Sea kayak test 2013 (IT,EN)

 After nice summer and lot of wild water it was a time to go on the sea and paddle some new sea kayaks, this time Kevlar-carbon ones. I had a good opportunity to take them to Croatian island Hvar. I can say it was perfect weather few days of strong north wind with nice waves and than just flat sea and no wind. So, for  the test: what else do you need?

First kayak was my favorite:  Seabirds XP 507 /Semi Carbon

This sea kayak is working really nice in wind conditions because on the top of the boat is flat and you don’t have any problems with side wind. Stability is normal and you can chaise the waves without any extra power without any extra power. About fitting I can say that if you like really comfortable take large boat. Fin is a classic one and easy to use.  I was surprised that all bagged spaces are nice to handle. Around the cockpit and on the top of the boat you have a lot of space for all other things to put on for a long expedition, even you can buy accessories to make this boat a fishing kayak. I recommend it to all kayakers who love adventures.

At heart rate 120/min the speed was (GPS) 8.6 km/h

Dopo una bella estate e molte discese in torrente è giunto il momento di andare al mare e di provare alcuni nuovi kayak marini, questa volta non in polietilene ma in Kevlar e carbonio. Ho avuto l’occasione di provarli all’isola di Hvar in Croazia. Posso dire che abbiamo trovato condizioni climatiche ideali, alcuni giorni di vento forte da nord con belle onde e poi mare piatto senza vento. Quindi, perfetto per il nostro test.

Il primo kayak, il mio preferito:       Seabirds XP 507 /Semi Carbon

Questo sea kayak si comporta egregiamente in presenza di vento grazie alla coperta piatta, nessun problema in caso di vento laterale. Buona stabilità, si prende l’onda senza difficoltà e sprechi di energia. Per quanto riguarda l’outfitting, se si vuole il comfort assoluto consiglio la versione più grande. La deriva è classica e di facile utilizzo. Sono rimasto dalla perfetta accessibilità di tutti gli spazi di carico. Intorno al pozzetto ed in generale sulla coperta abbiamo molto spazio per caricare sacche stagne ed altre cose necessaria per una lunga spedizione, si possono anche applicare con facilità tutti gli accessori da pesca. Consiglio questo kayak a tutti gli amanti dell’avventura.

Velocità misurata con GPS 8.6 km/h a 120 battiti al minuto.  

Seabirds Scott MV Diolen/Fiberglass/Core(British)

Very interesting sea kayak for beginners and  for kayakers who paddle just for few years and like to move from plastic to carbon. Stability and maneuverability  is very good and easy to paddle, interesting is that a fin is coming out from the bottom of the boat and its nice when you travel with a car. About space for the bags no worries, you can go for a real tour.

At hearth rate 120/min speed was (GPS) 8.5 km/h

Kayak molto interessante per principianti e per canoisti che hanno  cominciato solo da alcuni anni e desiderano passare dal polietilene al carbonio. Stabilità e manovrabilità eccellenti, facilissima da usare, interessante la deriva a scomparsa, comoda anche durante il trasporto in macchina. Capacità di carico? Non preoccupatevi, lo spazio a disposizione può contenere tutto il necessario per un vero viaggio.

Velocità misurata con GPS 8.5 km/h a 120 battiti al minuto.  

Zegul Velocity – A-Core Speed     (Race-Touring)

That is something what good kayakers search to be fast and to have a feeling that you are on the race. This sea kayak is not just sea kayak but a kayak for every day. Like a “fitness” boat.

Interesting is that you have two fins. One is on the bottom and another classic one is in the end of the boat. You can choose to use one or both, depends of conditions.   When I was paddling on the waves was like ride a nice river. Because is a little bit longer that normal sea kayak is maneuverability takes a bit longer as  shorter sea kayaks. Spaces for bags are in comparison to wider boats surprisingly big and allow nice travel on the sea and lakes.  

At hearth rate 120/min speed was (GPS) 9.1 km/h

E’ quello che ogni buon canoista cerca per essere veloce ed avere la sensazione di essere in gara. Questo sea kayak, non è solo un sea kayak ma un kayak da usare ogni giorno. Un kayak da “fitness”

Interessante la presenza del timone e della deriva a scomparsa. Si può scegliere di usare uno, l’altra oppure entrambi a seconda delle condizioni.  Pagaiando sulle onde la sensazione era quella di scendere un bel  fiume. Data la lunghezza la manovrabilità era leggermente inferiore rispetto agli altri kayak in test. Lo spazio di carico sorprendente  anche paragonato ad altri kayak più larghi permette l’utilizzo per lunghe gite in mare o lago.

Velocità misurata con GPS 9.1 km/h a 120 battiti al minuto.  

Seabirds Black Pearl HV – Hybrid carbon/Kevlar   vacuum infusion (Greenland)

If you like something new and be like Eskimos in the first kayaks on the planet than this is a boat for you. It’s  not just a kayak it’s a piece of art that you will get a look when you will be driving on the roads around the world. Enthusiasts have fun.

Se cercate nuove sensazioni e volete sentirvi come gli Eskimesi nel primo kayak sul pianeta questo è il mezzo chef a per voi. Non è solo un kayak ma un’opera d’arte, i passanti si gireranno a guardarvi mentre viaggiate sulle strade intorno al mondo. Entusiasti godetevela.

Seabirds Black Pearl HV – Hybrid carbon/Kevlar   vacuum infusion (Greenland)

Designer: Björn Thomasson

Product Developer: Len Ystmark

Speed: good

Initial stability: medium

End stability: medium

Stability in waves: medium

Course stability: medium

Maneuverability: great

Packing volume: low

Price and construction 1.858,00 Hybrid carbon/Kevlar   vacuum infusion

Price after test 1.350,00

Comments: special kayak for special people

Pro: a piece of art

Cons: small cockpit, low packing volume

Recommended to intermediates and experts

Recommended use : day tour

• Specifications:

Lenght	Width	Depth	Internal cockpit	Volume
559 cm (18´4´´)	52 cm (20.5´´)	24 cm (9.4´´)	57x40 cm (22.4´´x15.7´´)	259 L (68.4 US gal)

• Weight:

Diolen/Fiberglass/Core	Hybrid Carbon/Kevlar (vacuum infusion)	Carbon (vacuum infusion)	Carbon/Kevlar (vacuum infusion)
23 kg (51 lbs)	22 kg (49 lbs)	21 kg (46 lbs)	20 kg (40 lbs)

Paddler weight

80 – 100 kg (132 – 176 lbs)

Capacity

136 kg (300 lbs)

§  Storage:

Front	Beckson round hatch 20 cm (8´´)
Rear	Beckson round hatch 20 cm (8´´)

Seabirds XP 507  - Semi Carbon             (Sweedish)

Designer: Ingvar Ankervik/VKV

Product Developer: Len Ystmark

Speed :    good

Initial stability:   very  good

End stability: good

Stability in waves:   good

Course stability:  good

Maneuverability:  good

Packing volume: very good

Price and construction 1.858,00 Semi Carbon vacuum infusion

Price after test 1.350,00

Comments:  good shape, very easy kayak, lot of room for gear.

Recommended to beginners,  intermediates and experts

Recommended use : day tours, multiday trips, expeditions

Pro: easy boat, stable and maneuverable

Cons: not the faster kayak around

§  Specifications:

Lenght	Width	Depth	Internal cockpit	Volume
507 cm (16´8´´)	58.5 cm (23´´)	31 cm (12.2´´)	80x40 cm (31.5´´x15.7´´)	320 L (84.5 US gal)

§  Weight:

Diolen/Fiberglass/Core	Hybrid Carbon/Kevlar (vacuum infusion)	Carbon (vacuum infusion)	Carbon/Kevlar (vacuum infusion)
27 kg (60 l)	24 kg (53 lbs)	23 kg (51 lbs)	22 kg (49 lbs)

Paddler weight

60 – 95 kg (132 – 209 lbs)

Capacity

145 kg (320 lbs)

§  Storage:

Front	round hatch 25 cm (10´´); screw day hatch 15 cm (6´´)
Rear	oval hatch 32.5 cm (13´´); round hatch 15 cm (6´´)

Seabirds Scott MV Diolen/Fiberglass/Core   (British)

Designer: Rob Feloy

Speed: good

Initial stability: very good

End stability: very  good

Stability: very good,  in waves nice and dynamic

Course stability: very good

Maneuverability: good  midi

Packing volume: good

Recommended to beginners,  intermediates and experts

Recommended use : day tours, multiday trips, expeditions

Price and construction 1.474,00 Diolen/Fiberglass/Core  

Price after test  1.150,00

Comments:   over all kayak and nice position for paddling

Pro: very stable and nice to paddle in wave conditions, good front deck cut for paddling

Cons:  rounded front deck, not easy to fix gear on top

§  Specifications:

Length	Width	Depth	Internal cockpit	Volume
518 cm (16´1´´)	55.9 cm (22´´)	39.4 cm (15.5´´)	80x40 cm (31.5´´x15.7´´)	330 L (87.2 US gal)

§  Weight:

Diolen/Fiberglass/Core	Hybrid Carbon/Kevlar (vacuum infusion)	Carbon (vacuum infusion)	Carbon/Kevlar (vacuum infusion)
27 kg (60 lbs)	26 kg (57 lbs)	25 kg (55 lbs)	25 kg (55 lbs)

Paddler weight

70 – 90 kg (155 – 200 lbs)

Capacity

160 kg (353 lbs)

§  Storage:

Front	screw day hatch 15 cm (6´´); round hatch 25 cm (10´´)
Rear	round hatch 15 cm (6´´); oval hatch 32.5 cm (13´´)

Zegul Velocity – A-Core Speed     (Race-Touring)

Speed: very good, exiting

Initial stability: medium

End stability: medium

Stability in waves: very  good because of the bow and stern shape

Course stability: medium

Maneuverability:  good

Packing volume: very good

Price and construction   2.395,00 Zegul A-Core

Price after test  1.650,00

Comments:   good fitness, racing and touring boat

Recommended to intermediates and experts

Recommended use : day tours, multiday trips, expeditions, fitness, race

Pro: high speed, comfort, packing volume, great on waves

Cons: not the most stable boat on test

Measurements

Length:		550 cm (18″)
Width:		54 cm (21¼”)
Capacity approx.:		140 kg (309 lbs)
Cockpit:		82 x 42 cm (32¼’’ x 16 ½’’)

Weight

A-CORE:		22–24 kg (49–53 lbs)
3D C-CORE:		19–21 kg (42–46 lbs)

Storage

Front, Round Hatch:		24 cm (10″)
Rear, Oval Hatch:		44 x 26 cm (17″ x 10¼”)
Mini-box: Round hatch		15 cm (6″)

Text (testo): Pietro Linda and dejan Kralj