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I have had the honor of owning Ed Gillet's infamous red Looksha II for several years now. Ed bought this boat in '95, and has led countless Baja expeditions in her. He set me up with Smart Track rudder pedals, and I paddle in Southern California and on expeditions in Baja. I agree with most of these reviews, but would add my two cents:

This rare model is extremely fast and efficient. Does anyone have any data or reviews that actually verify if the Looksha II/III was/is the fastest production touring kayak ever made, as many of us believe? It enables you to paddle great distances, and/or with great speed.

Maneuvering is fine with a rudder.

Mine weighs 52 lbs with rudder, and with almost 30 years of hard use and patches. I'm in my 60s and scrawny, but she is easy enough to load on my roof after a long paddle.

My other kayak is a Kevlar Arluk 1.9, and this 20" wide Looksha II is incomparably tippy compared to that 22" wide boat. The Looksha II's hull is nearly round in section shape, with modest chines, so I disagree with those who claim that it has even modest initial or secondary stability. When empty you can easily rotate the boat 180 degrees back and fourth with just a couple of fingers - like a round tube, or like a surfski.

I also take exception to claims that it has lots of rocker; the design is distinguished by how little rocker it has. The bow and stern are so low to the water that even when empty she tracks extremely well in high winds - possibly better than any other production kayak. Despite this lack of rocker, she slices through swells brilliantly - like a needle, or an especially streamlined submarine.

Despite her narrow and low hull, she holds a great deal of gear and weight - much more than my 22"Wx18'L Arkluk 1.9.

If you are already an advanced surfski, touring or sprint paddler who appreciates speed and craftsmanship, then a Looksha II or III is well worth buying or restoring. If you have one of these rare and special boats, please either maintain her, restore her, or pass her on to someone who will.

I bought my 1996 Kevlar Arluk 1.9 from a friend several years ago, and she is still in fantastic all-original shape. I paddle in Southern California, and go on expeditions in Baja. My two cents:

I find this boat reasonably stable, fast, light-weight, and beautiful.

She holds plenty of gear and weight; however, the bow and stern are more slender than most other Neckys, so you have to pack carefully.

She is quite maneuverable with rudder, and reasonably maneuverable without.

I believe she weighs about as claimed: about 48 lbs. I'm in my 60s and scrawny, and loading her on the roof of my car is no problem.

Now that Necky is gone (I'm still mourning their loss), if you own one of these rare and special boats, please maintain her, restore her, or pass her on to someone who will.