Hi, as most of the reviews are done by experienced paddlers I thought my observations with my limited skill and knowledge may be helpful to those in the same situation.
Background - I'm 48 and have been paddling for 5 months. I paddle a Kayak Centre Dorado (15yo, 5.8m and 47cm), I usually paddle twice a week for either 5 or 10km's . About 30% of this has been on open water. I can hold 10km/h on a good day. My technique is average and my fitness is poor but I'm improving. I can handle most weather conditions on the open lake that I use, on the ocean I need to pick the day.
The Stellar SR 2G is only other boat I have tried. It has the same dimensions as the Dorado so I though it would be good place to start..
The first thing that hit me was the weight, half of my Dorado. Getting it off the roof and strolling to the waters edge with it in one hand was a revelation. This alone makes upgrading worth it, my next boat will definitely have an emphasis on weight. In the water it was so much more stable than I expected after reading the reviews, a lot more stable than my Dorado. I couldn't help to wonder how stable the V8, Bluefinn etc must be. It immediately put me at ease and my confidence level went through the roof. I could look around, turn in the seat to chat, amazing! The foot plate was very solid and responsive and the boat seem to turn easily without being flighty. Boat wake presented no problem at all, in fact I never felt remotely unstable at any point.
Looking at the data after the paddle I wasn't going faster but it felt easier. Same cruising speed and the same sprint speed but I did enjoy it more not having to focus on stability. The only downside was the seat. I found it a little flat and had a sore bum after 45 minutes but that might be me. Maybe a seat pad would be an easy fix. All in all I loved it, I think it could make my transition to the ocean a hell of a lot easier.
For a beginner it's definitely one to try. I'll give the Epic V8 Pro and V10Sport a go next and will probably get to the Fenn's and Thinks after that. Suggestions are welcome.
Cheers,
Background - I'm 48 and have been paddling for 5 months. I paddle a Kayak Centre Dorado (15yo, 5.8m and 47cm), I usually paddle twice a week for either 5 or 10km's . About 30% of this has been on open water. I can hold 10km/h on a good day. My technique is average and my fitness is poor but I'm improving. I can handle most weather conditions on the open lake that I use, on the ocean I need to pick the day.
The Stellar SR 2G is only other boat I have tried. It has the same dimensions as the Dorado so I though it would be good place to start..
The first thing that hit me was the weight, half of my Dorado. Getting it off the roof and strolling to the waters edge with it in one hand was a revelation. This alone makes upgrading worth it, my next boat will definitely have an emphasis on weight. In the water it was so much more stable than I expected after reading the reviews, a lot more stable than my Dorado. I couldn't help to wonder how stable the V8, Bluefinn etc must be. It immediately put me at ease and my confidence level went through the roof. I could look around, turn in the seat to chat, amazing! The foot plate was very solid and responsive and the boat seem to turn easily without being flighty. Boat wake presented no problem at all, in fact I never felt remotely unstable at any point.
Looking at the data after the paddle I wasn't going faster but it felt easier. Same cruising speed and the same sprint speed but I did enjoy it more not having to focus on stability. The only downside was the seat. I found it a little flat and had a sore bum after 45 minutes but that might be me. Maybe a seat pad would be an easy fix. All in all I loved it, I think it could make my transition to the ocean a hell of a lot easier.
For a beginner it's definitely one to try. I'll give the Epic V8 Pro and V10Sport a go next and will probably get to the Fenn's and Thinks after that. Suggestions are welcome.
Cheers,