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The 13'11" Walrus Griffin accelerates more quickly than longer boats and very easily slips along at speeds of 3 to 4 knots. The low profile of the Griffin makes it neutral in the wind -- and gives it an edge over bigger boats when paddled in windy conditions.

The Griffin is beautiful, well-balanced kayak with sleek lines, raked bow, and a moderate v in the hull. It is a low volume, symmetrical kayak with a hull that flares slightly above the waterline.

Paddlers above 210 lbs. will want to look elsewhere, but for small and medium-size paddlers, the cockpit is comfortable -- and provides excellent control for edging and rolling. The Griffin is extremely solid when on edge. It can be turned without being leaned and provides an instantaneous response when on edge.

The Griffin is an ideal boat for smaller paddlers, and for medium-size paddlers looking for a compact boat for day trips, rough water and surf. The low volume and snug fit also make the Griffin an excellent choice for rolling and for Greenland style paddling.

For this 5'11" 165 lb. paddler, the Griffin provides an exceptional fit and is as easy to move from edge to edge as any boat I have paddled, Importantly, it feels very secure on edge, even in chop and waves. The one drawback of the snug cockpit and thigh braces is not being able to paddle in knees up style.

Due to its lower profile and shorter length, when paddled in chop and waves, the Griffin provides a wetter ride.

When conducting GPS trials of the Griffin in 13 - 15 knot winds, and using a wing paddle, I found that I could cruise at 4.1 knots going upwind and 4.9 knots on the same course when I turned and headed downwind. The Griffin had very little tendency to weathercock and performed well without lowering the skeg..

As a strong, medium sized paddler who has grown partial to the Walrus Jaeger, I can see choosing the Griffin for rock gardening, surf play, winding creeks and rivers, "quickies," and for rolling practice. For smaller paddlers and for those for efficiency is more of a priority than top-end speed, the Griffin is likely to become a favorite for all-around use.

*Note: After test paddling the Griffin, I recently became a dealer for Walrus Kayaks. I have since paddled the Griffin 4 times in a variety of conditions.

From a distance, the lines of the Jaeger look fairly traditional. Stepping closer, you see what sets it apart. The bow and stern ends are sharp but not upswept, and although sleek, carry a fair amount of volume. A moderate v follows the entire keel line, reducing the volume in the lower half of the boat. Aside from that, the Jaeger is all convex curves, with nary a concavity (or accompanying bulginess) to be found. This gives it clean, muscular look, but more importantly contributes to its predictability and positive handling in rough water.

The Jaeger features a gently arched deck and is overall a medium volume symmetrical kayak that widens slightly above the waterline. For this 5'11" 165 lb. paddler, the cockpit represents a happy synergy of looseness and snugness. The length and shape of the cockpit opening allow for paddling "knees up" racing style. The shape of the deck also provides for solid control when the knees are out wide.

As with many v hull boats, the Jaeger has well-defined edges when leaned -- and the edge is just where you want it. The Jaeger turns easily enough on a lean that it can be used for guiding; when on the level, even without the skeg, it tracks very straight

The Jaeger gets speed from its length, narrow waterline width, and rail-like tracking. It gets its maneuverability from its moderate rocker and medium chine, which make it highly responsive when placed on edge.

The Walrus Jaeger features recessed deck fittings, ample deck bungies (including fore and aft space paddle setup), and perimeter lines. It also includes an adjustable skeg, compass mount, recessed cockpit rim, 3 hatch openings (front round, day hatch, rear oval), snap on Sea-lect Design hatch covers with added finger-loops, and a smooth and durable finish both inside and out.

Paddling Notes:
When paddling the boat in flat water with a wing paddle, the Jaeger felt fast and efficient. It tracked and handled well. I liked that the Jaeger held such a good line, even when being powered by a wing. Also noted that the deck shape in front of the cockpit facilitates good paddle placement at the top of the stroke. Also again appreciated the cockpit shape that allowed me to paddle in a knees up style. The seat is designed to allow for full rotation.

When paddling the Jaeger in waves and chop, I noted that it felt exceptionally smooth and reassuring. Very neutral in the wind. Caught small waves easily when trying to surf.

When I conducted GPS trials of the Jaeger, in flatwater, using a wing paddle, I found the Jaeger easy to bring up to 4.5 knots. 5.2 knots (6 mph) was a fast cruising pace. The resistance curve steepened at speeds above 5.2 knots.

Information on the four different layups, which range from <40 - 46 lbs, is available on the Walrus Kayaks website. Walrus is taking a "no compromise" approach in their layups, utilizing the best materials and latest technologies to build a kayak that is both durable and lightweight.

Overall, I find the Jaeger to be a beautiful, quality-built kayak that offers an excellent blend of flatwater speed and rough water handling.

*Note: I have recently become a dealer of Walrus Kayaks. Importantly, we chose to carry Walrus Kayaks because we like them, and not the other way around.

Boat Specs: 16' x 22", 57 lbs. (fiberglass layup)
The Whisky looks and paddles fresh. Unlike so many "new models" coming out these days, it is the result of some creative design work and is far from being a retread of other models already in production.

The most "gimmicky" thing about this kayak is the 6 x 6 inch round "whisky hatch" just in front of the cockpit. I put flares, binoculars, sunglasses, and sunscreen in mine -- and still had plenty of room for a handful of energy bars. The hatch doesn't interfere with my knees at all and is easier to access than a knee tube or underdeck bag -- not a bad gimmick!

After paddling the boat for 2 days while guiding a trip in the Great Wass Archipelago in Downeast Maine, in everything from a dead calm to rock gardens to 4.5 foot swells to confused seas off "Red Head," I'd say this boat is a winner. It is now unequivocally my boat of choice for all kinds of guiding, as wells as for surf play, and rough water work.

The layup (mine is the standard fiberglass) is of excellent quality if on the slightly heavy side, the hatches (3 plus the whisky hatch) are tight, the deck lines are adequate. The seat works well and provides good thigh support. Excellent thigh bracing is provided by the keyhole cockpit and the contour of the deck in front of the cockpit. Even without added foam, the fit is comfortable and secure.

The hull is slightly rockered with hard chines and the shallowest of shallow arches underneath. The bow and stern are slightly upswept and the boat carries a fair amount of volume in both bow and stern. The somewhat unconventional appearance really works well in the water. Even without putting the boat on edge, a couple quick sweep strokes turns the boat 180 degrees. Dropping the skeg just an inch or so keeps it on course in most conditions. It's a solid boat in rough conditions, and is a blast to paddle in rock gardens or along a rugged, irregular shoreline.

Initial stability is a little loose but the secondary stability kicks in very quickly. Easily leaned and probably the most solid boat I have paddled when on edge. Overall provides a very secure ride in varying conditions.

The Whisky will probably fit a range of paddler sizes from small to medium large.

The Whisky doesn't have the glide or top end speed of a svelte 18-footer, and that's really the only way it falls short of being "the perfect boat." Unless you are racing, primarily paddling flat water, or trying to keep up with ultra-fit paddlers in svelte 18-footers, you'll be having so much fun in the Whisky you won't be worried that someone might be going half a knot faster than you are.

(Disclaimer -- I run small kayak retail shop in Maine and sell a variety of makes and models of sea kayaks, including (recently) the Whisky 16.)