Alto Expedition

Wilderness Systems should never have designed and sold the Alto. Why? After paddling one, who would want anything else? Mine was purchased for ocean paddling and surfing the ever changing sandbars off of St. Simons Island, Georgia some time around 2005 along with the much sexier Wilderness Systems Tempest. The Alto was recommended as the boat of choice by the guides at Southeast Adventures there. Quickly, the homely Alto became the favored boat and the Tempest was sold. When life for me ends, I want to be put out to sea in the Alto, which has earned the name "Maelstrom."

The tracking challenges that some describe are minimal, using my shallow dip, wide out, waist turning paddling style, even in stiff winds. It responds quickly and predictably when turning. As some others have noted, the Alto's primary stability (for this 6 foot, 205 guy) is not terribly great, but its secondary stability gives confidence. While not as fast for racing as my previous sleek fiberglass Khaya (only a few built by Walter Stapleton in Winter Springs, Florida), it has proven to be the most durable, reliable, and fun boat of the many I've owned or tried out. It's only flipped when taking on huge breaking waves broadside while pushing my luck four feet from the beach. Now in my mid 70s, it's hard to exit gracefully...I just ask others to look the other way or revert to my larger cockpit old man kayak for use on Lake Oconee. But for distance and exploring, it's the Alto.

An OK kayak, suitable for calm days and easy conditions. Poor seat arrangement, sloppy foot pegs because of rudder linkage. The hatch leaks by design, or lack of same. The cockpit area extends to the bow of the boat, so a huge area remains that must be filled with inflatable bags to prevent swamping in event of flooding. In a capsize, a TON of water must be removed. In wind, the tendency to weather-cock requires the use of a rudder. The rudder and its linkage become a danger (or at least an impediment) during re-entry. The good things about this boat: 1.) It taught me that not all kayak designers are paddlers. 2.) As I continued training and practice, I quickly saw its limitations, which helped be in my quest for sea kayaks that were able to perform in the conditions that I thrive in.

I bought my Alto used. It was my first kayak. I had a hard time with it before I put a rudder on it. Once I added a rudder it was great. It is narrow so a little tippy getting in and out of but once you are on the water it glides beautiful. I was happy to have the speed.

I bought this boat used and absolutely love it. It is a "sporty" little boat. Your gear stowed on top might get a little wet...

I have owned this kayak for about four years and am extremely happy with it. I paddle mostly in the lower Hudson river and it has handled winds, swells and confused currents with ease. With the rudder deployed tracking is excellent. I find that I can easily keep up with the lighter glass and kevlar boats (I'm a strong paddler).

This boat is 15'8" long and at 22" is narrow, that combined with the keel design makes makes primary stability seem slightly tippy, but secondary stability is excellent - - these features combined provide for good speed. On a few occasions I have looked at upgrading to a more expensive glass boat, but after testing them I realized that my Alto performs just as well.

I'm 6'0" and 185# and find that the cockpit is a perfect fit. The seat is very comfortable and because it is tall it provides good back support. This particular model is no longer available from Wilderness Systems, but if you can pick up a used one for less than $800 or so, you will be pleased with the performance. This kayak is an all-round solid performer.

I have owned the Alto for 9 years now. It has been in rivers, lakes, creeks, swamps, and oceans. I purchased it as a do it all, in-between boat... and that is what it is. You can paddle rivers and flatwater.

It really is a great little touring boat. The lack of front bulkhead allows me to store a nice folding chair, my tent and sleeping pad up front. No hassle with undersized openings up front. The rear does have a bulkhead and an adequately sized opening. It's easy to get enough gear in for a multi-day trip. I'm 175 and 6'2" and find the cockpit comfortable and plenty long (even with a chair stuffed in the nose).

My boat tracked fine when it was new. I did end up adding the rudder kit as it helps conserve energy, improves stability and just plain makes it easier. The weight is reasonable and I can lift it to the top of my car alone.

This boat is "tippy." That means you need to get used to it. I could see that beginners would feel a bit uncomfortable. My wife never felt comfortable in it because of this. This is also what makes it fast! You can cover some water and keep up, or pass folks in longer (more expensive) boats .

Overall, it's a great boat.

I bought a used Alto as a spare boat for others to use. Reading these reviews, I knew what to expect regarding its tracking issue. The price was right; I bought it with thoughts that I’d likely need to put some sort of a skeg on it. My first paddle with the Alto reminded me of the Old Town Adventurer 125 my wife once had. The tracking was worse than mediocre, I knew the skeg would be needed right away. I used a Smarttrack rudder blade and homemade bracket that attached to the optional OEM rudder location. The coil spring on the Smarttrack rudder blade allowed easy deployment and a wedge cleat up near the cockpit kept the rudder (skeg) up when not in use. The boat tracked very well with the Smarttrack blade/skeg, but with the fixed blade position, proved difficult to turn. If I had spent the time and cut the blade length down some, I probably would have come up with a setup that would have provided decent tracking, but still turn well. There are better used boats out there to be had, ones that don’t this type of diddling around with.

This is an update of the alto review I provided a while back. Since my last review I have paddled more coastal areas, made a flip up skeg and paddled almost every boat made at demos. To me it is simply, the best all around boat made. I hesitated to paddle the higher end boats because I was afraid I would no longer like my alto. But it made me like my boat more and took away my longing for one of the beautiful kevlar boats. The difference just isn't worth the price.

I added a flip up skeg on the back using the suggestions and pictures of the other gentleman that reviewed this boat. It has three different mounting holes, which allows me to set it for different conditions. For long windy crossings I set it lower and this cures the weathercock problem. For areas with tight turns I set it high so when I lean it comes out of the water in the turn. What an idea. Thanks for the help!

In summary, if you are like most kayakers you don't take many week long trips, you occasionally paddle around rocky areas, you don't paddle over 15 miles a day, and you aren't rich. If this is the case you won't find a better boat than the alto, I have tried. If looking cool is you main concern it may be worth the extra $1,000. Oh yea, this boat is so under rated you can find them used also. I bought both of mine for $500. Keep your eyes open because if I find another one I will buy it first.

See you on the water. I will be the one with the biggest smile.

Never mind the numerical rating. Time to update impressions on the Alto. The boat is polyethylene, 15'8"X22", rear bulkhead, bow float bag. "Light Touring" is an insulting designation for such a capable boat, especially as described in current WS catalogs and website. They make the whole category sound like it has training wheels. Perhaps they need a new category, "Capable Day Boats," for Alto and Shaman.

In the interest of simplicity, I paddle rudderless. Alto's maneuverable shape can lead to some frustration, but persistence pays off. I didn't know any better than to work on my skills, so now the compensating strokes are an easy habit. In the size range in polyethylene, 15-16 feet, Alto's shape is unique. The positive reviews here attest to its versatility. It will surf the smallest wave, giving "free speed" to those who know how to take advantage of it.

Loading the aft compartment improves handling, which I find pretty good even without a load. Secure cargo that does not fill the compartment by inflating an air bag in the aft end to hold things snug. Otherwise items may shift when you're trying to roll, making it difficult or impossible to right. But that's not unique to this boat. It's bulkhead 101. To carry more than the aft stowage allows, load the bow through the cockpit in the old-fashioned way. Some reputable experts to this day say that bow hatches are a potential weak point in boisterous water. True or not, it gives you "expert testimony" to make a virtue of the apparent shortcoming of the Alto.

Footbraces could be more substantial, but after-market ones are available. Perimeter deck lines are fashionable, but can be added. Seat back can be cut down flush with rear cockpit rim to make layback recoveries easier. Also interferes less with tight neoprene skirts. When paddling cross wind, I lean slightly to windward and sweep the windward stroke slightly. Lean too far and the stern pops right out of the water. The boat than swings rapidly in the direction you have been trying to prevent it from going. This only happened once, though, when crossing very shallow water with a strong wind, so the waves were small, steep and close together. In the troughs, the boat nearly rested on the bottom. That's shallow. I've seen longer boats with shorter waterlines, but the Alto's bow overhangs enough to help it override obstacles like floating weed. Singer designs all tend to have similar bow rakes, all in keeping with designs that avoid extremes. Reviews of his boats on this board have reflected the versatility that stems from a moderate approach. However, most people like their boats no matter what they are. Natives had their boats built to fit them. We industrial people have to try on production versions until one fits.

I have owned my Alto for 2 years of constant kayking. It has been a great first boat. I have been extremely happy with it in almost all ways. I have no rudder and in some winds it weather cocks to the point I have to paddle on 1 side only to go straight. If I load weight in the rear of the boat it improves. Other than the weather cocking I have no complaints.

I've had this boat for several years now. It's been excellent in all types of water from Class I river to lakes to ocean. It's very durable. It's also pretty stable-never even came close to capsizing. I would say it was a little tight for my frame (5'9" 180 lbs. And I would reccomend the added rudder since I always seemed to have a hard time keeping it straight in any type of current. A great first ocean kayak. Also took it on several overnight camping trips and there was plenty of storage room.

I've tried a half dozen kayaks of comparable abilities to the Alto. If I had to I'm sure I'd rate them all about an 8 also. What I can say about the alto is it's absolutely perfect for my 5'11" 170 lb. size. It's lively. It's fast. It's a handful in a strong wind without a rudder but if you stick with it your paddling skills will develop to compensate for that.. I only use my rudder when i'm completely spent now. I think the thing that sets this boat apart from the rest, and why I bought mine is the price.. well under a thousand with a rudder.

I did a lot of research to find a long, narrow, light plastic touring boat. Very few fit that description without being tugboats. The Alto did and it has not disapointed me. Recently I went to a demo day and paddled many boats - and not one paddled as well as my Alto. To get its performance, had to get into fiberglass high end sea kayaks. I do wish it had a sealed bulkhead in the front as well - but that would sacrifice a couple of pounds. Am now looking for a second boat - and I may just make it another Alto!

A surprising thing about the Alto vs. a Looksha IV: The Alto is faster, at least it is when both boats are lightly loaded. This is true although the Alto is shorter. My buddy and I traded boats because we thought the effect was due to his superior muscle, but nope. Whoever paddled the Alto was having an easier time making way. The Alto has great primary stability and fair secondary stability, but then it gets to a point where it lets go pretty quickly. Alto could be a little stiffer, and the hatches could be a little drier. Same is true for many plastic boats. The price/performance/speed/stability/capacity compromise is very good.

This kayak is 15'8" long by 22 1/2". I find initial stability fair with good secondary stability for my size 5'8" 175 lbs. Put it on it's side and it turns nicely. Average tracking and dropping the rudder cancels out the weathercocking. Very good speed, acceleration and responsiveness. More effort is required to roll than my Caribou S. Lot of performance for the dollar here and for plastic it is fairly light.