazine is your best online resource for Current Designs kayak reviews. [ Read more: Pimp Your RideKayak Personalization ]. I must admit I had no extra load in my Hawk other than me, and I am about 195lbs. Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak Paddle for Recreation/Touring | Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber Blade | Adjustable Carbon Fiber Shaft (220-240cm) Visit the Wilderness Systems Store. The main difference is that the Polaris is a bit shorter as it lacks the center storage compartment. Ditto for weathercocking. by Wilderness Systems MSRP $1,189.00 Details Sealution Pro Description The Sealution Pro is a kayak brought to you by Wilderness Systems . Fast, efficient and straight tracking. This is a decision that should come when one is committed to kayaking beyond occassional bay paddles. Great double at a great price. Very nice rudder assembly and comfortable adjustable seat. A fast and fun boat, the secondary stability makes it a comfortable boat in all conditions. Now if I could only figure out how to install teflon landing pads at these sitesyou know what that first scratch is like!! They are judged This beginner-level series covers everything you need to know for your first time kayaking. This is true both above and below the waterline, and it makes the Arctic Hawk one of the best looking boats out there. I use it exclusively in winter, photographing seals and ice bergs. It's been fifteen years and the love affair is still going strong! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Hawk is a pretty low volume boat for an 18', with about 11" depth up front and 8" behind the seat. Being a plastic tandem this boat is a nightmare if you need to transport it during warm weather. They are more sleek and lower volume than North American-style touring boats, with narrow, upturned bows to cut through waves. I am having a little issue with getting used to hard chines vs. soft though, with my "no edge" or "all the way edged" reality that results from this design. Wilderness Systems Touring Kayaks | REI Co-op That said I don't need to count on the rudder for turns either which works well for tracking in wind, I just take my time and don't treat it like a sports car, only a rocket ship for its straight line speed. Polyethelene, 18'6" length, 94 pounds weight. It is lighter though and I love the hull design! We so like the kayak that we bought a new one in the UK, where we live. After all those trips, it shows little wear except for a sag in the plastic (slight concave area) under the cockpit. We mostly do day paddles, but once took a three-day trip with it. Rounding out the fit are contoured, padded thigh braces that can be easily unscrewed and moved to match different body types. 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. Read Tchaika Pro reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. It is in fact (In Plastic) a great beginners boat and will carry you farther into intermediate than most people will ever go. Over all this is the top boat in my top five list, and it makes any instructor look good in front of their students. The rudder I find to be excellent, very precise, and trouble free after many miles. If stored correctly and well-cared for, a kayak will hold much of its value (this is especially true of hard-to-find, discontinued models). Shop similar products Available right now Delta Kayaks Delta 12.10 Kayak (19) $1,495.00 Delta Kayaks Delta 14 Kayak (13) $1,995.00 Eddyline Fathom Kayak (3) $3,199.00 Delta Kayaks Delta 17 Kayak (6) $2,575.00 When looking at a used kayak, check inside the hatches and cockpit where moisture may have collected. It is not constructed like my Nordkapp with the glass lay up, watertight bulkheads. I took it out on the water today for trials. I come to find out that Wilderness Systems held back the kevlar top deck edge for you to be able to force/wedge the Valley hatchcover to make it more watertight. I do mostly river paddling in FL. Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak Paddle for Recreation/Touring I like this boat so much that I built my skin boat to the same measurements! Wrapping the boat in two white bed sheets sewn end to end looks a little strange, but it sure solves the problem. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you! There is no way one person can get it on a car top without something like hully rollers. Current 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. Much storage, a removeable soft cooler, and a very stable Kayak. . Wilderness Systems Tarpon Kayak Paddle for Recreation/Touring | Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber Blades | Adjustable Carbon/Fiberglass Shaft (220-240cm) Visit the Wilderness Systems Store 14 ratings -11% $35124 List Price: $394.99 FREE Returns Style: Carbon Fiber Blade Carbon Fiber Blade Fiberglass Blade The Hawk is fairly quick but not as fast as a boat with similar dimensions but round chines. As with any kayak, the lighter the layup, the higher the price. Fits my 6' 200 lbs. As a medium-sized business, when so many others are struggling, we are grateful that our primary challenge is to do more rather than less, and we thank you for your interest and support. quad cities. This is definately not a good day trip or even two day trip tandem. Kayaks Lifetime Triton Angler Kayak With New High Back Seats Rod mounts and Paddles $420 Each. my time was 1 hour 5 min 26 sec for a 6.5 mile course. Although the wrapped finish of the blades is prone to show wear and tear over time, their actual construction is robust and will stand regular heavy use. This is really the only negative. It doesn't quite make it into the ultralight category, unlike the full-carbon version that is also available from Wilderness Systems. Despite being suitable for beginner kayakers, the performance of this paddle is not compromised and would suit expert paddlers as well. With the flip of a lever lock paddlers can adjust the feather and the length of this versatile paddle. What theyve created is an appealing combination of Brit boat design with the high volume and plush outfitting of the North American tradition. Top picks: Best Current Designs kayaks for 2023. The Werner Camano is one of the best kayak paddles on the market. I fell in love when I first tried it out. 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. 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. Unfortunately, handling is not. The hull is considerably deeper than a Brit boat. We enjoy using this paddle on extended tours as it does not cause our arms to tire, unlike some of the heavier models tested. This intuitive mechanism is simple to use, even in cold conditions, when fingers are not working their best. The downside is often poor comfort, sometimes less than stellar workmanship and heavy weight. Durability and robustness were important considerations given the granite islands and shoals that I slide on and off. The Wilderness System Pungo Glass is a quality performance paddle with the added benefit of being exceptionally easy to adjust. These boats land at a higher price point than fiberglass, but you are paying for significantly less weight. I work as an instructor in plymouth ma. The perfect kayak to fit your lifestyle awaits. The seat is one of the most comfortable around and the middle compartment has a removable picnic basket. So fret not, even though the Northstar is no longer in production and may be hard to find, you can still buy one anew with more modern fittings, 10lbs less, minus 5 inches of length and the center storage compartment in the Polaris. I never clocked any speeds but we tend to reach the same destinations we go to in our singles much sooner. It performs very well from oceans to lakes. I love this Chaika kayak, She glides effortlessly and is very respo;sieve. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Tell us more about your interests so we can deliver you the most relevant paddling information. Snug-fitting cockpits and lively handling make these kayaks best suited to intermediate and advanced paddlers. You can fit an army in the cockpit, which means most people will need lots of outfitting to make it usable. 3) I did have an episode of weathercocking when I first got it. I've had my Kevlar Hawk about 5 months now and with certain reservations I love it. The foot pegs are plastic p.o.s.'s. Even their recreational models have many elements of a touring boat, like two bulkheads and a skeg or rudder. 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. My big negative is the rudder. and still find initial stability light after almost two seasons. Bought a lightly used, plastic Sealution II four years ago, and paddled it everywhere from local ponds and rivers to overnights on the Great Lakes and the Maine coast. The flagship Vision series is available in five different sizes and a tandem model to suit paddlers of every size. [ 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 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. We are yet to do an over night but have used it on several trips around Porland Oregon and it has performed well. 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! Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. Find manufacturers suggested retail prices (MSRP) of Current Designs kayaks on their website. While a foot longer than the craft it replaced, it is no faster. They are more efficient, faster and have better tracking (making them easier to paddle straight) than Recreational or Transitional models. The low-profile, backband seating makes it easier for experienced paddlers to perform a roll in these boats.
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