Clear waters and clear skies in the Sound of Arisaig.

26/3/2017

On the second day of our trip to the sun drenched Sound of Arisaig,  David, Mike, Phil and myself got our kayaks ready on the beach by the Glenuig Inn.

Meanwhile, Donald got the Guppy ready and was on the water before us. The Guppy is an F-Rib 275 with a  6HP Yamaha 4 stroke outboard. Donald set off and within...

...minutes was literally a dot on the horizon. He was going to try and get as far west as he could along the Ardnamurchan peninsula and then return to meet us at Ardtoe at the eastern end of the peninsula.

 The waters of Glenuig Bay were crystal clear and we set off...

 ...towards the mouth of the bay in high spirits which soared even higher...

 ...as we emerged into the open waters of the Sound beyond and caught sight of the Cuillin mountains of Rum rising above the long ridge of Eigg. The clear March air meant we could even make out details on the distant mountain ridges.

David had fallen behind as he had agreed to help test the P&H Scorpio HV in CLX and he wanted to get a perfect fit. David has had a bad back for decades but has found this kayak to be the most comfortable ever.

 What a glorious morning to be...

...setting off on a new adventure beyond...

 ...the mouth of the Sound of Arisaig.

The economics of going on a safari adventure.

25/03/2017

After our first luncheon it was time to return to the boats. This is the P&H Scorpio HV Mk2 in CoreLite X. It is very large but supremely comfortable and as can be seen from the previous post, made an excellent stable platform for photographing bottlenose dolphins. Talking of which...

...no sooner had we launched than we were pounced upon by the pod which had been lying in ambush just offshore.

The tide had turned and the wind had got up, creating some wonderful kayaking conditions off the headlands. The flying spray, the sunshine the motion of the boats and leaping dolphins made for a simply unforgettable experience.

Unfortunately I did not risk taking my SLR out  and my little Olympus TG4 camera had so much shutter lag that I  ended up with a lot of photos of splashes where the dolphins had been. Despite the lack of photos this was an even more intense experience as the dolphins were also revelling in the rough water. They would suddenly appear out of our wave and flash across our bows before reappearing just ahead of us. It seemed that they were leading us to the shelter...

...of Port nam Murrach. Once we were safe in the calm of the bay, the dolphins disappeared for good.

Back on dry land we could hardly believe how lucky we had been to experience such a wild life safari and spectacle. You could spend thousands of pounds travelling across the world for such experiences. We had woken in our own beds that morning and so far it had just cost 13 litres of diesel fuel (£17) on the drive up. Donald had spent maybe another £2 to put petrol in his 6hp outboard.

Pleased with our economical adventuring, we wandered round this delightful spot at the edge of the Sound of Arisaig. I have in the past travelled the World and been lucky to get to many amazing places off the beaten tourist track but sometimes you do not need to go far, especially if you live on the west coast of Scotland. Another factor for me is the cost of health insurance to travel out with the UK. Last year it was £1,100!

In the distance the long finger of Ardnamurchan stretched away to the west, beyond the sparkling waters of the Sound of Arisaig to the Sea of the Hebrides beyond.

 It was with some reluctance that we made our way back to the turquoise waters of the bay but...

 ..our friends would be shortly arriving and so we set off...

 ...across the Sound of Arisaig again with the ...

...sun rapidly dipping in the west.

Pyranha Octane / Think Nitro PE surfski: a long term test and review.

This is the new Pyranha polyethylene surfski called the Octane it is also available as the Think Nitro. As various friends have gradually taken to surfskis my interest has grown. Back in January 2016 I was talking to Cam Allan in the GoKayaking store in Perth about surfskis. He showed me the Think range of composite surfskis and I carpet surfed in the EZE and ACE. Unfortunately I could not afford a composite surfski at that time but determined to start saving. Then a few weeks later Graham Mackereth from Pyranha got in contact to say that Pyranha and Think had been working on a new prototype PE surfski and would I be interested in testing it....? Having never paddled a surfski before this test I guess I am a good person to test a boat primarily designed to attract newcomers to the sport.

Introduction
The recent introduction of PE surfskis by manufacturers such as Pyranha/Think and Epic to the market is clearly aimed at attracting potential first time surfski users, who have perhaps been put off purchasing one due to the high cost of composite surfskis. The Octane is a collaboration between two highly respected companies: Pyranha and Think. My first impression was that the Octane is a fantastic blend of Pyranha's skills in making high performance PE boats and Think's design expertise in high performance surfskis. In dazzling white PE, the long, narrow test boat ,which was the Pyranha Octane version, gave no impression that this boat had been toned down to appeal to a mass market. It even looks fast at rest. Indeed at 539cm long but only 53cm wide, this is very much a surfski of contemporary performance orientated proportions and although primarily intended to attract those new to surfskis, it is marketed at intermediate to advanced paddlers from other kayak disciplines. Although I will be discussing the Pyranha Octane, all points also relate to the Think Nitro, which shares the same design and fittings and is made in the same mould in the same factory. I will not only report how I found paddling the Octane in particular but will make some general comments about how an experienced closed deck sea kayaker has found the transition to a surfski. I do hope that experienced surfski paddlers will bear with me on this, you after all are already converts!

Gearing up for surfskiing
Newcomers to surfski's will need to be aware that some general paddling gear is different to that needed when paddling a surfski. Whatever the weather, you will be running hotter if you paddle a surfski anywhere near its potential.  In the summer/ autumn conditions of the test, with sea temperatures of 19C falling to 15C and air temperatures from 22C down to 12C it is very easy to overheat. I wore either Polartec Aquashell shorts and T shirt or a shorty 3mm neoprene wetsuit later in the season. In the spring, when the water temperature was 9C with air temperature of 6C, I wore a full 3mm wetsuit when practicing remounting or a full Polartec Aquashell suit when paddling hard. You will need to use a leash round your leg. A capsized surfski floats high in the water and can blow away faster than you can swim. You might also want a paddle leash though I did not bother. My multi-pocketed sea kayaking BA proved to be too hot and too bulky for remounts. I tried my windsurfing impact/flotation vest but even it proved too hot and still made remounts more difficult. I ended up not wearing a BA in some of my sessions but made sure I was wearing the leash. There are surfski specific BA's (some of them inflatable) which you would be wise to invest in, especially if you want to race. Straight away I loved the simplicity of the surfski with only paddle, leash and paddler required to make it go. What a contrast to sea kayaking with spray decks, tow ropes, spare paddles, compass, pumps etc. etc. Having said that, I did not use the surfski for expeditions. All my trips on the Octane were no longer than half day trips and my usualk distance was only 12km.

The test environment
This test was carried out over a period of August to October 2016 and April 2017 in Fleet Bay on the Solway Firth which offers a very wide variety of paddling conditions. In the predominant S to W winds, swell from the Irish Sea enters the bay. In other directions it is more sheltered. It is possible to paddle on flat water for 2km up the River Fleet which enters the head of the bay. The bay is tidal (6.5m neaps - 9m springs tidal range) and empties completely at low tide. For three hours round low water there is an area of about 3 square kilometres where the water is no more than chest deep. This whole area can be filled with breaking waves when the ebb tide runs against an incoming swell: "the white steeds of the Solway". The waves travel at 15 to 25km/hr depending how deep the water is. In the upper half of the bay a south facing steep, sandy beach provides great surf at high tide when swell is coming up the Irish Sea. Tides across the mouth of the bay run at 4 knots springs. All in all it is a great venue to provide a variety of conditions in which to test a surfski. Sea state during the test ranged from the biggest summer swell that has hit the UK this year, to wind over tide conditions round the headlands, to flat calm. Wind during test sessions varied from F0 to F5. At the start of the test I was 90kg and so fitted in the middle of the manufacturer's guide weight range of 60 to 115kg. At the end of the test I was 78kg. Maybe there are hidden benefits in  surfski lark? I used a 210cm wing paddle.

Features and ergonomics
The Octane has a long, high bow which maximises waterline length and effectively sheds water and resists pearling. This sweeps back into a high sided cockpit (see later) with cutaway sides forward in the paddle catchment area. The bucket seat was deep and supportive and did not interfere with rotation. Slimmer paddlers might want to add a little padding, I certainly needed some as I lost weight. The cockpit is quite narrow towards the pedals. I have bulky leg muscles and I would not have wanted it to be much narrower. Lighter built paddlers should have no problem. The rudder pedals operate and slide easily and the cables self adjust. Despite the tracks being mounted on the plastic sides of the cockpit, the pedals are very firmly mounted with little give, even when pushing on and pressing hard with the feet during sprints. In the cockpit midline there is a combined fitting to hold a small water bottle and attach a leash. There is a small forward hatch cover giving access to the large volume of the front half of the boat. I couldn't reach it from the seat. I would not like to use this as a "day hatch" on the water anyway as it gives access to the whole front compartment, with a resultant flooding risk. Above the hatch there is a drain bung, which is very helpful in draining water out the front half of the Octane when it is upturned. There are quality alloy handles at the bow, stern and on either side of the cockpit. This was a prototype boat and the side handles had not been positioned quite right for balance, which made carrying awkward. On production versions the handles have been repositioned. The bow and stern handles might be OK on a light composite surfski but they are too small to get your whole hand in and this makes it awkward if two people are carrying the relatively heavy PE surfski. There is an effective self bailer in the cockpit floor but until you get the knack and give it some silicone spray it is quite stiff to operate with your heel. It starts working at about 8km/hr and really sucks the cockpit dry when you catch a wave. The rear deck is low with some deck elastics behind the seat which is the ideal place for a dry bag. There is a large oval Kayaksport rear hatch cover. Inside there is a water tight bulkhead of black foam between the rear compartment and the seat. To the rear of the opening, there is a vertical slab of black foam up the mid line of the rear compartment which is presumably to help stiffen this thin part of the surf ski. The removable deck cover for the rudder mechanism did not fit well but I understand this has been remedied in the production Octane.

On the underside of the Octane lateral chines or rails run almost the entire length of the boat. A slight V at the bow soon washes out into a gently rounded but predominantly flat section for most of the length to the stern between the chines. There is little rocker from the bow to the cockpit area but rocker then increases to the stern. This Octane was fitted with a carbon fibre under hull rudder which is ideal for use on open water but a retracting over stern rudder is available as an option for use in shallower water, which may be found in rivers etc. The axis of rotation of the under hull rudder is set back from its leading edge which gives very effective turning for a small blade area. The quality of moulding on this prototype boat was outstanding especially given the complex shape of a surf ski. I expected it to be quite flexible but it was remarkably stiff, especially from the bow to the cockpit. I suspect this is why the Octane has relatively high cockpit sides, otherwise a PE boat of this length and width might have been very flexible in the middle. There is more flex in the thin stern of the Octane and Pyranha/Think make a feature of this, claiming it helps to catch following seas. The test boat came with screw inserts for the mast foot and side stays for the P&H/Flat Earth sailing rig. I fitted my own rig to the boat using the afore mentioned bung to mount the back stay and sheet pulley and tying cleats to the side handles for the sheet and uphaul. Another demo Octane had the uphaul and sheet cleats mounted at the front of the cockpit but not being tall, I could not reach them there.

Paddling the Octane on flat water.


On flat water the Octane was far more stable than I was expecting, especially when moving. The forward from the stern mounted under hull rudder is very effective at turning the Octane either at low speed or particularly at high speed. I found the Octane was much more manoeuvrable than a traditional touring sea kayak like the P&H Quest. Due to its length and relative narrowness, the Octane’s displacement speed on flat water is significantly greater than a conventional shorter sea kayak. I found my cruising speed was at least 3km/hr faster and my flat water burst speed was probably 5km/hr faster than my Cetus MV. It encourages you to paddle fast, over my first 3 outings I managed 375 minutes of having my heart rate above 85% of my age related maximum! I think a surfski on flat water would be great boat for the fitness paddlers out there. Indeed some casual observers (who had been watching the 2016 Olympics on TV) mistook it for a K1 racing kayak. However, the Octane and other surfskis are much more versatile than a K1, especially downwind on swell in open sea conditions. The Octane would also be great for those who want to try competitive paddling on open water without the full cost of a composite surfski. In the 2016 year's Oban sea kayak race, 16 out of 47 competitors were using surfskis and took the first 9 places.

While testing, I paddled with a friend who has an Epic V8. It was interesting talking to him as he had taken up surfskiing from sea kayaking because he had never managed to develop a reliable roll in a sea kayak. He could remount his V8 effortlessly in rough water. We swapped boats and straight away I found it easier to remount the V8 from port than the Octane. The V8 is a little longer and wider than the Octane but the real difference is that the V8 cockpit sides are lower with respect to the water and it is easier to lift/kick yourself out the water and across the cockpit. In the composite V8 blue tip, I was pleased to find that my maximum sprint speed was almost exactly the same as in the new PE Octane. Of course once the Octane hull has gathered scuffs it may be slower than a similar aged composite boat. On a later paddle I discovered that my maximum sprint speed in the Octane was 97.6% of my maximum speed in a friend’s Epic V8 Pro Black Tip. That is really quite remarkable. Obviously 2.4m in every hundred is a race winner or loser but for recreational use, it is hardly significant.

The vast majority of recreational paddlers in the Fleet Bay test area use recreational sit on tops, some of them are very experienced and several expressed an interest in and tried the Octane. None have ever expressed an interest in my traditional sea kayaks.

Angus who is a competent sit on top paddler...

..took to the Octane straight away (albeit on flat water) and as he disappeared towards the horizon shouted back "I am amazed at the speed!"

No one who tried it capsized, and all like Angus, were amazed at its speed. Two SoT paddlers are now considering purchasing one. Perhaps experienced sit on top kayakers like Angus are a potential market for PE surfskis?

The Octane in rough water

If you go surfskiing in rough water you need to be prepared to fall in and therefore need to practice deep water remounts. If you do a Google search for "surfski remount Oscar Chalupsky" you will find a great video of the technique by the master himself. I can manage pretty well remounting from the starboard side but initially had real problems on port. Three years ago I had an accident, which resulted in tearing several vital "components" off the bone in my left shoulder. When trying to remount on port I get a pain that feels like the surgical repair is going to give way. I have been working on this and have got better. I found a powerful breast stroke kick to get out the water and onto the surfski was more successful for me than the scissors type freestyle kick that Oscar uses in the video. During the early part of the test therefore, in conditions when I felt I needed to be able to remount on either side, I restricted myself to paddling at low tide in chest deep water in the locations mentioned above.

 At first I really missed a sea kayak's thigh braces and the control that they give in rough water. On my first day in the Octane I was paddling a fast Taran 16 sea kayak in rough water then went straight to the Octane. It took me some time to adjust. I found the best way to deal with rough water in the surfski is to paddle fast. I was using wings and possibly my paddles were spending a little more time in the water than when I am paddling a conventional sea kayak. I used a higher stroke rate than when I was paddling the Taran 16 (with the same paddle but with the shaft set 10cm longer at 220cm in the Taran). Basically when the paddle is in the water, it is not just providing forward drive it is also providing support. Once I had learned to lean on the paddle I enjoyed driving the Octane through the waves.

There is however, one situation in which I have not fully got to grips with surfski paddling. I regularly paddle out round some small islands a little offshore. On the way back in, the swell wraps round the islands and comes at you from both rear quarters. I am very used to these waters and this presents no problems in boats like my Aries 155. On the Octane I am afraid that on occasions I had to resort to dropping my lower legs over the side. Despite the Octane's speed potential in these conditions I found it frustrating to be dragging my legs in the water! Then I got into open, clear water with a following wind and swell. Well I have never caught so many waves in my life! It was a revelation. Unlike my Aries, in which I usually can't catch open water swell without a sail, I could paddle and accelerate the Octane fast enough to catch just about any swell I fancied. The Octane accelerates so rapidly that is sometimes too easy to out run the wave so (just like paddle sailing a conventional kayak in these conditions) you paddle hard to catch the wave then ease off a bit to stay on it. Once on a swell the rudder holds the line and I frequently recorded maximum burst speeds of near 25km/hr. Downwind in swell and waves is where the Octane and other surfskis really excel compared with conventional sea kayaks.

The Octane in the surf zone?


I am not so convinced about surf skis in the surf zone near the shore. First of all they are more difficult than a decked kayak to get out if a dumper lands and fills your cockpit. Secondly in conditions when paddling in and out through the surf in shorter conventional kayaks (like the Hammer, Delphin and Aries) is a great deal of fun, the length of the Octane proved much harder work. Following a capsize in the  breaking surf, in a decked kayak you have a good chance of rolling up but in the Octane I ended up washed up on the beach every time. Of course my inexperience of surfskis in the surf zone needs to be borne in mind.

Camping from the Octane?

You can camp from a surfski. Three people I know go camping trips in Epic V6 surf skis. Would I go camping in the Octane? Probably not. The rear compartment has a vertical slab of black foam up the mid line so it is not as spacious as it looks. Entry to the capacious bow is limited by a very small hatch so multiple small dry bags secured by a leash are the way to go. A small tent and sleeping bag fit easily in the rear compartment. My friends are masters of lightweight camping. I prefer my comforts and the space and easy loading of a conventional sea kayak. I also like easy access to things like cameras, snacks, GPS etc that a conventional decked kayak offers. If I did camp from the Octane I would fit the optional over stern rudder to make landing with a loaded boat easier.

The Octane in winter?

The West Coast of Scotland is not Australia so would I use the Octane in a Scottish winter? I am really not sure and did not do so during the recent winter. I suspect by the time I am adorned in a dry suit with insulation, my willingness to push myself would diminish and I would end up cold. I suspect if I wanted to paddle fast on a winter day trip I would choose a fast decked kayak like a Taran 16 instead. So I put the Octane away on 31/10/2016 and brought it out of hibernation on 1/4/2017. Of course if I was competing, winter training sessions might hold more appeal!

Paddle sailing the Octane? 

Regular readers of this blog will know of my keenness for paddle sailing so I was salivating with the prospect of giving it a go on the Octane. Setting off upwind with the sail folded, I found it tended to get in the way of the paddle cut outs on the forward cockpit sides so I ended up resting the folded sail between my toes. As I could not reach the folded boom I also found it more difficult to secure the folded sail than on my conventional sea kayak. On flat water in F3-F4 the Octane paddle sailed really well, especially on a broad reach. It was so easy to maintain maximum displacement speed that very little paddling effort was required. However, as a result I tended to get cold. When using the sail downwind in decent waves in F3-F5 there is a lot of excitement but actually I did not catch any more waves than when just paddling the Octane (albeit hard) without the sail. Once I caught a wave the speed increased and the apparent wind moved forward and back winded the sail. A complication of not paddling so hard when the sail is up is that you get less support from the paddle and this can lead to some hairy wobbles. However, just like on a conventional kayak, the sail seemed to steady the Octane on confused water. Where I found the Octane most fun with a sail was on choppy water with a cross off shore wind in about F4-F5. However, I also windsurf and I am afraid if I have to choose between a surfski (with or without a sail) or a windsurfer in a F4-F5 wind there is absolutely no contest...considering the correct tool for the job, it is the windsurfer every time! So while I am a great advocate of paddle sailing a conventional sea kayak, either to help catch waves down wind or to ease the load on a heavily laden camping trip, I am afraid I am less convinced by the need for a sail on a surfski. Of course if you do not also windsurf you are going to have a lot of excitement on an Octane with a sail and Pyranha are to be lauded for giving you the choice by having inserts for sail fittings moulded in as standard.

Problems/wear and tear?

Despite being a preproduction model, this has been one of the most trouble free kayaks I have used. Its PE construction has stood the rigours of been left on an open beach. The rudder and peddle operation has been faultless. The only problems have included a small leak of water into the rear compartment and a very small leak into the front. The source of the rear leak has been identified and production models modified. The front is almost certainly due to the breather tube (which is necessary on a surfski) being submerged during remounting practice. The Octane has of course spent considerable time on its side and upside down in the water as I and others have practiced remounts. Lastly the foot peddle rubbers both became detached after an extended wet session. These have been changed on production boats.

Conclusion

The Pyranha Octane/ Think Nitro is a stunning surfski that just happens to be made of PE. It is the synthesis of each company's expertise. Its robust PE construction opens up surfskiing to those whose budget cannot stretch to a composite surfski, those who paddle in shallow or rocky water or those who might have undercover storage problems for an expensive composite surfski of this length. Do not think that cheaper construction means a watered down shape. This is a true high performance design. It is not suitable for beginners to paddling but anyone who has spent time in a river, sea or sit on top kayak should not find it too big a step up. If you are into racing you will not be at the top of the leaderboard but if you are in a mixed field with conventional sea kayaks you won’t be at the bottom either.

The Octane must be the most accessible way into the exciting world of downwind and down-swell surfskiing but it will also be a great way into open or flat water racing or, if you are of solitary disposition, fitness paddling. You can also add a sail if you want even more excitement. All this fun will leave a huge smile on your face but will still leave a significant wodge of cash in your wallet. What's not to like? On a personal level, I have greatly enjoyed recreational fitness and fun paddling on the Octane/Nitro. It is not by coincidence that I have lost 19kg during the period of the test. Today,

I am really sad to see the Octane go back to P&H today. I understand it is now going to SeaKayakOban where it will be part of their demo fleet. So If you are in the area and fasncy a trial contact Stuart or Cathy. The only reason I would not now buy an Octane is due to spinal arthritis making it an awkward lift. So I am now half way to saving up to buy a composite surfski ….. but which one?

Specifications

Length: 539cm
Width: 53cm
Weight: 23.5kg claimed 24.1kg as tested with hatch covers
. Price: £1095 with under hull rudder. £1,150 with over stern rudder


Conflict of Interest.
I have had free use of the demo Octane from August 2016 until its return on 21st April 2017. I have had a long standing unpaid relationship with Pyranha/P&H in which they discuss ideas for new products then lend me prototypes, I report back identifing any problems and they fix them. I own several personal kayaks from Dagger, Pyranha, P&H, Rockpool and Valley, all bought retail, so I am not dependent on Pyranha/P&H to go paddling!

Pyranha Octane PE surfski

This is the new Pyranha polyethylene surfski called the Octane. It will be available shortly at £1095. It is based on a Think composite surfski design. I had a good look at these in the GoKayaking store in Perth back in January. They look like fantastic boats and I had a good chat with Cam Allan about them.

A lot of my friends are interested in surfskis but the thought of spending north of £2,000 on a composite surfski is putting them off. That is why I am delighted to hear of  the PE Octane which will provide an affordable intro to the world of surfskis. It will shortly be available in Corelite PE and I do hope it will be available in the new stiff light CoreLiteX PE construction later on. I got an email from Graham Mackereth MD of Pyranha confirming that it would also be available with a sail. Whoohoo! Even better I have just heard from Mathew Wilkinson from Pyranha/P&H marketing dept. that just possibly one might just find its way in my general direction for a test. Whoohoo! :o)

Rockpool Taran 16 as a tourer, review update.

Up until now we had looked at the Taran 16's performance from the point of view of travelling as fast as possible both with and without a sail. For this next  part of the test, we wanted to assess the Taran's practicality and suitability as a general day touring kayak. Two of us set off at dawn (one in the Taran 16 and one in a Cetus MV) and paddled south until the sun was at is peak in the sky. Then we switched kayaks and turned back arriving at our launch spot at nightfall. 

You can read our findings at the original review page which has been updated. Discussing the day, Phil said the Taran 16 is faster than my Quest, more manoeuvrable than the Quest and more ergonomic than the Quest. It also has just as much space (more when you consider it has no skeg box). It was also significantly faster than the Cetus MV (my current favourite all round kayak). I think anyone in the market for a composite touring kayak should test paddle a Taran 16, with an open mind. Don't view it as a simple speed machine, don't think that a touring kayak has to vaguely resemble a traditional Greenland kayak to be any good... just go out and paddle it. You will find that it does not just go fast, it is also manoeuvrable and comfortable and no more difficult to paddle than any other kayak. Whatever else it is, the Taran 16 is also an ideal touring kayak.

Taran 16 review update.

I have updated the Rockpool Taran 16 review after subsequent testing in flat calm to F2-3 conditions.

Rockpool Taran 16 review.

Yesterday was sunny but a chilly north wind was blowing in the Firth of Clyde. The snow capped mountains of Arran stood out in the cold clear air.

 We trolleyed our kayaks down to the low water mark at Seafield in Ayr Bay. We were bound for the distant Heads of Ayr where we hoped to find some bumpy water kicked up by a north going tide over the basalt dykes that radiate out from the headland and by the tide against wind conditions.

 What a day to try an interesting new kayak: the Rockpool Taran 16!

 We wasted no time in launching into the sheltered waters of Ayr Bay.

 We had hardly got through the shore break before we realised that...

 ...there was going to be plenty wind not to...

 ...mention swell. Phil would climb each crest then...

 ...slowly dip...

 ...out of sight before...

 ...reappearing as the next wave lifted him out of the trough.

 The sails drove us on a fast broad reach all the way to the Heads where...

 ...we crashed through the white water which was breaking over the ledges. The Taran really flew as soon as the bow was pointed down wind.

We took a breather in the shelter of Bracken Bay before continuing for some more fun off the next headland.

 We were exhausted by the time we got back to Ayr just in time, as the wind started to drop then...

...veered easterly as we were packing up. The Taran had the legs on Phil in the Quest on this last leg.

Another fine winter day!



So what of the Rockpool Taran 16? It is perhaps unfair to judge a kayak when conditions are windy and rough during a first paddle but I am going to anyway, it was an absolute hoot! The acceleration when paddling downwind is perhaps the most defining experience of my first day with the Taran 16. I have now edited this review to take account of later paddling in F0 to F3 conditions.

The Taran 16 like the Taran was designed by John Willacy of Rockpool. This is John coming back from a trip round Ailsa Craig. The day before he had crossed from Portpatrick in SW Scotland and back! John has proved the seaworthiness and speed of the Taran by circumnavigating Britain in only 72 days paddling against some very adverse winds!

The Taran 16 had a faultless finish and looked particularly smart in all white with a black seam. On the beach its appearance is deceptive. It is much shorter than it looks. It carries its volume well forward and aft, giving a long waterline for its short 5.08m overall length (The waterline length with a paddler on board is greater than a Quest!) It has a surprising amount of keel rocker especially aft of the cockpit. It looks narrow and at 51.5cm, it is narrow. In comparison a kayak like the Nordkapp LV (which is often thought to be narrow) is a beamy 53cm. Despite its shortness, it packs in a total volume of 369 litres, which is 4 litres more than a Quest and 43 litres more than a Nordkapp LV.

                       Bow                                                                             Stern
The next surprise is the bottom of the hull: under the cockpit (and stretching well forward and aft) the hull is completely flat. Care will need to be taken on rocky landings but this promises fantastic planing performance downwind in waves.

The GRP seat is comfortable and mounted as low as possible. The narrow back band gives the ideal amount of support. The thigh braces are an ideal compromise between control and comfort. They are much less aggressive than those fitted to the first Tarans and are the best I have found in any GRP kayak. The overall seating position is very comfortable, you will be able to cover huge distances in comfort in the Taran 16.  The only downside for me was the cockpit length, which was not easy to enter with my bad knees. It is only 5cm shorter (and a bit narrower) than a Cetus MV cockpit but those 5cm are critical if you have knee problems! Four of us who paddled the Taran 16 are all about 60y. Unfortunately three out of the four found the cockpit just a little tight to allow easy access. The youngest paddler in her thirties had no problems getting in our out. This is a pity and for two of us would be a deal breaker. Older paddlers also like to go fast!

Mike Webb of Rockpool has told me that they are "currently changing the way we attach the cockpit rims. Ours join with a flange turning down which leaves an edge that hits shins when getting legs in and out. You mention that this happens to you as well. Would removing that vertical flange and making the joint flush make enough difference ?" 

Looking at the edge of the flange that projects down and back from the inside of the deck I think removing this would give about 2.5cm more length to the cockpit, which would make a real difference. If you are thinking of buying a Taran but have stiff hips and knees it would be worth asking the dealer and Mike about this new development.

A small SmartTrack rudder hangs off the stern and like its larger sibling there is no skeg. A strong carrying handle is situated just forward of the rudder. There are the usual neat Rockpool flush mounted deck fittings to retain the deck lines and elastics. There is a security/tow line point just behind the cockpit. The cockpit rim is low profile so some heavier neoprene spray decks might not fit. The footrests and rudder pedals are linked together, adjust easily and the rudder cables adjust in tension automatically. The rudder worked faultlessly throughout the test and it was very easy to adjust the footrests/pedals while afloat. A narrow oval Kayaksport rear hatch cover gives access to a huge rear compartment. It swallowed a kayak trolley frame and wheels. There is no rear day day hatch. Several friends have commented about the lack of a day hatch. Well I certainly didn't miss one in the conditions of the day!  Later while loading all the gear required for a week's camping expedition, I discovered just how practical and easy to load the rear compartment is. There is no day hatch bulkhead or skeg box, so the free space is unrestricted and very easy to load with big or small dry bags. The forward mini hatch has a good amount of space without being too long. With a 29" inside leg I can get my toes in front of it when I need a stretch.

There is a small round forward hatch cover which is surprisingly good at loading long items (like a sail and two piece mast) as the forward compartment is so deep. There is no compass recess, the foredeck is steeply pointed for water shedding. There is a standard rope toggle at the bow.

Which paddle?
I paddled the Taran 16 with Lendal Kinetik Wing paddles, which suited it very well. Both myself and another tester felt our Werner Cyprus paddles did not suit the kayak so well, especially when cruising at a high speed, due to their higher stroke rate. I did not try my Greenland paddles with the Taran 16 as their stroke rate at the Taran 16's speed would have been even higher than the Werners'. However, in the summer I experimented with 3 carbon fibre paddles in a full sized Taran. I tried Lendal Kinetik Wing, Werner Cyprus and Superior Kayaks GP. On flat water the Kinetik Wing gave the highest sustainable sprint speed, 7% more than the Cyprus and 22% more than the GP. The differences were greater when the Taran started planing downwind in waves. It's horses for courses, I much prefer paddling an Anas Acuta with a GP than with a wing!

On the water.
The Taran 16 has a surprising amount of primary stability, it is more stable at rest than a Nordkapp LV but less stable than an Alaw Bach, Cetus MV or Delphin. It also has a very surprising amount of secondary stability, which builds progressively as the kayak is edged (unlike the Nordkapp LV). Unloaded and at rest, it has more secondary stability than the Nordkapp LV but considerably less than a Cetus or Delphin. I was less likely to take my DSLR out paddling in the Taran in marginal conditions than in the Cetus MV or Delphin. However in F2-3 conditions I was happy to take the camera out of its waterproof bag. When edged it is surprisingly manoeuvrable for such a fast kayak. It turns in a similar circle to the Alaw Bach and Nordkapp LV, more tightly than a Quest but less tightly than a Cetus MV.

It was initially used in wind against tide conditions in short steep waves in shallow water with clapotis off a headland. It inspired confidence but you do get thrown about much more in these conditions than in kayaks like the Nordkapp LV or Cetus MV, which both have low volume ends. The acceleration down wind is just about the fastest I have experienced in any kayak. The small rudder gives perfect directional control down wind when travelling fast (even with a sail). The Taran 16 was consistently about 20% faster downwind than the Quest (which itself is a good downwind kayak). Upwind in short steep waves the Taran 16's flat bottom tended to slam killing speed and then the Quest was just a little faster. In these conditions the Taran is a dry kayak, much dryer than the Quest, which tends to dip its bow. My friend Jim has a full size Taran and in similar conditions he nearly capsized as the bow and stern were supported by two waves and the cockpit was above the trough.

His paddle caught air and over he went. An expert high brace avoided a capsize. I too experienced this on one occasion with the Taran 16. Between two waves the trough fell away and there was no water for my paddle to pull against. I have paddled this coast many times in these conditions and have not experienced this with kayaks like the Alaw Bach, Quest, Nordkapp LV or Cetus MV, which have much lower volume ends.

Crossing the bay away from the headland, there were larger smoother swells, which had built up during the the previous night's F7-F8 wind.  Paddling upwind In these conditions, the Taran steadily pulled ahead of the Quest. Don't expect to use the rudder upwind in winds of F4 and above, in these winds it is a downwind tool. Dropping the rudder upwind will cause the Taran 16 to lee cock. With the rudder up, the kayak will gently weather cock in fresh winds. This is easily controlled by a combination of edging, paddle strokes and using the waves.

On later paddles in light winds and smooth seas we discovered that the rudder is highly effective and...

...the Taran 16 can be put into surprisingly tight turns. It almost makes me want to have a rudder on my other kayaks!

Swapping backwards and forwards with the Cetus MV (my current favourite "all round" kayak) was very illuminating. First of all the large Cetus cockpit makes getting in and out far easier. Du to bad joints, I found it awkward getting in and out of the Taran 16 cockpit especially when trying to avoid damaging the flat hull on a rocky shore. The Taran 16 cockpit is about the same length as a Quest cockpit and Phil, one of our Quest paddlers, noticed no problems. Once in the comfortable cockpit and underway, the Taran felt very different to the Cetus MV. The Cetus MV is a fast kayak but it felt very sluggish in comparison with the Taran 16. The Taran accelerates to its top speed in about 1/3 less paddle strokes. It also has a higher sprint speed. Back to back on flat water, I found that with the Kinetik Wings I was sprinting at 12.0km/hr in the Taran 16 and 10.4km/hr in the Cetus MV. The following photos in very calm conditions show what an efficient hull shape the Taran has as it generates very little wake.

Photo by Philip Toman. Taran 16, at this point the GPS recorded that the Taran 16 was gently cruising at 10.4km/hr. 

Photo by Philip Toman.  Taran 16 at 9.5km/hr.

Photo by Philip Toman. Taran 16, speed 10.5km/hr. Note the bow waves moving back along the hull but how level the kayak remains and how little disturbance the wake leaves.

Photo by Philip Toman. Taran 16 wake at 10.2km/hr.

In comparison, Alaw Bach wake at 5.8km/hr!

Taran 16, speed 11.2km/hr.

When sprinting on flat water, it was very noticeable,  that the Taran 16 did not squat on its stern as much as the other kayaks, especially the Alaw Bach. As a result the Taran 16 has a very clean wake, which contributes to its paddling efficiency.

Although on the second outing we were paddling in benign conditions, at one point wake from a coaster came in from the side and it was interesting to compare the Taran 16's response to these sudden waves with that of the Quest and Cetus MV. I was paddling the Cetus MV at the time and it just bobbed gently up and down. The Quest cut through the waves hardly noticing their presence (though it took water from the bow up to the cockpit cover). In comparison, the Taran threw its bow high in the air and noticeably rocked  as the waves moved diagonally back along the hull. I suspect that both the volume distribution of the Taran (more volume carried into the ends) and the flat bottom  give it a less comfortable ride in short steep waves than a conventional British style sea kayak. However, these features also contribute to its great speed and, as mentioned above, its larger sibling has proven itself on a UK circumnavigation in the windiest summer for a century!

The Taran 16's suitability as an all round tourer.
Further testing took place on 11th, 18th and 21st December 2012. Up until now we had looked at the Taran 16's performance from the point of view of travelling as fast as possible, with and without as sail. For this part of the test, we wanted to assess the Taran's practicality and suitability as a general day touring kayak. Two of us set off at dawn (one in the Taran 16 and one in a Cetus MV) and paddled south until the sun was at is peak in the sky. Then we switched kayaks and turned back arriving at our launch spot at nightfall. During the day we had winds from F3 to flat calm. Phil set off in the Taran first. He has been paddling for 4 years and instantly felt at home in the Taran. He particularly liked the seat and the relationship between the thigh braces and the pedals. He thought he could paddle it all day but I was not letting him do that, I wanted a turn! Phil particularly liked the acceleration, high speed and manoeuvrability of the Taran. He was very surprised how effective the rudder was in these lighter winds. At the end of his half day with the Taran 16, his only negative comment was that he would have liked a slightly higher back rest. On the return leg I shared all of Phil's findings but, perhaps because I am not as tall as Phil, I found the back rest was perfect.

 Although Phil and I set off together at a gentle cruising pace...

 ...he consistently pulled ahead...

...and needed to stop at each headland to let me catch up.

The Cetus MV (I was paddling) is fast in terms of most touring kayaks but I was really having to work to keep Phil in sight. When the breeze picked up and we started kayak sailing the difference in speed became even greater. Phil stopped paddling and used the sail alone but even paddle sailing I could hardly keep up. As we discussed the Taran 16's cruising potential over lunch, we both came to the same conclusion. The Taran 16 is an ideal tourer. As Phil said it's faster than his Quest, more manoeuvrable than his Quest and more ergonomic than his Quest. It also has just as much space (more when you consider it has no skeg box). While the Taran 16 is not as stable as the Cetus MV, it is very similar to the Quest and does not require an advanced ability to  paddle it securely. Being able to cruise more quickly has many benefits. It allows less expenditure of energy if you are so inclined, or perhaps less fit when you are older.  It allows you to cover greater distances. It's speed also provides a safety margin as it allows you to get home more quickly if conditions change, for example on a long open crossing. As it began to get dark on our return we upped the pace and I was glad it was my turn in the Taran 16.

We have not yet paddled the Taran 16 on a camping expedition. However, I have loaded it with all the gear that I normally take on a week's camp. This barely fits in my Nordkapp LV and needs to be loaded in a very specific way to maximise use of space. Despite the Taran's small hatch openings, the whole load went in (in no particular order) with room to spare. Not only is the Taran 16 fast on the water, on expedition it will be fast getting to the water!

Under sail.
Several of my kayak sailing friends have been sceptical about whether a narrow kayak like the Taran is suitable for a sail. However, I have wanted to try the Taran with a sail for a long time and I was not to be put off. A Force 4 to Force 5 day (as measured by a hand held anemometer) sounded an ideal introduction! I can now tell you that the Taran 16 sails very, very well indeed. We rounded the Heads of Ayr both with and without the sail on our first gnarly outing. I preferred the feel of the Taran 16 with the sail in these difficult conditions, it steadied the kayak. Like other recent Rockpool kayaks, the deck is quite lightly built so Geoff of Kari-Tek positioned the mast foot just forward of the fore hatch. Due to the moulding of the deck in this area, this is the strongest part.

Downwind with a sail, the Taran 16 set off like a scalded cat. It was so much fun and the rudder provided just the right amount of directional control. My GPS showed several peaks of over 20km/hr. Although I have kayak sailed the Delphin faster than this,  that was in more favourable conditions. As it was, the Taran 16 was overtaking the waves in front. Its buoyant bow resisted perling and white water was shed by its peaked deck.

Some sea kayak sailors are using Greenland paddles when kayak sailing. However, though I have both wood and carbon fibre GP paddles, I find wing paddles suit stronger wind sailing better. Sailing downwind in a fast narrow kayak like the Taran 16 in strong winds, you will want to reduce the force of the wind on the sail as much as possible. To do this you want to travel as fast as you can to reduce the apparent wind on the kayak. A Greenland paddle is not capable of doing this as it is just not possible to get the the stroke rate high enough at planing speeds approaching 20km/hr (unless you are like the Duracell Bunny). There are many photos on the internet of kayak sailors with GPs giving up actively paddling and resorting to long trailing low braces in fresher winds. Doing this, the kayak slows, the apparent wind builds up and puts the paddler at risk of capsize. My experience of stronger wind kayak sailing is to be active and paddle very strongly  downwind. For this wing paddles are the best tool. My experience of sailing extends back to 1959 and of windsurfing to 1977. It doesn't matter whether you are in a 38 foot yacht, an 18 foot cat, a mono-hull with an asymmetric rig, a Laser dinghy or a windsurfer, if you want to survive downwind in stronger winds, you need to travel fast and in the Taran 16, you can and will!

Upwind in F4-F5 conditions, I sailed the Taran 16 with the rudder up. In rough water it was a bit more of a handful than the Quest and went about the same speed but in flatter water it pointed higher and paddle sailed faster than the Quest. Having used the Taran 16 with the mast foot in this position near the fore hatch I found it sailed very well in lighter winds. However, for use in winds of F4 and above I would prefer it mounted further forward. When close hauled, my paddle was hitting the clew of the sail and I also think the kayak would sail better balanced upwind with the mast foot further forward, ideally about 200cm in front of the back rest, which is about 45cm in front of the centre of the fore hatch. This would require some stiffening under the deck or, as several people have developed for the Taran, an external saddle, which is now also available from Rockpool. With regard to sailing the Taran I would say that it is perhaps not for the newcomer to kayak sailing but for anyone who is keen on kayak sailing, the Taran 16 will reward you with the ride of your life! It really is exceptional.

What the others think.
The Taran 16 has now also been paddled by four other members of our little group.

One paddler preferred his Alaw Bach and Cetus MV.

One Quest paddler (who has been paddling since he started in SOF kayaks in the late 1950's) loved it, especially for its speed and rudder.

The other Quest paddler, who is the fastest in our group, simply drooled over it.

Jennifer, who is in her early thirties, liked everything about the Taran 16, apart from one little reservation about its looks when she first saw it. Despite that, she tested it and now she would swap her Alaw Bach for a Taran 16... like a shot!

Conclusions.
Overall my first impression of the Taran 16 is incredibly favourable. It is a pocket rocket! First of all, if you have a storage problem its great: it fitted in my mother's small garage and an Alaw Bach does not! Its downwind speed in wild conditions (both with and without a sail) is simply awesome. It is more of a handful upwind in F4-F5 conditions with short steep waves than a kayak like the Nordkapp LV but with skill, will still be faster in most sea states. Obviously it will have appeal to fitness and competitive paddlers but I think its appeal is much broader than that. I think it is ideally suited to any intermediate to advanced paddler whose priority is going fast (with or without a sail) and is careful of his or her gear.  However, as we have also discovered, this is no simple straight line speed machine. It's manoeuvrability, comfort and general usability gives it a much broader appeal as a fast tourer. A little care of its flat bottom landing on rocky beaches will be rewarded by a fast, lively experience on the water. I think anyone in the market for a composite touring kayak should test paddle a Taran 16, with an open mind. Don't view it as a simple speed machine, don't think that a touring kayak has to vaguely resemble a traditional Greenland kayak to be any good... just go out and paddle it. You will find that it does not just go fast, it is also manoeuvrable and comfortable and no more difficult to paddle than any other kayak. Whatever else it is, the Taran 16 is also an ideal touring kayak. I can't wait to take it out again, preferably on a very long downwind shuttle run!

I am 5'8" in height and weigh 14 stone. The other paddlers vary from 5'9" to 6'1" and 10 stone to 15 stone. I have paddled about 1,500 to 2,000km/year since 2002 the others have paddled from 4 years to 54 years! The Taran 16 was loaned by Geoff  and Ann Turner at Kari-tek and is part of their large demo fleet.

Specifications. 
Rockpool Taran 16: length: 5.08m, width: 51.5cm, back of seat to inside front of cockpit; 68cm, height inside front of cockpit: 29.5cm, weight (standard construction, no keel strips, inc. hatch covers): 24.9kg (all measured), volume: 369l (manufacturer figure), price: £2,445. Demo Rockpool Taran 16 kayak supplied by Kari-Tek.

Review first published 6/12/2012 and last updated 7/1/2013.