Looking for Comments on Boreal Design Inukshuk and Northwest Synergy

Hi,

I have been test driving a few kayaks and have not settled on anything yet. This is a first kayak, so it will be a plastic boat this time. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia so despite good kayaking, there is not a lot of variety that I have found to rent and test.

I am about 210 lbs and 5'10, stocky, square build. I am looking for a boat that I would grow into and be happy with in a few years as I expect to have it for awhile. So, I am not bothered by having the learn the boat for awhile if it pays of in its performance and handling. I will be paddling in ocean, and large lakes.

I have been in the Necky Looksha IV, Narpa and Kyook; Dagger Carolina and Baja and Wilderness Systems Sealution. So far, I would pick the Looksha or the Narpa for all round features including build quality, handling and fit. I like the feel of the harder chined boat so far (as far as you can make a chine on a plastic boat).

A local shop that distributes Boreal Designs as well as a number of other lines, really pushes hard on the BD boats. I hope to get out and test a Muktuk and Inukshuk this week.

I looked at the Synergy at a show in the spring, but the closest shop I can find with them is a couple of hours drive from Halifax.

I'd appreciate some comments on the NWK and BD plastic boats is anyone has experience with them.

Regards, John

(Cross posted on rec.boats.paddling.touring)

I have a pair of Inukshuk. Excellent value for the money! I found them quite fast for the paddling efforts. Not a mistake to seriously consider them. Charles Schofield

We own an Inukshuk as well as a Current Design Storm. The person who paddles the Inukshuk is 5'5 and about 160-170, and has more than enough room. They will probably be adding padding to improve the fit. They enjoy the boat a great deal. It seems to be built well, and travels at a good clip. I am 5'6 and 210. The Inukshuk and Muktuk were to cramped for me. I couldn't find a Necky that was comfortable for me. They were either too tight or too large. I enjoyed paddling the Wilderness cape 17, but not the Sealoution II. I had sat in the the Current Design boats, but didn't think they fit. I also new people that were smaller than me who paddled them, so I figured they would be too small. It came down to the point where I was debating about the Cape 17 and a Dagger Cortez ( I think it was a Cortez :} ) The Cortez was fast and aggressive, but I wasn't sure the cockpit would be comfortable for long trips. Then the salesman convinced me to try out the CD Storm. That is the one I ended up with. The braces are in just the right spot, allowing me to make aggressive turns and to stretch out my legs. We just came back from a trip out to Quebec, PEI, NB & NS and the Storm performed well. I don't have any experience with Northwest Synergy. Our experiences with Boreal have been great. Happy paddling!

Thanks for the comments and the tip on the Storm. I will have to take a look at it if I can find a convenient dealer.

Can someone re-post the original messages, I'm interested in the answer on the Boreal & Northwest kayaks (for some reason I can't see it).

Thanks,

Google Groups (formely known as Deja News) is the answer to this. You can browse or search the post for this group or ANY other group:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&safe=off& group=ott.rec.canoe-kayak

Hope this helps.

Regards, P