Submitted: 10-10-2002 by wildernesswebb 
Wanted to reserve my review until after paddling for one season, so here goes. Have been paddling the Delta since Feb. 2002 and have been impressed by the stability since day #1. Turns well on Ozark streams and tracking is fair in the flats. Bulkhead leaks slightly, maybe a tablespoon full per trip. There is a design flaw in that the drain plug is in the stern on the expedition model, so you can drain water only if the bulkhead has water in it! The poly layup is thinner than OT's Loons, but no deforming or oilcanning yet. Top speed is probably about 4 MPH, after which "Pushing" the boat causes a noticeable wake from the bow, but hey, this IS a Rec boat! For someone wanting a stable craft to fish from and run class I-II rivers, it works great. Have spent over 8 hrs several times without back pain. I give it an 8 due to the thinness of the deck and cockpit layup and the drain plug design. Otherwise, a perfect first kayak for me. |