Hudson Valley Pack & Paddle, Inc.

KAYAK REVIEWS

Hurricane Santee 116
What a nice recreational kayak! Very light and beautiful to look at and paddle. The material it is made from called Trylon is stiff, shiny and suprisingly abrasion resistant. Cosmetic scratches can be buffed out like on a composite boat and if you really bash it it's easier to repair than polyethelene. Performance wise it's very stable for those up to about 200lbs. Tracks well due to the pronounced keel down the center. Pretty good fit as well with a medium sized cockpit. The seat and backrest are comfortable although a little bulky. The front hatch is small but works for small items, the rear hatch is is ample. But the best part is that the two bulkheads/watertight compartments provide a great deal of floatation in both ends. In the event of a capsize this makes self or assisted rescues much easier. In my opinion, that makes this one of the safest "rec boats" on the market. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2007.

Hurricane Santee 116 Sport
Almost identical performance to it's counterpart, the Santee 116, but with a larger cockpit. The "fit" is not as good and the longer cockpit makes it a slightly wetter ride from the occasional paddle drip. However, the long cockpit is really easy to get in and out of, no scratched knees or shins here. The cockpit is probably large enough to accomodate a small child, up to about 5 years old in front of you on calm waters. Also nice for fishing, birding and photography. It's the light weight and fine looks that will sell you on this boat over other boats in it's class. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2007.

Current Designs Squamish
The Squamish is a great day touring kayak for coastal conditions or large rivers like the Lower Hudson. The model I paddled was made of rotomolded polyethelene as opposed to the composite version so it was a little heavy but incredibly durable. To describe this kayak I should first describe the paddler that will best fit into it. It works best for kayakers wieghing between 120 to 200lbs. The fish form design make it tracks well for it's length, 15' 6", and with the skeg down it still handles well in following seas. It is manueverable with the skeg retracted and quite stable for the appropriately sized paddler. As for storage capacity, you can fit enough gear in the compartments for a weekend trip but you will have to leave the kitchen sink at home. Reviewed by James Cantatore, ACA Open Water Instructor in 2007.

Current Designs Sirocco
Comming soon.

Current Designs Gulfstream
Comming soon.

Current Designs Oracle
Comming soon.

Current Designs Exteme
Comming Soon.

Wilderness Systems Tempest 165/165Pro
The Tempest is a boat load of fun to paddle. It's responsive, manueverable and surfs well in following seas. The hatches have enough room for a well stocked overnight or weekend trip and the deck is loaded with usefully placed deck rigging. The retractable skeg allows the paddler to choose how straight it tracks and with a good lean turn it will turn very quickly. The adjustable thigh braces are easy to use and very comfortable. The Phase 3 seat is phenomenal and makes this one of the most adjustable touring kayaks I have ever paddled. Reviewed by James Cantatore, ACA Open Water Instructor in 2007.

Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140 Rudder
Comming soon.

Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
Comming soon.

Necky Manitou Sport
Stable and manuverable. Fun to paddle almost anywhere. Not the fastest but a really nice rec boat. My favorite plastic kayak under 12' long. Paddled one on a demo with a customer on the Hudson River in some waves and it was fun to play with in those conditions. We didn't go too far that day but I was pleased with the comfort, ease of entry due to the large cockpit and the performance was much better than I expected. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2006.

Necky Manitou 13
Tracks really well for a thirteen foot kayak. My favortite "recreational" kayak on the market. Will fit most people between 120lbs and 225lbs. Has a comfortable seat and adjustable back rest. It's stable, pretty fast and still manueverable in tight areas. The performance, somewhat "snug fit" and the inclusion of a rear bulkhead and hatch compliment the design very well and almost put it into a touring class. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2006.

Necky Manitou 14
Comming soon.

Necky Manitou II Tandem Rudder
Comming soon.

Necky Chatham 17
Surpisingly stable, fast and fun for all day paddling in a variety of conditions from flat water to the two foot wind driven, breaking waves that were comming at me from the side one day I was out on the Hudson. It can also catch the big boat waves and surfs nicley down them. Good capacity for gear, although the skeg cable interferes a little getting larger items in and out of the rear compartment. You do also loose a little capacity in the rear due to the low deck. This fact is my only complaint. Necky has changed the back band adjustments a few times. I customized my boat slightly and simplified the backband adjustment to my liking. A little heavy in plasitic, but all 17' plasitc kayaks are heavy. The composite version is a dream to lift and paddle and very well liked by all our instructors. This boat will fit most 150lbs to 225lbs very comfortably. Even bigger or smaller folks may like it once they try it. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2006.

Necky Chatham 16
Very similar to the Chatham 17 but fits a smaller paddler. Quite a bit slower than the 17 which was a bit disapointing but not suprising due to the increased rocker and shorter length. A really fun, stable touring boat for medium sized paddlers who are not looking for tons of speed. Not suprising is the fact that the composite version is faster and paddles much better than the poly version. Unfortunately the composite Chatham 16 costs almost 2.5 times more than the polyethelene model. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2006.

Share your experience! Please email us a review of your favorite or least favorite kayak and we'll post it. Include a small image of you and/or your kayak if you like. sales@hvpackandpaddle.com

CANOE REVIEWS

Wenonah Adirondack
Comming soon.

Wenonah Solo Plus
Comming soon.

Wenonah Spirit II
Comming soon.

Old Town Camper 16
Comming soon.

More to come. Share your experience! Please email us a review of your favorite or least favorite canoe and we'll post it. Include a small image of you and/or your canoe if you like. sales@hvpackandpaddle.com

GEAR REVIEWS

Werner Kalliste Kayak Paddle
The Kalliste is the lightest, stiffest paddle I have found. The carbon bentshaft model in 220cm with the small diameter shaft is my preference. It is very comfortable to use over long distances or as an every day tool. As an instructor I need equipment that I can depend on for durability and comfort and I have confidence in the Kalliste and the manufacturer Werner Paddles. This is one of the more expensive paddles on the market but you get what you pay for with this one. Reviewed by James Cantatore, ACA Open Water Instructor in 2007.

Aqubound Eagle Ray Kayak Paddle
The carbon shaft/carbon blade Eagle Ray is a bargain at $200.00. It is light and stiff and offers a comfortably sized blade for all around touring and recreational paddling. Enough power but still easy on the arms due to its light wieght. It is very durable too, we have been using this lay up in our instructional programs for several years and have not need to replace a single one. Sometimes the ferrule gets a little sticky over time and after multiple uses but the new adjustable TLC ferrule fits everyone and is easy cleaned and very sturdy. The 220cm to 230cm lenghts will fit most rec or touring paddlers very comfortably. The fiberglass bladed version is great too for only $160.00, it's just a little heavier. Spend the extra bucks on the carbon version and you'll have an awesome and affordable paddle for many years. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2007.

Aqubound Manta Ray Kayak Paddle
The carbon shaft/carbon blade Manta Ray has large spoon blades best sited to high angle aggressive paddling. The carbon/carbon version is very light and durable. I recommend a 210cm to 220cm for touring and a 230cm for a rec boater looking for a lot of power in their stroke. The large, short blade is great for draw stokes and bracing too. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2007.

Bending Branches BB Special Canoe Paddle
Comming soon.

Paddle Boy Heavy Lifter Cart
This cart does it all from kayak to canoes. It's light and strong and packs down well for in boat storage in most kayaks and canoes. You'll have to strap or bungie it to you boat as it doesn't come with straps but if secured properly it will stay in place during portages over paved, gravel and dirt roads, parking lots, grass and moderatly bumpy trails. If the cart is positioned fairly close to the center point of your boat the load balances well and you'll only have to lift a small amount of the weight and the cart supports the rest. Spend a little more on a good cart and you'll be able to get to harder to reach launches with out braking your back or shoulders carrying your boat and all your gear.
Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2006.

Thule Hullavator Boat loader and Kayak Cradle
You'll spend some coin on this unit but theres nothing better I have found to help lift and load a kayak onto a vehicle. Fairly easy to assemble, use and remove when not in use once you get comforable with it how it works. You'll need a Thule or Yakima rack on your vehicle for the Hullavator to be safely installed and operate which also costs $ but it's a saving grace for shorter folks with tall vehicles of for anyone who struggles loading a kayak on a vehicle. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2006.

Malone Autoloader Kayak J Cradle
The best, least expensive universal kayak cradle on the market. Works for composite or plastic kayaks. Easy to install and remove, fits most factory and aftermarket roof racks. Simple, looks good and works great. Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2007.

Yakima Hully Roller/Mako Saddle Kayak Carrier
Comming soon.

Thule Hullaport kayak J Cradle
Comming soon.

Kokatak GFRE Gortex Drysuit
Comming soon.

Kokatat MS Fit Tour PFD
Comming soon.

Kokatat Orbit Tour PFD
The Orbit Tour is a low profile touring vest. I have had several pfd's before and this is without a doubt my favorite. The pull-over style makes it a little bit harder to get on. Basically, I have to take off my baseball cap to do so, but once in place I forget I have it on because of the mobility and freedom of movement it affords. The two zippered pockets on the tour model are well placed and can hold a suprising amount of stuff. Cell phone, keys, whistle, knife, nose plugs, a small camera or a couple of granola bars.
Reviewed by Eric Eckley, in 2007.

Share your experience! Please email us a review of your favorite or least favorite piece of gear and we'll post it. Include a small image of you and/or your gear if you like. sales@hvpackandpaddle.com

Please note : All submissions may be editted for length or content and are posted at the discretion of the webmaster. All photos and reviews that are submitted become the property of Hudson Valley Pack and Paddle Inc. and are posted at it's discretion.