In the spring of 2024, we got our first look at one of the most unique recreational kayak designs we’ve ever seen, the 10AR from Delta Kayaks. The Delta 10AR, has outfitting components you don’t often find on a kayak in its class. But what really blew us away was the concept we saw when Nikki Rekman flipped the 10AR over and showed us the hull.
First look at the Delta 10AR
A unique looking hull
The Delta 10AR is a 10-foot length. A size popular with paddlers who are newer to the sport or often paddle calmer and more protected stretches of water and aren’t seeking to cover big miles. The issue with these shorter kayaks is ensuring they have some tracking capability to go in a straight line, like their longer touring relatives, and also that they have good stability. Delta solved these issues with an intriguing hull concept.
If you take a look at the 10AR hull, you’ll notice the front looks traditional with its tapering V-shape. This gives the 10AR some tracking capability and also efficiency in cutting through the water to gain some speed. But when you move to the stern half of the 10AR things are radically different.
Carry A Waterproof VHF Radio, Use Your Phone Only As A Backup
- A handheld VHF marine band radio allows you to communicate with the Coast Guard and other boat traffic. Use Channel 16 only for hailing and emergencies. The radio should be waterproof, because it is virtually certain to get wet.
- A cell phone, even if in a waterproof case or sealable bag, might not work, so don’t rely on it as the primary means of emergency communication.
The stern shape of the 10AR mimics a pontoon or catamaran shape, which Delta calls their Fusion Hull. The goal, shared Rekman, is to accomplish two things. “It’s going to offer us great stability and great tracking, which is really nice in a recreational boat.”
The increased stability on calmer water that a pontoon-style hull provides can be a big help to recreational paddlers. We’ve seen these catamaran hulls gain widespread popularity on fishing kayaks, and it will be interesting to see this hybrid design put to use on a 10-foot recreational kayak.
Delta 10AR outfitting
A shorter recreational kayak doesn’t always feature the most elaborate outfitting, but Delta was thoughtful in what they’ve provided paddlers here.
The Contour II Seat System of the 10AR is a comfortable waffled foam. It also has a backband with adjustable height for support, and a seat that easily moves forward and back. This combines with an adjustable foot peg system at the paddler’s feet.
Education: Get Some!
- Take a paddling safety course from the American Canoe Association (ACA), your local paddling shop or outfitter, or other reputable source.
- Take a boating safety course from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons® or your own state’s boating agency.
- Take on-the-water skills training.
Behind the paddler is a stern storage hatch. This hatch is also sealed with a bulkhead, making it a dry storage area. I big bonus here is also the added safety the bulkhead provides by creating a space water does not enter should you capsize. This means less water that can enter the kayak, keeping it more buoyant and making for a much less strenuous to self-rescue.
The deck of the 10AR also has bungee storage on both the bow and stern, providing a place to strap quick-to-reach items like your radio or rain shell.
Inside the cockpit, in front of the paddler, there is even a small storage hatch that is easy to access, making a great spot to hold your sunglasses, a cellphone or camera.
Learn more about the Delta 10AR here.
Feature image: Paddling Magazine Staff
