Kestrel 120 R

I purchased my Kestrel 120 eight years ago, it was love at first paddle! I have paddled in the bays of Lake Huron, river systems, channels, and small lakes, the Kestrel handled each water with ease. We purchased a cabin 400 miles from our home, I did not want to haul my boat back and forth so I have decided to purchase a second Kayak. After looking at other boats, I am going to buy another Kestrel 120!

We bought a pair of the Kestrel 120 R's and have been absolutely delighted. Beautiful boats (we bought the blue Sky and the grey Shadow). Longer, slimmer, lower volume than the Perceptions we've enjoyed for six years. The Kestrels have proven to be a clear a step up in the water. They've lived up to their billing of having "efficient touring speeds and maneuverability." They move through the water so smoothly, accelerate easily, and turn quickly. They handle small white caps on the lake with ease. The Swede form, soft chine, and shallow v make for a responsive, yet actually stable, experience. They have a bit more initial side-to-side sensation than the wider Perceptions had, and we were ready for that -- it quickly became natural and we no longer notice it. The cockpit is big enough to get into without issue, yet small enough to feel securely compact - and the thigh pads are a plus. We are each 5'5" and the foot rests have plenty of adjustment beyond our settings for those with longer legs. The 'Revolution' seat is very comfortable, given its padding and multiple adjustments. I particularly like being able to raise the front of the seat to support the back of your thighs. Small things like the paddle parks, easy flip locks on the hatch cover, deck rigging, and carry handles are nice bonuses. We had the benefit of sitting in and handling the floor model to ensure it fit well -- and we fell in love with it. Bought the floor model immediately and ordered a second one. It was worth the wait and we are well on our way to years of exploration and enjoyment with these quick, nimble, rugged recreational kayaks.

I have the Kestrel 120 with the TSP layup. Excellent boat for the serious recreational kayaker. Light weight, excellent speed and tracking, plenty of cargo space, and very comfortable. I've paddled a bunch of rec kayaks and this is easily my favorite. It is expensive compared to its plastic counterparts, but worth the extra money if you can spare it. The literature says its designed for small to medium paddlers, but I am 6'0"/220 and it fits me great. Highly recommended.

First... the bad. My wife and I just purchased two 2017 Kestrel 120 Kevlar kayaks a few months ago. We've put 20 hour on each, so far. On my maiden voyage, I developed a 12"-14" crack along side the seat on the underside of the cockpit. There was a loud snap when I sat my 180 pounds down. The dealer has fixed it already. Though, I won't get a chance now to test it out until spring. Quite an inconvenience since the dealer is about 2-1/2 hours away. I am not convinced that hanging the seat from the top rim of the cockpit was a good design. Seems that the seat should mount on the bottom (strongest part) of the boat like some others do. I guess it was a way for the seat to be able to swing back and forth like it does, though we always keep ours in the upright position. Reclining this seat is not comfortable, plus it takes away from the little room available for your knees. Though it has been designed to keep your knees tucked under, the cockpit is so wide and the seat sits too high that my wife cannot begin to get her knees under. I have skinny legs and no bum. I can get my legs under, but don't find it very comfortable because of the wide spread and can't last more than 10 minutes. So, we both ride with our knees out. Unfortunately, the Kestrel was not designed to do that. There is no padding that wraps around the bottom rim of the cockpit and the sharp edge digs in the legs. I did remedy the situation by purchasing a set of Eddyline Sandpiper comfort knee pads. I had to grind them a bit to contour to the Kestrel cockpit so they stay on. Then, I tore out the original padding to be able to glue the velcro for these adjustable knee pads. Though the seat seems better than other kayaks, it still lacks padding on the bottom. We purchased 1" foam pads for the 3-5 hour long rides. I do like the adjustable backrest. You can raise and lower on the fly and its ratchet system easily changes the angle of the backrest. However, once we both found the right settings, we don't see a need to ever change them again. The paddle holder hooks catch your hands once in a while, especially if you are a high angle paddler. So, I clipped off at least 1/4" and sanded them down smooth. They really need to be moved to a lower position. My last complaint is that there is no beverage holder, or a good place to put an aftermarket one. So, now the good. I love the looks. They track well, have good speed and quite stable. The Kestrel needs very little water to float. I really like the Swede hull. It makes sense to be wider near the back where you sit. They seem to skim across the top of the water rather than cut down through. They don't turn as easily as others that I've tried, but it's the compromise for a shallow "V" and good tracking. Great sealed front and rear bulkheads with one of the nicest hinged hatch covers I seen. Current Design started doing this on their 2017 models. Lots of storage both on top and inside hatches. And, room between the legs for a small cooler. Very easy to adjust footrests from inside the boat. They are very lightweight for being 12-1/2 feet long. My "white on white" is 36 pound, yet my wife's "red on white" is 40 pounds. Quite a bit of difference (10%) . I noticed right away loading each on the rooftop of the SUV. Overall, I am pleased, but feel that for the price could have done better.

I am enjoying my first season with a Kestrel kayak, made of kevlar and 12' long. It has a nice sized dry box in it and an adjustable seat back. The seat is comfortable. I am a 5'2" elderly woman who loves the outdoors and has been limited on getting on the water due the inability to load and unload my own paddling device. I have found that the Kestrel 120 weighs about 32-35 lbs. and I can load and unload it! I found it to be easy to maneuver, and to paddle. The cockpit is plenty wide, comfortable and the feet rests also adjust to suit your height. I like the fact that I can wear shorts and have my legs somewhat protected from the sun by the cockpit. I would, however, suggest a lightweight towel in the cockpit on a sunny day to protect the thighs! I paddled for 5 hours and didn't have sore shoulders- a first for me! I was able to control my kayak easily and enjoy my time on the water. I haven't been white water paddling, I have been in tame rivers and on lakes thus far.

I love my kayak. I am 5 ft 6in female, weigh 160 lbs. I like the weight at only 50 lbs I plan to carry it myself once I'm more familiar with loading and unloading. It has a perfect size cockpit for me to get into and out of, but most of all, it handles fantastic on the water. I plan to have this kayak for years!

I purchased the Kestrel 120 last summer to float the lakes and slower rivers in western Montana. It has meet all my expectations and more. It handles well on the rivers and tracks across lakes with little effort to keep it in a line. I like it well enough that I purchased a second used one. Current Designs backs up their products

I bought the 12 ft. Kestrel as my first kayak 3 years ago. We love it, but as my first purchase and as a rookie, it took some practice. It tracks great. All ages have used it in our very smooth creek and love that it's fast and reliable. I hope to take it out in the river soon where it's more challenging.

This is a follow-up on the Kestrel 120X roto I bought last year. I'm still very impresses with it. On calm waters it glides forever, steers fast for a 12 footer. Only been in class 2 rapids so far, but it took them without any problems. Even in 2 half ft waves its very secure. I let my wife use it this spring on the Flambeau River. I had a hard time getting it back. Now she wants to upgrade. She loved the seat and stability. Current Design has a winner here.

This is a update on a Kestral 120 XC roto. I finally got this yak on a faster flowing river, the Flambeau river in WI. The more I use this yak the more I like it. I was surprised at how fast it got up to a steady cruz speed. Very stable in class 2 rapids. Love how you can adjust the seat, back rest and the angle of the seat. I packed a lot of gear and a collapsible cooler in the dry storage. Only complaint is that it's a little heavy, but it's a sweet paddle.

Tried out a kestral 120X roto the other night on a lake. It was a demo ride. Conditions were 25-35mph wind, 1 1/2 to 2ft. waves running tight together. I thought I'd take a dunking. It proved to be very stable, smooth ride, and I stayed dry. Very fast acceleration and maintained speed easy. Love the 2 dry storage compartments. I ended up buying it. I'll have more to report after a few trips later this year.

The Kestel 120 Kevlar/FB is my first yak. Went to a local outfitter to check out a Pungo 120 but the Kestrel was so beautiful, and it was a 2007 model at 30% off the '07 list. Who could resist? The first trip was today on the Monongahela River near downtown Pittsburgh. Within half-dozen paddle strokes I was at home in the cockpit. The Kestrel is fast, stable, comfortable, turns easy, tracks better than I do (the paddling skills need work for sure). There were plenty of power boats in the area and the Kestrel handled the wakes just fine. The feeling was confidence-inspiring; you'd have to make this boat tip over. Facing a steady breeze on the downstream leg and the Kestrel never weathercocked. The cockpit stayed dry, too.
Next trip will be to a local lake for some kayak fishing.

We had an opportunity to buy two used Kestrel 120's (one of them the HV), our first kayaks. I agree with everything good that's been said about this kayak. I'm not knowledgeable enough to be sure of terms, but what I would call the "glide" is amazing. I've had no paddling lessons, but with each stroke I'm amazed at the glide, and the speed I can reach so quickly. so very smooth! We use them on our local lakes and rivers.

My husband's first experience in the 120 felt too "tipsy." He said he felt "it was trying to throw me out." I don't think he gave it enough chance to see that it is very stable, think it was more psychological and he was "over correcting." I had none of these problems from the beginning (but then I'm the athlete in the family....) But he went and bought an Old Towne Vapor. Now we have an extra Current Design for friends to use.

I'm trying to get him to race, which he hasn't been willing to do. I know it's because he can see how my Kestrel 120 MOVES! Not cool to have your 57 year old wife beat you!! I would like no skid strips or something in the center of the boat to allow me to keep my knees bent and feet on floor, for change of position. Will check if something like this exists! I love this kayak!

The Kestrel’s excellent features have been well covered here. So this is mostly about speed.
At high speeds a longer boat has an advantage. At low speeds, however, friction and weight favor a smaller, shorter boat. There are plenty of web data available on this subject comparing various touring and racing kayaks. Not much for rec boats. How hard does one have to paddle before "hitting the wall" (more effort does not produce more speed) with the little Kestrel?

Here is what I have found out so far: Measured with a GPS, my 2007 Kestrel 120 Kevlar fiberglass/kevlar hybrid goes 4.7 mph for my normal 9 mile flat water river run, and 4.5 for 14 miles (half upstream, half down, to average out the gentle current). As far as I can tell after experimenting with a borrowed 18’ long 22" wide Eddyline Falcon, the "crossover" point is at about 4.5 mph. That is, below 4.5 mph, the Kestrel is easier to paddle. Above 4.5 mph (about 4 knots), the Falcon starts to get easier. The difference at 4.7 mph is quite subtle. And although I can only sprint at about 4.9 mph with the Kestrel, I got to 5.2 mph in the Falcon relatively easily (the Falcon is classified as a "fast sea kayak", for racing).

These things are difficult to estimate, because there are so many variables: Current, wind, fatigue, and the fact that I’m unfamiliar with the Falcon. I hope if other people have different data they will post them. If you’re planning for flat water exercise and are trying to decide between the recreational Kestrel 120 and something longer, remember that given a lower paddling "horsepower" the shorter boat is quicker. And much, much easier to get onto the car. If you’re a beginning paddler and you can demo the boat before you buy, find a way to measure your speed for at least 15 minutes. That will tell you if there’s some ceiling for you to grow into. If you’re near 4.5 mph already (and if speed matters to you), you might want to consider a longer boat.

On the other side of the coin, if you’re trying to decide between the Kestrel and a heavier, wider recreational kayak, I’m pretty sure I can’t get much above 4.0 mph in your average wide plastic rental. I originally considered getting a less expensive boat. I’m so glad that I didn’t. If you’ve "topped out" in your boat and more effort doesn’t give you better results, exercise sessions get boring.

Also, now that I’m more into paddling, I have considered joining a paddling club. But most of the trips are on the ocean. If I want to be social, I need a more "sea worthy" boat! I’ve taken the Kestrel on the ocean, but only with adult supervision and a very quite sea. It has good primary but poor secondary stability. Not bad for a rec boat, though.

Bottom line is this: For a recreational kayak, the Kestrel is excellent. I chose the Kevlar version to encourage myself to paddle often, like going to the gym. I can swing it onto and off of the car, and get in with an ease that the narrow sea kayak paddlers envy. Even if I get a longer boat for speed and to use in the ocean, I intend to keep the Kestrel for impromptu fitness runs on my local river until I’ve completely "topped out" in it. Not there yet.

My wife wanted to move into a better 12 foot kayak, she tried Old Town, Perception, Widerness System and Necky, but went with the Kestrel poly 12'. She is extremely happy, the Kestral is light, stiff and tracks like a dream. She commented about the great glide the kayak has. I also tried the boat and she is right on. GREAT DESIGN!

I've got the Kestrel 120 in TCS. It's super-light at 39 pounds. This is not a recreational kayak, in my opinion. It's more a 12.5-foot touring kayak. You can easily use it as a light touring boat. I tested the plastic version, but found that the TCS Kestrel 120 is stronger on stability, tracks better, and is faster than the plastic model. For me, the plastic one wouldn't track straight at all, and I'm an experienced paddler.

It's almost unbelievable how well this 12.5-foot boat performs as a light tourer. I wanted to use it in rivers though, and it was fine until I ran a solid Class III rapids with it in the fall. My stern spanked a rock hard and cracked. A fiberglass patch on the inside made it good as new, but a boat that can crack just isn't a good application for Class III's. TCS just isn't made for rock-bashing. Small bumps aren't an issue.

The tracking on the Kestrel 120 is absolutely amazing. It seems to ignore wind entirely. It just goes wherever you want, almost as if by thought. A rudder would be a useless appendage.

I can't imagine anyone not liking the TCS Kestrels. (I've got the Kestrel 140, too). Anyone who paddles them is favorably impressed. My hat is off to the Current Designs hull designer on these boats. However, I will sell the 120 since I can't use it as my river boat, and the 140 fulfills all my desires as a light touring boat.

Still, I have to rate the Kestrel 120 as a 9.9, which rounds up to 10.

The Kestrel is a recreational kayak based on length. I choose the hybrid layup which is advertised as weighing 29 pounds by some vendors and 30 pounds by the manufacturer.

I bought this kayak after searching high and low for a 'swamper'. I've got a couple of 17+ boats and wanted something to do the tight and twisty stuff in, plus I wanted one that was less than 40 pounds. What I have obtained is now my most frequently used boat simply because of its weight.

Last month I traveled to Ontario to explore. I took 2 kayaks, a QCC 700 and the CD Kestrel. Both kayaks enjoyed Canadian waters but the Kestrel saw more miles because of the two it was the easiest to portage by far, not counting car topping.

I've collected kayaks over the years and have 15 now. The closest in the group to the Kestrel is another rec boat, the Acadia by Perception. It really is unfair to compare those two, in fact because of the layup and all the attentive details CD poured into the Kestrel it probably shines above all other rec boats with one obvious and glaring exception- that same layup that gives it the incredible lightness will not do well when dragged across a parking lot or ground into oyster beds.

Saying this, it should be obvious to any would be buyer that the Kestrel hybrid has an intended use and that use precludes punishment of the abrasive kind, but as far as paddling into a stump I have no fear that the kevlar will happily bounce back.

If you're looking for a fishing platform or a photography platform in a boat that you can grab and heft with one hand then this is a boat to consider. Fishing simply because of the integral fishing rod holders-one on each side, and they make good paddle parks too. Photography because this boat is stable, at 26inches wide it should be. Another niche is, believe it or not, those who paddle for exercise, and when I took it out for an exercise paddle I took along a GPS and was shocked to discover that it cruised at 4.3 mph!! I didn’t believe it so before paddling the Kestrel the next time I changed batteries in the GPS and compared the GPS used with the GPS in the vehicle...guess what? The little Kestrel cruises at 4.3 mph.

Storage? if you are an ultralightweight backpacker and can do 3 days on the trail with 28-32 pounds (and that’s with winter gear) then you can enjoy the Kestrel for a 2-3 day trip...differing from a Nordkapp or a QCC700 you will have to leave some items at home.

Some complained somewhere that CD didn’t include a forward hatch...well for the intended use and any honest person would admit that is day paddles, the one waterproof hatch rear is more than enough, but if you just have to do a multi-nighter remember that dry bags will fit forward of your feet on either side of the integral foam pillar CD provides.

The hatch....make note of it. I'm sure CD designers considered VCP or Kajaksport hatches but have you ever weighed one? To keep this kayak sub 30 pounds CD had to engineer their own, and since this boat (intended use again) is probably not on the top contender list for rolling, the hatch cover is just fine and its already tethered, another little plus.

The Kestrel Hybrids begs an interesting question...do you truly love to paddle for paddling's sake or do you have to have the large sea kayak loaded for an expedition to have fun and excitement. The reason I ask is because for many of us there are little bodies of water we pass daily, maybe too small to warrant the effort required to get an 18 foot long boat to, but maybe not when its only 30 pounds you have to get from the rooftop to the water.

OK, so given the intended use why only a 9 for the Kestrel? there is a design flaw, the second time I sat in the seat it cracked where the seat back meets the bottom (its all one formed piece, and unfortunately formed into the cockpit coming as well), maybe it happened when I leaned back to stretch. When I looked closely at the seat design I noticed that there is no structure of the seat in its rear most aspect carrying the force of my weight to the hull so a fulcrum was created and the seat lost.

My solution was simply to place a 'carved to fit' piece of closed cell foam under that rear most aspect of the seat thus carrying the weight of the paddler to the hull where it can be dispersed.

Other than that this boat is ever so sweet.

Also, I purchased the boat from Old Orchard Canoe and Kayak, they had it to me in three days via air freight.

This is my third kayak, but I’m no expert. I had read about the NEW Kestrel and I wanted to test paddle several kayaks before making up my mind which boat I wanted. The day was cold, windy and the lower Susquehanna River was somewhat high with some minor debris. Shank’s Mare was very accommodating, and I was very impressed with the Current Designs Kestrel, and took one of the rotomolded models home with me late last October.

I was only able to get out paddling once last year. So far this year I have had the Kestrel out on some small flat water, some big flat water, and last week, I had the chance to paddle on Penn’s Creek, in central Pa. This week I will be on the Susquehanna again. There is nothing I have not been satisfied with from this kayak on the water. This boat paddles very efficiently, and even with longer kayaks is pretty quick, for its length. Its stability is very comforting, and I can lean it pretty well to carve turns. I really believe its tracking will impress anyone who paddles, even in windy conditions, but it also maneuvered rather well on a low water Penn’s Creek.

As far as the construction of the Kestrel, I know its plastic, and Prijon is alleged to have the best plastic, but in my paltry estimate, Current Designs does not take a back seat to any one. The Kestrel is sturdy, and it’s pretty.

I really only have one complaint. Why didn’t Current Designs incorporate a bow bulkhead? I will add float bags. My only other complaint, if you can call it that, is this past week I had a change to demo the Kestrel 120 in TCS. I know it more expensive, but I was able to see a decided difference, an improvement in efficiency, and I guess I’d call it glide.

I also paddled the new Kestrel 140 in TCS, and this is an amazing kayak. It was the talk among the other dealer reps at that demo day. I will wait until next year, but I know unless something else comes along, this time next year I will be the owner of two Kestrels, because I won’t get rid of my Kestrel 120.

I totally disregard any review based on a quick demo or even the first month of ownership. But that is what I am doing and here’s why. I recently won a Current Designs Kestrel 120 in poly. I planned to sell this boat as I have five other sea kayaks and this little one didn’t fit my needs.

I decided to at least paddle it once before putting it up for sale. I carefully launched it from my home in the Florida Keys and within 10 minutes I knew it was a keeper. There is a large mangrove flats area adjacent to me that I frequently take short paddles and this little boat paddled effortlessly and in the shallow water was as fast as the long boats and much more maneuverable. The Kestrel is now my main boat for playing in the mangroves.

This is Current Designs smallest boat. It’s made of high-grade poly and shares it’s deck rigging, including reflective perimeter lines, with its big brothers. I feel this a very capable boat for light to moderate conditions. I will use my sea kayaks for those long open water crossings, but this is a fun quality backwater boat. As previous written, it is the class in its class...

I purchased my Kestrel at the March Paddlesport in New Jersey. Was back ordered so I did not get it until mid-July. Love it. I am 51 years old, 6 feet and 200 lbs. I leave the whitewater to others, but my wife and I enjoy lakes and rivers such as are in the Pine Barrens. The Kestrel handles all conditions so very well. It is comfortable to sit in. It is durable. I was sold on the weight. It is easy to carry. I still have my plastic pungo which can take quite a beating and keep on going. If you are a recreational kayaker, no need to look any further.

Another guy who is happy with his polyethylene Kestrel 120. As a first time boat owner, not too familiar with the water and pushing 60, I found the kayak easy to learn and quickly feel quite comfortable in it. I was sold by the paddle and fishing rod holders, the metal security bar that I could use to chain the kayak to something and the foam bow block for its structural and floatation capabilities. It is easy to load and rope to the car and I have tried it on a couple of Rocky Mountain lakes in both calm and one foot waves.

The only draw backs may be the large cockpit opening. None of the spray skirts at Mountain Equipment Co-op would fit and the Current Design outlet, didn't have or carry the manufacturer's one. The other draw back I think will be its ability to carry enough gear to allow me to go over-night camping.

Anyway, an excellent kayak for the beginner.

Had refined my rec boat search to the Necky Manitou and the CD Kestrel. $50 difference on the price tags. Similar lengths. Test paddled nearly the same. Most noticeable was the smaller cockpit on the Necky. Came down to deciding whether I wanted the larger cockpit or not. Sounds simple right? Like many, I had the long tourer mind, but the rec boat reality. The Kestrel won with it's ease of entry, smaller price tag, swift paddle and easier storage. I've paddled in light chop (winds ~10mph on large inland lake) and found it's stability to be very comforting. It is highly manueverable, but tracks suprisingly well. Negatives include the rather generic seating in the cockpit. With some minicell and home-made thigh bracing, it's been much better. It is a really great little boat....I would definately recommend it. If your looking to get the biggest bang for your money in a rec boat.

My wife & I went to a kayak demo day as a first exposure to kayaking.We tried on the top & cockpit kayaks.The river was choppy,we were inexperienced,& the experience was less than satisfactoy.

After a beginners lesson,we went to a second demo.We first ruled out on-the-top designs.We initially thought of the liquidlogic sapphire,figuring the smaller the better.We knew we would only use it on lakes. After trying several brands,we decided the Sappire tracked terrible.We narrowed out choice down to the Seneca or the Kestral.After several rides back & forth,we will get 2 kestrels.It handles great.The kestrel 120 has a 25"width.There is an XL version at the same cost that is 2"wider & 1" deeper for a bigger person like myself.I'll get that & the wife will get the standard poly 120.They do make the Kestrel in a TCS composite.It costs twice as much & weighs 6 pounds less.I don't see the worth in it.

We purchased an OT Guide 147 last year and I didn't think I would love anything more than that canoe. I was wrong. I purchased a CD Kestrel 12' Mango this past weekend. Took it out for its maiden voyage this afternoon on our beautiful lake here in Clearlake, Ca. USA. I love it! I was concerned about tipping over, but as soon as I lowered myself into the cockpit I knew I had absolutely nothing to worry about. This little honey is so stable, easy to paddle, nimble and very responsive. We were only going to launch it and practice entering, exiting, getting the feel of it, but we had so much fun our very first time out that we paddled for over 2 hrs. I highly recommend this kayak. My hubby got the Necky Manatou (12'10"), but I'll let him write his own review. (hint: He loves it!)