Touring Sea Kayaks Review - 2007

DELTA - EIGHTEEN 5

• Length: 18' 8''
• Width: 23.5''
• Weight: 57 lbs
• Material: Thermoplastic
• Price: $2,375
• www.deltakayaks.com

Manufacturer’s Statement: A serious contender for those spending long weeks on the water, or an enthusiast looking to go fast when you get that need for speed. Be comfortable, be safe, be in a Delta kayak.

Comfort: Great fit in the thighs and hips. The seat is padded, and the back band gives plenty of support. The Eighteen 5 has a very large cockpit and will provide plenty of room for larger paddlers.

Handling: Initial stability is “like a rock,” said JM. The Eighteen 5 is most efficient when loaded. Otherwise, the length of the boat and its overall featherlike lightness give it a tendency to skid slightly. “Didn’t take much to get this long boat moving,” said LB. “And even though I’m on the smaller end of the ideal paddler for this boat, I surfed a boat wake for a nice long ride, in pretty benign conditions, which was a lot of fun.”

Details: The Eighteen 5 has two storage hatches, but no day hatch. Bungee cords behind the seat are in recessed troughs. Nifty bungee-cord configurations hold down the hatch covers. Deck lines are clean, and rudder operation was very smooth and easy.

Bottom Line: “The mini-van of the kayak set,” said DR. There’s plenty of room for gear, it’s stable and easy to handle, and it will likely get a lot of use.

POINT 65 NORTH - X-LITE

• Length: 15' 7''
• Width: 21.25''
• Weight: 39.8 lbs
• Material: Kevlar
• Price: $3,399
• www.point65.com

Manufacturer’s Statement: The X-Lite displays its heritage in its graceful lines and aggressive appearance as well as its handling capability and speed, which translates each stroke into pure joy.

Comfort: The low-profile deck and low volume make this kayak most comfortable and user-friendly for a smaller paddler. The seat has some rise under the thighs. The low-profile back band and padded thigh braces round out the outfitting.

Handling: The hull speed picked up quickly; it had a nice smooth glide and was effortless to paddle. The X-Lite is responsive to draws, sweeps, and other technique strokes. “It has low initial and medium secondary stability,” said JM. “You can feel where the secondary kicks in. It’s a kayak for more experienced paddlers.”

Details: The X-Lite has three hatches, including the day hatch. The boat reviewed came with both a rudder and a skeg, but “the skeg is plenty if tracking assistance is required,” said LB. The foredeck has sides shaped in, a nice feature for paddlers with a high-angle stroke. Deck riggings are minimal, and the deck lines are clean and crisp. Bottom Line: If you’ve upgraded your skills and are looking to upgrade your boat, this is one sexy kayak!

ATLANTIS - TITAN VI

• Length: 18' 3''
• Width: 24''
• Weight: 58 lbs
• Material: Fiberglass
• Price: $3,250
• www.atlantiskayaks.com

Manufacturer’s Statement: Everything about the Titan VI says attitude—from the world-class performance to the ultra-sleek design complete with all of our standard innovative features. The lower-profile Titan offers greater initial stability, has a lower center of gravity, and accommodates paddlers of all sizes.

Comfort: The Titan VI has a low-profile cockpit, and for this reason would best suit people with a lower center of gravity. Someone with a higher center of gravity might feel a little uneasy. The seat is comfortable, and the back rest is supportive.

Handling: “It tracks and turns easily without leaning,” said JM. The Titan VI has a good amount of rocker for ease in maneuvering and was responsive to a variety of strokes. It has solid initial and secondary stability.

Details: The Titan VI has a high rounded front deck and a flat rear deck. There are two hatches, the usual bungee-cord deck riggings, and a rudder. “I liked the two-way adjustable foot braces,” said JM.

Bottom Line: The Titan VI is an all-around touring kayak best suited to experienced paddlers. It is sleek in design and well conceived. You’ll definitely strike a pose on the water.