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Name: paddler276076

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It's a versatile boat than paddles well. I own 3 kayaks (one rigid, one inflatable, and one folding - the Saranac), 2 canoes, and a few sailboats. The Saranac is versatile, light, and enjoyable to paddle. It is well made and has proven to be very rugged and durable. We have used this as a double, un-decked kayak and as a single decked or un-decked kayak. It moves along well, keeping up with hard-shell kayaks of similar length. It does well in lake waves up to 2 feet, with a single paddler not getting wet (with the desk and spray skirt on). In winds and when used as a double having the skeg is a big help. But clearly this boat has its limits on how rough things can get. It is very light weight for its length, which makes it easy to carry. We have traveled by car with it folded into it's carry bag, or assembled and on the rack on the roof. We have also flown with it as checked baggage. Assembly takes some practice to get the time down - it usually takes me around 20 minutes. Its light weight, portability, versatility to handle 1 or 2 people, and the enjoyment of paddling it make it a boat that gets used often. But if you plan to assemble and disassemble it regularly, please do practice that.

I have owned many boats, a mix of kayaks, canoes, and larger sail and power boats. The Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 Pro is the one boat that never disappoints me. It is a dream to paddle. I use it on large lakes and the ocean. It has a good balance between tracking and maneuverability, with a little more emphasis on tracking since it is a sea kayak. The deployable skeg removes most weather-cocking without introducing the drag of a rudder. It is a relatively dry boat in waves with the narrow bow not losing much forward momentum when going into the waves. Stability is good, but not too stiff - I don't have to pay much attention when a wave comes at my side. It has good speed and I can cover substantial distances in a day. With the Tempest 170, Wilderness Systems seems to have found just the right balance across all the performance desires.