P&H Volan 160 long term test and comparative review.

 Introduction.

P&H Volan 160 in its element. Photo by Ian Johnston.

This really is a long term test. I first paddled the Volan MV back in October 2020 but a combination of injury, resulting in a fractured coccyx, chronic health problems and covid lockdown has limited my time to the extent that P&H have since renamed it the Volan 160! So with apologies to P&H, I have at last spent enough time in the Volan 160 to get enough experience for a meaningful test and comparative review. This is an updated and expanded version of a test which was published here then edited and published in Kanu Magazin in April 2022. It includes comments and posts I have made on P&H Owners Group Facebook page since then.

P&H have created the Volan 160 (16 foot) kayak because they saw a need for a shorter, lighter, more manoeuvrable kayak that was still capable of going weekend camping trips as well as being a lot of fun on day trips. I believe they have created something much more. The Volan 160 is a true all round, all purpose sea kayak, which is also capable of multi-day trips rather than just weekend trips.

Design features.

The Volan 160 has relatively steep bow and stern overhangs to maximise its waterline length. It has considerable bow and stern rocker and hard chines run nearly its full length. The sheer line (seam) rises steeply towards the the bow which reduces waves breaking over the bow, pitching and purling. In plan, the wide point on the Volan is about the seat so it is neither a fish form nor a swede form though it tends slightly to the swede form end of the spectrum.

Construction and fittings options.

The Volan 160 is available in four composite constructions. I chose the lightest; the Lightweight Kevlar/Carbon infusion. I added the optional full kevlar/carbon deck, no keel strip, Connect seat, vertical rear bulkhead, custom forward bulkhead position, no footrest, metal flake deck, I chose to delete the forward mini hatch. The boat was built in July 2020 and weighed 20.2kg. 

I have previously used P&H composite sea kayaks in original Diolen, Performance Kevlar/Diolen, Expedition Diolen and Lightweight Kevlar Carbon spec. At the age of 68y, I can no longer easily handle and lift the Performance Kevlar/Diolen or Expedition Diolen constructions ashore, so this time I went for Lightweight Kevlar/Carbon. Since I started paddling a carbon surfski, I have got used to exiting a kayak in deeper water rather than running it up the beach. So I also chose not to have a keel strip to save weight.

I have used the Performance seat and the Connect seat in two previous Cetus MVs and have the Performance seat in my current Nomad 17. I do not get along with the Performance seat as it digs into my lower spine at the coccyx every time I rotate. The lower tab of the seat back also develops a fold with time and that also digs in.

Cutting the lower tab off the backrest of a Performance seat in a Cetus MV after it folded forward and pressed on the lower spine while on expedition.

Connect seat with removable hip pads in place.

So this time I ordered the Connect seat. It would be worth while trying to demo both before deciding. The Connect seat comes with removable hip pads. My hips are 98cm/38” and the fit is perfect. We had to remove them for paddlers with a bigger hip measurement. 

Vertical rear bulkhead and custom front bulkhead with foam pad for feet.

I ordered a vertical rear bulkhead because it gives more space behind the seat and I like to keep my heavy water bag there when camping. The Connect seat has an adjustable strap with quick release buckle to secure gear behind the seat back. There are gear loops at either side of the seat pan.

I like custom forward bulkheads for a footrest as they are so comfortable and versatile. Since starting to paddle a surfski, most of my sea kayak paddling is now also done with feet and knees together and this is easy with a bulkhead footrest. My inside leg is 29” and P&H fit the bulkhead big enough for 31” leg and supply a shaped full size block of foam 3” thick to put against the bulkhead. I cut a 1” thick slice off with a breadknife and use the 2” thick piece. I fit it with a pull cord in its centre so it is easy to remove. Using combinations of these two foam pieces, or none, my boat can easily fit paddlers of 28” to 31” inside leg more quickly than adjusting foot pegs! I have not tested the Volan with the standard twistlock footrests. I do not like them after paddling several Scorpios and Virgos. I see no point in ordering a personal customised  sea kayak with these fitted. They reduce the volume of the front hatch and increase the volume of the cockpit. They are less stiff than a custom bulkhead footrest and sometimes give way if you press too hard.

I ordered metal flake glitter deck, not because I was a teenager in the early ‘70s but because I have found boats with deck glitter are easier to sell on! I deleted the forward mini hatch because it gives me more room for my favoured feet and knees together paddling position. Also, I usually have a deck mounted camera bag, right where the mini hatch is located.

The Volan 160 has all the regular P&H composite deck fittings you would expect.

I was very pleased indeed that the cockpit coaming is now about 1cm higher than in the Cetus MV. This makes it much easier to get your spray deck on quickly.

The skeg adjuster has now been moved to the left foredeck, which I like as I no longer catch my thumb when paddling (as I often do on the Cetus MV). It also keeps it out the way if rafting up. However, it is now more likely to trap sand, so be prepared to keep it clean. I have found the lightest smear of silicone grease on the slider rod keeps the mechanism working smoothly. On this particular boat the skeg adjuster line was fine gauge stainless steel wire. Note that this is not the same as the "wire skeg" option on the P&H website. That refers to the previous generation of skegs such as found on the P&H Quest LV. In that, a heavy gauge stainless steel wire both deploys and retracts a triangular skeg blade.

I particularly like the deck elastics being a different colour to the deck lines (grey and black on this boat). This means if you are rescuing someone you can say grab the black line and they are less likely to grab elastic! 

Two very nice touches relevant to paddle sailing, which I suggested to Graham Mackerreth MD of P&H some years ago, now make a first appearance on a composite P&H sea kayak. Firstly there is now a pair of lateral deck line RDFs perpendicular (with respect to the kayak's longitudinal midline) to a mast foot mounting flat moulded on the foredeck. This means you do not need to add additional deck fittings for the mast side stays. 

Secondly, on the starboard side of the deck, just below the front of the cockpit rim, there is a little hook. This allows a rearward extension of the forward deck elastics to be pulled over the folded mast sail and to be secured on the hook. As the whole deck elastic is continuous, this allows you to pull enough elastic through to secure, but not crush, the sail. It then retracts out of the way when the sail is up…neat! Finally, like all recent P&H composite sea kayaks, even this lightweight kevlar carbon version has a foredeck that will withstand the pressure of a mast foot without further reinforcement by the user being required.

Still on the theme of paddle sailing, note the amount of 3D moulding round the mast foot (red plate with two bolts). This all helps to stiffen the foredeck to withstand the pressure of the mast but without adding too much weight from extra layers of laminate. Note the curved depression that is forward of the spare paddle recesses. Unfortunately this particular kayak had a compass mounting that was about 2mm too shallow for the Silva 70p deck compass. P&H will supply a custom cut gasket that will allow you to fit your own.

Test conditions,  locations, comparison kayaks and paddlers.

The test period was October 2020 until September 2022. This included restricted access to the sea during second Covid lockdown. I used the Volan 160 fully loaded on camping trips totalling 13 days. For comparison I switched to the Cetus MV on one of these trips for a further 2 days. The rest of the time health problems limited me to day paddles with a maximum of 12 km though most were only 6 km. In total, I paddled 518km and others paddled  it 133km.

The Volan 160 was paddled in exposed tidal waters of the outer Solway Firth,  open and sheltered waters in the Firth of Clyde and its sea lochs, open sheltered and tidal waters in the Firth of Lorn, tidal waters between the Isle of Skye and the mainland, fjord like Loch Hourn, the Sound of Arisaig and Wester Ross coast in NW Scotland. In my main Solway test area, I have installed an anemometer on an off shore reef and have a spare sports watch (with GPS and accelerometers) with an app attached to a handle on top of a buoy to measure swell/wave height. Winds varied from F0 up to F7 (offshore) and swell up to 1.5m with one 2m day.

It was paddled alongside P&H kayaks: Delphin 155, Aries 155, Hammer, Virgo MV, Scorpio Mk1, Scorpio Mk2 CLX MV and HV, Quest LV, Cetus (original and MV), Cetus LV,  Northshore Kayaks: Ocean 17.6, Voyager 17.0, Voyager 16.10,  Atlantic Evolution/Nomad 17, Rockpool Kayaks: Alaw Bach, Valley Kayaks: Nordkapp LV and Anas Acuta. In order not to allow the Volan's lightweight carbon kevlar construction to affect the comparisons unfairly, the Evolution Kayaks Nomad 17 was included as it is also of full kevlar/carbon construction. It is also marketed as a versatile all rounder but is a more traditional British style shape.

The main tester was 172cm tall and 73kg. The Volan was also paddled by a range of people from 164cm to 188cm tall and 62kg to 90kg. Paddler experience ranged from complete beginner to 5*. It was padded with GP, Euro and wing paddles.

Ergonomics and fit.

Of all the boats mentioned in this test I, and several others, found the Volan 160 and the Nomad 17 to be the most comfortable to sit in for extended  periods of time. There is a common reason, they have bigger cockpits, with more room for thighs, knees and feet than for example the Cetus MV and particularly, the Nordkapp LV and Anas Acuta. Being an all round kayak, the Volan 160 does not have the aggressive thigh grips that are fitted to the Aries 155. Some of the shorter paddlers felt their legs were splaying wider than in their Cetus MVs. The Volan 160 cockpit coaming length, breadth and height dimensions are similar to those of the Cetus MV but the distance across the cockpit, where my knees make contact with the seams, is 3cm larger. However, due to the 2cm thick skeg slider being moved from just above the seam to the fore deck, the Volan has 5 cm more width for your knees than the Cetus MV. If you like the width of the Cetus MV cockpit you could always stick 2.5cm thick mini-cell foam pads to each seam where your knees contact.

A couple of paddlers who have Aries 155s missed the aggressive thigh grips as I have only stuck 3mm mini-cell foam sheet under the deck. It would be easy enough to stick some thicker strips along the inner side of the thigh grip area if you wanted a more positive location. I have not felt the need and it is interesting that the Nomad 17, which was also highly rated for comfort in this test, does not have aggressive thigh grips either. Lastly, the relationship between the Volan 160 seat/deck and cockpit opening is really good. I can get both legs out on the water prior to landing which I can’t in the Cetus MV.

First impressions.

I like boats with chines and the Volan MV is a very modern incarnation of a chined kayak. I like chines because of the early planing when catching a wave. I like the feel of chines when edging. Also, chined boats let you carve a turn (when planing) by leaning the kayak into the turn rather than leaning it out of the turn as most round hulled boats require. Some people like chines from the historical and aesthetic points of view.  The kayak that Ken Taylor brought to Scotland from West Greenland in 1960 was chined and this kayak went on to influence the British style sea kayaks. Indeed the Anas Acuta has its roots in that kayak. I also like chines in sailing dinghies. I much prefer the hard chined RS Aero, which I currently sail to the round hulled Laser, which I sailed in the '70s and '80s. 

Before I had seen it, I had wondered if the Volan 160 might be a composite version of the Virgo MV but as soon as I saw its size and shape, I realised it was not. The overall volume of the Volan 160 is 28l more than the Cetus MV and I think most of that is in the cockpit. When I sat in the Volan 160 cockpit, it felt so roomy compared with my Cetus MV that I wondered whether I would have been better waiting for the smaller Volan 158 to partner my Cetus MV (which fits like a glove or my Valley Nordkapp LV, which fits like a very tight sock). My first few outings were unloaded and in calm or moderate conditions. The Volan 160 cockpit’s spacious comfort, offering enough contact for control, was only matched by the equally roomy Nomad 17 cockpit (which also uses a P&H seat!). 

My first long trip in the Volan 160 was a very windy camping trip and I did not get that instant feeling of “This is the kayak for me” that I got with the Cetus MV on its first outing. I was having to adjust the Volan’s skeg more than my friend in a Cetus MV and I found I had to concentrate to keep it on course. I had loaded the Volan 160 with all my gear in the same place as I would have put it in the Cetus MV. First, this confirmed that they both had similar volume in each of the hatches and that the Volan 160 would not therefore be a particularly good smaller partner to the Cetus MV. However, over the four days, I gradually moved heavier items back and moved lighter items forward. What a difference this made to the way the Volan handled in the wind. At the end of the four days I knew I had found my new "do it all" all round camping boat and thoughts of waiting for a smaller Volan vanished!

Day trips

I was amazed by the Volan 160’s response to edging and its stability on edge,  this stability is quite unlike that of the Nordkapp LV, for example. For a full size expedition boat, the Cetus MV is known to turn tightly on edge but the Volan 160 turns well inside it.

Several times I have followed a Hammer rock hopping through tight channels and only left the paddler to it when the channels had shallow rocks, which he did not mind scraping over. With regard to cruising speed on flat water, there really is nothing in it between the Volan 160 and the Cetus MV not to mention the other British style kayaks it was paddled alongside.

Even when pushing for maximum speed against the tide (when we had missed a tidal window in the Loch Hourn narrows), the Cetus MV was not noticeably faster. 

Where I have really fallen for the Volan 160 is downwind on an open crossings, it is easier to catch more waves than the Cetus MV or Atlantic/Nomad 17. Going upwind, the Volan 160 is much drier than the Quest LV, Cetus MV, Anas Acuta and Nordkapp LV. You will find you need to adjust the skeg less than in an Aries but more than in a Cetus. As I take a lot of photos, I frequently stop paddling. Like the Cetus MV, the Volan 160 is very happy to lie to the wind at the same angle as when you were paddling. This is in contrast to the Aries, which will start to lee cock as soon as you stop paddling. (To reassure potential Aries buyers, the Aries is very neutral in the wind when you are moving and have used the appropriate amount of skeg.)

Multi-day trips

Volan 160 and Cetus MV.

The Cetus MV, Quest LV, Nordkapp LV, Atlantic Evolution/Nomad 17 and Volan 160 can all carry exactly the same volume of my gear but the Volan 160 day hatch is a bit deeper and the bow and stern end spaces are less tapered and so are more usable and easy to load than on the longer kayaks. When loaded, both the Volan 160 and the Nomad 17 are noticeably drier than the other kayaks when going upwind into a breezy chop.

Cruising speed is obviously important on multi-day trips. Although the Volan 160 is shorter than the other kayaks above, it also has shorter overhangs and so the waterline length is not that much different. As it is waterline length that largely dictates maximum displacement (non planing) speed, there is not really much difference in cruising speed between the Volan 160 and the longer traditional British style kayaks. Also many people are not fit enough or have good enough technique to drive a kayak to its theoretical maximum speed. As you approach the hull's maximum speed, the resistance to forward paddling increases exponentially. Other factors also play a part such as the wetted area when loaded and unloaded. The more wetted area the greater resistance to forward paddling. In rough water a stable boat will be easier to keep to speed than an apparently fast, long narrow boat, if paddle strokes are wasted bracing. Putting the theory aside,  in practical terms we noticed no difference in cruising speed or effort between the Volan 160 and the longer kayaks it was compared with. The only difference was that good paddlers could catch more waves going downwind in the Volan 160 and pull ahead of the longer boats.

GPS track of an 11km tow by the Volan 160 from the Isle of Bute to the mainland.

To prove the point about the Volan 160's effective cruising speed, I managed to tow a medically incapacitated paddler in a Cetus MV with the Volan 160 for 11km (across two shipping lanes in the Firth of Clyde) at an average speed of 6km per hour and without stopping. Both boats were fully loaded on a camping trip. 

If speed was my prime requirement in a sea kayak, because I was on a record breaking mission such as a long crossing or circumnavigation, I would choose an FSK such as a Rockpool Taran for a multi-day trip or a surfski for a single day trip.

P&H's sublime RM Valkyrie, a hybrid surfski hull with a kayak deck, would be another great choice if speed was your priority..

Windy conditions.

A friend, who has recently bought a Volan 160 after making quick progress in a Scorpio MV, said he found the Volan 160 was a bit skittish when unloaded in stronger winds. He was the right weight for the boat but had been setting the skeg then forgetting about it, as he had got away with in the Scorpio MV. I have had no problems in wind, if I trim the skeg more frequently than I would in a longer boat. This is particularly so when the wind is coming from about 45 degrees from the bow. However, even in more extreme conditions, the Volan  more than holds its own and is very neutral in strong winds with appropriate use of the skeg. 

On a very windy offshore day, an unladen Northshore Ocean 17.6 began to lee cock as we were trying to round a headland. The owner had lost weight since he bought it and because it was an unloaded HV expedition boat, it was floating higher than ideal. The wind was gusting into F7 but the Volan 160 remained completely controllable and I was able to return and set up an assisted tow. I had no trouble turning the Volan 160's bow into the wind, even when towing, to keep the Ocean 17.6’s bow to the wind while we rounded the headland. 

Photo Ian Johnston
I am a sucker for deck cargo... big camera case and sail folded on the fore deck (if it is not up!) and often a trolley bag on the rear, so I no doubt experience windage problems more than most. I also like collecting abandoned fishing buoys from beaches and rocks. One of these on your rear deck is a great way to test how a boat handles in a breeze. I carried a 70cm diameter buoy for 32km both upwind, across the wind and downwind. Some of the time I used a sail. During this period the anemometer at a local airstrip averaged 11 knots and gusted to 21knots. The Volan with a buoy handled and tracked very nearly as well as the Quest LV and Cetus MV without buoys! Overall, the Volan 160 excels surfing downwind on its chines in a breeze but also handles going upwind very well indeed. 

Swell and surf.

I am lucky enough to live right on a beach (on the Solway Firth) that is exposed to both long period swell and short period surf. In rough water the Volan feels very secure. It has such remarkable secondary stability that I found it seldom necessary to engage the thigh grips.

(Maybe my experience in surfskis has contributed to this, not a thigh grip in sight...despite the narrow width!) 

In more confused seas, The Volan 160 matches the untroubled feel of the longer boats with low volume ends such as Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV,  Atlantic Evolution/Nomad 17 or the Anas Acuta. However, the Volan 160 is faster than these boats once it catches a wave downwind. In short ,steep waves it is easier to alter course to hold a line on the wave face when you are being pushed into a broach than the above kayaks (and also the Quest LV and Cetus MV). Despite being shorter, the Volan 160 is much less likely to start to broach than the original Cetus in particular. 

In my Cetus MV and Nomad 17, if I am catching bigger swell, I find I need to run pretty straight with the bow about 90 degrees to the swell line, while holding a stern rudder stroke, otherwise it tends to broach. However, in the Volan 160 I find I can run at about 45 degrees to the swell without broaching. This is great fun because it allows you to travel faster than running straight in front of the swell. I am also lucky to have a reef break at certain states of the tide. I like to catch the swell at its steepest, smooth face just before it starts to break. I then run away from the breaking section with the white water chasing after my stern. In full planing conditions on a wave face I find that a little skeg helps.

Note that the Volan 160's bow rocker and high bow sheerline help prevent the bow burying.

My aim is to balance the direction of the kayak with very sensitive edging. I use a stern rudder stroke as little as possible as this acts as a brake.  Some say you should never use skeg when catching swell or surf.  Well, I have been catching and riding waves on a variety of windsurfers since 1977 and all of them have had skegs, some 3 or 4!! My full carbon Think Zen surfski even has a rudder! The above technique only works for me in kayaks with hard chines. I can’t do it on my otherwise excellent Nomad 17. It requires I use stern rudder and run straight on most steep waves. However, when you broach a round bottom kayak like the Nomad 17,  it is more forgiving.

In a chined boat, like the Volan 160, you need to be sure to get the chine that is farthest from the wave face out of the water, otherwise it is another swim! Next to the Aries 155, the carbon kevlar Volan 160 is now my favourite British style kayak for catching swell and waves. 

However, let’s be realistic. If you want to ride and shred waves, stand up and get yourself a surfboard or a windsurfer. Compared with a small board, even a carbon sea kayak is an unwieldy, heavy barge. If you really want to sit down and catch waves get a surfski, preferably carbon, and only paddle downwind!

Aries 155 in  Lightweight Kevlar Carbon 
I was concerned about ordering the Volan 160 in kevlar carbon because one of my previous Aries 155s was kevlar carbon and it slammed, banged and shuddered when paddling out over steep waves and surf. My carbon surfski is even worse and I often fear it will break in half! (I guess this is why surfskiers prefer downwind shuttle runs.)  I need not have worried. The kevlar/carbon Volan 160 has more V in the bow than the Aries and comes down off the back of the wave much more softly and with hardly a shudder.

Going out through breaking waves the bow of the Volan 160 sheds water from its deck better than the other kayaks except for the Aries 155 and Delphin 155. You will still get a wet chest but after being dumped on by an incoming wave, the boat rises predictably and safely. When playing in surf, the shorter kayaks; Volan 160, Aries 155, Hammer and Virgo MV could be spun round between sets much more easily than the longer kayaks. The  Virgo MV with less bow rocker and the Anas Acuta with its fine front end were more likely to bury their bow and broach than the other kayaks. If you do bury the Volan 160's bow, it rises and sheds water almost as well as the specialist Aries and Delphin 155s.

The Hammer was great, secure fun in surf but so heavy compared with the others.  Although the Hammer could catch slow moving surf in the shallow water, it was not able to catch faster moving deep water swells that the Volan 160 could.  

Looking at all round performance in swell and surf, such as might be encountered during a longer trip,  the Volan 160 was my favourite. If your interests lie in just playing in the swell, surf and tide races then yes the Aries 155 / Delphin 155 take it due to their more specialised nature. Would I pair a Volan 160 with an Aries 155?  Well for me, the answer is no. There is too much performance overlap at the wave end of the wave/touring spectrum of my use. Remember though, that if the surf is up and there is enough wind, both my Aries 155 and Volan 160 will remain in the shed and I will be out windsurfing. If there is swell but light wind, I will be on my surfski!

Suitability for beginners.

I am not suggesting a beginner should buy a composite kayak as a first purchase and particularly not a kevlar carbon one. However, three absolute beginners really took to the Volan. It was easy to get in and out of and they felt very stable. They found it much easier to turn than the Cetus MV. It would be a great boat to go on and learn edging in because of its remarkable secondary stability.

Rolling, assisted rescues and coaching.

The Volan 160 has a very predictable roll. It does not roll as fast as a Valley Nordkapp LV, which tends to window blind and roll over again if you are not quick. Due to the rocker, the bow and stern continue to provide some support once you pass the limit of secondary stability in an accidental capsize. This delays overturning and  a good paddler may be able to use a high brace to recover before complete inversion. Those smaller paddlers or those who depend on a vigorous hip snap to come up will probably want to stick some more pronounced thigh grips under the deck. I have not found the need. The back deck is about the same height as the Northshore Atlantic Evolution/Nomad 17 and Valley Nordkapp LV but is a bit higher than the Cetus MV. However, it was still low enough to make back deck rolls easy. 

Assisted re-entries were easy using the heel hook and the spacious cockpit  meant twisting your bum round into the seat was easy. The elastic supported Connect seat back resisted folding under you during re-entry pretty well. The Volan 160 proved easy to empty during an assisted T rescue.  I have found the flooded Aries 155 more difficult to lift due to the pronounced upturn of the bow.

The Volan's stability and ability to turn quickly are a real boon when coaching. I am currently teaching my 9 year old grandson to sea kayak and I am very happy to coach his out of boat practice from the Volan 160.  Needless to say, his kayak, a Jersey Junior also has chines!

Paddle sailing.

TheVolan 160 is an absolute blast when paddle sailing! 

Flat Earth Footloose sail.
I used the Volan 160 with Flat Earth Tradewind and Footloose sails and KCS Pro sail. While the Tradewind is forgiving in gusts and is ideally suited to newcomers to paddle sailing, I preferred the more responsive feel of the Footloose and Pro sails.  They also deliver more power in a gust, which is very helpful when the boat is laden on a camping trip.

Upwind, with similar Flat Earth Tradewind sails, the Volan 160 appears to point as high to the wind as the longer boats. However, like the shorter Aries 155, it slips more to leeward and after a kilometre of sailing as close to the wind as possible it was about 120m downwind of the longer kayaks. I also found I was having to trim the skeg in the Volan 160 and Aries 155 more often than in the longer kayaks.

KCS Pro sail.
Paddle sailing in decent downwind conditions, the Volan 160 truly excels, it will help you catch more waves than most other British style kayaks apart from the Delphin/Aries.  Among the longer kayaks, the Quest LV was a favourite and gave a great paddle sailing downwind as it picked up waves easily and required little effort to keep it on line.

When surfing downwind on the faces of swell, the pressure of the forward mounted sail helps prevent broaching and you can go for  long distances without requiring steering strokes. Do remember with these small Australian type sails that you need to keep forward paddling. Bigger, American style sails, are much more powerful and you do not need to paddle. However, I would not take them out in the rough water, high wind conditions conditions that the smaller sails are designed for.  Also just sitting there in a Scottish winter gets cold! Paddle sailing is the way to go.

In the Volan 160, a combination of stern rocker and its chines, which extend towards the bow, helps catch the wave and stay planing on its face. Similar to the Aries 155 and Delphin 155,  when planing at speed, the response to edging reverses and the boat turns towards the depressed edge. These types of boats are more responsive to edging when paddle sailing downwind than the longer, round bottom hulls of the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV, Ocean 17.6, Voyager  and Atlantic/Nomad 17.0 which require frequent stern rudder strokes. Note that I would not recommend edging to hold a long course while paddle sailing (that is what your skeg is for!) but edging is ideal for short term adjustments, especially on a wave. Overall, I have had more fun paddle sailing the Volan 160, laden and unladen, than in any other kayak.

Wear and tear.
The Volan 160 has survived over 650km paddling by myself and others and still looks new. There have been only three minor issues:

The stainless steel cable for the skeg adjuster got a slight kink when a beginner tried to put the skeg down while the stern was still on the beach. It has not affected function at all.

In calm conditions there are small but persistent leaks into the rear compartment and rear day hatch. It is not much more than a few cc over the course of a day. However, in rough conditions, especially on a camping trip with a load, the boat takes on several litres over a day. I have not yet discovered its source. In my experience, it is usually the gland where the cable enters the skeg box but I have upturned the kayak and filled the skeg box with water and it is bone dry. I have also removed the deck line RDF fittings but all their inserts are water and air tight.

I have never previously had a P&H kayak with so much stretch in the deck lines. Again it is not a big deal as I just pull it tight and tie a new knot in the end.

Conclusions.

I have paddled my Cetus MV and the Aries 155 since they first came out and I have enjoyed every moment of their complimentary characters. However, the Volan 160 is such a superb all rounder that, since I got it, I have only paddled the others for comparative purposes. For me, with a mix of 90% day paddles and 10% camping trips, it is easily the most versatile sea kayak I have paddled over the last 21 years. 

I have decided there is no point in having a Cetus MV and a Volan 160. The Volan 160 does everything for me the Cetus MV does and more. There is less performance overlap with the Aries 155 but even so, there is much less need for the Aries 155 when paired with the Volan than if paired with a Cetus. 

If you are interested in paddle sailing, the Volan 160 is probably the best synthesis of chines, rocker and length for paddle sailing currently available. I have enjoyed paddle sailing it more than any other kayak I have tried.

So my future will be with one kayak, the Volan 160, which, for my weight of 73kg, is a true all rounder. It swallows all the gear my Cetus MV took plus it is a lot more playful. P&H have undersold the Volan, it is way more than a playful weekend camper.

With P&H kayaks we really are spoiled for choice.

Specifications.

Volan 160 in Lightweight Kevlar/Carbon construction
Length: 489cm
Width: 58cm
Volume: 360l
Weight as tested: 20.2kg

Full specifications and details of other constructions and prices at phseakayaks.com

Disclaimer
Please do not buy a kayak as a result of reading a review! At the very least, you must sit in one and make sure you fit in it. Ideally you should paddle any kayak before purchase and preferably paddle several alternatives,  in a variety of conditions, before deciding what is best for you. I know many people live a very long way from demo centres and are therefore more reliant on reviews. I have therefore included measurements of several people who have successfully paddled the Volan 160.

Conflict of Interest and acknowledgements.
I have lost count of the number of P&H sea kayaks I have bought or been loaned over the last 21 years. I am grateful that I have had a long-standing, unpaid relationship with Pyranha/P&H in which I have access to new products/prototypes in exchange for feedback. Some of the features on the Volan 160 are a direct result of my feedback on previous models or during general discussion with Graham Mackereth and Mathew Wilkinson. I own several personal kayaks from Dagger, Evolution Kayaks, Pyranha, P&H, Rockpool, Think and Valley so I am not dependent on P&H to go paddling. I am grateful to Mathew Wilkinson of P&H and Mark Mitchell of Sea Kayak Oban www.seakayakoban.com for their help in delivering the Volan 160. I am thankful to all my sea kayaking friends who have patiently put up with my "try this, what do you think of that?, hang on I need a photo!"

KCS kayak V cradles for side loading roof racks test and review.

KCS are producing many new products these days and this V cradle for side loading roof racks really caught my eye. At £210 for a pair they are not cheap but exude quality and thoughtful design. 

Side loading roofracks such as the Kari-tec Easy Load Roofrack have transformed the transportation of kayaks especially for those slightly older kayakers who load and unload alone. The risk of shoulder rotator cuff injuries caused by lifting above your head increases dramatically with age. I have had both surgery and years of painful physiotherapy for my shoulders. 

With a side loading rack you do not need to lift the kayak much above your waist. However, the existing J bar kayak support cradles (as in the photo above) are not stiff enough or angled enough to support the kayak while you strap it on. You either need to have help, which partially defeats the purpose of the side loading rack, or you need to stand against the middle of the kayak and try and stretch to tie the straps on, as best you can,  yourself.

The elegant solution is this set of cradles from KCS. Unlike J cradles, which carry the kayak on edge, these carry the kayak keel down when on the roof. When the rack is down the side of the car, the extended lower cradle holds the kayak completely securely while you sort out the straps. It works so simply and effectively! The foam is 15mm thick and the supporting arm on the left hand front cradle is deeper than on the rear cradle to match the shape of a typical kayak. The left hand cradles can be supplied with a different shape if you have a kayak with a more extreme measurement, such as the Rockpool Menai 18. The cradles are supplied with appropriate fitting kits to suit various  makes of side loading rack. In terms of expected durability, I still have my original set of KCS J bars with 5mm foam, which I bought 20 years ago. They still have exactly the same shape as the day I bought them.

This is a P&H Volan resting on the cradle in the down position but without being strapped on it is still very secure... no visible means of support as they say!

This is the Volan, now secure in the horizontal position, on top of the roof rack. I tried these cradles on a P&H Volan, P&H Cetus MV,  P&H Aries and Evolution Nomad 17, which are all shaped very differently. This was an early prototype rack but even so the fit on each kayak was very acceptable. Since I borrowed this rack, KCS have tweaked the shape for even better fit for most common kayaks.

Any snags? My car is a mid size car and there is just enough room for a second set. A smaller car would not have room. However, if you were carrying two kayaks there is plenty of room for a set of J cradles alongside these V cradles and of course the other paddler could then help with the lift! So it is not really a problem at all!

Overall this is a brilliant bit of kit for anyone with a side loading rack.  I would say even if you do not currently own a side loader rack, you should still consider getting a pair of these now instead of Normal V or J cradles. You can still use them as V cradles on a conventional roof rack but you will then have them for when you inevitably need to move to a side loading rack to save you ageing shoulders!!!

P&H Valkyrie, a long term test and review.

Introduction

An edited version of this review appeared in Ocean Paddler Magazine issue #71. I have also published it several times on Facebook back in July/August 2019 but of course Facebook is useless for anything you ever want to find again. I keep getting requests for a copy of the Valkyrie test so here it is on good old fashioned Blogger where a Google search will find it!

P&H do not have a composite fast sea kayak (FSK) like the Taran or the Pace in their lineup so the arrival of the RM (rotomoulded plastic) Valkyrie has been much anticipated. The hull shape of the Valkyrie is based on the excellent Pyranha Octane/Think Nitro RM surfski, which was tested in Ocean Paddler magazine #58. I enjoyed paddling the Octane so much that I now own a carbon fibre surfski! The prospect of an economically priced “fast” sea kayak, built from tough RM is very enticing, particularly for those solo paddlers who like covering the ground fast on circumnavigations where rocky landings and launches are difficult without help. So I had great expectations of the Valkyrie! 



Although surfskis are fast, they do have significant hull differences to typical FSKs like the Taran. They have much more overall stern rocker which starts at the cockpit. This helps them catch fast waves and also loosens the rear end so that a relatively small rudder can correct an early broach and keep a surfski running fast and straight down the waves. Surfskis also have a much more tapered (and so low volume bow) than an FSK. The taper starts at the cockpit. In comparison FSKs are more parallel sided and carry significantly more volume towards the bow. Surfski bows are designed to pierce the wave in front and not slow down ((especially when planing down wind). Traditional seakayaks with flared bows (and to a lesser extent FSKs with parallel vertical sides but higher volume bows) tend to rise over the wave in front more than a surfski. This increased pitching causes deceleration but gives a much drier ride.

Test conditions and paddlers.


The Valkyrie was paddled nearly every day for six weeks on the Solway coast of SW Scotland. Conditions varied from flat calm to very rough with winds up to F5/F6 against the tide. Offshore the spring tidal rate is 4 knots and there are tide races at the headlands and round the islands where the flow is accelerated. Prevailing SW wind against ebb spring tides (which are nearly 9m high) create breaking waves, which stretch out well beyond the emptying bays. During the seven weeks testing the Valkyrie, rescue services (including cliff rescue coast guards, two lifeboats and a helicopter) were called to five separate incidents in the area involving kayaks and small dinghies and boats. All in all, these were ideal test conditions for a boat like the Valkyrie. The main tester was 73kg and 172cm tall. Five other testers (who varied up to 92kg and 190cm) paddled the Valkyrie though the largest paddler could not paddle it far due to being too cramped for his 84cm inside leg/size 46 feet. Paddler experience ranged from advanced to occasional summer paddler. It was paddled with a mixture of wing and Euro paddles. It particularly suits wing paddles which were used by the more experienced testers. During the test the Valkyrie was paddled alongside a Taran 18, Taran 16, Atlantic RM, Cetus MV, Scorpio MV, Aries 155 and Think Zen surfski.



Construction and Fittings.


The Valkyrie hull is made of CoreLite X and is remarkably stiff and light for a RM boat. In comparison with its Octane surfski sibling it is still remarkably stiff, despite not having the Octane’s longitudinal foam stringer. Despite its length, this is the stiffest RM kayak I have paddled. A good test for stiffness (you can try in a kayak shop) is to get someone to help you carry it, one on each end. A soft boat will “boing” as you walk. The Valkyrie does not. It has been built light (the one I have on loan weighs 26.5kg including two extra optional hatches) but my experience of CoreLiteX on a series of demo boats is that it is more than tough enough. Standard of moulding is exceptionally high with very well defined water release planing edges to the under hull. Composite kayaks and surfskis  tend to lack these sharp edges as they would be too fragile. I am sure much of the exceptional downwind planing performance of the Octane/Valkyrie is due to these. The surface finish of the hull is a mixture of matt and gloss plastic, which looks very smart. I was delighted that the sides of the bow and the back deck were gloss as these make excellent mounting areas for suction action camera mounts (which do not stick to matt plastic).  

On the foredeck there is a compass recess and a flat to mount a mast base for a sailing rig. A pair of deck line RDFs are fitted laterally to the flat to mount side stays for the mast. Unfortunately, this borrowed kayak lacked the other fittings for a sail so I was not able to try it out paddle sailing. The Octane which I paddled in 2017/18 did have a sail but I felt that it was unnecessary and an encumbrance on an open cockpit surfski. However, I think a sail on the decked Valkyrie would be very manageable and great fun. It could make a great difference, especially if loaded with camping gear. The boat comes with good sized Pyranha alloy carrying handles at bow and stern and a security/tow line mount behind the seat. The carrying handles are streamlined and at the bow create much less spray than end toggles would. The test boat was one of the first out the mould and was leaking at the stern where the hull is pierced by a tube for optional end toggles. The manufacturing problem has been identified and has been corrected on production boats. 

There is a full set of deck-lines and deck elastics. The deck elastics on the foredeck wrap round the front of and interfered with closing the forward mini hatch. I addressed this with a bit of cable tie to hold the elastics forward of the cover.  A clip will be supplied with production versions. The seat is mounted really low and can easily be adjusted 6cm fore and aft with thumbscrews, which screw into threaded inserts on the bottom of the hull. The backrest has ratchet adjusters attached to the thigh grips.  The footrests/rudder pedals are the very easy to operate SmartTrack system and can be adjusted using wands with extend rearwards. These are easy to reach and operate. The rudder cables adjust for footrest position automatically. The rudder is the excellent SmartTrack over-stern unit. It is fitted with a 28cm rudder, which extends 22cm under the hull. The KajakSport hatch covers all fitted easily and were totally watertight. 


Paddling the Valkyrie.

My first outing in the Valkyrie was a pleasant F4 to F5 wind over an ebb tide. Within the first 5 minutes I was totally hooked by the Valkyrie’s speed, performance and ability to generate fun. It has a lot more primary stability than the Octane (which has a surfski’s higher seat to maximise paddling efficiency). As a result I had to shorten my paddle a bit compared to what I use on surfskis but the Valkyrie was only marginally slower on flat water than my Think Zen Ultimate carbon surfski. Paddling out through steep wind over tide waves it was a much more comfortable ride than on the carbon Zen, which slams and shudders in these conditions. Obviously being 16kg heavier than the Zen, it lacked acceleration in comparison and downwind I missed a few waves I would have caught on the Zen (which in a race would have been critical, but not when just having fun). However, once on the wave, the speeds were very similar. It would be difficult to find a faster kayak than the Valkyrie without spending a serious amount of money. One feature I am glad has been carried over from the Octane surfski is the paddle cut out on each side of the hull in front of the cockpit. This allows paddle entry as close to the hull as possible enabling a very efficient stroke. However, it does impinge on the room for your feet. I had to come in and change my size 43 Lomo boots for my much neater windsurf boots.

One of the other testers (with a Northshore Atlantic RM) would like to buy a Taran 18 or Pace 18 for fast touring expeditions but has just bought a house and has a limited budget. He was keen to discover whether the very affordable P&H Valkyrie might be a rotomoulded plastic equivalent. The short answer is yes the Valkyrie is a fast (very) sea kayak but it has three significant differences to mainstream FSKs, like the Taran. Two have been mentioned in the introduction. From its surfski heritage, it has more stern rocker and a more tapered, lower volume bow than FSKs. The third difference is its overall volume is significantly less than an FSK. The Valkyrie volume is 334l which is almost 50l less than a Taran 18 (383l). Not surprisingly these design differences create performance differences between the Valkyrie and other FSKs.

First of all the increased stern rocker makes the Valkyrie incredibly quick to turn after going out through waves. I have paddled the Taran 16 more extensively than the Valkyrie and the Taran 18 a bit less. In both Tarans the turning circle is such that I would look for a wide, flat spot between bigger sets to turn in so that I could set myself up ready to catch the next big wave. Even though the Valkyrie I tested does not have an under hull rudder, it still turns like a surfski.  (An optional understern rudder will be available soon.) I could turn tighter and faster than in an FSK, starting just in front of an approaching bigger wave and still have a good chance of catching it. The increased stern rocker on the Valkyrie (and surf skis in general) also means it is easier to catch faster waves and once on them, it is easier to steer diagonally across them without broaching. Many who paddle British style sea kayaks only manage to catch waves when they slow down in the shallows and form surf. Faster deep water waves just pass under such kayaks’ hulls. Paddling unloaded alongside a Taran 16, Scorpio MV, Cetus MV and Aries 155 the Valkyrie consistently caught more waves and disappeared ahead. Swapping paddlers with the Taran 16, the Valkyrie still had the advantage. The downside of the increased stern rocker is that on flatter water the Valkyrie is not as fast as an FSK. 

Above: comparison of distribution of Valkyrie hull rocker with a typical FSK (Pace).

Also although the Valkyrie is more manoeuvrable than an FSK it is more rudder dependent. With the rudder up the Valkyrie weathercocks significantly more than an FSK like the Taran, making it very much harder to paddle. The Taran 18 owner disliked this feature of the Valkyrie, especially as he normally surfs the Taran with the rudder up. I had no problem with keeping the rudder down in all conditions except reversing into caves! Second, the reduced volume bow of the Valkyrie compared to an FSK means that the bow does pierce through short, steep waves rather than rising over them, even when unloaded. This happens in surfskis too but most of the green water washes off the smooth deck before the cockpit. Unfortunately, on the Valkyrie the water hits the raised forward hatch cover and sprays everywhere including your face. Third, you could not carry as much gear for a long expedition in a Valkyrie as in a Taran or Pace due to the overall reduced volume. However, if your plan was for a weekend outing, say to a distant headland with a tide race or some decent swell curling round, then the Valkyrie would tick all the boxes, especially if there was a rocky landing involved.

Another advantage of the Valkyrie’s is manoeuvrability combined with its tough CoreLite X RM construction means that I have taken it to places in conditions that I would never dream of taking a composite FSK or my carbon fibre surfski. It is obviously not a specialised rock-hopping tool as its sibling the Delphin but it is reassuring to know that choosing a fast kayak like the Valkyrie does not stop you getting up close to the narrow channels and caves of the rocky bits of our coast!

I was worried that the over-stern rudder fitted to the Valkyrie would be less effective than the under-hull rudder of the Octane. So I decided that a longer downwind run along the exposed Solway coast between Kirkcudbright Bay and Fleet Bay would be a great test. On the day a force 4 gusting 5 SE wind was blowing parallel with the rocky coast and running straight into the tide which was SE going, again parallel to the coast. This created some lively sea conditions. Conventional British style kayaks tend to broach in these conditions and require much steering input to keep on course, which slows your progress. The Valkyrie stormed ahead of the British style kayaks on this coast by running true and straight and not broaching once. It was fun, fun, fun all the way, as one screaming run on the plane followed another. Despite the steep, short period waves, I was not aware of the rudder coming out of the water when running down-wind (it does come out when paddling out against the waves, but that doesn't matter as you are going so much more slowly.) So the Valkyrie has lost little of the Octane's response to the rudder or its ability to turn quickly. On flat water turning around a buoy or when turning between waves for the next run in, you can feel the Valkyrie's stern skidding round as it turns tightly, just like on a surfski.

A couple of the testers have said they would prefer it if the Valkyrie tracked straighter without a rudder. Well, another friend had a straight tracking P&H Quest expedition kayak. He had a Karitek retractible under hull rudder fitted but it proved next to useless for turning such a directional kayak. There is always a compromise with kayak design. The rudder could not overcome the Quest hull's straight tracking. The Valkyrie is designed to be used with a rudder and like a surfski has the loose stern to make it very responsive. Some may ask "what if the rudder fails?" Well the Valkyrie is supplied with the excellent SmartTrack rudder. This is a simple robust design and the Valkyrie is fitted with very strong control lines. I have never experienced or heard of a jamming or failure of this rudder. Whatever, I am more than satisfied that the move to an over-stern rudder on the Valkyrie has lost little of the control or manoeuvrability of the Octane with its under-hull rudder. For those that really want it, P&H do offer an under hull rudder as an option on the Valkyrie but personally I would not bother. 

Despite the lively testing conditions I did not accidentally capsize the Valkyrie once. However, I can report that it is extremely easy to roll and once up quickly settles in the vertical position due to its excellent primary stability. It is also one of the easiest kayaks to do a solo remount on.


Ergonomics
.

One advantage of having a test boat long term is that you can really get a feel for ergonomic issues that might be missed on a short paddle at an open day or symposium. The low seat is very comfortable and gives a very stable paddling position. The paddle cutaways in the hull forward of the cockpit really let you get a clean catch, close to the hull. The back rest was very comfortable and it was easy to adjust to just the right tension so as not to inhibit trunk rotation. I only used the thigh braces when rolling. The cockpit was wide enough to allow a knees together and up position for performance paddling. The boat was paddled by six different people. Four had no problems with foot room but the tallest and shortest had significant problems so this is a boat I recommend trying before you buy. My inside leg is 74cm and I have size 43 feet. The test boat was fitted with the forward mini hatch and my toes were restricted between it and the rearmost lateral fore deck elastic RDF mounting points (which extend inside the hull). I found this to be so uncomfortable that I could not paddle the boat for more than 2-3 hours at a time. During my time with the Valkyrie I made the open crossing to the isolated island Ailsa Craig, a 36km round trip. A fast boat like the Valkyrie would have been ideal, especially since the RM construction would have aided the landing on the granite boulder beach. However, I took a much slower composite Aries instead, solely due to foot comfort. 

With short legs I would order a Valkyrie without the mini hatch but even then the RDF mounts would still get in the way. Four of the six testers had no problems with the RDF mounts catching their toes. The footrests/rudder pedals are mounted very low and the pedal axles slope down and in rather than being horizontal as recommended in the SmartTrack installation manual. The arch of my foot was on the rudder pedal rather than my toes (as is the case with the systems fitted to other fast sea kayaks or the Octane and other surfskis). This is not ideal for performance paddling but a couple of the less experienced paddlers who tried it though it felt great. The Taran 18 paddler and myself both prefer higher mounted pedals. P&H are phasing in an alternative mount which may suit you better *.  SmartTrack also offer mounting adapters.

* P&H have now modified both RDF fitting postions in the cockpit area and the mounting angle and height of the SmartTrack rudder pedals. 


Paddling the Valkyrie loaded. 


I weigh 73kg and to test carrying capacity I loaded it with just over 30kg of camping gear. This was just within the recommended overall load limit of the boat. Packing it proved easier than I thought as there is a lot of volume in the shallow but broad stern. So the Valkyrie has enough volume to carry a fair bit of gear but its performance changes as you load it and it would be easy for a heavier paddler to overload it especially at the bow. Like other Swede form designs, like the Cetus, I found a bias to rear weight distribution worked best. Neither the Octane nor the Epic V7 touring surfski have bow hatches (although both have rear hatches) and my experience suggests that it could be too easy to overload the bow of a surfski type hull. Loaded up In a fresh to strong offshore wind with flat water, the Valkyrie still proved easy to hold on any course with the rudder. In short steep waves its surfski heritage showed a disadvantage to a similarly loaded Taran 18 and Cetus MV paddling along side. The Valkyrie stuck its bow deep in every wave, up and down wind. What was a fun feature enhancing downwind speed when unloaded now caused a very wet ride. So although the Valkyrie has a similar overall volume to the Cetus MV, the slower Cetus makes a much better all round camping and touring boat. 

Wear and tear.


The only sign of wear and tear was some corrosion in the alloy carrying handles where they are secured by stainless steel bolts. This is a common problem with such fittings used in salt water and also affects my carbon fibre surfski. I wash with fresh water after every outing and have used some silicone grease between the bolt head and the handle to try and reduce this.



Conclusions.

So what sort of kayak is the Valkyrie and who it would suit best?  In the current market it has a pretty unique set of features. In performance terms it is fast yet manoeuvrable. Over the last 17 years I have had the privilege of testing some really great kayaks but seldom have I had such fun and enjoyed myself as much as in the Valkyrie. It is the fastest RM kayak I have ever paddled. Down wind and wave most composite British style touring kayaks will not keep up with the Valkyrie and it is also more than a match for FSKs in these conditions. Unsurprisingly given its origins, the Valkyrie is more related to surfskis than to other FSKs. The Valkyrie is a whole heap of fun on shorter trips when it is more manoeuvrable than an FSK in the turn or on a wave and it is easy to catch fast open water waves. However, in a variety of conditions on longer trips an FSK will carry more gear, faster (and drier). Horses for courses perhaps and these days it is great to have a choice. 

Despite its speed, the Valkyrie is not a difficult boat to paddle. One of the testers was an ambitious newcomer, who was paddling borrowed club boats. He went on to buy a Valkyrie as his first sea kayak. I think a big market for the Valkyrie will be as a second or even third kayak. I think it would be ideal for someone who already has (and wants to keep) a conventional British style sea kayak for touring but who also likes to paddle fast for fitness or fun or even enter an occasional race. The Valkyrie is a fantastic alternative for those who do not want to go to the expense of getting a composite fast sea kayak (or surfski). The fact that a kayak with the performance of the Valkyrie is available in tough RM construction is an incredible bonus to those that might not have the nature to care for a lightweight and fragile composite kayak or surfski. It might also tempt some traditional sea kayakers into down wind, open water, surfski type paddling who might not yet be ready to take the jump to a pure surfski. I think anyone has been paddling for some time and is feeling a bit jaded should consider the Valkyrie. Once you get it out in the waves and experience the acceleration and planing as you catch your first fast wave, your paddling will be rejuvenated. I cannot overemphasise how much fun it is. The fun is pretty similar to the fun I get windsurfing, you don’t actually need go anywhere to have windsurfing fun either.

Specifications.


Length: 540cm, Width: 54cm, Internal cockpit length: 82cm, Internal cockpit width: 41cm, Weight (measured as tested): 26.5kg, Volume: 334l, Load range: 60-115kg. Price (April 2021): £1933.50, +£87.54 optional forward mini hatch.


Conflict of Interest.


With thanks to P&H and Sea Kayak Oban I had free use of the demo Valkyrie from 13/6/2019 until 5/8/2019. I have had a long standing unpaid relationship with Pyranha/P&H in which I have access to new products/prototypes in exchange for feedback. I own several personal kayaks from Dagger, Evolution Kayaks, Pyranha, P&H, Rockpool, Think and Valley so I am not dependent on Pyranha/P&H to go paddling!