Chelan

I bought my Chelan used three years ago. I'm sure it's now over 20 years old. I replaced the bungees and the fancy inflatable seat no longer inflates (but I find think it's comfortable enough anyway), so the boat pretty much functions as well as I'm sure it did when new. Overall, I've been very happy with it. It's tough, stable, tracks fine without rudder when conditions are calm and with the rudder when they're not. It hit a sweet spot for my first 'real' touring boat, just enough capacity for light camping or day recreation/touring, just light enough (55 lbs, I believe, as noted by another reviewer) to load by myself, easy to keep on track with rudder, very stable, and highly durable. For a day-trip or short overnight-trip boat having more capabilities than most recreational boats, a used Necky Chelan still makes a great choice because it will probably last forever with almost no attention.

Just bought this boat and went out for 7 miles. You won't win any races with this kayak but the seat is great . Its very agile and playful . Initial and secondary stability is great!! It has the ability to be loaded to do some day to light touring with its 2 flush mounted hatches. I would give it a 10 but there is no such thing as the perfect kayak !

The Chelan is a new boat for 2003. It resembles the popular Zoar Sport with the trademark Necky diamond hull. It has flush mounted hatches much like the Elaho. Because of its short length (13'7") and hard chine hull it really turns on a dime. I was impressed with the comfortable fit. Necky has really made a breakthrough with its new air seat. The seat has an air bladder under its seating surface that is pumped up via an air bulb (like a blood pressure cuff). They combine this with a supportive backband to provide what I feel is the most comfortable kayak seat I've ever used. A member of our kayak club actually retrofitted this seat into his Dagger boat. This translates into more comfort and more time spent in the boat. The rudder design has changed as well. A more durable metal housing is utilized. Nice small details-soft toggle handles make portages easier, rudder loop keeps the rudder in place during transport.

On the water:
This boat is really alot of fun. It has very quick response to turns and leans. On edge, one strong sweep stroke will put you in another direction. The boat tracks well for a small boat. The hull takes advantage of its wetted surface area by having a more gentle amount of rocker. The dolphin bow tends to ride up waves and shed water to the side. When the going gets rough the Chelan handles chop with ease. This is my first hard chined boat and I'm sold on the hull shape. I am looking forward to lauching this boat in the New Jersey surf next month. Now the negatives. The deck rigging needs improvement. The molded-in deck rigging attachments make the paddle float rigging an "X" shape rather a more stable square. I re-rigged the float lines immediately. Some slight leaking in the hatches was noticed.

The neoprene covers under the hard hatches should provide protection against all out failure but I'm thinking dry bags.

All in all I have been impressed with this boat. I plan to use it for surf, lakes and local rivers. Its length, weight(55 lbs), and spirited performance make it a nice day to day kayak. I can recommend this boat to anyone wanting a fun, comfortable light touring boat. I will follow up with a report on its performance in the ocean.