Aquanaut HV RM

This Product Has Been Discontinued

Aquanaut HV RM Description

The Aquanaut HV RM is a kayak brought to you by Valley Sea Kayaks. Read Aquanaut HV RM reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you!

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Aquanaut HV RM Reviews

Read reviews for the Aquanaut HV RM by Valley Sea Kayaks as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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4

It's my "hauler boat" for…

Submitted by: Wavespinner on 8/29/2011
It's my "hauler boat" for extended trips and the review is in that context. I'm 5'10", 187 with size 11 feet.

Going up to the HV, I was looking more for additional cargo space and waterline length than anything else. It provides some extra storage but, retaining some performance lines, isn't a fat boat.

The layered plastic is rigid and relatively light. The kayak performs all maneuvers well, but has a tad more rocker than I prefer for covering distance. The bow flare seems to function effectively in heavy waves, obviating the need for excessive volume. It thrives in the rough stuff. The deck lines are well thought out. And, its visual lines are pleasing to the eye.

Quibbles. I'd like more aggressive thigh braces and a lower back brace that isn't as apt to fold forward. I don't mind balky hatches if they seal but I do get some forward leakage in heavy seas. I'm not a big fan of grab loops that dangle over the ends of the boat.

Bottom line is that you get a true sea kayak with the price and durability of plastic. Great boat for hauling the goods over long distances.

4

I have been paddling the…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/14/2009
I have been paddling the Aquanaut HV RM for a few years now, ever since I was told to get rid of my Prijon Yukon and get a proper sea kayak. At 5ft 11in and 220lbs I find it a comfortable and pleasant kayak to paddle . It does not have any particular vices, or do anything particularly well- I also paddle a Nordkapp and a Greenlander Pro which have definite personalities while the Aquanaut is bland by comparison.

The Aquanuat is a good teaching platform, and would also suit large people as a first sea kayak that can hold its own with the pack I haven't had any problems with the skeg, but do give it a good hose out after a trip.

The outfitting on my kayak is inadequate - Valley really need to take a look at what the competition is doing, and get a decent backrest. More importantly the knee/thigh grips are more for show than go - I have replaced mine with grips off an old creek boat. It may be that having short legs for my height I would have been better suited with the smaller RM version.

The hatches are a constant source of annoyance- I don't have any leaks, the day hatch is fine, but the oval main hatches are a nightmare to get off. I understand they are less of a problem on the composite kayaks.

Conclusion- a good all round kayak, although not very exciting. Fix the outfitting and the hatches I would give it an 8, maybe 9.

4

I picked up a yellow one from…

Submitted by: paddler232920 on 10/10/2008
I picked up a yellow one from my local shop and have been delighted with it. The layered construction produces a stiff hull for a roto molded boat. It handles as described in the other reviews for Aquanauts. It edges well and the skeg allows one to tune the tracking characteristics. The hatches are really water tight. I just have to be careful loading and unloading it due to the weight. It is slightly smaller and perhaps a hair wider than the composite version. It is a great boat for exposed areas and textured water. The boat has good speed and good secondary stability. It is my third boat and a real sea kayak!

I am a 6'5" paddler weighing about 250 lbs. My shoe size is 13.