I bought a used kevlar Quest from Seaward this spring and it's everything I dreamt it would be.
The boat was part of Seaward's demo fleet and had 5 years of abuse when I got it and even though the gelcoat of the hull had been repaired it still performed like a new one. Another proof of Seaward's exceptional workmanship.
As mentioned in other reviews, this is not a beginner's boat. I was an early intermediate when I got the it and the first time I sat in it, I was very nervous. I used the paddle and brace technique a lot at first, but after a 100 miles in all sorts of conditions, I seldom use it anymore. I just learned that the boat will stay horizontal in just about any kind of sea with just a little hip movement where other more "stable" boats gets rocked from left to right.
Being tall and light, 6' and 175lb and this being such a high volume boat, I felt that it was sitting too high on the water when empty and I couldn't lock the stern in the water with a lean in windy conditions. So I strapped a 30lb weight just behind the back bulkhead and it solved the problem right away. Remember that this isn't meant to be a day boat, it's an expedition kayak meant to be loaded. Also, this is a very high boat 14" so it's not well suited for paddlers with a short torso or small a bum. I had to add 1/2" of foam underneath the seat to get the crest of my hips just above the cockpit coaming. This also means that leaning on the back deck can be hazardous for your back so practice your screw roll. This boat is very narrow and you can really wear it which makes side rolls like the screw roll quite easy.
After just a few strokes, you will know the Quest is a fast boat. I made several outings with good double paddlers and I could keep up with them where all the others would fall behind. It's also very easy to turn even if this is a 19' boat. It's so easy to keep on it's edge to lock the stern or to turn and the fairly important rocker makes it quite agile. I can't recall ever deploying the rudder. On the down side, being an agile boat means it has a tendency to weathercock, however it's easy to correct it as part of your forward stroke and when fully loaded, the weathercocking almost disappears.
In short: Fast, nimble expedition boat for taller experienced paddlers. Needs to be loaded for day use but agile enough to play with. Very seaworthy. This boat will not throw you around in waves. High quality material and workmanship. With a little care, this boat will perform flawlessly for years.
Submitted by: seaboo
10-17-2005
It'll be 4 years this spring since I bought my Quest. This was my first sea kayak and I had did a lot of research into boats before I decided on the Quest. I was no expert when I bought this boat but I found I had made a good decision.
Initial stability "feels" a little loose but the secondary stability is the greatest. My first year of kayaking I took her in an 18 mile race on Lake Superior in VERY rough conditions. I learned real fast that day how well the Quest performs. There were many capsizes that day and people, more experienced than me, dropping out. I credit the design for the success I had in just finishing the race that day.
There is plenty of room to pack just about anything you want to take with and it still performs well fully loaded.
The quality of the workmanship is very apparent. Beautiful work. It also is a very tough boat and has held up well. I have had the opportunity to contact Seaward's with questions and was answered immediately. The impression I have of them is that it's a great company. I couldn't be happier with my boat.
Since then I have had an opportunity to demo many other kayaks...just to compare and I haven't found one that I like as much as the Quest.
I started whitewater kayaking 2 years ago and I am on my third WW boat. Sea kayaks I know I'll only have one...my Quest.
Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: ---
07-28-2003
I have been paddling for about 4 years and consider myself an early intermediate in skill. I am 6'4" at 250 lbs with size 13" feet. Typically I paddle a Necky Looksha IV HV in kevlar. I used this composite kayak on a day paddle in a fiord-like bay in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland in late July. The wind was blowing particularly in the morning with a light swell in an opposite direction.The boat was a guide boat for an outfitter that was lent to me because I was more experienced. Considering its age and use, was in terrific condition...a testament to the quality of construction. The comments here on the Quest's performance are my impressions on that trip. I fit in the boat just barely and needed to turn sideways to rotate my big thighs in. Once in, I was comfortable. The kayak has moderate initial stability and very good secondary stability. Yet the "V" and narrow hull makes it somewhat twitchy. I loaded the boat up to improve that and it helped. Fortunately, the boat holds a lot in its two compartments. The deck is nicely laid out as well with plenty of grab lines, etc.
The kayak is very fast and accelerated nicely. The boat was a easy to turn by putting it on the slightest edge but in windier conditions more edging was needed to get it around. In a 10-knot wind the kayak definitely weathercocked for me but that may be an experience issue. I did not employ the rudder and did not feel that I needed to. It tracks fairly well.
Overall, this boat made a good first impression. However, I never did get fully relaxed in the boat although I paddled over 12 miles that day in a variety of wind and sea conditions. I did keep it upright. That is to say, this would be a terrific kayak for an veteran and for an intermediate to work into. The reviewer who commented on the paddle-brace technique was right on. I was most comfortable when my forward strokes were also in effect braces. That required a modification to my stroke that wore me out, particularly my shoulders (and I have a very good stroke technique). Hope this helps anyone considering this fine kayak. It is worth a test paddle.
Rating: 8 of 10
Submitted by: ---
09-03-2002
As noted by others, the Quest is fast! Even with 100 lbs under the hatches, it is nearly uncatchable for a touring boat. Seaward engineering and construction details are superb. I like the seat so much that I ordered a spare which I fitted into my Nimbus Telkwa Sport. My Quest X3 has a 3rd hatch into a separate compartment just aft the cockpit. Thus there are 3 separate watertight compartments. This 3rd one is well positioned for water & food since it keeps weight near the center of the boat. The cockpit fits me (6', 230lbs) with snug thigh support for rolling yet wet exits are a smooth slide out. The Quest demands a very athletic edge-and-brace style of paddling - too athletic, I found, for my old neck injuries. It is such a beautifully designed, built, and finished boat that I constantly get admiring comments from other paddlers.
Rating: 9 of 10
Submitted by: ---
05-15-2001
I've had my Kevlar Quest a bit over 3 years. It has treated me well. Holds a ton of gear, hatches are bone dry, even in surf. This boat is in the top 5 percentile of touring boats regarding speed. It has a definite tendancy to weathercock in aft quartering seas. Once I got used to extreme edging in a fairly tippy boat, following seas became fun. I don't recall the last time I used the rudder. Construction is bomber. Don't let anyone tell you that It can't be taken into tidal rapids, it will perform well! I rated it a 9 of 10 because of the tendencey to weathercock.
Rating: 9 of 10
Submitted by: ---
11-27-2000
Seaward made me this boat 6 years ago...I've have guided for 18 years...I would be paddling something else if there were a better expedition/guide boat made. You can't even wear them out, but still I'm due for another one.
Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: Tom
09-02-2000
Have put 30 days on my Quest plus a lot of short trips. You can pack enough light gear to stay away from home port for 4 or 5 days in the Quest. I agree with Gary that it is a tender boat - the Navigator feels like it is a little more stable. Tracks well but put it on an edge and she turns nice. Very well made and nice finish. I have no complaints with my Quest.
Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: Marc
04-23-2000
I'm in the kayak business since 5 year and the Quest is the best overall long trip sea kayak I've ever seen! Great tracking, speed and lot of storage! It gotta it all! The details in the way the Quest is built show that he is made for and by peoples of experience! ( Sorry for my english )
Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: ---
01-26-2000
This is my seventh ocean touring kayak. Compared to the other six, it glides through the water with very little effort. A real joy to paddle, but it is not a beginner's kayak at 22.5" wide.
Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: Vic
12-31-1999
A 19'expedition equiped kayak,with great speed and excellent rough water handling.a pure expedition kayak suitable for very long trips.
Rating: 10 of 10
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