terese pawletko Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Hi. I am in the process of buying a new boat for day paddles and some several day camping expeditions - fiberglass or Kevlar low volume preferred as I am 5'6" 129 lbs. Looked at Current Designs Prana low volume - Danish style boat design. Trying to stay under 4000 - I do not surf so not looking for that...advice appreciated (I actually ordered Prana kevlar today and likely have a couple of days to cancel). It was 3300 and had good reviews online...am interested in what other boats folks have and like...MANY THANKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1979 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Prana is a playboat , if I am not mistaken. My advice is cancel, there are better options for your price. Try and chose in person. P&H Cetus LV, Valley Etain 17.1, NDK Romany, there is also Current Designs Willow which is for the petite paddler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1979 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Cd also lists that boat for M to XL size paddler. Not what you are looking for, in my opinion. You need to try in person any kayak, for the right feel and fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaKayakNE Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Terese, need some back information first to give you more informed info. You mentioned you ordered a Prana. Were you at the paddling show? Have you test paddled this boat. If the answer to test paddling is a no then I would cancel. While I'm biased towards P&H and would suggest a Cetus LV right away I again have some questions to qualify answer. What is your paddling experience? What type of water do you typically paddle? Where are You located? Budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1979 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I am just curious, why is the post about Lincoln kayaks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terese pawletko Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 Hello all...the Prana was just tried 'on land' and is a low volume version versus the standard Prana. It fit very well on land ... I asked about Lincoln just because they seemed like a nice boat as well. They were not at the KTP show. Re experience I have paddled for 10-12 years and own a perception shadow rotomold and am tired of the weight and drag. Are there good places to test a number of models? OR do you have to drive around a lot to try them out. I have done some camping with kayak in New Zealand (unsupported). Most paddling off stonington, harpswell, south thomaston, casco bay, Kittery/Portsmouth area etc. Not a surfer mostly touring... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaKayakNE Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 51 minutes ago, jonathanoltz said: 5 minutes ago, terese pawletko said: Hello all...the Prana was just tried 'on land' and is a low volume version versus the standard Prana. It fit very well on land ... I asked about Lincoln just because they seemed like a nice boat as well. They were not at the KTP show. Re experience I have paddled for 10-12 years and own a perception shadow rotomold and am tired of the weight and drag. Are there good places to test a number of models? OR do you have to drive around a lot to try them out. I have done some camping with kayak in New Zealand (unsupported). Most paddling off stonington, harpswell, south thomaston, casco bay, Kittery/Portsmouth area etc. Not a surfer mostly touring... There are a few great places to test paddle boats, this depends on where you live however. If you want to try a Lincoln or Skuk/NDK see Michael at Newbury C&K. For P&H there is Carl Ladd in Westport MA or John Carmody in Booth Bay ME. Also for SKUK there is Maine Island Kayak Company in Portland ME or Greg P. in Maine. It it sounds like the right boat for you based off weight and height (same size as my wife) is a Cetus LV from P&H. We personally own the Cetus LV and I paddle a Aries 150, but the Aries would not be the boat for you. Cetus is perfect for long trips and ocean paddling. You really need to paddle boats before buying especially when spending thousands of dollars on a boat. I once fell in love with a North Shore Ocean 17 before paddling it. Once I paddled it for a hour it was not for me and bought a Aries instead. I would cancel the Prana and paddle every boat you can before buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terese pawletko Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 This was the description of the Prana..."A collaborative effort between Danish designer Jesper Kromann-Andersen and Current Designs award-winning team, the new Prana touring kayak is as much at home in surf and rock gardening as it is to crossing a mirror-like bay. Available in fiberglass and Kevlar layups, the Prana is a quick and highly maneuverable kayak, with an efficient shape that chews through the miles. The hull is more stable than its svelte 21 inch beam would lead you to expect., while a hybrid hard chine and tracking-friendly rocker profile makes this 17 foot touring kayak perfect for all conditions. The Prana is standard with both fore and aft day hatches, fore and aft large hatches and a full accompaniment of safety and comfort. Also available in a LV (low-volume) version." Thanks for the tips re: where to test drive them...a friend is also looking - he is 5'10" and 135lb so also likely to be looking at low volume (distance runner body build)...will cancel the prana...thanks TO ALL OF YOU...should have done this before...and trusted my gut which said 'try some boats in real time' See you on the water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terese pawletko Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 Nick - the Prana LV did fit really nicely (I think the standard Prana was likely the med to larger person version). BUT will cancel as I did not test drive it. Some asked my budget...I am willing to go to 3500 give or take...will give the P & H boats a try...may need to get one of the shop folks to go with me to run me thru my paces as I do not do a lot of fancy turns as my cludgy shadow was not the most maneuverable...cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Another vote for test driving a boat before purchasing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1979 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 If you had a dry test of the Prana, try it on the water. It may be just the perfect boat for you, but only you would know if you paddle it on the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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