Storm

I bought my Storm in late march 2014 in preparation for a long distance trip down the Mississippi/Atchafalaya Rivers. I was drawn by the good reviews and spacious storage. That summer it took me 1200 miles from Iowa to the Gulf of Mexico. And then 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Louis in the MR340.

The boat met all my expectations. It had ample storage, tracked well, and was comfortable enough. The thigh pads didn't feel quite right for me, and kind of cheap, but it wasn't a huge deal. It also felt very stable in virtually all conditions I've encountered. the relatively high deck and upswept bow go a long way in keeping you dry in rough water.

Bottom line: Great boat for overnight and extended trips, is stable, tracks well, has a good rudder system and ample deck rigging. It is a tad on the heavy side, but is also tough as nails and can handle abuse. Seat is just alright.

I have rated this boat as a 9 because as we all know there really is no perfect boat. I have 2 17' boats, a rotomolded Current Designs Storm and a fiberglass Seaward Tyee.

The CD Storm in my opinion is one of the best plastic boats around. It is a bit on the heavy side but a pleasure to paddle. It is fast and effortless to paddle and makes a great overnight boat. It has a good payload capacity and is roomy for all your gear. Because it is rotomolded can take lot of abuse in rockier areas where a fiber glass boat might not be appropriate.

I bought this kayak on the advice of a friend who used to sell kayaks. I am a larger paddler 230 pounds so I needed something that could carry my weight plus the weight of a week's worth of gear. This is the boat! It packs plenty of space for gear and fits me fine (maybe even a bit too big, but very easy to get in and out). This boat seems to wake up in choppy waters and really excels in open water, it is also at home on a long river trip.

Pros:
• Good amount of Cargo Space
• Stable, tracks well and turns easily enough for a 17 footer if you know how to lean right.
• Rudder allows you to track across currents or wind with relative ease.
  I prefer a rudder to a skeg because a skeg box takes up precious cargo space in the rear if you have one.

  Cons:

• This is not a light boat, it is pretty heavy but that is to be expected with a rotomolded boat.
• Does not turn on a dime (although what 17ft kayak does?)

I did notice the hull bowing in when I transported this boat on my saddles so I switched to a J rack type of roof carrier.

Over all I love this boat and will use it at least until I can afford a lighter fiberglass model. I love Current Designs boats though, and really enjoy touring in this boat. The seat keeps me comfortable for hours and I like the adjustable foot pegs with separate rudder controls at the toes.

I give it an 8 out of 10, would give it a 10 if it were 15 pounds lighter.

The Storm GT and I just got body slammed from behind by an unexpected 6' ocean swell out of Seward AK. Water was instantly sucked out from under, we hit bottom and the wave slammed us both hard info the sand & rocks. Only damage was the rudder shaped off at the base.

Next day we fought 30mph wind in standing 10-15' waves paddling absolutely full throttle only making inches of headway per stroke before breaking free of the point we were going around, paddled another 6 miles in sustained 10mph wind with gusts before riding a beach to crash on. Worst condition I have ever paddled in. Storm took all the abuse and handled exceptionally well considering the rudder was gone. Boat also took me from Cordova Alaska to Valdez, 317 miles with one 46 mile day.

Original fit was not great for me at 5'7", I moved the knee braces back to fit me, raised the seat 1", and added 1/2" foam to keep my calves off the bottom and under the foot pegs for padding and warmth against the Alaska waters I paddle.

Boat does sit low in the water when loaded, which means a few more waves come over the cockpit, but I will take that any day for the stability and handling the Storm provides in extreme conditions.

I have been paddling my Storm for 12 years. I love this boat! It's had some tough use (seal launch down a granite slope, fell onto hard surfaces twice when I was learning to load it onto the car)and it just shrugged off the experiences. It's a delight to paddle. Yes, there's a lot of rocker but you get used to it -- I only use the rudder when the wind is 50 km/hr. or more. I have another boat (a fiberglass beauty) but the Storm remains my go-to kayak.

We just took a four day family river trip down the headwaters of the St. Croix River in WI. All five of us took turns paddling the two canoes and the two CD Storms. We found the seats comfy, the cockpits spacious and the kayaks to be fast even when loaded.

The rotomolded Storm GT's handled the many class I and II rapids with ease, but were somewhat difficult to turn due to the limited rocker. My only negative feedback is with respect to the adjustment of the foot pegs. As we changed back and forth between boats, we had to move them frequently and the adjustment mechanisms were often sticky and hard to move.
That said, we love these kayaks!

I got a smokin’ deal on a used 2001 pre-GT Storm a couple months ago. I have owned two other poly touring kayaks; an Aquaterra Chinook, Dagger Magellan and currently own a Prijon Kodiak.

I am 6'3" tall, weight 205 lbs, and have size 12 shoes. The Storm fits me like a glove, It's a large kayak, but doesn’t feel or handle like a big boat. It's stable, but not a barge.

At first I thought that using a lever to raise and lower the rudder was a funky idea. Once I got it adjusted, it was great. My Dagger had the best hatches of any kayak I've owned, but the Storm's hatches are a close second. They are watertight and easy to use.

I ultimately came to the conclusion that I really only needed one 17 foot poly boat. I had to decide which one would sell. The Storm is a prettier boat, I like the hatches better and it has a tad more knee room. The Kodiak is made from a superior polyethylene, it has gas-pedal type foot braces. The seat and knee braces are adjustable and the seat is more comfortable. So I kept the Kodiak and sold the Storm. It was a tough decision. Both kayaks are great poly boats.

I would recommend the CD Storm to any skill level paddler.

I purchased a Storm GT a year ago and have been very pleased with it. I only recently was able to use it as it was intended, loaded with gear for a three day trip. I paddled with about 70 others and I believe I had the fastest boat on the water. It paddles good empty but with the extra weight I believe it paddled better. One of the other guys had a 17' Necky and we switched to compare...we both liked the Storm better. It was more stable and paddled easier. It has a rudder but I rarely use it. The higher the waves, the more fun it is to paddle. Very stable, even on a sharp lean.
I have a 13' Necky I love for knocking around and use almost daily, but if you want a boat that goes straight and will let you run with the big dogs on a long trip you can't beat the Storm GT.

I rented the Storm today for the second time for a 6 hour river trip in Alberta, Canada. I'm so happy I did. Last weekend I rented a Necky Looksha 17 and I had nothing but problems with the pedals, and the rudder cords consistently got caught up in the pedal cables... very lame, very frustrating.

The Storm's components just seem sturdier, more reliable, and they work consistently! I'm seriously considering buying a Storm. The only thing I'd like to see added on this model is a day hatch. This is the 4th poly touring kayak I've rented, and as far as value and reliability, I've gotta' give it to the Storm.

not sure why no one has posted since 2005...
The Storm has been completely redesigned and is a great boat if you are a big guy like me (6'2", 230lbs., high center of gravity)... I started paddling in a Perception Captiva... fell in love with paddling but progressed past this boat quickly...great stability because it is about the same size as an aircraft carrier... took some lessons locally and bought a Current Designs Sirocco... great boat, very nimble, very quick but I had a real problem with the initial stability...

After a year of really trying to adapt, I demo'ed the Storm and fell in love with it...I sold the Sirocco to a friend who is smaller and has a lower center of gravity... he loves the Sirocco, I love the Storm and we are both really happy

My wife (who loves her Valley Avocet), my friend, and I now paddle all over Narragansett Bay, including the areas exposed to the Atlantic...4 - 6 foot swells are commonplace and all 3 of us have no problems in our boats... it is fun to go out in the big waves and have the same confidence as the folks I paddle with.

I recommend this boat to any large person who wants a fast boat which is easy to put on edge (I never use the rudder) but gives the confidence in big seas to stay upright... the 3 of us are planning a week long paddle from Conanicut Island in Rhode Island to Orleans, Massachusetts on Cape Cod... should be outstanding. Happy paddling to everyone!

I bought a used 2002 Storm this summer and have now had it out quite a few trips(appx 20) on both rivers and large lakes. This craft is quick, stable and has lots of room for both cargo and paddler. It does seem to want to turn into the wind, but it handles big waves with ease. I have had no problems with my legs falling asleep, or my bum getting sore from the seat. Some of the features I like about it are the wrap around rigging, large hatches, reflective tape, cargo storage, leg room, and handling. My gripes are small, but include: the neoprene hatch covers that go under the plastic covers do take some time to put on, the guy I bought it from said the plastic reflective tape started peeling off on his first trip(and its still going), and its tendency to turn into the wind unless you use the rudder. This is my first kayak, and I'm very pleased with it thus far.

This is my first boat after having tried several others. I have had it for a little over a year now and have loved it. It has paddled quite well island hopping on the Maine coast and I have had little to no trouble manouvering it about while rock gardening. It laughs at barnacles! It does tend to weather cock in the wind, but a strong lean usually will set you straight. It also surfs quite well. Currently my only beef with it is that my bulkheads are leaking. I have tried various caulking measures to reduce the problem, but have not been as successful as I would like. Since I usually only take it for day trips, this has not become too much of a problem, but after a day of surfing a hatch full of water gets a little annoying. Regardless: I highly recommend it as a "starter boat." It paddles well and is durable .

I bought my Storm when I moved to Tampa and it has been a great boat for back water and open ocean. I am a larger paddler and I have found this boat offers plenty of space for me and my gear. My main complaint about other boats is the lack of leg room, but the Storm has plenty. I highly reccomend this boat.

I?m planning to by another sea kayak to replace my aging Aquaterra Scimitar; the Storm is high on my list. I live in Texas where heat is a major concern; right now I?m in the process of checking out the durability of my ?potential? new kayaks. I e-mailed Wenonah (Current Designs US distributor) and to gather some information on the rigidity of their hull, they responded very quickly and with good answers. Here?s their response (verbatim): Our most recent poly kayaks have the ABS plastic bulkheads. We switched from the foam last July or August. As for the plastic, all the kayaks are made of the same. However, we did switch to a more dense plastic in April 1999. All plastics become somewhat soft after being exposed to the sun, however we have placed additional reinforcement in the keel line. This is the area which is affected the most, and makes the greatest difference in paddling.

Sounds like they have made some excellent improvements.

Have a Polypropylene 2000 Breeze and a Polypropylene 2001 Storm, racked-up many km in each. The Storm is much smoother in almost any water. Have not witnessed any "oil-canning" in the Storm that others have spoke of and I am a big fellow, (194lbs).

Only two beefs with the Storm, both easily repairable in minutes; the rudder lever needed a little adjustment right out of the wrapper; done in less than 2 minutes. The other was a bit more of a P/O as I was in high-water, mid-January when it occurred. If you buy a Storm, check the crimps that hold the foot pedal cabling - mine popped out quite easily, unfortunately, the very first day out in the water.

I have now re-crimped the cable with a larger crimp and even dropped a bit of crazy-glue into the crimp before clamping it. Otherwise, the Storm is the best under-$2000.00 boat that I have tried so far, (at least 20 other sub 2-Grand boats).

The Storm's rudder is easily moved up and down, its storage is sufficient for at least a week of touring, (lots of top-straps as well as two storage ports with a total of 152 litres of storage), and the seat, while not perfect, is better than most in this $ class, ($1400 – $1800.00).

I have owned my plastic Storm for two months now, and I love it. I demo'd five other boats before buying the Storm, and the main reason for buying it was the instant feeling of security I got as soon as I started to paddle it. I have had it out in 20 knot winds and 2-3 foot chop and it handles well. When it started to surf swells it took me a few seconds to realize what was happening. The durability of the plastic boat is another big plus for me. I drag it up on beaches and hit submerged stuff in the water and it is holding up fine. Finish and craftsmanship is excellent. When I brought it home from the dealer, I noticed a slight oilcanning on the bottom of the hull. I put the hairdryer to it and it came right back to normal. No problems since. After the maiden voyage my wife caught me beaming and asked how the new kayak was. I said that I would take this boat anywhere. And I will.

This is a nicely outfitted sea kayak in plastic, with adequate deck rigging and hatches fore and aft that have remained dry in the several outings I've taken so far. A lever controls the rudder, which is a nice feature. However, it's a little awkward to get at, and I'd like to see it brought forward a bit for easier access. The Storm handles well overall and turns more easily than my 15 foot Wilderness Systems Cape Horn. It does have a tendency to weathercock on open water in a stiff wind, but-in all fairness-I have not had the boat loaded with gear in the time I've owned it, which could affect performance. On the other hand, the high deck gives a dry ride in rougher seas. (By comparison, a Dagger Atlantis I demoed on the same day in stiff wind left me soaking wet.) The cockpit is roomy, making it a good choice for larger paddlers and allows easy entry and exit. I removed the thigh braces from mine; at 5'7", they did not feel comfortable for me. After reading numerous reviews about the boat's tendency to oil can, I was a bit skeptical about buying a Storm. I contacted Current Designs and told them of my concerns about their plastic oil canning and scratching easily. They assured me that changes had been made (I believe in 2000) to stiffen the hull and make the plastic more durable. So far, the boat has scratched only lightly, and has not shown signs of oil canning, even when strapped on the vehicle for extended periods.

I've owned my Storm for one year. It is great to paddle. As an inexperienced kayaker but it has carried me through some big wave and lots of wind on the Georgian Bay of Ontario. My sons faired equally as well in the wind and waves. I've been very careful to only rest the kayak with support under the bulkheads so as to prevent oil canning of the hull. I was disappointed to find a rather large dent in the bottom after inadvertently leaving it on a portage cart for one week. The dent came out easily enough by heat from a hair dryer. I'd buy another for friends to use but wish I had spent another $1000 to get a Solstice for me.

The best plastic 17' boat design for larger paddlers, but too bad they use cheap materials to build it. After renting one weekly for about two years (year 'round paddling and one Baja trip), I passed because of the oil canning and seat breakage. Performance-wise, it is fast, stable, comfortable, and holds a ton of gear. It feels heavy off the water, but stable on. It has great primary and secondary. Its stability instills great confidence, even in serious conditions. As much as I like the Storm, it oil-cans so badly (imagine a 3" deep 16" diameter pizza sized depression right below the cockpit) that I couldn't buy a new one. The seat is made of cheap brittle hard plastic, and the seatback will crack and break if you use the boat to learn eskimo rolling (or step on it to exit at a high dock). The rental I used went through 2 seatbacks and one seat bottom in the last 18 months alone. I contemplated buying one and adding a back-band, but that still would not address the seat bottom or oilcanning issues (which occurs on many Storms - I've looked at five, and all have had these problems). If you can overlook oil canning and seat breakage, it really is one of the best performing plastic 17's on the water. I didn't want to spend $1400 on a new boat that I knew would need periodic seats and hull "debubbling", even if it is great fun on the water.

Just love this boat in the open water. Most of the boating done was in the North Channel in Ontario off Lake Huron. Ten miles wide and 90 miles long-so the winds can really blow- always felt comfortable in these boats. They have a beautiful look with the high bow, great quality rudder system thats easier to lift and drop compared to some others. The first sea kayak I tried, I thought other makes and models would be just as good but haven't found one yet- My girlfriend is quite small and she handles it like a dream, likes it even more than I do--great boat-fast, stable, tracks well and with the rudder turns pretty quick-love it.

Nice enough ride but I had a huge problem with oil canning. Took me a week with a car jack to remove bottom dent caused by dealer strapping kayak to my car top. Also does not float as high as Old Town Heron, which causes it to hit bottom in very shallow water, while the Heron, with same load, floats merrily along. Current Design needs to stiffen the bottom.

We have one of these in our "family fleet" and its my favorite. It can carry a considerable amount of camping gear, and is a good compromise between stability and performance. Handles waves well, jumps the tops when hit fron-on, for a nice dry, fun ride. My 50 year old mother can paddle all day quite comfortably in it. My only complaint is the horrible shade of hot pink.

This is the best plastic boat available. It is extremely stiff, tracks well and handles quite well for a 17 foot boat. If you need a high volume, performance sea kayak the storm is one heck of a bargain.