Business in the front, party in the back. The Delta 12 AR kayak, featuring Fusion Hull, could be the most unusual hybridization since the mullet. But where the hairstyle was contentious and never quite captivated the mainstream, Delta’s kayak–catamaran hull graft promises undeniable appeal for the recreational paddling masses.
The Fusion Hull underpins Delta’s Kayaks’ Adventure Rec series, which includes the 12 AR and smaller 10 AR as well as a 10.5-foot sit-on-top. The design brief for these boats must have read something like: “Let’s build a compact kayak that’s lightweight, looks great and welcomes novice paddlers with superb stability, tracking, easy entry and all day comfort.”
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Delta Kayaks boats ]
The Delta 12 AR kayak is attractive and lightweight
The 12 AR weights just 42 pounds, making it one of the lightest open-cockpit recreational kayaks on the market. It’s also amongst the best looking, thanks to Delta’s thermoforming expertise. At the company’s British Columbia manufacturing facility, sheets of acrylic–ABS plastic are heated and vacuum-formed into graceful and hard-wearing kayaks.
The acrylic outer layer gives the 12 AR its glossy finish, vibrant color, excellent abrasion resistance and protection against UV fading or weathering. The secondary layer of high-impact ABS offers excellent strength and durability. The only time I’ve seen a Delta with any significant hull damage was a cracked hatch lid after being stored outside, uncovered at 20 below—not what most recreational enthusiasts would consider paddling weather.
Twin hulls at the stern maximize tracking. | Photo: Vince Paquot
Unique hull offers stability and control
One look at the 12 AR’s catamaran-inspired stern, and it’s clear this is a very stable boat. New paddlers will often lean back when nervous or tired—a subtle weight transfer that makes most kayaks less stable and harder to control.
Think of the 12 AR’s twin hulls like training wheels. You can lean back, or even heavily to one side, and the Fusion Hull remains perfectly poised and even-keeled. That incredible stability means it’s also well suited for paddling photographers, anglers and those who like to bring along a canine friend (there’s plenty of room for Fido in the extra-long cockpit).
The hard chines and double-arch hull deliver rock-solid stability. | Photo: Vince Paquot
Okay, you may be thinking, but isn’t a catamaran rather cumbersome to paddle? Well, yes, but not so the 12 AR. Remember, the Fusion Hull is a twin-arch stern fused to a V-shaped displacement bow through an alchemy of CAD software and creative design. Acceleration and glide feel comparable to Delta’s more conventional, narrower 12- to 14-footers.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Recreational Kayaks ]
Aside from rock-solid initial stability, the 12 AR’s most notable handling characteristic is exceptional tracking. If you want to dig as hard as you like with no course deflection or correction strokes, this is your boat. Look elsewhere if you’re seeking turn-on-a-whim maneuverability or intermediate-and-beyond edging.
The 50-inch-long cockpit opening offers easy in and out for less flexible or claustrophobic paddlers. | Photo: Vince Paquot
Extra-large cockpit is spacious and accessible
Delta Kayaks designed a new, elongated recreational cockpit for the 12 AR to facilitate super-easy entry and exit. At 50 inches long by 20 inches wide, the cockpit opening feels open and airy with an unrestricted, knees-up paddling position. Because the cockpit is too large to fit with a sprayskirt, the 12 AR is best suited to paddling smaller lakes, flatwater rivers, secluded estuaries and other sheltered waters.
Delta’s outfitting focuses on personalized comfort with their adjustable and intuitive Contour II seat system. The supportive, multi-position backrest is paired with a padded seat that can be moved four inches fore or aft to optimize fit and trim. All that adjustability means the Delta 12 AR kayak has a greater fit range than many others, accommodating paddlers short and tall. Even better, everything can be fine-tuned on the move, making the 12 AR a great choice if you’ll be sharing your kayak with family and friends.
All of the cockpit outfitting is on-water adjustable, including the multi-position backrest and Sea Dog foot braces. | Photo: Vince Paquot
The Delta 12 AR has a big appetite for adventure
I applaud Delta for making safety a priority with all of their kayaks, and the 12 AR is no exception. While many rec kayaks—especially those from big box stores—have only a single sealed hatch, the 12 AR features bow and stern bulkheads with large, accessible hatches for plenty of floatation and dry storage. I also love the easy on and off convenience of Delta’s Press-Lock hatch covers, and the color-matched lids look pretty slick, too.
Two large, watertight hatches provide ample storage for a weekend’s worth of gear. | Photo: Vince Paquot
Packed with premium features, the Delta 12 AR kayak is an exciting new option for discerning recreational paddlers. Add the light weight, innovative hull design and oversized cockpit, and you have a virtually barrier-free craft for flatwater adventures.
On the water with the Wenonah Spirit II canoe. | Photo: Alyssa Lloyd
When the Wenonah Spirit II showed up at the Canoeroots office last fall in all its cherry-red glory, its mere existence marked the beginning of a new chapter in canoeing history. Wenonah Canoes’ Spirit II in T-Formex is the culmination of a classic and widely loved canoe with a long-awaited material that underwent a tumultuous journey to production.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Lakewater & Touring Canoes ]
Getting into the Spirit II
From the back of a napkin
The origins of the Spirit begins in 1981 when Wenonah sales and distribution representative Kurt Renner was sitting with a Wenonah dealer from Missoula, Montana. The dealer told Renner he needed a canoe he could sell to anyone. The pair pulled up their bar stools and sketched the ideal model on a wrinkled napkin.
The canoe they dreamed up was 17-feet-long, had a 34-inch waterline, a 36-inch maximum beam, one-and-a-half to two inches of rocker and clean entry and exit lines. Wenonah took the sketches to high-end racing canoe designer Everett Crozier and soon after the Spirit was born.
After two years of building the Spirit in fiberglass and Kevlar, Wenonah found the process of removing it from the mould was too cumbersome and made a modification to the nose.
Wenonah finds the right formula
In 1983 the Spirit II was born. It went on to become the most successful canoe model in Wenonah’s line. The Spirit II bridged the gap between whitewater tripping boats and the abundance of 32 to 33-inch waterline canoes deemed too tippy by too many consumers. It also became the center of a family of touring boats.
“It gave us a boat with a much broader appeal that can be used anywhere,” says Renner, 36 years after that bar napkin sketch.
Initially introduced in fiberglass and Kevlar, by the 1990s the Spirit II was being produced in Royalex. Then in 2013 the plastics company PolyOne announced they would cease production of Royalex sheets. It was a major blow to the canoeing community and kicked off a canoe material soap opera.
The future of Wehonah’s top-seller was now in the hands of Esquif Canoes, who announced in 2014 they were concocting T-Formex as a replacement material in their southern Quebec factory. Esquif went through bankruptcy and reinvestment, then eventually manufactured and shipped Wenonah a few T-Formex sheets.
Wenonah baked a sheet, formed a Spirit II and shipped it here to Canoeroots. Meanwhile, canoe builders are lining up to use T-Formex, but Wenonah Canoe was the first, outside of Esquif themselves, to produce canoes in the new material.
Feature Photo: Alyssa Lloyd
Out on the water
After all this drama it turns out that our T-Formex Spirit II looks and performs just like a Royalex one.
Wenonah advertises the Spirit II as ideal for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families, kids and pretty much anyone else who wants a do-it-all canoe. To see if it’s truly the kind of canoe a dealer in Missoula could sell to anyone we paddled it in a variety of conditions.
The Spirit II tracks beautifully, and manages to be steady and stable without being sluggish. We especially appreciated the size of the Spirit II— it’s small enough for quick paddling outings but large enough to pack all the gear for a week of canoe tripping, plus the dog.
Our T-Formex tester has ash and webbing seats which adds even more to the Spirit II’s do-it-all sensibility. Why? Because when you spin it around it’s a pretty decent solo canoe.
I don’t live or work in Missoula where the rivers run long and free of portages. Solo carrying the Spirit II on even a short 200-meter portage, I definitely felt every one of its 64 pounds. I know yokes are a personal thing but I found this one flat and uncomfortable; changing it out would be my first, and maybe only, DIY project.
After the short walk I decided that if durability and price were not the most important factors I’d remind you that the Spirit II is available in Wenonah’s Tuff-weave Flex-Core, Flex-Core with Kevlar and Ultra-light with Kevlar layups. Spend more to carry less.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Kevlar Canoes ]
Not stopping with the Spirit II
While we felt pretty special paddling our pre-production model of the Spirit II in T-Formex, we know we’ll be seeing many more of them shortly. At the time of printing Wenonah’s production team is waiting for shipments of more T-Formex sheets, but Renner says many have been already pre-sold.
Renner sees the Spirit II as providing a much-needed respite in the canoe market for something versatile, tough and durable. “It’s refilling a hole that over the last couple years was somewhat of a void,” he says.
The 50-year-old canoe company has plans to produce seven of its models in T-Formex in 2017. In addition to the Spirit II they will build the Aurora, Adirondack, Prospector 16, Prospector 15, Wilderness and Blackwater. Wenonah Canoe Vice-President Bill Kueper is enthusiastic about the growing inclusion of Esquif’s T-Formex.
This article originally appeared in Canoeroots Early Summer 2017 issue.
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Are these sea kayakers better off using a skeg or a rudder? | Feature Photo: Francis Lepine
Which is better, skeg or rudder—or nothing at all? It’s a popular shore-side debate within the kayaking community, and these hardware options are often a source of confusion for first-time buyers.
Both skegs and rudders are mechanical aids that allow a kayak’s performance to be altered on the fly, as a paddler reacts and adjusts to conditions. Without a skeg or rudder, the performance of a kayak is solely dependent on its hull shape. The paddler can only modify the hull’s tendency to wander or hold a line by edging and taking strokes to control the boat’s course. While this is a highly active way to paddle, there’s no mechanical steering aid that could go wrong, and there’s a definite purist appeal in doing it all with just your body and paddle.
The con is that paddling without a skeg or rudder can be a lot more demanding, especially over long distances and in wind and waves. Endlessly sweeping on one side or trying to hold a kayak on edge for extended distances can be punishing to the body and inefficient overall.
So what’s the difference between rudder and skeg?
A skeg is a retractable blade that drops out of a slot in the kayak’s stern. The skeg blade cannot pivot from side to side, but is adjustable up and down. It’s typically controlled by a cable and slider. Skegs work by allowing the paddler to fine tune the amount of surface area that the dropped blade presents in the water. By lowering or raising the blade, a kayaker can balance out the forces of wind or current on his boat, allowing the kayak to more easily hold course.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Sea Kayaks with Skegs ]
By contrast, a rudder has a blade that pivots side to side, controlled by foot pedals connected to the rudder by cables or line. Most sea kayak rudders can be flipped up out of the water via uphaul and downhaul lines.
A rudder’s advantage is that it allows a paddler to effectively steer the boat by foot, without the need to interrupt or modify the forward stroke. This means that all energy can be poured into driving the kayak forward. The result is a system that maximizes a kayaker’s potential for speed and distance. For this reason, the vast majority of competitive racing designs incorporate rudders.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Sea Kayaks with Rudders ]
Which is more reliable?
Many kayakers will argue that skegs are more dependable than rudders, but I haven’t found this to be true. Skegs or rudders can both can suffer mechanical issues and both benefit from routine maintenance and care.
Skegs can be prone to jamming because it’s easy to get a pebble stuck between the skeg blade and box when launching from a beach. However, a little education and restraint with the slider makes this issue a minor one. Be aware that the skeg box does takes up some premium packing space in the stern hatch.
Note that some kayaks are designed to be paddled with the rudder down at all times. While this approach can yield great results, it does mean that if the rudder fails, the hull may not be very neutral or easy to control without the rudder.
For most of us, paddling is not a competitive pursuit. So try rudders. Try skegs. Try nothing at all. Make the decision based on personal experience, rather than by listening to heated debates you overhear at the launch.
Pyranha Kayaks Fusion L | Feature Photo: Rapid Staff
Some children look like an equal mix of both parents, while others resemble one parent more than the other. While the Pyranha Fusion does show some family resemblance with sister touring line P&H Kayaks and recreational line Venture Kayaks, the Fusion most clearly resembles—and paddles—like its whitewater siblings.
Pyranha Fusion L Specs
Length: 10’2”
Width: 27”
Cockpit Length: 35.5”
Cockpit Width: 19.25”
Volume: 96 gal
Weight: 48.5 lbs
MSRP: C4S outfitting $1,099
River Tour rec outfitting $999
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Pyranha Kayaks ]
The Fusion crosses over
Fit for the flats
At first glance you quickly notice most of the characteristics that you don’t find on typical whitewater boats. Like the removable deck pod and the large 20-gallon multi-day hatch that dominates the stern and deck lines crisscrossing the front deck. The hatch was nice and watertight but isn’t as easy on as some of the other boats, especially on cool mornings when the rubber is stiff.
The Fusion is equipped with Pyranha’s skeg system that goes up or down with a simple rope and cleat. Doing most of our paddling in kayaks without a skeg we were surprised how often, and useful, we found them to be on the flats. Since the skeg helps keep you going straight you have to do fewer corrections strokes and don’t waste your energy cruising through the calm stuff.
Pyranha Kayaks Fusion L | Feature Photo: Rapid Staff
Catch a wave
While those touring features definitely help you cross the flats it’s when the river picks up and starts foaming the Fusion really shines.
Of the boats we tested, I found the Fusion was the one that paddled most like a whitewater boat. It didn’t feel as wide as the other boats making it seem easier to engage the edges. It was controllable on waves and felt a bit like a stretched out, slightly relaxed version of the Pyranha 9R, a really fast whitewater racing boat.
At just over 10 feet long the Fusion moves like a rocket compared to most other whitewater kayaks. As one of the narrower feeling boats in the shootout it gives up some primary stability compared to the wider, rounder designs, but the upside is you get way better handling in whitewater. You can surf small waves, change course quickly mid-rapid, catch smaller eddies with confidence and zip around the river with authority. We enjoyed long soul surfs on glassy green waves and even managed a few spins.
The Fusion comes equipped with either Pyranha’s River Tour recreational outfitting or their superior Connect C4S whitewater outfitting. Return your empties and spend the extra $100, it’s worth it. I’m not sure how Pyranha manages to maintain the hull rigidity without a front pillar, but we like it. There is nothing in front of the seat. Hmmm, it was very temping to stuff our waterproof camera bag between our knees.
Pyranha puts their Fusion in the river running category and it definitely inherited more traits from their whitewater lineup of kayaks. If you need a boat to handle multi-day whitewater trips and something to get you from one rapid to the next with a bit of speed then run to your local dealer now. And then run anything you want.
This article first appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of Rapid Magazine.
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Feeling cheeky. | Feature Photo: Virginia Marshall
No wilderness experience is complete without casting off that final thread of civilization: the swimsuit. Reminiscing on the times I’ve gone skinny dipping takes me back to the core of my wilderness trips, to the very reasons I went in the first place.
Floating naked in Indian Arm on a perfect summer night, surrounded by green phosphorescence, watching seals’ shimmering tracks like underwater comets. Or wind drying on Georgian Bay granite at sunrise, getting goose bumps on body parts rarely feeling the open air.
Why not go skinny dipping on your next paddling trip?
Blame modern civilization for the swimsuit—Victorian England outlawed naked swimming in 1860. In pre-industrial times everyone skinny dipped. Who would bother getting clothes wet? Especially before the days of fast-drying Lycra.
Early swimsuits favored prudishness over practicality. Made from hideous stiff canvas or flannel, they were cut for maximum concealment. Women’s bathing gowns had lead weights sewn into the hem to keep them from floating (the gowns, not the women, though one wonders how many drownings resulted). A wet swimsuit weighed 30 pounds.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all paddling apparel ]
Thankfully, by the 1930s, North America had begun turfing its beach censors, whose job it had been to enforce “neck to knees” coverage.
Feeling cheeky. | Feature Photo: Virginia Marshall
Skinny dipping flirts with the mainstream
Receding tan lines have since closely followed the flourishing of liberal democracy. Under Franco, Spain’s fascists shut down nude beaches. At the height of the fight against Hitler, people went bananas for the bikini in America. Scandinavia, that paragon of liberalism, is the world capital of nudism.
Naked swimming even transcends the culture wars: Democrat president Lyndon Johnson once skinny dipped with evangelist Billy Graham.
[ Plan your next paddling adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]
Swimming in the buff continues to gain popularity. In 1981 Pope John Paul II (who was a kayaker first) issued a statement about morality and nakedness that effectively gave it the okay. The 2009 television series The Skinny Dip featured young, hot Newfoundlander Eve Kelly getting naked at a remote swimming hole in every episode. And at the end of 2012, a herd of New Zealanders stripped and dipped to break the group skinny dipping record of 413.
Yet fully freeing ourselves from the convention to cover up still requires escape. That’s why every nude beach is a mini wilderness: Vancouver’s legendary Wreck Beach, 473 steps down to the sea at the outer edge of an urban forest. Toronto’s Hanlan’s Point, which only became legal in 1999, separated from downtown by an island. Or San Diego’s Black’s Beach, a hike below 300-foot cliffs.
Myself, I prefer to kayak to more private skinny dipping spots. I hadn’t considered myself a nudist—that political “ism” associated with the brazenly unclothed—until I learned how much the term’s definition sounds like why I paddle: “becoming one with the natural world” and “a feeling of liberation as you shed your status, pretensions and fears.”
For me, the freedom to skinny dip is not just a sign I’ve gotten away. It’s the final ritual of getting there, a baptism.
This article was first published in the Spring 2013 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine and was republished in Issue 58 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Feeling cheeky. | Feature Photo: Virginia Marshall
Few places in the United States inspire visions of subtropical paradise like the Florida Keys do. With practically perfect weather year-round, clear blue water, and plenty of beautiful beaches to explore, kayaking Key West is a dream. It’s no wonder more than 2 million tourists visit the Keys each year.
With the ocean as your playground, the Keys offer an abundance of water recreation opportunities, including kayaking and canoeing. If exploring the local scenery and wildlife by paddle is your thing, you’ll want to plan your next getaway for Key West.
The southernmost point of the contiguous United States offers everything an ocean lover could want: Guided kayak and canoe tours, boat rentals, saltwater fishing, and snorkeling, just to name a few. In this guide to kayaking Key West, we’ll explore the best of the above and much more to take the guesswork out of your next kayaking trip to the Keys.
[ Get all the gear essentials for your kayaking trip in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
Must-sees / top places to kayak
With so many interesting places to explore around Key West, it’s hard to decide where to begin. Check out our list of must-see places to get you started on your own personal tour of the island.
If exploring mangrove forests at your leisure is what you seek, Saddlebunch Keys is a great place to start. These keys are a chain of mangrove islands located 7 miles east of Key West. There are tons of places to pull off the highway and launch your kayak or canoe, as well as a boat ramp at mile marker 11 on US 1. This is said to be one of the most scenic areas in the Lower Keys, Saddlebunch Keys will not disappoint!
Although only half a mile in length, Smathers Beach is the largest public beach on the island. 150,000 visitors come to swim, kayak, paddleboard, and relax here annually. Located on the south side of Key West, you’ll find beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as endless palm trees and white sands.
Geiger Key is most notable for its large, combined marina, restaurant and RV park. If you’re not into the hustle and bustle of marinas, there is also a public launching area nearby. If you’re looking to do some fishing on your trip, be sure to give Geiger Key a go. Even if you’re not, there are plenty of small islands to explore and the Naval Air Station is nearby as well, so there is a good chance you’ll get to view some military planes and helicopters on your paddle.
Launch your boat from the southernmost state park in the lower 48 states. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park boasts one of the most popular beaches in the area. While you’re out paddling here, take a break to bird watch or snorkel too. And, of course, it’s not a bad idea to visit the fort itself while you’re already there.
PHOTO: Pexels
Top-rated kayak rentals
If you don’t have your own kayak or simply don’t feel like hauling it with you on your trip to Key West, never fear. There is no shortage of boat rental businesses here. Most offer guided tours as well.
Lazy Dog Adventures
Lazy Dog Adventures is one of the most highly rated kayak rental and tour businesses in Key West. They have earned a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor with over 1,000 reviews. Single and double kayaks are available. You can rent your boat by half a day at $25, or a full day at $45.
If you are heading out by yourself, Lazy Dog will offer you a map of the local waterways and points of interest. As you might imagine from their name, they also offer tours, which we’ll talk about more below in our Key West kayak guide.
Kayak Kings of Key West
Kayak Kings of Key West has the best rental rate around, offers several different types of kayaks to borrow, and is very accommodating with special requests. Standard singles and doubles are available at a flat-rate fee of $25/day. It doesn’t matter if you’re only out there an hour, half a day, or all day; it’s $25.
Kayak Kings also have explorer and fishing kayaks available for a bit more as well as ocean kayaks for experienced kayakers only.
Aside from the plethora of kayaks they offer, Kayak Kings also have dry bags, coolers, kayak anchors, and snorkeling gear available for rent. They also provide drop off services for locations up to 15 miles away and will allow you to take their boats on the ferry if you’re planning to visit the Dry Tortugas while you’re there.
[ Get all the gear essentials for your kayaking trip in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
Night kayak Key West
For an extra unique experience while kayaking Key West, check out the clear bottom single and double kayaks available at Night Kayak. A single boat will run you $20 for 1 hour or $30 for half a day. Double kayaks are $30 for 1 hour or $40 for half a day.
Night Kayak Key West is fully licensed and insured. They also offer night paddling tours and rent out snorkeling and fishing gear
PHOTO: Old Town & Ocean Kayak
Where to go kayak fishing
Whether you’re an experienced saltwater angler or first-time fisher, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect kayak fishing spot for you around Key West. It’s a great place to try out saltwater fishing since most of the waters surrounding the key are calm and shallow.
Fishermen are notoriously secretive about giving away information on their best spots. With that said, here’s some general areas around Key West to get you started. And, if all else fails and you really want to catch some fish, you can always find a guided kayak fishing tour or private guide to take you out.
Don’t forget your Florida saltwater fishing license!
Fleming Key
Located just north of Key West, Fleming Key is close enough that you won’t have to do much driving to find a launch spot. You can find red grouper, jack crevalle, and snapper here, to name a few.
PHOTO: pexels.com
PHOTO: pexels.com
PHOTO: pexels.com
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
According to the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, this backcountry area offers one of the best saltwater fishing areas in North America with over 200,000 acres to fish! (It is worth noting some areas are off-limits to protect nesting bird and sea turtle habitats.) You can find lobster, bonefish, tarpon, grouper, and snapper, amongst others, here.
As mentioned earlier, Geiger Key is a great place to try your hand at saltwater fishing too. Head back up the highway about 20 minutes for a chance to catch mahi mahi, blue runners, snapper, bar jack, cobia, and more.
If you’re already in the Geiger Key area, head northeast a little further to the Saddlebunch Keys. With plenty of mangrove areas and bridge connections to explore under, cast out for a chance to catch mangrove snapper, yellowtail, jack crevalle and tarpon.
6 best Key West kayak tours
Whether you’re looking for the best eco tour, mangrove sight-seeing, or combining two of the best warm water activities by kayaking and snorkeling, Key West, Florida has you covered! No matter which tour below interests you, always make sure to check for departure times on their respective websites as these can change depending on weather and tidal conditions.
PHOTO: pexels.com
Eco tours
Key West Eco Tours
If you’re ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of shore and explore the vast natural area the backcountry has to offer, Key West Eco Tours is your ticket. They offer a couple of tour options of varying lengths that wind through mangrove islands, sunny sandbars, and the Key West National Wildlife Refuge.
Backcountry Tour: 2 hours starting at $65 for adults.
Sail, Kayak, and Snorkel Tour: All-inclusive, half a day (4 hours) tour starting at $115 for all ages.
Honest Eco Tours
For some extra authentic eco-friendliness, Honest Eco Tours is true to their name. Other than their rave-reviewed tours exploring the mangrove islands of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, dolphin watching, and snorkeling amongst coral, sponges, and sea life galore, Honest Eco also offers organic fruits and veggies from a local retailer, use an electric boat for chartering out to the refuge, and take pride in their informational tours about the local ecosystem and wildlife, actively promoting conservation in a fun way.
Kayak & Snorkel Tour: 4 ½ hours at $124/person
“All of the Above” Tour (Kayak, Snorkel, and Watch Dolphins): 5 hours at $145/person
With two tour options, Lazy Dog Adventures promises up-close exploration of the mangrove creeks of the backcountry. “Lazy Dog” is not just a name, either. Your four-legged friends are welcome to come too.
Join the Kayak Kings on their signature tour: The Mangrove Maze! You’ll wind your way through the narrow water channels of the mangrove forest, where your boat is about the only thing that can fit! Other than the wide variety of creatures living in the waters here, this tour is a great opportunity for bird watching as well.
Mangrove Maze: 2 hours at $45/person; 3 hours at $65/person
Another highly rated tour company with 5 stars and almost 5,000 reviews on TripAdvisor, you’re sure to have a top-notch experience on Danger Charters’ Sail, Snorkel, and Kayak trip. It doesn’t get much better than sailing the ocean blue in a schooner, discovering underwater wildlife, and kayaking through mangrove tunnels.
Clearly Unique is just that and offers the only guided tours in clear bottom kayaks in the area! Once you get to your destination in the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge by powerboat, spend some time exploring the calm waters in your kayak before taking the plunge with your snorkel gear. Other than coral reefs, sponge gardens, and wildlife viewing, you’ll also get to check out some shipwrecks.
Kayak and Snorkeling Tour: 3 hours at $109/person
PHOTO: pexels.com
PHOTO: pexels.com | Dariusz Grosa
What wildlife might you see?
Needless to say, you can find a wide assortment of creatures, on land, in the sea, or the air, around Key West. Here are just a few of the interesting birds, mammals, and more to look for on your excursion.
[ Get all the gear essentials for your kayaking trip in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
What you’ll need to go kayaking
PHOTO: pexels.com | Wendy Wei
One of the draws of kayaking and canoeing is that you don’t need to take a whole lot of gear with you. If it’s your first time kayaking Key West, or if you just need a refresher, here is a list of recommended items to take to ensure you have the most pleasant experience possible:
Polarized sunglasses
Sunscreen
Drinking water
Snacks
Bathing suit or light clothing (light both in style—such as shorts and a t-shirt—and color)
Waterproof bags are a good idea for valuables (wallet, phone, keys, etc.)
Camera
A wide-brimmed hat
Valid Florida saltwater fishing license and other fishing gear such as poles, line, bait, hooks, etc.
[ Get all the gear essentials for your kayaking trip in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
PHOTO: pexels.com | Nextvoyage
What’s the weather like in Key West?
Other than, perhaps, hurricane season, there’s never really a bad time of year to visit Key West. The average highs and lows remain reasonable year-round with highs around 85°F and lows at 65°F.
If you’re wanting to avoid summer crowds while still enjoying the terrific weather, winter and spring are both great times to visit. December through March is the driest time of year. The average low during winter is 65° with an average high at about 73°.
There is also a surprisingly low number of tourists during spring as well. Key West receives average lows around 73° and average highs of 83° during this time.
If you happen to get a rain shower on your visit, don’t stress too much. They are usually short-lived and pass quickly.
Although it may be disappointing to know that hurricane season lasts for half of the year, from the beginning of June through the end of November, it might be reassuring to know that the most active time for hurricanes in the Keys is only from August through October.
No matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for in Key West, Florida, you’re sure to find the perfect trip in our kayak guide. With so many options, from a relaxing, sight-seeing trip aboard a clear bottom kayak, an exciting fishing trip at sea, or exploring the twists and turns of a mangrove forest, kayaking Key West will keep you busy for hours… or your entire trip!
[ Get all the gear essentials for your kayaking trip in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
When Hollywood has a hit movie it’s almost expected that a trilogy will follow. It’s a risky strategy that doesn’t always work—remember Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Transformers: Age of Extinction? But sometimes the results are fantastic, like with the Pyranha Burn III, the latest incarnation of Pyranha’s popular river runner.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Pyranha boats ]
Try the Burn III on for size
The first, and maybe most important, change is that the Burn III comes in four sizes. “After the medium, large and extra large were in production, we realized the medium was too large for smaller paddlers. We needed to add a fourth size so that the Burn would fit a wider range of paddlers,” explains designer Robert Peerson.
If you were in the medium Burn II but found you were on the high end of the paddler weight range, you will now likely fit perfectly in a large Burn III.
A boat that follows your cues
In the nine years since this river runner was first released, its hull and waterline have been lengthened for greater speed and tracking. This, coupled with its flat bottom, allowed me to surf small waves and move around the river quickly, easily maintaining my line.
The edges of the Burn III have also been given a facelift. There’s a sharp and pronounced edge from just behind the cockpit all the way to my feet and less prominent lines in the stern. This means I can lean forward to ensure a hard aggressive carve or keep my weight back for longer arcing turns.
Interestingly, if you lean really far forward you can actually spin into tiny eddies as the rails in the front dig in and the stern, clear of the water, is free to spin. The Pyranha Burn III is a boat that reacts very differently depending on driver input (shifting your weight fore and aft), which is fun once you figure it out and forgiving in the meantime.
[ Plan your next river running adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]
BETTER TO BURN OUT THAN FADE AWAY. | PHOTO: SCOTT MACGREGOR
Run the river in style and comfort
When running boney creeks, hard edges aren’t usually a good thing as they can easily catch rocks. Pyranha has solved this problem by placing the edges quite high above the waterline. In order to engage them, I needed to tilt the Burn III quite aggressively. While beginners might feel a bit uneasy at first tilting so far over, confidence-inspiring secondary stability makes this a non-issue. Some beginners may never even know the rails are there.
The rocker profile has also been adjusted from previous Burns—there’s now more in the bow, and less in the stern as compared to the Burn II—which translates into riding up and over waves, skipping over holes and nice, satisfying boofs off of rocky ledges or from the peak of a wave.
The new Burn is equipped with Pyranha’s upgraded C4S outfitting, which means a larger, more comfortable seat. It’s fully adjustable to ensure I can trim the boat so it handles how I want it to. Keep in mind it does take some time to get all the adjustments just right, so don’t show up late to the put-in and expect to be able to just get in and go.
Pyranha has taken the ideas and concepts from the Burn and Burn II and improved on the design, producing a boat that can perform well in all conditions, from big water to steep creeks. It’s also a boat that can take beginner and intermediate paddlers to the next level with confidence. Unlike Alien 3, the Pyranha Burn III is certainly worth the price of admission.
This article first appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of Rapid Magazine.
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The new Tempest 170 from Wilderness Systems is the brainchild of Steve Sherre of Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak in Oregon, shaper/designer Bob McDonough and the Wilderness Systems design team. What they’ve created is an appealing combination of “Brit boat” design with the high volume and plush outfitting of the North American tradition. You could call it a “Romany for the West Coast.”
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Wilderness Systems boats ]
The Tempest 170 has the best of both worlds
British performance
The NDK Romany series, designed by U.K. expedition paddler Nigel Dennis, is a line of classic Brit boats with a distinctive Greenland-inspired hard-chine hull and fairly low volume. The result—a sporty and very seaworthy kayak with a good blend of tracking and manoeuvrability—is very popular in the U.K. and on the East Coast of North America.
The classic Brit traits include: no rudder (although a skeg is optional), three fibreglass bulkheads sealed with rubber hatches, low windage, a snug fit and good performance. The Brit boats have been designed for the U.K.’s typically rough seas and the skilled paddlers who venture out in them. The downside is often poor comfort, sometimes less than stellar workmanship and heavy weight.
North American comfort
The kayaks that have evolved in the Pacific Northwest tend to sport novice-friendly rudders and have much higher volume. They are Cadillacs of the sea—great for comfort and long-distance tripping in the sheltered Inside Passage—but not necessarily good for performance. These kayaks have two hatches with a variety of often leaky closure systems and luxurious seats that aspire to being little aquatic armchairs.
[ Plan your next adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]
The Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 combines the best of both worlds. It has the look of a Brit boat, but pumped up and pimped out. The hard-chine hull shape is extremely reminiscent of the Romany. In true Brit style, the hatch covers are tight-sealing rubber and the three bulkheads are moulded fibreglass.
The Tempest 170 has room to spare
Where the Tempest radically departs from its Old World roots is the realm of comfort. The hull is considerably deeper than a Brit boat. At the expense of increased windage, there is a lot of volume, ample cargo space for multi-day trips and no lack of legroom.
The most notable feature is the Phase3 Outfitting, a high-performance seat and thigh-brace system derived from the “FAT 3.0” outfitting that Wilderness Systems’ sister company, WaveSport, puts in its whitewater boats. The foam-padded seat is adjustable with a tilting leg support, backband and very comfortable, adjustable hip pads. Wilderness Systems is to be congratulated for creating the most Mac Daddy piece of furniture ever to grace a sea kayak. Our only complaint is that when you tilt the boat, there is some lateral flex and creaking in the seat’s plastic shell that you don’t get in other boats whose seats are made of more rigid materials or glued directly to the hull. Glued foam inserts can easily solve this.
Rounding out the fit are contoured, padded thigh braces that can be easily unscrewed and moved to match different body types. Overall, the Phase3 system provides a snug, performance fit that was previously only available with custom outfitting.
Mix play and performance with the Tempest
The Tempest 170 is a nimble cruiser capable of holding its own at a touring pace. With a 22” beam, it’s a half inch wider than its British cousins. Intermediate and advanced paddlers will find it has plenty of initial stability and tracks will on an even keel. The Tempest tends to be a bit unsteady in transition from edge to edge, but once on edge its stable and cranks nice tight turns.
The Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 has a performance hull with outfitting to match and a volume that’s hard to find in a boat of its type. It’s a great choice for intermediate to advanced paddlers looking for a playful British design that performs well in surf and rough water but also has a comfortable cockpit and expedition-capacity volume. Available in polyethylene, fibreglass or Kevlar, as well as a smaller 16’6” version.
The Boréal Design Baffin first came on the scene in 2008 as a plastic version of the popular Greenland-style Ellesmere and promptly ran away as Boréal’s top seller. The touring kayak follows the smart trend of replacing a dog’s breakfast of models with a simple flow: 1) choose a design that suits your paddling style; 2) choose a size; 3) choose from poly or composite. Brilliantly easy, like buying shoes, and retailers and customers loved it.
In 2009, Boréal’s multipurpose touring kayak, the Epsilon, was their first to offer three sizes to accommodate paddlers from 90 to 280 pounds. With the success of the Epsilon, it only made sense to add a larger and smaller version to the Baffin’s 2011 redesign, and to also offer it in composite. So if you like the Baffin, Boréal has your size and material.
If you like a snug-fitting, sporty, close-to-the-water feel; if you like hard chines that let you use super-subtle edging to steer; if you like skin-on-frame-inspired lines that gracefully accommodate low-angle, Greenland-style strokes and laybacks, then the answer is yes.
I tested the smallest size, P1 (“P” for plastic). I found the initial stability to be comfortably moderate yet it took no effort at all to edge the trademark, down-curving “reverse hard chine,” which carves like a shaped ski, only in the opposite direction.
No surprises
With high secondary stability and predictable edging, the Baffin has the even-tempered personality you want in a foul-weather friend—a solid blend of soft-chine predictability and hard-chine turning characteristics.
The Baffin P1 has a long, flat keel with low rocker—perhaps to give its shorter hull a speed boost. It tracks surprisingly well, yet it’s easy enough to steer by throwing in some of the effortless edging while carrying speed.
Dial up the skeg for rough weather and you’re on rails. We love the smooth, precise operation and bomber spectra-cord construction of Boréal’s signature dial skeg, placed up front for easy reach and neatly recessed into the deck. These are perfect sporty touring traits.
This is a low-volume boat, so pack accordingly. The cockpit has enough length for just about any paddler within the P1’s weight range and a slim fit that’s fantastic for boat control—aided by an aggressively contoured bucket seat, adjustable thigh braces and sturdy metal foot braces. Stand warned that the streamlined decks strictly limit capacity.
Hatch covers are wickedly supple and the easiest we’ve found to get on and off, while also being dry thanks to the fit of the hard plastic hatch rims.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Touring Kayaks ]
The Boréal Design Baffin is a trusty touring boat
Boréal rightly pegs the Baffin as “an extremely fun and stable kayak for athletic paddlers from intermediate to advanced, suited for day and weekend trips.” And now with more sizes, Boréal’s sprightly bestseller will have an even bigger (and smaller) audience.
This article was first published in the Summer/Fall 2011 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Double your fun with Delta Kayak’s Traverse 17.5T. | Photo: Owen Marshall
I’m a big fan of tandem kayaks. A fleet of doubles halves the number of boats on the water, making it easier to keep the group together, and they provide opportunities to pair stronger paddlers with those who are fatigued, seasick or otherwise struggling. Even a single tandem can be a huge asset to a group—think of it like an insurance policy. Enter the Delta Traverse 17.5 T, a new compact tandem embodying the new light touring ethos in a double design.
Delta Traverse 17.5 T Specs
Length: 17’ 6”
Width: 27.25”
Weight: 70 lbs
Max Capacity: 560 lbs
MSRP: $2,750 USD
Despite their many benefits, some paddlers still have reservations regarding doubles. For starters, there’s the stigma of the “divorce boat.” It’s true, paddling tandem does take more coordination and communication than piloting solo, but I’ve seen a great many more pairs flourish rather than flounder.
At a time when most paddling trips are just a couple of hours to a couple of days long and kayak sales are dominated by shorter, lighter boats, the biggest hurdle for tandems may be, well, their size.
Many traditional tandems were designed for—and excel at—expedition-style journeying. But casual paddling partners out for an afternoon or weekend don’t need cargo ship capacity. Add waterlines that project nine feet beyond the bars of a hatchback’s roof rack and 80 to 105-pound hull weights, and the honeymoon is over before it’s even hit the water.
The Delta Kayaks’ Traverse 17.5T is not merely a downsized version of Delta’s other tandem offering, the 20 T; it’s a fresh take informed by the brand’s spectrum of popular single kayaks.
Delta’s generously sized Press-Lock hatches access 190 liters of dry gear storage, and the gasketed lids are easy on and off. | Photos: Virginia Marshall
We pick up our demo 17.5 T at White Squall, a Parry Sound, Ontario, paddling center whose racks are piled high with spring inventory of Delta kayaks. For budget-conscious paddlers seeking a boat that’s capable, attractive, user-friendly and lightweight, Delta’s thermoform plastic offerings tick all the right boxes. The finish of their durable vacuum-molded, ABS-acrylic laminate kayaks is flawless—and our Traverse is no exception.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all Delta Kayaks Products ]
A weight off your shoulders
The first thing anyone who has ever paddled tandem will notice about this double is the weight—or lack thereof. Historically, wrangling a touring tandem onto and off of your vehicle’s roof was a feat requiring near-Herculean strength—and ideally a footstool. The Traverse tips the scales at a modest 70 pounds; that’s just a chubby housecat more than my 16-foot single.
Delta’s designers finessed two cockpits into the Traverse’s 17-and-a-half feet—a length more typical of solo sea kayaks than tandems. As veterans of tandem bicycles and boats know (and the uninitiated soon discover), cockpit proximity is one of the finer points of double design. Too close together and unsynchronized paddle strokes amount to a jousting match. The 17.5 T, we are relieved to report, gets paddler positioning just right.
Sleek deck cutaways slim the Traverse’s topside profile, promoting improved stroke efficiency. Paddling the 17.5 T feels a lot like helming a Delta single. | Photos: Virginia Marshall
A comfortable fit for two
In-cockpit adjustments are a breeze thanks to Delta’s straightforward outfitting. The foot braces and multi-height backrest are accessible while seated, and fine-tuning backrest tilt and fore-aft positioning of the sliding seats can be accomplished with one hand. The latter is especially helpful for paddling partners of different heights and weights. For example, rather than adding ballast in the bow hatch to offset a heavier stern paddler, the bow paddler can simply slide his or her seat forward to trim the boat.
While the beamier dimensions of some tandems can hinder their fit for smaller paddlers, this is not the case with the 17.5 T. The thigh braces and other contact points feel secure at both bow and stern cockpits. Stylishly sculpted deck cutaways at both paddler stations reduce interference and enhance stroke efficiency. In fact, working from either seat feels uncannily like paddling Delta’s single kayaks.
[ Paddling Trip Guide: Plan your next paddling adventure ]
Delta is known for accessible designs, and the Traverse is perfectly suited for introducing a friend, partner or family member to kayaking. The boxy hull profile offers outstanding primary stability—it took a considerable, coordinated effort for our test paddlers to achieve a capsize on calm waters. A full-length keel ensures hassle-free tracking; drop the rudder to improve maneuverability in tight quarters. Hull speed is another advantage: two paddlers working together are faster than two single paddlers putting in the same effort.
The Traverse’s full chines and pronounced keel deliver superb stability and tracking. | Photo: Virginia Marshall
Ready to try kayak camping? The spacious bow and stern hatches still have ample combined capacity for a pair of weekend adventurers. The center hatch accesses an oversized deck pod with 14 liters of dry storage—handy for snacks, camera, repair kit, spare layers, paddle jackets, and more. Even better, it’s within reach of both paddlers, functionally serving as a shared day hatch, and doesn’t impede foot room for the stern paddler.
Double your fun in the Traverse 17.5 T
Since the earliest kayaks appeared on Arctic waters, tandems—and even triples—have been indispensable—from family freighters to hunting vessels for highly skilled teams. Fast-forward to today’s recreational paddlers and a double still makes a lot of sense. Delta’s Traverse 17.5 T gets two people on the water with less storage and transportation hassles—not to mention less cost—than two comparable singles. Still skeptical? Just grab a friend and take the Traverse for a spin.
This article was first published in Issue 58 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Double your fun with Delta’s Traverse 17.5 T. | Feature Photo: Owen Marshall
This article originally appeared in Canoeroots Early Summer 2017 issue.
At just over 10 feet long the Fusion moves like a rocket compared to most other whitewater kayaks. As one of the narrower feeling boats in the shootout it gives up some primary stability compared to the wider, rounder designs, but the upside is you get way better handling in whitewater. You can surf small waves, change course quickly mid-rapid, catch smaller eddies with confidence and zip around the river with authority. We enjoyed long soul surfs on glassy green waves and even managed a few spins.
This article was first published in the Spring 2013 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine and was republished in Issue 58 of Paddling Magazine. 
