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North Shore Kayaks


risingsn

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Is anyone paddling an Atlantic or Polar. I'd be interested to see a review. I've read the reviews @ paddling.net & know I need to paddle it...but I'm just curios.

Thanks,

Chuck

I demoed the Polar last year at CRCK. (The Atlantic was too big for me - 5'6" 120 lb.) Here's what I wrote at the time: "I then paddled the Polar. It was an acceptable kayak but not very much different than my Avocet, and somewhat less comfy. It had a very low flat foredeck which seemed to me to be unlikely to fare well in heavy seas - but I can't say so with authority."

I remember that I didn't very much care for it and didn't stay in it for long before moving on to other kayaks that I found more suited to my body and tastes.

kate

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In August I demo'ed both the Polar and Atlantic LV and bought the LV. I had a hard time making up my mind because both fit me very well (130lbs) and a female employee about my size loved the Polar and a somewhat larger (but my height) male liked the Atlantic. I traded in a Avocet Roto and like the LV much better so far. I saw some reviews if these boats in last year's Canoe Kayak Boat Book.

Nancy

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In August I demo'ed both the Polar and Atlantic LV and bought the LV. I had a hard time making up my mind because both fit me very well (130lbs) and a female employee about my size loved the Polar and a somewhat larger (but my height) male liked the Atlantic. I traded in a Avocet Roto and like the LV much better so far. I saw some reviews if these boats in last year's Canoe Kayak Boat Book.

Nancy

Oh... my height is about 5' 6.5"

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Chuck,

Here is what the Boat Book says about the Polar:

The expedition-capable Polar is loosely based on the southwest Greenland form, with hard chine and noticable rocker, the hull is quick yet very responsive to edging for maneuverability and course correction. A clipper bow fibes a dry ride and the retractable skeg keeps you on track in quartering seas. I only had it on the Charles, but I paddled it twice and loved the way it fit and felt. It was slightly longer and more expedition-capable than I feel I need so I went with the shorter/lighter boat. the Polar is L: 16.9, W:21.5; 53 pounds.

My Avocet was not low volume, and I was way too small for that boat. I fit the Atlantic LV (and the Polar) much better.

The Atlantic it says... "The combination of shallow-V hull and soft chine provides the perfect blend of speed, responsiveness and predictability...

The Polar felt more "tippy" with the hard chine, but I found it to be a very comfy boat at my height and weight. Didn't fit me as tight at the Atlantic LV, but it rolled easily and was maneuverable. I had been looking at Tide Race Excite S before I saw these boats. The price was much better being a demo (they had already sold their Tide Races)

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Hi Chuck,

I am paddling an Atlantic LV. I am 5'9" & 150lbs and the boat fits me beautifully. I have had it for one year and it has pushed my skill level (i previously paddled a wilderness system shenai- 17'5"). The Atlantic LV is maneuverable and responsive and corrects easily. I find that it tracks well, although I am still struggling a bit with a beam sea. It is fairly quick in chop and handles surf well (better than me, in fact). It rolls pretty easily as well. One review I have reads: "'It held its own in the choppy waters [of Mexico]", 'noting its hyper-responsive characteristics compared to a Necky Chatham 16.' "It turns much better, and as soon as you cranked it over it'd go, regardless of whether you were on top of a wave or in its trough. But in terms of holding the edge while turning, you need to have the active blade all the time- quite good for a proficient paddler, maybe not, if you're not so comfortable out there." and "With a noticeable decrease in volume from North Shores's popular Atlantic, the clean and solidly built LV was well-suited to our testers under 170 lbs, most so to advanced paddlers, who praised the surfing and play abilities of its semi-planing hull." Hope that helps! let me know if you have any other questions.

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