I am reviewing the
17.3 Étaín fiberglass sea kayak made by Valley Canoe Products in
Britain. The 17.3 Étaín is no longer made and has been superseded
by 3 sizes, the 17.1, 17.5, and 17.7 Étaíns. All three are made in
fiberglass while the 17.5 and 17.7 are also available as rotomolded.
The specifications for the 17.3 are:
The 17.1 Étaín is
more of an LV kayak than the 17.3, but for me the 17.3 is as close as
I can come to an LV. In particular, the 17.3 fore deck is relatively
high and allows me sufficient foot room. The 17.1 fore deck is
probably too low for me.
I purchased the
kayak used in very good shape, but
-
added a black
keel strip (EazyKeel)
-
fixed a minor
skeg problem
-
tweaked the
rigging to my druthers
I must also divulge
my own specifications. I consider myself to be an intermediate
paddler, well past my golden years, and stubbornly committed to not
advancing my kayaking skills further. I am a hefty 140 pounds and a
lanky 5’ 5” in height. Over the years I have owned many sea
kayaks including a variety of Brit boats; so I have at least some
perspective.
The kayak fits me
well. The cockpit is easy for entry and exit. For example, on entry,
I can plop my butt on the seat and then pull my legs in. The fore
deck is higher than for a true LV kayak, leaving room for my feet. I
am not a fan of deck pods just fore the cockpit because they encroach
on foot space. However, this Étaín has a (removable) deck pod which
is shallow and does not have that effect. In particular, I wear size
11 water shoes over my bulky dry suit socks, but can easily take my
feet off the foot braces and stretch out my legs. This is not true in
my bigger Classic P&H Cetus, whose deck pod is in my way if I
want to stretch out my legs.
The seat is
configured so it can be moved, either slightly forward or slightly
astern from its middle position as delivered. This is not all that
easy and the seat is best moved by tiny elves who are also very
strong. Nevertheless, I moved it astern and ensured that the backband
was also further back. Next I supported the backband with minicell
foam to keep it firm and vertical – requirements dictated by an old
lower back injury. Moving the seating astern reduces weathercocking
and allows me to get the spray skirt on with reasonable ease.
Sometimes it’s the little details that make me like a kayak.
Reasons I like the 17.3 Étaín:
-
it
weathercocks only slightly
-
it tracks
well, and turns when properly encouraged
-
I can put the
spray skirt on, without severe contortions
-
I can easily
stretch out my legs on a longer trip
-
the skeg
works smoothly and is effective
-
I can get it
on my car
I haven’t had the
kayak for long, but am pleased and expect it to be my favorite. The
weather here is still cold with water temperature around 5°
Celsius. So I haven’t tried rolling, but am confident it will be as
easy to roll as my Cetus. If not, my Cetus will again become my
favorite.
