I am a 5'10" 175lb Gulf of Mexico sea kayaker (CD Solstice GTS) in search of a great river and tide races boat. Demo on a friend's 2018 Delphin 150 during a breezy jaunt about 5 miles offshore to circumnavigate a waste island. The Good: Yak exceptionally well-built, and one literally invited to wear it. Bracing superb with ratchet adjustable back band, and knee pads. Tight fit but not oppressively so. Perfect internal symmetry for strong foot bracing and push off. Rough water manners impeccable. No purling, incredible stability (w/ minimal skeg), and hull seemed to constantly demand more challenge. The long boats were hard pressed to keep up, and the Delphin was about half mile ahead at landing offshore. The Bad: On trip back wind settled, and surf was a benign two to three foot chop. Good-bye whitecaps, and the Delphin turned into a dog -- a very slow dog at that. It struggled mightily to keep up with the others in the languid sea, and the incredible stability gave way to a skittish kick out in the stern. "Bought" the Delphin on the way out, but gave it back upon return. Too bad. Really loved this boat, but it was too much a niche water craft.
