P&H Scorpio MK2 MV with Skudder and P&H Code Zero sail, a long term test and review.

About the test: paddling conditions and paddlers.

This test is based on testing the P&H Scorpio MK2 MV  over 4 months in the summer and autumn of 2015. The test took place in open and sheltered waters on the west coast of Scotland: the west coast of Kintyre, Gigha and Cara, the Sound of Jura, the North Channel, the Firth of Clyde and the Solway Firth. It involved open crossings of up to 14km, waters with strong tides in the Solway, Kintyre and the Sound of Jura and major headlands and tide races such as at the Mull of Galloway and Crammag Head. It has been used extensively in wind against tide conditions during a very windy July and August on the Solway . The test involved 27 day trips and a further 8 day/night camping trips to islands in the Hebrides, Firth of Clyde and the Solway Firth. The main tester was 1.73m tall, weighed 85kg and paddled the Scorpio Mk2 MV for about 700km. It was paddled by seven other people who ranged in weight from 55 to 105kg and 164 to 184cm in height. Their experience ranged from beginner to 5* level. During the test period the kayak was a free loan from P&H but in case you think this might introduce a degree of bias, the main tester has also had free loans of kayaks from several other manufacturers whose kayaks are available in the UK. During the period of the test the Scorpio Mk2 MV was paddled back to back with a Scorpio 170 and three P&H Cetus MV kayaks.

Design.

Scorpio Mk2 MV with Cetus MV behind.

The Scorpio Mk2 MV  is a development of the successful Scorpio 170, which was itself modelled on the Cetus composite range. In size The Scorpio Mk2 MV is longer and wider than the old Scorpio 170 and shorter and wider than the Cetus MV. Its volume is midway between these other kayaks. However, on the beach it looks very similar to the Cetus MV. Its wide point is just behind the cockpit. It has moderate tail rocker and quite marked bow rocker. Under hull it has a shallow V from the keel line running into softly rounded chines. The Scorpio Mk2 MV is 525cm long and 58cm wide. It is 317l in volume. Apart from being longer and wider than the original Scorpio 170, the Scorpio Mk2 MV has a lowered rear deck and cockpit rim and the lips of the hatch rims have been modified to allow easier fitting of the covers. The foredeck has been modified with inserts for attaching a sailing rig mast foot and mouldings for split paddle handles lie on either side of the compass recess. These mouldings make the foredeck very stiff and unlike many PE kayaks it requires no further reinforcement for the fitting of a mast foot. The line of the deck from the side of the cockpit to the mast foot has been modified to allow the stowed sailing rig to lie neatly. Two of the deck lines' recessed deck fittings (RDFs) have been moved to allow fitting mast side stays at right angles to the mast. The skeg/skudder control has been moved from the side of the fore deck to the top.

Construction, finish, fittings and ergonomics.

Photo Ian Johnston

Unwrapping the Scorpio Mk2 MV was a treat. It is a beautifully proportioned sleek kayak despite its maximum breadth and the attention to detail is superb e.g. the embossed P&H logo on the alloy security bar. The boat is constructed from three layer CoreLite polyethylene. It is stiff for a PE boat and at 28.7 kg is remarkably only 0.5kg heavier than a diolen composite Cetus MV in expedition layup with a keel strip. New for 2016, the roto-molded Scorpio Mk2 will be available in CoreLite X which will be even lighter and stiffer. The bulkheads are of 7.5cm thick black foam. This has considerably reduced the volume of the rear day hatch which is 15cm shorter compared with that in the composite Cetus MV. The test boat was supplied in a stunning marbled "Ikea" blue (it matched my bags!) The moulding was particularly well finished with some matt and glossy areas. Large glossy P&H logos appear on the fore deck and the under hull. Rather disappointingly either side of the hull at the bow is finished in matt. This means that you cannot mount a suction cup for a remote camera on an extension rod. (if you don't have a sail then the flat mast base area would be a good alternative camera mounting point.) There is an alloy security bar behind the cockpit which I use for attaching a tow line using a water ski quick release shackle. 

On the foredeck there is a forward mini hatch. Its cover is very easy to remove and fit but like many other PE kayaks the mini hatch is not waterproof. The round fore hatch and oval rear hatch have rubber KayakSport covers and are indeed much easier to fit than on previous P&H PE kayaks like my Delphin. The rear day hatch is a lightweight model with a plastic centre and was very easy to open and close when on the water.  As mentioned above, the rear day hatch is considerably smaller than the equivalent hatch in the Cetus MV due to the  fact that the two foam bulkheads are a total of 15cm thick. If volume is important to you on expedition it might be worth considering the Scorpio Mk2 HV which will be released in mid 2016. The hatch recesses have moulded drainage channels. In normal use and during rolling sessions the three main hatches remained bone dry. The boat had the usual excellent P&H deck elastic and deck line arrangement. I particularly like the fact that the rear deck lines come right up to the rear of the cockpit. This allows the paddle to be secured during a paddle float re-entry. 

The Scorpio Mk2 MV comes either the MK2 P&H skeg or the Skudder. I have found the MK2 skeg to work faultlessly on other kayaks, as long sand is washed out of the skeg box and the tension in the downhaul elastic is regularly checked. 

The skeg (and skudder) adjustment slider has been moved from the left side of the onto the top of the deck to the left of the midline. This is a great move as it stops your paddle hand catching and releasing it (especially if you are wearing pogies). Even walking past a boat with the slider mechanism in the original position can brush against and release the skeg which is not good if you are about to push it back into the water. The new position is out of the way and easy to get to. I use a large deck bag for a DSLR camera. I needed to fit it slightly forward to clear the skeg adjuster but I could still reach it easily. The only disadvantage of the new position is that it is a sand trap if you are launching in dumping surf on a sand beach. So keep an eye on this and wash any sand out without delay. 

The cockpit is 80cm long which means I found it easy to get in and out, even with bad knees. The cockpit rim has been modified and I found a Reed spray dick fitted securely and had no tendency to come off in dumping surf. The deck round the cockpit is also very stiff and flexes very little when bracing your legs in the comfortable, adjustable thigh braces. Tools are required to adjust the thigh braces but it is a straightforward job. The seat is the P&H Connect seat with padded cover and adjustable backrest and hip pads. It is fitted nice and low in the cockpit. I found it easy to get a very comfortable fit in the Scorpio Mk2 MV as did most of the testers. The largest tester did find his feet (UK size 12, 89cm inside leg) cramped but I had no trouble with my size 10 Lomo boots with 74cm inside leg. The 55kg paddler enjoyed the Scorpio Mk2 MV but is considering buying the Scorpio Mk2 LV which is a more appropriate size.

The test boat was fitted with the optional Skudder, a combined rudder and skeg mounted in the usual skeg position. It has a decent sized blade to aid control. It is also considerably stiffer than the standard P&H skeg. 

All the control cables are contained within the boat and the rear control levers over the rudder are covered by a flush plastic cover on the rear deck. The rear hatch looses a little room compared with a simple skeg box but long thin items can still go up either side. The Skudder is incredibly well designed and engineered especially given the price of the boat it is fitted to. It is controlled by Smart Track foot pedals, which self adjust as the footrests are slid back and forwards.  It did not need any adjustment during the test. In use it acts as a skeg if you deploy it up to just over half way. If you put it fully down the pedals can now turn it and it acts like a rudder. It does not self centre as you put it away so you need to centre it with your feet first. Until you get used to this, do not leave it till the last minute before landing. 

The only downside is that the pivot pin for the Skudder is in an exposed position at the front of the skeg box. The hinge is unaffected by shingle, mud, or fine sand but some coarse shell sands (as found on the Outer Solway) can jam it and If the boat has been sitting on such sand you should make sure it is clear after launching but before getting into the boat. Some rental companies using Venture kayaks with the Skudder have experienced problems with the vertical rod which turns the rudder. At the end of the test I dismantled the Skudder but found no problems. Either the design/construction has changed or rental kayaks get much more wear than the 700km I covered and the 300km others covered in this Scorpio kayak.

The test kayak came with the P&H Code Zero sailing rig. The mast, stays and mast foot are supplied by Kari-Tek. The sail is made by Flat Earth in Australia and uses a very similar cut to their own Trade Wind sail. The P&H sail was tested in OP #46. Since then, P&H have changed to a four stay design from Kari-Tek's three stay system. Three mini karabiners are supplied for the side and back stays so that once you have their length adjusted, you can quickly remove and fit the sail without need for further adjustment. As mentioned above, two of the RDF's have been moved so that they are at right angles to the mast foot, which is the ideal position for attaching the two side stays. 

The two cleats for the uphaul/forestay and the sheet have fairleads. I prefer cleats without fairleads so that the lines can be released instantly (without fear of re-jamming) in the event of a sudden squall or capsize. The sail has a shorter luff than previous Flat Earth sails and on the standard mast you can see forward under it so no window is required in the sail.

Overall performance.

I felt comfortable in the Scorpio Mk2 MV straight away. I have been sea kayaking as often as I can for 13 years and when I first saw how beamy the Scorpio Mk2 MV was, I wondered whether I would find it boring to paddle. I also thought if it would feel more uncontrollable in really rough conditions than a boat like my Nordkapp LV, which is narrow with highly rocked, low volume ends. Surprisingly the Scorpio Mk2 MV is remarkably unflappable in the rough stuff. 

Photo from the Scorpio MK2 MV off Garroch Head.

I was taking photographs with my DSLR in F4/5 wind over a spring tide in the Garroch Head tide race in conditions I would not have dared to take the camera out in the Nordkapp LV.

The Scorpio Mk2 MV off Garroch Head Photo by Ian Johnston

I think that some advanced paddlers may be surprised by the Scorpio Mk2 MV's abilities. It would make a great, robust kayak for guiding or coaching. Not once during my time with the Scorpio Mk2 MV did I feel that I would rather be in one of my other kayaks. I now wonder whether a composite kayak with a similar maximum beam but the overall slim lines of the Scorpio Mk2 MV shape might be a success? Whatever, I think P&H have hit a sweet spot with this design.

Stability and rolling
The Scorpio Mk2 MV is remarkably stable for a touring sea kayak due both to its width and rear set wide point. It is an ideal platform for coaching, photography, bird watching or fishing. It is incredibly stable when on edge and is great fun when weaving through rock gardens. It rolls very smoothly but a little more slowly than the narrower Cetus MV. The lowered rear cockpit edge makes back deck rolling much more comfortable than the old Scorpio, without having to raise your backside off the seat.

Speed, manoeuvrability and tracking
The Scorpio Mk2 MV is easily able to maintain a normal all day touring pace of 6-7.5km/hour whether loaded or unloaded. Despite paddling regularly with three other paddlers in Cetus MVs at no time did I feel disadvantaged, even after a day where we covered 47km. The glide and tracking are both improved over the old Scorpio 170. Despite being more directional when paddling a course than its elder sibling it was noticeably faster to turn on edge. I found my maximum burst speed was about 10% down compared with the Cetus MV in the same conditions. When paddle sailing in waves in a good F4/5 day my top speed in the Scorpio Mk2 MV was 18km/hour on the best wave and 20.5km/hr in the Cetus MV on its best wave. A little skeg helps with tracking as the wind picks up but the adjustment range on the slider (when in skeg mode) is shorter than on a conventional skeg and so it is a bit more tricky to get just the right amount of skeg.

The Skudder

I was not expecting a great deal from the Skudder in rudder mode. I was wrong and as the months on test went by, I found I was using the rudder mode more and more, even without the sail! It is not a panacea for manoeuvring a kayak but unlike some systems I have tried, it does have a big enough blade to be effective, even when paddling at 45 degrees to the wind (when some rudder systems are better lifted as they cause lee cocking if you cannot paddle fast enough). The 5* paddler felt there was no need for the rudder as the Scorpio Mk2 MV was so manoeuvrable when edged. Initially I agreed but then I discovered that the Skudder works remarkably well for more advanced paddlers when used with edging and steering strokes. Then I noticed that two of the early intermediate paddlers had started to automatically edge the kayak when they were using the Skudder! The beginners loved it.

See here for a detailed review of the Skudder.

Behaviour in wind and waves 

Due to its sleek low profile and rocker line the Scorpio Mk2 MV is very well behaved in wind. It gently weathercocks but this is easily controlled by the Skudder in either skeg or rudder mode. The low profile means that in choppy conditions when paddling to windward the Scorpio Mk2 MV is quite a wet kayak. However, it is dry when paddling downwind and the tail rocker is very good at picking up following seas. Once on a wave the bow rocker keeps the bow clear of the water if you get the kayak planing. If you stuff it down into the trough then the bow rocker helps prevent purling (nose diving). Like other kayaks with a rear set wide point the Scorpio Mk2 MV is surprisingly manoeuvrable if you stay high on the wave. This can lead to a sudden broach but more advanced paddlers will be able to use this manoeuvrability to correct early and run straight.

Paddling when loaded

The Scorpio Mk2 MV is a bit more directional when loaded with camping gear and if anything the Skudder in rudder mode is even more useful on such a trip. Although the wide point of the kayak is aft of the cockpit, the rear deck is low so the rear hatches do not have so much volume as some kayaks of similar length and overall volume. As a result it is easy to put too much weight in the front. It is important to distribute the weight about 60% in the rear and 40% at the front otherwise the kayak will develop excessive weather cocking. If you get the balance right the loaded Scorpio Mk2 MV is delightfully neutral to paddle whatever the wind or wave conditions.

Paddle sailing.

The Scorpio Mk2 MV is a great boat for paddle sailing, especially if you are new to using a sail or don't like drilling holes in a new boat. (You still need to decide where to mount the two cleats but as they screw into the cockpit area you won't be worried about creating a leak.) Neither do you need to worry about where to mount the mast foot as P&H have already found the best position. Even beginners to kayaking were happy to deploy the sail in sheltered conditions. Newcomers to paddle sailing need to realise that you don't just sit there letting the sail do the work. You will soon get cold.

It is much more fun to paddle hard and use the sail for extra speed, especially downwind when you can catch faster waves than when using paddle power alone. More advanced paddle sailors will find the stability of the Scorpio Mk2 MV very reassuring as they push their paddle sailing into stronger wind and wave conditions. When travelling fast downwind, you need to be light footed with the Skudder. It is easy to steer too far one way then overcorrect the other. When paddle sailing downwind on an 11km crossing in F4 conditions with two paddle sailors in Cetus MVs, I found I was actually faster using the Skudder in skeg mode than rudder mode. In F4 winds the Skudder is big and effective enough to tack the Scorpio Mk2 MV through the wind. Most other over stern ruddered kayaks I have used for paddle sailing in such winds are easier to tack if you lift the rudder first.

Conclusions
As the sun went down on my last night camping from the Scorpio Mk2 MV I reflected on what a great kayak I had enjoyed.

The Scorpio Mk2 MV is such a versatile kayak that if it had been available when I started sea kayaking 13 years ago I would probably still have it. Over the 4 months of the test (during one of the windiest summer and autumns in 20 years) I really grew to appreciate its versatility and forgiving nature. The various features of the Scorpio Mk2 MV with Skudder and sail are so complimentary that the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Not only is this an ideal kayak for those starting off in sea kayaking but it will grow with them and support the development of advanced skills. It would also make a great kayak for coaching. Lastly, the Scorpio Mk2 MV with Skudder and sail must be the easiest way into paddle sailing. The only thing I can find wrong with it is that P&H wanted it back!

Disclaimer
Three years ago I spent an hour and a half drifting in my kayak on the Solway. I was on the phone to Graham Mackereth of P&H. We were discussing what sort of features would make a new, all round sea kayak suitable for all abilities and be ideal for those interested in paddle sailing. I am delighted to discover that many of those ideas have now made it into production. I am glad that a manufacturer was prepared to listen to customer feedback and act on it. This may have led to some bias in this review so I suggest anyone thinking of purchasing such a kayak goes and test paddles the Scorpio Mk2 MV and makes their own mind up.

Specifications of Scorpio Mk2 range

Scorpio MK2 LV
Length: 508cm
Width: 53cm
Volume: 271l
Weight: 27.5 kgs (CoreLite) 25kg (CoreLite X)
Paddler weight range: 50-110kg

Scorpio MK2 MV  (as tested)
Length: 525cm
Width: 58cm
Volume: 317l
Weight: 29.5kgs (CoreLite) 26.5kgs (CoreLite X)
Paddler weight range: : 65-125kg

Price:   with skeg RRP: CoreLite £1,299 CoreLite X £1484
            with Skudder RRP: CoreLite £1,399 CoreLiteX  £1584

Scorpio Mk2 HV will be available mid 2016.

Repositioning the forward fin uphaul on the paddle sailing version of the P&H Aries 155.

I have several times left my friends standing while paddle sailing the Aries 155 with the forward fin deployed. In this photo Mike is being left further and further behind. Although he has a sail, our course is too much to windward for him to successfully deploy it.

This is my secret weapon! The forward fin rotates on an axle and is pulled down by shock cord and raised by pulling...

 ...on the thin central control line, which is then cleated in the cleat  positioned just forward of the forward day mini hatch. I find it a bit of a reach and as I often have a camera bag attached to the deck elastics I can't even see it.

I solved this by removing the cleat and fitting a longer line to the forward fin. I run this through a plastic tube back to the existing cleat by the cockpit which I use for the sail sheet.

The forward fin uphaul is thinner than the sail sheet and the tapered cleat holds them each firmly. This arrangement saved fitting a third cleat and brought the forward fin uphaul into easy reach.

Upwind paddle sailing with the P&H Aries 155 with forward fin, first test and review.

This striking pillar box red metallic with turquoise trim P&H Aries 155 is the latest addition to the seakayakphoto quiver.

Not only has it a Flat Earth kayak sail, it has an other interesting addition.. Note the central cord and cleat...

 ...which operates a large carbon fibre...

...forward fin for upwind paddle sailing.The fin is 30cm long and measures 11cm fore and aft at its mid length point. The fin is stiff but is cut from a flat plate of carbon fibre composite. It is pulled down by elastic and raised by the cord on deck. It will autoretract if you hit an obstruction. The fin box slot is 49cm long and will obviously increase turbulence.

The fin box is grp and is moulded into the forward bulkhead so it is very stiff. It does add to the weight of the kayak.

Here is the proof of the pudding. It is slack water at high tide. Wind is WNW F4 to F5. The sea is relatively flat due to being downwind of the shelter of Ringdoo Point and Garvellan rocks. I was paddle sailing upwind from Carrick Point to Ringdoo Point. I paddled four 500m tacks. The first two tacks were with both the forward fin up and the skeg up. From experiments with the Aries 155 last year, I already knew that it would point to about about 60 degrees from the wind with a tacking angle of about 60 degrees without the forward fin and this is exactly what I found on this occasion.

I  then put the forward fin fully down for the third and fourth tacks. From experiments with the bigger Cetus HV fitted with a smaller Karitek forward fin last year, I expected to paddle sail up wind with just the forward fin down and the skeg up. However, the balance point is different and as soon as I put the large forward fin down the kayak luffed up into the wind but this was easily corrected by putting the skeg fully down. I now found I was paddling 45 degrees to the wind with a 90 degrees tacking angle. This is the same as a Laser dinghy which was tacking alongside. Despite pointing 15 degrees higher into the wind my forward speed remained the same at a steady 7.8 km/hr. I also found it was easier to balance against the F4-5 wind with less strain on my core muscles.

Pros and cons:
The P&H forward fin is highly effective in improving a short kayak's upwind performance. It is very easy to deploy and retract and when fully down the sailing angle can be easily controlled by varying how much skeg is deployed at the stern. I found it easier to balance and control the sail upwind when using the forward fin. On the down side it adds cost, weight, water resistance and another control line.  You do not need a forward fin to have a lot of fun downwind paddle sailing the Aries 155. Lastly I found longer kayaks such as the Cetus MV will already paddle sail upwind at 45 degrees to the wind without a forward fin, though these kayaks are less fun down wind than the Aries 155.If you want to add a forward fin to an existing kayak then Kari-tek will be able to supply/fit a slightly smaller one which I found worked very well last year.

In conclusion, I found the P&H Aries 155 with forward fin to be the most versatile and fun sea kayak for paddle sailing which I have yet tried. Upwind performance over the standard kayak is markedly improved. Lastly the pillar box red metallic looks fantastic in the sunshine!

Sea kayak paddle sailing and tacking upwind.

At the paddle sailing sessions at the recent Flat Water Symposium many people were surprised that it was possible to make progress to windward. I have previously asked the question "is it worth tacking upwind with a Flat Earth kayak sail?" At that time I thought that it was not, especially in lighter winds. I would like to revisit this question considering stronger winds and the use of recent forward fin developments.

In a long unmodified kayak, such as a Cetus (photo above), Taran 16 or Nordkapp LV, I have found that it is possible to paddle sail to about 45 degrees to the wind which is much the same as a dinghy like a Laser.

In shorter kayaks such as the P&H Aries (phopto above) the kayak can still beat upwind but it points about 15 degrees less high i.e. about 60 degrees to the wind. 

Geoff Turner from Kari-tek and Graham Mackereth from P&H have each developed forward fins ("ventral fin" and "forward board" respectively) to allow kayaks such as the Aries to point higher. I have carried out a number of experiments using the GPS to measure the effectiveness paddle sailing upwind in F4 and the effectiveness of the forward skeg and when best to use it.

This shows an Aries fitted with a forward fin in the fully down position and the rear skeg in the fully up position tacking 1km upwind from point A to point B. The wind was Force 4 with a fetch of about 50 km and there were short steep waves.

I used Garmin Mapsource program to analyse the data from my GPS tracklog.

The first thing to notice is that the angle between each tack is about 90 degrees which means that the Aries is now sailing about 45 degrees to the wind. The speed through the water was 6.7km/hr and the velocity from point A to point B was 5.1 km/hr.  In those wind and waves just paddling (without the sail) in a direct line from A to B my speed was 4.9 km/hr. In lighter winds I could have paddled the Aries about 7-8 km/hr into the wind and so it would not have been worth hoisting the sail and tacking.

This experiment (and others I have done) shows that in a good F4 on open water, tacking upwind with a sail  is marginally faster than just getting your head down and paddling directly into the wind and waves. What the figures don't show is how much more fun paddle sailing is. Also in this experiment I lost speed each time I tacked (which was 5 times). I could have gone from A to B using two longer legs and only 1 tack which would have further increased my speed. 

More tomorrow...

Coming and going and leaving a wake at Kirkcudbright.

Behind us, the wind was funneling through The Sound between Little Ross and the mainland and it was with...

 ...great anticipation that we launched the sails. We were soon averaging 9km/hr and hitting 19km/hr when planing on a wave. This return trip was going to be a much quicker than the outward trip, when both wind and tide were against us and we had averaged just 5km/hr.

We were making such speedy progress that we were leaving a definite wake behind us. It soon became apparent that Tony's Alaw Bach was planing for much shorter bursts than the Aries. We had noticed this previously in Fleet Bay and now Tony, Mike and myself have all replaced our Alaw Bachs with Aries kayaks. The Alaw Bach is a superb sea kayak but for some reason it is not so suited to paddle sailing as the Aries.

 As it was just coming up for high water we did not need to keep to the narrow buoyed channel which...

 ...was just as well as the scallop dredgers from Kirkcudbright were making their way out to sea, Proud as we were of our wakes we couldn't quite match the wakes of these stout vessels.

Approaching Kirkcudbright* harbour, we kept out of the fishing boats' way by keeping inside the end of the marina pontoon.

 Once past the marina we made a quick sprint for the slipway before the remaining fishing fleet departed.

We arrived exactly at high water and so the top of the harbour slipway was dry and not too slippy. If you use this slipway in the wet be careful as it is both steep and slippery. Just a few weeks later than our trip a man slipped and suffered a nasty head injury.

Tony's wife kindly brought the car round and we only had a few feet from water to car roof rack!

Although we had not been able to paddle round the coast past Abbey Head (due to the live firing at Kirkcudbright Range) we had a most enjoyable paddle of 18.4km in Kirkcudbright Bay and Little Ross was well worth a visit. The contrast between the enclosed tidal River Dee at Kirkcudbright and the lively conditions in Little Ross Sound at the mouth of the bay could hardly be greater. If you just wanted some park and play in the Little Ross Sound tide race choose a spring tide (HW will be about 1300 in summer) on the ebb against a S-SW wind. The nearest launch place to park easily is Brighouse Bay. It is an 8km round trip to the Sound and back. Take a folding trolley as the tide goes out in Brighouse Bay for 600m. Remember that this fun little race will carry you out into the main south west going Solway ebb which runs at 4 knots springs. This will take you to a fun filled rocky landfall at the Burrow Head tiderace, some 21km away across the mouth of Wigtown Bay.

* A phonetic note for non Gallovidians, Kirkcudbright is pronounced Kir-coo-bri. It means the church of St Cuthbert.

P&H Cetus MV sea kayak, long term test and comparative review.

About the test: paddling conditions and paddlers.
This test took place during the period November 2011 until June 2013. It is based on paddling the P&H Cetus MV for over 1250km in a wide variety of waters off the west coast of Scotland: the Solway, the North Channel, the Clyde, north and south of Ardnamurchan, the Small Isles and the Southern Hebrides. It has been used on open crossings to:

...Ailsa Craig... 

...and Arran and round major tidal headlands such as...

...the Mull of Galloway,...

...the  Mull of Kintyre...

... and Ardnamurchan. It has been tested in winds from force 0 to 6 and on sea conditions including flat water, wind blown chop, tide races moving at up to 22km/hour and...

...on exposed Atlantic surf beaches such as Machrihanish. It has been paddled by about 10 other paddlers weighing from 60 to 104kg, varying between novice to 5* level. The main tester is 1.73m tall, weighs 85kg and has paddled about 19,500 km since 2002. The Cetus MV was paddled alongside and compared with a number of other popular "all round" sea kayaks including P&H Cetus LV, Cetus HV/original, Quest, Quest LV, Rockpool Alaw Bach, GT, Valley Nordkapp LV and Etain 175, Tiderace Xcite and Xplore M and Malin Gometra. We also compared it with the Taran 18 and Taran 16, which are both proving to be more versatile than being just the "record breakers" which some perceive. The majority of paddling was day paddling but the Cetus MV was also used for 21 days of self supporting expeditions:...

...bothying and....

...camping in winter and...

 camping in summer.

Manufacturer’s summary.
Fast paced and responsive and really easy to carve and turn, this is the middle ground for those who want a bit of extra volume but are too light for the original Cetus. Perfect for new comers and experts to launch their adventures, the Cetus MV has superb stability in all conditions and the ability to inspire confidence is remarkable and truly unrivalled by any other sea kayak out there. 

P&H's handcrafted quality is on show here in its finest form. The MV has all the load carrying capabilities of the original Cetus with its two main hatches plus spacious day hatch and deck pod there is plenty of room for all your kit for an overnight stay or longer.

Key features:
Length and 'shallow V-hull'
A fast and efficient kayak that will get you where you want to go in no time at all.

The Swede form design
Widest section is behind the seat creating a very stable and confidence inspiring platform.

Design.
Like its siblings, the Cetus HV and LV, this is a low, sleek kayak which hides its size. The Cetus MV is of Swede form (wide point behind the cockpit) with marked taper and rocker towards the ends. As a result from the cockpit the sculpted foredeck seems narrower than other kayaks. This is a design which promotes speed through the water (despite allowing a broad beam for stability).

The Cetus stern forms a drawn out inbuilt skeg similar to those on the Alaw Bach and Xcite. This gives a long waterline length for speed when the kayak is upright but disengages from the water for manoeuvrability when the kayak is edged (if carrying an appropriate load). Moving forward, the bottom is wide and shallow under the cockpit with a slight V at the keel. 

This runs into a rounder section towards the bow, with no hard chines between the sides and the bottom. In comparison with a similar volume "traditional British style" sea kayak (such as the Nordkapp LV), the Cetus MV's cross section at its widest point is further aft and is wider and shallower. It is longer with more rocker than the Malin Gometra but has a similar waterline length.

Construction, finish, fittings and ergonomics.
I have used eight separate 2009/2011 P&H Cetus HV/MV/LV kayaks and my friends have bought four. All have shown a superb quality of finish in respect of lamination and assembly of the hull, deck and bulkheads. The test Cetus MV arrived blemish free but about 4 weeks after it was delivered in November 2011 it developed some slight rippling of the hull sides on either side of the skeg box. This was noticeable only in some angles of light but P&H offered to take it back. However, as I was enjoying it so much (and as it had no impact on performance) I hung on to it. The GRP bulkheads are fitted with a rubber bung with a relief valve to prevent implosion/explosion of hatch covers in extreme temperature conditions. There were no faults in the fitting of components and accessories.

The test Cetus MV kayak had a plain but very smart orange deck and white hull but three of those who have paddled it, have gone on to buy a Cetus in stunning glitter finishes in turquoise or dark blue.

The long keyhole cockpit makes this one of the easiest kayaks to get in and out of, especially if you suffer from hip or knee problems like me. The plastic seat has a removable padded cover and is fitted low in the cockpit and this allowed me (at 85kg) to fit snugly. For those that like to paddle using full hip rotation and do not like seat covers, the seat base is comfortable on its own and supportive, with just the right amount of rise at the front. The seat back was also supportive, not too high for layback rolls and reasonably resistant to folding forward under your bum during rescues/recoveries. Its tension adjusts effectively using a belt and two corrosion resistant D buckles.Smaller paddlers should stick some foam hip pads to the sides of the seat to ensure good contact for edge control. The thigh braces were not so aggressive and supportive as those in the Rockpools and Tideraces but were more pronounced than those in the Nordkapp LV and a bit less so than the Etain. The Quest, Gometra, GT and Xplore M allowed a higher position of the knees, which some may prefer. The Cetus MV thigh braces come fitted with a 3mm layer of closed cell foam. One of the eight Cetus kayaks I have used, lost one of these pads after a few outings. Overall, I found the Cetus MV braces to be a very happy compromise, they allowed a very comfortable range of thigh positions from relaxed cruising to full “brace in a tide race” mode.

The test Cetus MV came with a custom bulkhead and a block of closed cell foam shaped to the bulkhead's profile. I found that the custom bulkhead was suitably reinforced to take the pressure of the toes and I used just a little of the foam to create toe pads. I paddle in UK size 10 boots and despite the fore deck's low profile; there was enough room for daylong comfort. The Cetus MV was fitted with a shorter fore deck pod than the Cetus HV and so my toes could get into the midline in front of it when I wanted to stretch my legs (29"/74 cm inside leg) or have a rest. I think if I was ordering a Cetus HV, I would ask for a short pod as fitted to this MV. I would be happy to trade the increased freedom and comfort for the loss of pod space. The short pod is still capable of holding a small VHF radio, sun tan lotion, head torch, energy bar etc. One of the test paddler's with 76cm inside leg and UK size 14 boots found the MV too restrictive to use all day and went on to buy the HV version.

The footrests fitted as standard are adjustable with large and comfortable plastic pedals. They slide on a track and are locked by twisting “paddles” which come back to just behind your knees. A 90 degree twist (while you are still seated) allows the footrest to be slid forward or back with your toes for a perfect fit. Some people have reported that a previous version (in which the paddle rod is attached to the footrest and pushes it back and forward) can give way under pressure. I found this version remained firmly in place in all seven Cetus kayaks I tried with them.

End toggles (secured by elastics), deck lines and elastics, Silva 70p compass recess and security/tow line bar were of the usual high P&H standard. Behind the cockpit there is a transverse deck recess designed to take a paddle shaft while launching and landing. Personally, I like to keep my nice carbon fibre paddles well out of the way of my bum and the beach. However, there is no doubt that the moulding adds to deck rigidity and due to joint problems I do like to sit on the rear deck before getting my legs in and out of the cockpit. In comparison, the flat rear deck of the GT was very flexible and I did not like to put my weight fully on it.

A large rubber Kayak-Sport oval rear deck hatch was partnered by a smaller round one towards the bow. Little moulded drainage channels in the deck extended out from the hatch rims reducing pooling of water. The day hatch and fore hatch were lighter covers with plastic centres. All covers were tethered. Tent poles need to be removed from a tent bag to bend it through the round forward hatch. The oval front hatches in the Valley Etain 175 and Nordkapp LV made it easier to load long objects. In five previous P&H Cetus kayaks I tried, all compartments remained dry. In terms of carrying capacity, the Cetus MV with standard bulkheads carries gear and supplies for a week's self supported expedition. (It is about the same volume as a Nordkapp LV.) The relatively narrow fore deck together with its sculpted shape means it is easy to get the paddle entry well forward and close to the hull for efficient paddling. The decals are quality items and not cheap transfers. They are 3D items and I particularly liked the bow logo, which looks like an eye.

The test Cetus MV was fitted with a prototype of the second generation skeg slider that is now fitted to all P&H sea kayaks. The skeg system is an ingenious slider on a ratchet that pulls the skeg up, and holds it up, against a shock cord that pulls the skeg down. Unlike some of the first generation sliders, this new one has remained light and positive and very easy to operate. After 5 months the skeg slider box came out the hull. There had been very little adhesive holding it in. I sent photos to P&H who have amended instructions to their fitters on production kayaks. I have used the mark 2 skeg slider in the Aries and retrofitted one to my Delphin. I have had no trouble with any of these. The slider is intuitive to use as you pull the quick release lever back as you pull the whole slider back to put the skeg down. My one small gripe occurs in winter when wearing pogies. Sometimes the pogie brushes against the quick release on the front of the slider allowing the slider to slip back and drop the skeg. P&H have told me that production versions of the 2nd generation slider have a stronger spring to resist this.

Because some previous skeg sliders were stiff , P&H have been supplying their recent sea kayaks with a very lightweight 2mm downhaul elastic in the skeg box. They also recommend setting the skeg up so that there is almost zero tension in the elastic when the skeg is fully down. I have discovered that even with the new slider, the Cetus MV skeg sometimes does not go fully down when you start paddling downwind in force 4 to 5 conditions (or when kayak sailing at speed, it retracts). After you pull the slider back, you end up with a loop of blue cord sticking out behind it. It does not seem that the downhaul elastic is strong enough when there is sideways water pressure on the skeg. When at sea you can relieve the pressure on the skeg and get it to go fully down by rocking your pelvis from side to side. Since the Mark 2 skeg slider moves so easily with little friction, I have fixed this problem by replacing the downhaul elastic with a heavier grade of 3mm shock cord. The slider still has a light action but the skeg now goes fully down every time. P&H now recommend storing the kayak with the skeg down to avoid stretching the elastic they also advise replacing the elastic each year. This is easy to do.

Stability and rolling.
I found the primary stability of the Cetus MV on flat water to be exceptional, only slightly less than that of the Cetus HV. It is significantly more stable at rest than the Nordkapp LV and Taran 16 and a little more stable than the Alaw Bach and Xcite. In practical terms, I can do a cowboy re-entry into the Cetus MV but not into the Nordkapp LV.

Once moving in the confused waters round a headland the Cetus MV and Nordkapp LV both gave a significantly easier ride than the others, especially the Quest, Etain 175, Xplore M and GT, which are all bigger volume kayaks. I think that this is because the volume in the Cetus MV and Nordkapp LV is concentrated towards the cockpit. In comparison the Etain 175, Alaw Bach, GT and Xcite are more parallel sided with more volume towards the ends. However, the wonderful rough water stability of the Nordkapp LV works only while you are actively paddling.

In contrast, the Cetus MV has allowed me to take photos with a DSLR in rougher water than in any other kayak I have paddled. (It also scored highly for camera work because it is so quick to turn and change viewpoints.) It is quite simply the best kayak I have ever been in for photography.

The Cetus MV is easy to roll and the rear cockpit rim and relatively low rear deck allow back deck rolls. Once back up it settles in the upright position very securely. However there is a definite "notch" felt when you apply turning pressure to get the hull turning the right way up. In contrast, the Nordkapp LV rolls up very smoothly (and with less effort) but is much more likely to carry on rolling once you are up and then capsize on the other side After a re-entry roll, with a flooded cockpit, the Cetus MV proved to be more stable than the Quest, Alaw Bach and Nordkapp LV.

Manoeuvrability and tracking.

It only takes a few paddle strokes to realize how much you are going to enjoy paddling this kayak. The slightest lift of a knee and you feel the kayak instantly respond to edge by turning. The Cetus MV feels alive. In comparison the Quest, Valley Etain 175, Xplore M, and Rockpool GT were much more directional. In calm conditions it is possible to do a 360 degree turn in the Cetus MV with a sweep followed by a bow rudder on the other side. At my weight, the Alaw Bach and Xcite (which are also stable on edge) did not turn quite so tightly as the Cetus MV. Although the Nordkapp LV turns very well, it is less easy to hold on edge as the Cetus MV. A real surprise during the testing was how tight the Taran 16 turned with its rudder (though not quite as tight as an edged Cetus MV). We all felt that the Cetus MV's stability and manoeuvrability on edge would make it just as ideal for relative newcomers to learn about edge control as for experts throwing it about in gnarly conditions.#

Having paddled the Cetus LV, MV and HV, I have discovered that the MV is the most manoeuvrable of the three for my weight, when used as a day kayak. When trying a CetusHV/MV/LV, you should choose the smallest size that still allows the waterline to shorten as you edge. A satisfying gurgle from the stern during an edged turn should be a clue that you are in the right kayak.

In moderate wind and water conditions it is easy to maintain a course in the Cetus MV using a little edge or skeg but it does not track so straight as the Quest LV, Etain 175, GT, or Xplore M, without edging or the skeg. In rougher conditions The Cetus MV and the Nordkapp LV are both easier than the other four to paddle into waves at about 45 degrees as their increased manoeuvrability means they are easier to steer round broken water.

Speed
The Cetus MV proved to be very quick to accelerate up to top speed. The Cetus MV, Cetus LV and Nordkapp LV all required fewer strokes to hit their maximum and pulled ahead of most of the other kayaks we paddled. On the same day I found that the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV, Etain 175 and Xplore M all had a similar maximum sprint speed, which was greater than the Alaw Bach and Xcite. Both of these tended to squat on their tails, increasing drag when paddling hard. However, none of the above kayaks could match the acceleration or top speed of the Taran 16. After paddling the Taran 16, the others all seemed slow. However, at the speed we normally cruise at (6-7km/hr) none of these kayaks would have difficulty keeping up with the others.

Behaviour in wind, waves, surf and tide races

Having such a low profile means that the Cetus MV behaves very well in stronger winds however, it is a wetter kayak in waves than the bigger volume kayaks like the Etain 17.5, GT and Xplore M. The Cetus MV bow rises less over short steep waves than those kayaks and it and the Nordkapp LV do not slam down into the trough like the Taran 16 and other flatter bottomed kayaks. Unloaded, in force 5-6 winds (over sheltered waters in the lee of a low headland) the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV and Taran 16 could be comfortably paddled into wind and short steep windblown chop at 45 degrees. The Taran 16 was more of a handful but was fast. In these conditions the Alaw Bach, Xcite, Etain 17.5, GT tended to have their bows blown down wind. The Cetus MV and Nordkapp LV were the easiest kayaks to turn, bow through the wind in winds approaching force 6. The Cetus MV can be used without a skeg, as it is so responsive to edging. However, on long windy crossing, I still much prefer to use the skeg and both it and the Nordkapp LV were the easiest to set the right amount of skeg and keep on line when paddling about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees from the wind in force 4 and above.

In small to medium following seas and in surf, the Alaw Bach and Xcite picked the waves up with much less paddler input than any of the other kayaks in this group. However, an experienced paddler could use the acceleration of the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV and Taran 16 to catch even the most unpromising swells on open water, which the Alaw Bach and Xcite were too slow to catch. Once on the wave, the Cetus MV was steerable by edging, especially if you stayed well up near the crest. It was more manoeuvrable than the Alaw Bach and Xcite on the wave but required more paddler input than these to avoid broaching in surf. However, on one difficult open crossing, with a fast swell from one rear quarter and a gusty force 4 wind from the other rear quarter, the Cetus MV proved much easier to keep on line than the Xcite. The Cetus MV was also very controllable coming in through the surf zone on the approach to a landing. A great deal of this controllability was due to its quick acceleration, allowing you to slow down, let a threatening wave through, then accelerate to catch a more manageable wave, to carry you into the shore. After a broach in surf, the Cetus MV was very stable when braced into the wave, the lack of chines reduced the likelihood of a shoreward flip. The Cetus MV was also one of the easier kayaks to straighten up from a broach. Although not as fast downwind as others in this group, the Malin Gometra was very easy and reassuring to paddle downwind in confused and breaking seas. The Cetus MV was faster as it was easier to catch more waves than the Gometra but it also required more paddler input.

Just looking at its fine bow sections, we wondered whether the Cetus MV might be at risk of pearling (burying its bow) when paddling before steep following seas. However, there is a distinct upward curve in the sheer line from the front hatch forward and on test, pearling was not an issue, loaded or unloaded and with or without a sail. Overall, the Cetus inspired confidence, giving a very smooth passage through difficult, rough water conditions.

Immediately under the Mull of Galloway, on a west going tide, there is a very dramatic eddy line. The main current is moving at 22km/hr and the eddy is moving about 5km/hr the other way. The Cetus MV is the best kayak I have used for breaking out of the main flow into this eddy. It was not possible to swap kayaks on the day due to the lack of landing sites and inability to get back against the current but I have used my Quest LV, Alaw Bach and Nordkapp LV here and the Cetus MV is the easiest and most confidence inspiring. I think it is a combination of its stability and lack of chines that give the paddler the feel of confidence. I kept my expensive digital SLR in my deck bag going round the Mull at full flow(11knots)  in the Cetus MV and HV but in my other three kayaks I have kept it in the day hatch.

Paddling when loaded.

The Cetus MV has a smaller volume than several of the other kayaks I had initially compared it with. On the water and when packing, it feels of similar volume to the Quest LV, Alaw Bach, Nordkapp LV but is surprisingly smaller than Xplore M, Xcite and the Etain 17.5. It is obviously a lot smaller than the Quest, GT and the two Tarans (though the Taran 16 feels and behaves like a much smaller kayak). The Cetus MV with a standard bulkhead position takes the same amount of gear as the Nordkapp LV and Alaw Bach, which I find is enough for a self supporting trip of a week and more than enough for a weekend. However, for personal use I would consider getting one with a strengthened custom bulkhead (£90) positioned to maximise front hatch volume and minimise cockpit volume. This will increase the versatility for camping expeditions. With a custom bulkhead for a 31" inside leg (P&H prefer to allow 2" over your inside leg) the Cetus MV takes considerably more gear, about the same as a standard Quest.

Photo by Ian Johnston Mountain and Sea Scotland

With an 85kg paddler and 35kg gear aboard (see photo above), the Cetus MV is ridiculously stable, both at rest and on edge. It is also much more directional as the built in skeg no longer disengages and shortens the waterline when edged. It and the loaded Nordkapp LV are much less affected by strong winds than any of the other kayaks in this review. For my weight I found the Cetus MV to be the ideal compromise size for day and short expedition paddling. Loading a traditional British style kayak like the Norkapp LV, I tend put an equal weight of gear in the fore and aft compartments, then put my water bag behind the seat. In the Cetus MV I find it paddles better down wind and swell with the gear weight distributed about 60% to the rear.

Performance comparative table.

Don't attempt to add up the columns, I haven't! Each person will rate and weight performance characteristics differently but this might help decide which of these kayaks suits your paddling style and is worth taking for a test paddle.

Long term wear and tear.
The orange test Cetus MV has survived the test and come out gleaming despite hard use and being used by a considerable number of different paddlers. Apart from some light scuffing on the deck and superficial scratching on the underhull there are no signs for concern. There is no evidence of delamination, gel coat cracking or voids under cracked gel coat. The gland where the skeg cable enters the top of the skeg box began to leak after 6 months. P&H offered to take it back to the factory to fix it but I was happy to fix it myself with some Sikaflex sealant. The Mark 2 skeg has remained light and easy to use but I replaced the elastic at 12 months as I noticed the skeg began to lift when planing while paddle sailing.

After prolonged use three Cetus seat backs in our group have folded just above the seat, forming a crease, which is uncomfortable on a long paddle. During a six day paddle my friend Mike cut the bottom of the seat back off, which cured his sore back.

P&H now offer the Connect 30 seat (as fitted to the Delphin and Aries) as an option on the Cetus and I would recommend selecting that as we have had no problems with the Connect 30 seat.

Kayak sailing.

Sea kayak paddle sailing is becoming more popular in the UK, particularly since the recent arrival of the light, simple Flat Earth kayak sails from Australia.

The Cetus MV is one of the best sea kayaks for paddle sailing I have tried. It is stable yet fast and manoeuvrable. The Cetus MV is particularly good downwind and is better upwind than the Nordkapp LV, Quest, Quest LV and the Alaw Bach (which is not as good as the others upwind with a sail). The Cetus MV is not only faster upwind than the others, it also points higher into the wind.

To give some idea of the speed of the Cetus MV downwind with a 0.8sqm Flat Earth sail in force 3-4 winds...

...it easily outstrips a strong paddler in a Taran 18 without a sail. The Cetus MV has the wide point behind the cockpit which encourages planing in less wind than the Nordkapp LV, which has its wide point forward of the cockpit. When planing with a sail in a decent wind in the Cetus MV, it is possible to overtake the waves in front. At these speeds it is worth experimenting with edging. You may find that the turning response to edging is reversed at speed, with the kayak now turning toward the dropped edge. In the Cetus MV this was more noticeable and occurred at lower speeds than in the Nordkapp LV. The Cetus MV is easier to control with a sail than the Taran 16 especially upwind in force 4 and above (though in skilled hands the Taran 16 is probably faster). However, the Taran 16 with a sail is a lethal downwind weapon and leaves even the Cetus MV behind.

Overall the Cetus MV makes a very versatile kayak for paddle sailing. Its stability makes it an ideal platform for those new to sailing but its early planing, speed and manoeuvrability also give it appeal to advanced paddle sailors.

Other kayaks to consider.
If you are considering buying a Cetus MV, you should also try the other day/short expedition kayaks, which we paddled alongside it. The Alaw Bach and Xcite are equally playful on rough water but are more affected by strong winds. The Alaw Bach cockpit is smaller and at my weight I find it just a bit tight for day long comfort. The Quest LV is great downwind but is not as manoeuvrable or stable. The Nordkapp LV is not as comfortable but is an outstanding kayak with a similar range of strengths. It is probably the best kayak of this size in very strong winds and rough water, except it does require more concentration and skill to exploit it. The Xplore M is very comfortable with a good turn of speed but is less playful, being more directional and expedition orientated. A wild card to consider is the Taran 16. Despite being bigger volume and of a very different design to the Cetus MV, it is also surprisingly versatile. It excels downwind in waves but it can still carry a great load. The Etain 175, Quest, GT and Taran 18 are all much bigger than the Cetus MV and should more appropriately be compared with a Cetus HV. The Malin Gometra is a smaller kayak than the Cetus MV but has a similar waterline length. It is not as fast as the Cetus MV downwind but gives a very predictable and safe ride.

Conclusion

The Cetus MV has proved to be the most versatile day/short expedition kayak that I have tried. Its outstanding features are comfort, stability, speed, manoeuvrability, rough water handling and behaviour in strong winds. Lighter or heavier paddlers can get similar performance from the Cetus LV or HV. The beauty of the Cetus family is that they excel both on day trips and when loaded on expedition. I (like many of my enthusiastic sea kayaking friends) ended up buying two sea kayaks: one for day use and one for expeditions. With the introduction of the Cetus family, this is no longer necessary. I have now sold my Quest and my daughter has inherited my much loved Nordkapp LV. I have bought a Cetus MV to replace them both!

Specifications

Weight (standard construction, custom bulkhead, optional keel strip, compass, inc. hatch covers): 27.9kg, length: 541cm, width: 54.5 cm, cockpit length: 80cm, breadth: 41.5cm, internal height at front of cockpit: 30.5cm, rear of seat base to inside edge of front of cockpit rim: 70.5cm, price (standard specification): £2349.

Conflict of interest statement.
During the period of testing of the Cetus MV, I have had free loans of  P&H, Valley, Rockpool and Malin sea kayaks.

An earlier and edited version of this test appeared in Ocean Paddler magazine issue 34. This is the response from P&H sea kayaks (who I have found to be very attentive to any issues I have identified since I started testing their kayaks in the spring of 2009):

Manufacturer’s response
"Thank you for such a thorough and measured review; we really appreciate the time and effort you take to fairly test our products. We are pleased that you have been able to use the Cetus MV in such a broad range of conditions and have managed to spend some quality expedition time in it. With regard to the rippling mentioned, without actually seeing the boat it is hard to determine what has caused this. We are looking into it however and, as always, are more than happy to assess any P&H boat that a customer has concerns over. We are really pleased with the new second-generation skeg system and thank Douglas as well as P&H Team Paddlers for their part in testing this; we have addressed and resolved all the issues around the spring, cord and elastic. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our boats, the fittings, construction and our service, so we appreciate all customer feedback. If you have comments you would like to share with us please send them to info@phseakayaks.com".