Submitted by: Malcolm Rowe
11-04-2009
     The Anas Acuta is a day boat, far too low volume for touring. It's slow and tracks poorly in calm conditions. So, what's good about it? It is an outstanding kayak in rough conditions. For example, steep, two meter wind waves breaking on open water in 20 knot winds. The Anas Acuta is not thrown around and handles well. I also paddle a Nordkapp, another outstanding kayak in rough conditions. If I were going to face conditions that pushed me to the limit, I'd want to be in my Anas Acuta.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: Wayne_Smith
11-02-2008
     Like the other posters here, I really like this boat a lot.
My comments are on the 2008 ocean cockpit model, which is a little different from earlier ones. And for reference, I'm 5'7" & 170 lbs.

Appearance is classic - an adaptation of a real Greenland skin boat to western physiques and uses, yet not bloated beyond recognition like so many other commercial kayaks. A good compromise between the old and the new. Looks as sporty as it paddles.

Quality of construction is now on a par with many North American boats, and attention to detail has increased significantly over older models. Shining a light through the layup shows inconsistent thickness or coloring of gelcoat on the bottom of the hull, but it is not obvious looking at the inside or the outside of the boat. I was just glad to see a British kayak that wasn't 90% gelcoat. Fit and finish are very good, and I found no voids or anomalies in the layup.

Skeg slider placement is very intuitive, and works smoothly. Skeg blade is large, and very effective in keeping the boat tracking straight in winds up to 25kt. The boat balances well for a solo carry, and is not heavy - maybe 50 - 52 lbs. Hatches are watertight, and bulkheads do not leak. Deck now has a recess for a 70P compass right in front of the front hatch. And speaking of hatches - THEY ARE ACTUALLY TETHERED TO THE BOAT. I can't count how many VCP, P&H, and NDK owners that I know that have lost hatch covers in the past. A welcome upgrade! Bow and stern toggles also have tethers to keep them on the deck and out of the water while paddling.

Deckline and bungee layout is very logical, and there are more bungees than you need. Recessed fittings are very well finished. Rear deck bungees and hatches aren't optimally laid out for a Greenland storm paddle, but it works. I'd have liked to have seen reflective decklines at this price, but you can't have everything. They're easy and cheap enough to replace anytime I like.

Seat feels high until you try to put your finger between the back of the seat and the hull - it's actually pretty low in the rear - as low as you'd get sitting on a foam seat. This seat isn't for everyone, though. I find it comfortable so far after a month of owning the boat. The backband is so-so, but I'll leave it in for now.

Paddling -- Wow! More maneuverable than any other commercial sea kayak of that length that I've ever paddled, yet easy to keep on course, especially with the skeg. The boat loves rough water & breaking waves, and is reassuring while still being a lot of fun to paddle. It catches waves easily, and surfs with good control characteristics. Turns on a dime in rock gardens, too. Steep waves bigger than 1.5 feet tend to wash on the decks, but I don't mind that. Boat rolls very easily, and is well suited for G-style rolling, sculling, and balance braces. Even hand rolls aren't difficult. I can layback almost to the deck with the stock seat, which makes rolling a breeze. If I scoot forward a little in the seat, I can bang my head on the rear deck.

Top speed isn't great. However, maintaining a normal cruising pace (4 - 4.5 MPH) is easy. I topped out at just over 6 MPH on a GPS when it became more effort than it was worth for any further gain in speed.

Overall, this is an excellent low volume day/play boat for the small to medium paddler that remains fairly true to its Inuit heritage. It's also one of the oldest commercial sea kayaks, which is a testament to it's design.
Rating: 9 of 10

Submitted by: Rob Bell
05-02-2008
     I grew up paddling one of these awesome boats on the west coast of North Wales.
As a day boat, especially for the smaller paddler, this is just the ticket.

In spite of it's relatively narrow (only by the standards of most modern bathtubs) beam, the Anas is very stable, it's hard chines give it great primary and secondary stability. It maneuvers fantastically especially up on edge, so you can use it for rock hopping and close in work. Turning is also easy, there is little need for a rudder, since a gentle lean to the outside of the turn will work at least as well and with less drag.

The ocean cockpit is absolutely the way to go, ok yes, your skills need to improve, but that's a good thing right? I like the smaller opening as it's much easier to keep the water out.

The only cons with this boat, are limited space and displacement, which is not really an issue for day paddling, (I weigh 200lbs), and a slight speed deficiency compared to rounded section hulls.
Rating: 8 of 10

Submitted by: tcqajaq
04-17-2006
     I recently acquired this boat to add to my quiver of kayaks. It is a lot of fun for a play boat because of the manuverability. It turns on a dime and is very stable even though it is only 20" wide. My only complaint is that the fiberglass seat is kinda high but I hear it is not all that hard to cut out and replace with closed cell foam. The front deck is low for use with a greenland style paddle. Mine has an aftermarket drop skeg which, when paddling lakes with a lot of wind chop, has proven effective. I would advise one if the option is available to you. All in all, it is a great boat.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: ---
07-01-2003
     This kayak is great fun. It turns and surfs very easily and is at home in rough water. Word of caution, if you get knocked out of it, its very tough to do a self rescue. The boat is very narrow and the ocean cockpit is small. Get your roll down or go out with a group if you feel conditions are above your skill level(good idea anyway!) It's very popular with my club in NJ for its ability to roll and do tricks. It does take a little extra effort to keep up with longer boats, but its worth the trade for its manuverability. Reason for 9 is the soft gelcoat and the silly backband(get rid of it!)
Rating: 9 of 10

Submitted by: ---
01-14-2002
     I bought this boat after being frustrated paddling boats that were too big for me. This boat is sweet for a small woman-5'2" -very responsive, rolls very easily and is very comfortable. The back band isn't great-replace it. I LOVE this boat!
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: SJO
05-28-2001
     The low deck profile makes this boat extremely nice to paddle in windy conditions.The tradeoff is storage capacity but if you pack right you can still stuff a few days worth of provisions below decks. Quality fiberglass work throughout with attention to detail. The fiberglass bulkheads add strength and remain watertight after a rolling session.VCP hatch covers make this possible and are still the best available. The backstrap is a dissapointment in a boat at this price. You would do well to replace this rather feeble attempt at comfort. This is a boat you will never grow tired of.
Rating: 9 of 10

Submitted by: D Patterson
04-04-2001
     This is a fun boat to paddle. It is exceptionaly responsive, I have never paddled another kayak that turns so easily. It's a blast in waves; it bobs up and down and SMACKS the water (so I don't recomend it for those who are prone to sea sickness!) However, I do not like it's tendency to yaw sideways when surfing down a wave. I have an older one, so the hatches are all tiny, which can be a bit of a pain - I have to stuff my sleeping bag INTO the kayak! The skeg works well, when it actually deploys, that is. I know I am not the only one who has had problems with Valley's older skeg system (I guess that's why they changed it!). It's a great looking boat, very low windage as well. If you are looking for something with alot of room for your gear though, look for something else. Overall, I think this is a great weekender for someone who loves action-packed paddling.
Rating: 9 of 10

Submitted by: ---
03-12-2001
     It's lines look like a javelin - it seems to say, "fly through the wind and water". Handles well, fast, low windage, nice fit, (I'm 5'11" 155 lbs. size 11 shoe.) Well built. Easy to paddle - I use an Inuit-style blade. Wonderful boat!
Rating: 9 of 10

Submitted by: Steve Lisbin
12-31-1999
     Great maneuverability (turns on a dime)and really fun to roll. Quality of construction is excellent. If your feet are larger than mine (I have size 12 (US) feet) you will have trouble fitting.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: C. Thomas
09-29-1999
     Tha Anas Acuta is the sexiest boat built. While the VCP Pintail may or may not benefit from its new keyhole cockpit, the Anas doesn't, wouldn't be, couldn't, just not, nope, won't...can't.. squeezing into the small "ocean" cockpit (and I'm 5'11", 200#)is a perfect way to begin mental preparation for paddling this boat in a way that is actually worthy of the boat itself. As the Formula I driver enters the cockpit, the Anas is a boat that should be paddled, lest it do the paddling. Valley's finish of the boat is impeccable. Strong, watertight bulkheads, with the VCP watertight hatches including the dayhatch, all top quality. Fiberglass seams, not the protruding plastic junk that some manufacturers still use. All recessed decke fittings, glassed underneath so there's no hardware showing to catch my dry bags or neoprene etc. Full length safety decklines around the perimeter of the boat so when I chase down swimmers they have something to grasp onto.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: Laura Vigiano
07-08-1999
     22" wide fiberglass boat. Is great in waves and rolls almost by itself. Gorgeous looking boat. Never had any problems with it, eg. the skeg has never needed repair even after 3 years. Hatches are completely airtight. Fits the smaller person like a glove!
Rating: 10 of 10

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