Post a paddling report, one of those may be my next kayak.
Well, I finally got a chance to put her in the Gulf yesterday
First thoughts. It's a wet boat with occasional water coming up through the seat scuppers and small waves/chop coming over the gunnels keeping ones backside fairly soaked all day. But, being a low profile boat I would think it should be expected. Then there is the tackle pod!!!
It seemed a noisy boat. Even in a calm creek there is just a little bit of hull slap but add just a little chop (like photo below) and some 1-1.5' waves and it was almost enough to drive me nuts. Then there is the tackle pod!!
LOTS of flex in this boat. Even in water (like above photo) one can feel the boat flex. I suppose it was built this way intentionally(?) but feels really weird. Then there is the tackle pod!!
Speed? They say it's fast boat but I guess that's all relative...
Stability? It's there.
Tracking? Seemed to track straight for me but it really does like to turn into the wind.
This boat has a rudder with sliding peg controls. I don't care much for that so I'm getting some pegs with toe control. Also the rudder can not be deployed or retracted with a pull cord either.
The bucket hatches seal off nicely but the lids (two rear) can be a bear to get off. Plus there is no tether on the lids so if you lose the fumble... bye bye lid
In all honesty, I really liked the way the Ocean Kayak Ultra paddled better than the Viking but then there is the tackle pod!!!
One thing I forgot to add. Since I bought my boat used I got to see the wearing effects of sliding a metal pin in and out of plastic. The pin will just fall out now and I use a small piece of zip tie to poke through the hole along with the pin to take up the slack. I wish they would have molded in some brass or stainless bushings to help prevent wear.
