Sirocco

For me, an experienced but moderately-skilled paddler, this is a great boat. Wide enough for my vast bulk, plenty room for multiday, and easy to paddle once I got used to it. Just sitting in it feels tippy, but edge 5 or 10 degrees either way, or start paddling, and it settles in and feels rock solid. And in 1 to 2 foot wind waves and boat wakes, it behaves very well and is very forgiving to the clumsy paddler. To me, it feels nearly effortless to paddle, and goes as fast as I'll ever need to go. There are a number of less important design features that I really hate...the cockpit is too short for easy in and out (with my long legs anyway), the thigh hook set up is foolish (why not mold them in rather than bolt on separate pieces?), the hatch and cover design is inferior, and the skeg throw is not deep enough. This last is a basic intentional design feature (according to the manufacturer), but I would like more cross-wind support in a boat (more ballast in the aft compartment helps this). All this aside, I'll still probably never get rid of this boat. It's just too much fun to paddle.

Fine boat, for me anyway. I'm 6'1" and 250, and it fits me, which is a big plus. It has plenty of cargo space, enough for 1 - 2 week trips. However, not the perfect tripping boat, since it's built for maneuvering and responsiveness as opposed to going straight. That makes it really fun to paddle though, and I love how it handles swell, chop, and big boat wakes. Is susceptible to weathercocking in any wind at all, and the skeg doesn't do much to correct that...has less than 3 inch throw. That can be helped by edging and aft loading, but my preference would be a little more "go straight" in the design. None of this is to say this isn't a great boat, because for me it really is. It is a terrific all around "real" sea kayak, and probably the last boat I'll own (unless I come up with the scratch for the glass version). Overall I give it very high marks.

I am 5'10", 185# and a senior, this is a great rough water boat... comfortable with good speed... I am not a skeg fan but enjoyed paddling the Sirocco. It was well designed and well made. It was comfortable to new people that I would take out for the first time but can grow with a paddler as his/her skills improve.

I got my Sirocco a few months ago and found it to be twitchy and tippy at first. After paddling it a few times in some small chop (a little over a foot) I got used to it and now really like it.
It is an absolutely excellent calm water touring kayak, and still very good in some chop although I haven't been out in big stuff. Its a good snug fit, and maneuverable. Very good quality thick plastic compared to my wilderness systems tsunami. Also, a good paddle makes all the difference!

I wanted to paddle around for a few months before reviewing this boat. I picked it up in July '12 along with a Werner Shuna paddle. My first impression was: I'm going to get very wet very fast, but it never happened. You get very used to this boat quickly. I've had it in horrible weather with fairly large swells and it was great so long as the skeg was deployed (hence the 9/10). I am 6' 200lbs and fit this boat like a glove.

My only issue is tracking, without the skeg out this boat responds highly to currents and weather. But once in the surf it will punch through anything and surf just like a it was no ones business. I've since carved myself a Greenland paddle and keep the Shuna on deck as a spare. I highly recommend switching to anyone as it makes this boat even more fun.

Twitchy, fast, and fun! That's how I describe my new Sirocco. I took it out this morning for a few hours to get to know it. It fits me like a glove. A few extra small pads here and there will make it perfect. It's longer by 1' 10" and 2" narrower than my other kayak (Necky Kyook, 15' by 25")and this makes it more like a jet fighter compared to a stable passenger plane. It took me almost 1/2 hour to get used to the twitchy, almost ready to tip over feeling but once I got used to it, WOW! What a ride.

I can do leaned turns and lean all the way over. I was never able to do that in my Necky Kyook as it was wider and didn't have that "secondary" stability that helps the kayak maintain it's stability when leaned over. I scored this 2010 model white Sirocco in brand new, never been in the water condition for $700.00! Now I can really learn what a kayak is capable of. I'm going to take rolling classes this winter so I'll really be ready to play hard next spring. I can't wait to take it out in some tasty waves on Lake Ontario and have some fun!

Recently purchased a Sirocco after hunting for a rockered longer boat as compared to my Wilderness System 14' Tsunami. I wanted to move up in skill level with a boat that would allow this ..WOW is this the boat.

Other reviews had prepared me for the "30 mins to get use to it" and this is right actually I looked at my watch and at 26 min I said hey I like this. The first trip I pushed off and thought I was reselling the boat due to its twitchy feel compared to my Tsunami. But this would be like comparing a race car to the family station wagon.

Not a boat for your first time but once you actually hook into the boat vs just sitting there it handles, like an earlier review stated, like a jet fighter. I have paddled in 2' chop with strong winds and the rougher the water the more stable this boat becomes. The adjustable skeg allows you to go from super maneuverable to on a rail tracking by moving a lever.

The overall feel is a yak that wants to play and by my fourth trip I feel as confident as my tsunami. I would not recommend this yak as a first time boat if you big like me 6' and 215lb but if you want to move to a higher skill level boat that you will really have fun with this yaks for you. I also love the low back deck and low front very little wind effect. I can roll C to C but have not tried this yet (water still very cold in Canada eh.

Thank you for all the other reviews in helping me make my final decision.

ps the mermaid on the front is also a really cool touch

First things first....no kayak is perfect...they are like vehicles....gaining an advantage in one area or performance gives up something in another area of performance....so therefore this kayak is not perfect (nor is any other)...but I'm thrilled with my purchase....once I decided to go with plastic skeg boat I looked at and paddled all of the popular options....Wilderness Systems Tempest, P and H Scorpio and Capella, Necky Chatham...

I went with the Sirocco. Why? It fit what I was looking for...I'm 6'2 200LBs so I wanted something a bit wider (but not a tub) than a 22 Inch beam....I wanted to favour responsiveness and turning ability over hard tracking...I wanted a durable looking and feeling poly setup (in my opinion way better than wilderness systems and Necky Poly)....and I love the look of a Brit boat with lots of rocker...and I love the mermaid on the bow as it sets this kayak apart from the others...

What did I give up? 2 to 3% sprint speed compared to some of the other options mentioned above... but those of us that have been paddling for a few years know that top end sprint speed is almost irrelevant... this boat will still cruise at 6.5 Kmph (4mph) loaded and 7.5 kmph unloaded... and its performance characteristics make is a blast to wave hop, surf, carve turns, and even paddle in the river...

This boat was the perfect purchase for me... newbies might not like it as it is not a hard tracking boat but trust me after awhile you will want one that will respond to your wishes.... I don't even use the skeg that much anymore as it takes away from the fun... if you want a boat that tracks hard but does not respond as well or you are under 175 lbs consider the Scorpio or the Tempest...they are good options... I'll be the one out in the waves in my mango boat will the mermaid on the bow...even if you beat me to the campsite by a 30 seconds or so: Carpe Paddlum

After viewing the excellent DVD "Beyond the Cockpit" with Derek Hutchinson several times I thought would like to try one of his boat designs. My budget would only allow a plastic model so I picked the Sirocco. I bought one from a large dealer two years ago - it was priced right as it was idle stock that was stored outside for two years and looked good except for a dried out hatch cover that he replaced as part of the deal.

This is a cool looking boat with sweeping lines, a nice blue color and of course the mermaid artwork on the bow. I presently own six kayaks and while not an expert I do a fair share of paddling with my family in creeks, small lakes and in open water on Lake Erie and have taken rescue and rolling classes.

I am 5'10" tall and weigh 250 lbs. and wear a size 12 shoe. On the plus side this boat fits me well and is very maneuverable as advertised. It is easy to roll and easy to paddle on flat water. I like the simplicity of the skeg however, I really have not used it enough under all conditions to form an opinion of it. I get many positive comments about the mermaids.

On the down side I have many complaints with this boat. I can feel the hull bending when I get in. The seat brace is molded to the hull and not adjustable, the seat padding is very thin, the bulkheads leak and my biggest complaint is this boat is very unstable - at least for me. I paddled this thing in Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence river in heavy boat traffic and it required constant bracing to keep upright, I have not experienced this as much with any of my other boats in similar conditions.

If I had paid full price for this boat I would have been very unhappy after comparing the quality and features to other boats in it's price range and would have brought it back to the dealer. I would not recommend this boat to any one and I am reluctant to sell it to any of my friends - unless you really want the mermaids you can find a much better boat for the same or less money if you shop around.

I owned a Sirocco for 4yrs. and paddled it quite a bit. It handles rough water very well. Might broach a little easier than I would like. Turning and secondary stability are definitely its best features. But here the praise ends as it is outclassed by other kayaks. Before I sold the Sirocco I paddled many hours in it always reaching the launch thinking that it's a good kayak but not as good as the others I own. I have yet to find myself out paddling wishing I were in the Sirocco.

I just bought a used Sirocco, after having tried over a dozen boats, ranging from WS Pungo's to Eddyline Fathom's, and lot's in between. The big problem I encountered was my size. I'm 6' 3", weigh about 270, and have size 13 feet. Most of the listed capacities of the boats ruled them out, and were backed up when I tried them. I almost sunk a Chatham 17, just by sitting in it, much to the amusement of several onlookers!

After reading reviews, I found tow sirocco's at a local dealer, and tried one. At first, it was the tippiest boat I'd ever been in. as I've read, it likes to be moving, forward or backward. Under way, it feels great! The specs list a total capacity of 375lbs., which I'm sceptical of, but plan to test. It is, as others have mentioned, a wet ride, compared to my wife's Tempest 170. I've leaned over so far that water pours over the side, and haven't tipped.....yet. The secondary stability seems very good. I'm taking a re-entry/ self-rescue class next week, and I plan to find out exactly how far I can go before it tips.

Being a novice, I'm sure I'll get more accustomed to the boat, but even as it is, I think I made a good choice for a first boat.

There have been lots of reviews of the Sirocco that describe its performance and its various pluses and minuses, so I’m going to talk about its style.

As I began to look at sea kayaks, naturally the long slender sleek designs were very appealing. At that point I didn’t realize that there are several definite and very different categories of design. I’m not sure how I gravitated toward the British style, or design, but I did. I think the Necky Chattams were the first real sea kayaks that I got to actually touch and see up close. I even got to sit in one at that time. To say the least, I didn’t like the fit at all, so I immediately started to look elsewhere. By luck there just happened to be a Sirocco sitting on the floor of the store and I was invited to try it on. My reaction was, “this is more like it.”
This initial trial sitting in sea kayaks, limited as it was, got me to thinking that I’d better do a lot more research and looking. The short version is that I narrowed my sights down to a P&H Cappella; I liked its looks and it got very positive reviews. Finally, the day came when I got the chance to try one on. Just like the Chattam, the Cappella didn’t fit. No matter how I squirmed around and tried to adjust, I couldn’t find room for my legs. There were a few other points that discouraged any more consideration of the Cappella, but the bottom line is that it got crossed off my short list.
Again, by pure luck, or providence this store just happened to have a brand new Sirocco on hand. And it was the color (white) that had caught my eye in the CD brochure that I had picked up from the previous introduction to the Current Design brand.
When the Sirocco was brought out and sat down on the floor next to the Cappella the looking was all but over. However, being a non-impulse kind of buyer, I tried to be coy and act like I was only mildly interested. The salesman took the bait and offered me a deal that I couldn’t refuse, but I managed to keep my cool composure and said, “yeah, maybe I’ll give it a test paddle.” Maybe my rear end; I could hardly wait ten seconds to get that sweet looking beauty on the water.

I knew from having read all the reviews I could find, that the Sirocco would feel a little tippy at first. I was somewhat surprised that it really didn’t feel all that tippy to me at all. I also was aware that there would be some inclination for the Sirocco to cock to windward. Nothing revealing about that, but I was taken with how adding a little skeg, instantly changed the Sirocco’s attitude.
Two other things that occurred to me during this demo were how very little evidence of velocity through the water there is and how easy it is to maneuver this boat. On the first point, I mean that it cuts such a minimal bow wave that by just looking at the water you don’t realize just how fast you’re moving. On the second point, the Sirocco isn’t the longest sea kayak, but at 16’-10”, I was all prepared to have my hands full getting the thing to bend to my will. To the contrary, the Sirocco complied with my guidance without any hesitation, and with almost no effort on my part.
I started out to talk about style, but I had to lay the groundwork. If you’re looking for the absolute fastest thing on the water, the British style probably won’t be your choice. If you’re looking for an expedition boat, you’ll probably want something with more volume. But if you’re looking for something that has curves and graceful lines in spades, in my opinion, nothing tops the British style. In the Sirocco/Gulfstream case, designer Derek Hutchinson has blended form and function into a package that I find simply gorgeous. The fact that the Sirocco is amazingly seaworthy, comfortable and competent at everything I ask of it is all pure bonus to its good looks.
Finally, in addition to all the above, I have found no reason to argue with CD’s assertion that the Sirocco is “the finest rotomolded British Style kayak available.”

First, my personal info: height just under 5'7", weight (at the time) was 182 pounds. I test paddled the Sirocco on a small lake; the water that day was smooth as glass. Boat seemed to fit me well, and I liked the speed and the way it kept gliding after I stopped paddling. Also, I loved the look of it with that upswept Greenland style bow and the little mermaid. (Call me superficial...) I bought it.

When I got it out on the open water of the big lake on a day with wind and waves, it was a different boat. Weathercocked severely, and I kept having to adjust the skeg to various increments of up/down to try to compensate for the wind without overcompensating. It was a quite frustrating.

The boat may have also been too high volume for me because on a choppy lake it seemed to bounce around on top of the water rather than slice through the waves. When I experimented by loading it with some water jugs in the bow and stern hatches, it behaved minimally better but still wasn't what I'd call an enjoyable paddle.

The quality of the boat seems good overall; plastic is probably no better or worse than average (not as good as Prijon, Riot, or P&H, in my opinion).

I sold my Sirocco after having only paddled it a few times. I seem to be in the minority here, but I really didn't like the way the boat handled on anything except very flat water. In that circumstance, it is fun, fast and glides well. I'm rating it a 5.

After paddling the Sirocco over three weeks, I am very pleased and I concur with many of the previous reviews. It tracks very well with skeg down, even in the sometimes choppy Atlantic Ocean. I agree with at least two of the previous reviews, which mentioned the low backrest. As previously stated, it's really a white water "back band." It doesn't provide the back support that I need on a long distance day trip. Not having proper back support causes my abdominal muscles to work overtime and makes the trip less enjoyable. I'm looking at installing an "after market" full backrest. Another option that I've seen, is a small inflatable cusion, placed behind the back band.

After learning to paddle in a Necky Zoar Sport, I felt a need to paddle a longer, narrower kayak. I wanted to feel like I was in a true kayak. After much research on the internet, the Sirocco caught my eye. I liked the british look and the lack of a rudder on the stern. I found an orange one in Minnesota for a great price (brand new factory-second)and bought it. I haven't paddled it much yet, but my first couple trips out were definitely more fun than the ones with the shorter, wider Zoar Sport. I quickly got used to the tippy feeling and learned to trust the stability. I tried correcting with edging and it does that very well! I was not impressed with the tracking with the skeg up, but I attribute that to my lack of skills and learning in a barge like the Zoar Sport. I look forward to becoming a better paddler that the Sirocco will force me to become. The skeg, when dropped just half way, really helped me handle the boat. When deployed all the way, the skeg tracked the boat right on. Again, edging with sweep strokes really works well with this kayak. It wasn't particularly fast, but it did paddle smoothly and cruised at a good, consistant speed. It is very responsive to body movements which will be a plus as my skills increase. I love the look of this kayak and it is easier to carry and car-top than my Zoar Sport was. I am 6'3" and 225# and the cockpit fits well for me. I was able to stretch my legs (34" inseam)and hold my feet straight up with room between the footpegs when I needed to. The knee braces work well in conjunction to the pegs for me. I did get a bit stiff in the back as the back band could be a bit higher for me. After 2 hours though, it was very tolerable. I wasn't sore when I got out of the boat though. I haven't paddled in any "big" water yet, or in any wavy conditions, but I look forward to doing so soon! I think I am going to love my Sirocco!

After a lot of research, wanting a stable sea kayak, one that I could continue to enjoy for many years, I purchased the CD Sirooco. I compared the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150, and the Necky Chatham 16. The WS had several bad reviews, so it was easy to eliminate, the Chatham by Necky was very nice. Just too small for me. I'm only 5'5", 165, and felt cramped. Having just fallen in love with kayaking and having bought a small fishing yak, I took several classes that opened my eyes to to the wonderful world of sea-kayaking. I took the Sirocco for a test run for about an hour, and knew immediately this boat was awesome! It helped talking with my sales-gal, who turned out to be an instructor, not a sales person. Went out into the tidal Potomac River near DC, with lots of wakes and wind, and this boat just gobbled it all up! It's seemed to excel in these conditions. Out on some local lakes, I found the boat to be fairly quick, and waiting for me to challenge it.

I love the classic Greenland lines, day hatch, and lots of storage. The skeg is the only way I was going to go, rudders seem to me like training wheels that you never take off. Although someday, if I live long enough, I might need that third leg to stand on. I installed a flush mount fishing rod holder just aft/portside and a paddle clip,(one with a bungy type port-side clipping device), so better to fish/photograph with. I am very pleased with this boat, and already have my eyes on the Gulfstream!

I have had my Scirocco now for two years and still love it. It handles wonderfully in calm or rough conditions, surfs well too. I have been on a few multi day trips with it and was able to take enough gear without any problem. I had some problems with the original bulheads (ABS?) but CD replaced these with foam ones which work great. I like the little day hatch. The skeg works well when you need it. All in all I am still delighted with this boat.

I've got a Sirocco and its an outstanding kayak. I generally do flat water, but I had it in some good sized swells in Lake Michigan and it really shined. Found out that its a better boat than I am a paddler! I would go into those swells and get nervous, it would just ride through them. Maneuverability is very good. If you want better tracking, drop the skeg. I would rate the initial stability as moderate and the secondary as high. Its very easy to lean and that secondary stability gives me a lot of reassurance on edge. It feels like its very efficient at cruising speeds, i.e, low effort. This is at 3.5 to 4.5 mph. Above 5 or 5.5, I feel like I've hit the wall, but that might be a problem with the motor!. The only objection that I have is that the cockpit feels so big. Small price to pay for a good boat. I also like the lower fore deck. It doesn't feel so cavernous.

I have owned my Current Designs Sirocco for almost a year now so this is not a first impression review. Having camped out of this kayak for 6 days on Ross Lake and paddling my usual haunts on the Columbia River I have found that the Sirocco is the kayak for me. Tracking and handling in current and wind are confidence inspiring. Stability is fine as long as you are moving, but it might feel a little tippy off center if you are used to a wider kayak when just sitting, but its nothing that can't be gotten used to. As far as materials the Sirocco is made of high density plastic which is just fine by me because most of the local river is loaded with sharp basalt. The hatch covers are by Kajak and after using them I would not want to go back to the old neoprene cover, hard plastic, and strap type. The bulkheads are glued and siliconed minicell foam and other than condensation no leaks have appeared and there has been plenty of opportunity for this to occur if it was going to happen. I am 6'3" tall and weigh 225lbs and have size 14 feet and I can say that this kayak fits great for me but there is no room to spare in the foot area but hey I am in Sasquatch territory as it is so Harry Henderson could paddle this boat ok. The seat for me is just fine even unpadded I've sat in cars that were worse and the backband is a whitewater type which after getting used to I now actually perfer. The Sirocco rolls very easily, leans to the extreme, and seems to be the kind of craft that gets better as the conditions get worse. For my money this is the best plastic kayak on the market bar none and I checked out most of the others before settling on the Sirocco. If you don't like plastic there is always the CD Gulfstream in Kevlar or fiberglass. My thanks to Derek Hutchinson and Brian Henry for bringing this kayak to the market for the kayaking public to enjoy. Bullseye a perfect ten.

A year later at the same demo location. I like how the Scirocco handles more than the Gulfstream. The Gulfstream has more primary stability, the Scirocco is a little easier to lean,,whether that translates to better turning or handling I'm not exactly sure but the Scirocco is more to my taste regardless of cost.

Well, after a good test paddle, I chose to purchase a Current Designs Sirocco. I'm not quite ready for a glass boat yet. While I continue looking at glass boats (and finding the money for them) I wanted at least one plastic boat that I wouldn't mind for day trips, surfing and playing in rough water. The Sirocco fit the bill. As far as I know, the Sirocco is Current Design's first poly Derek Hutchinson design. It's essentially a plastic version of the "Gulfstream". Overall, if you are looking for a plastic kayak that's going to handle rough water well you're going to want the Sirocco.

Construction: The British design is very attractive. And you have to love the dual mermaids on the bow. The flared bow and stern are sleek and the Current Designs colors are attractive, but not pastel. I have a yellow boat and most kayaks in yellow have that crayon yellow color. Not the Sirocco. The yellow is slightly faded with black speckles and there's a nice black trim line between the deck and hull. The modified Greenland design, with a flat back deck, soft chines, and shallow "V" make this kayak highly maneuverable but a bit unstable for a novice paddler.

Hatches stay very dry and keep a good seal. The hatches are the "Kajaksport". The day hatch is a nice feature. I initially had some leakage but found I did not close the hatches properly. Some of my fellow Sirocco owners have had issues with the bulkheads. But mine have to very watertight with little or no penetration and I've been paddling the Sirocco consistently since June this year. Current Designs has resolved issues regarding the bulkheads. Perhaps I had no issues because I normally put an extra bead of silicon outdoor sealant on all my kayaks' bulkheads. But I do this to every kayak I purchase.

I wouldn't call this an expedition kayak, but it will pack enough gear for a couple days out of town. I fit all my standard camping supplies in it with no problem. Deck lines are very nice, though I would have added a few more on the forward deck. Grab toggles are built into the kayak, in the English fashion, and are secured very well. Skeg control is the slide-bar type. Skeg can be adjusted and operates easily. Overall, the plastic is very strong. I'm 6'1, 253lbs and I sat on the back deck. I gave a little but not too much. I would rate the plastic well above a Dagger, Perception, or Wildness Systems poly. The plastic has a very solid feel to it that reminds me of the stuff Valley uses on their plastic boats. It's not a light craft either. It weighs in at approximately 60lbs. When I consider my Kodiak was 17'1 and 58lbs, and the Sirocco is 16'10, this is a little heavy. But there is one plus, I hit a rock hard on my test run and was only left with a slight blemish when I expected a deep scratch. I've also had this kayak up on the rugged rocks of Maine and damage was minimal. This plastic holds up well and throughout this "heat wave" summer the oil canning was minimal. Though I would recommend a J-rack to keep the kayak on its side. This type of rack will prevent oil canning.

The only thing I wasn't nuts about was the back band, which I replaced with an Immersion Research back band. I'd actually recommend the smaller, whitewater "Reggie" back band for this kayak because the plastic seat rose slightly. The whitewater back comes right up where the seat flares making it a very nice fit! CD's back band was a little too low for a tall person, it probably works well with someone about 5'9, 5'10 max, any taller and it doesn't provide maximum support. I was happy with a whitewater type back band, but if you have back problems I would recommend something a little higher.

Comfort: At 6'1 253lbs, and a 42 waist, I fit well into 16X31 cockpit with room to spare. I have size 11 feet. And that seems to be the limit to this kayak's capacity. A 14- inch deck height probably helps out too. I have the back band back a little farther than most would like. But it's in a position where I can keep the foot pegs slightly forward. This gives my feet a little more wiggle room. I've also thrown down a PADZ foam seat cushion and another one in the cockpit for my heels to rest on. Seems to do the trick.

Definitely take this boat out for a spin for at least four hours before you buy it. Just to be certain. What is nice about the flat back deck, the back band, and the space under the deck is that you can take your feet off the foot pegs and get a nice stretch if you get tired. When I first tried the kayak with he Current Designs back band I didn't have it adjusted right, so I developed back pain has I paddled. I stopped in a secluded area and fixed the back band that helped a little. The IR back band is so comfortable that I have zero back pain now. Finally, the thigh braces are just shy of a little tight for me. Larger paddlers may find it useful to modify these braces with a drummel tool to get the right fit. Smaller paddlers will require a little outfitting, especially along the hips, to get the required feel for the kayak.

For the larger paddler, be sure your feet are comfortable. I think anyone who is 6-feet plus with size twelve and above would have problems. Also, make sure you can stretch you feet out beyond the pegs.

Just one more thing, this kayak does sit rather low to the water. It's usually a wet ride. Always expect to get wet. This good thing is it has great secondary stability. That means you might get wet but, if your skills are decent, you'll stay right side up!

Performance: Stability: I'll go right for the most obvious thing once you enter the water. If you are a novice you might not like this kayak's secondary stability. It will feel slightly tippy to the new kayaker. But I would say it is not as tippy as, say, the Perception Eclipse, when you first try it.

I have three years experience and have gotten used to narrower and narrower kayaks. This one is just on the border to feeling too tippy. But here's the hitch! The Sirocco's secondary stability is very impressive. I've had this kayak out in rough, boiling waters with plenty of wake-chop and reflecting waters. I this kayak out on large swells and on bays with 20-25knot winds blowing and white-capped three-foot waves. The Sirocco cuts right through this mess without slowing down and without making me feel like I was going to go over. I even stopped in some turbulent water to see how it handled staying still. Some good low bracing and slight edging in the waves kept me stable. The main thing, you keep this kayak moving and it will keep moving and stay stable. This is typical of most British boats. They like to keep moving.

When I first paddled the Sirocco I found that it got thrown around in rough water and it seemed hard to keep on track. But as I augmented and enhanced my paddling skills and learned to edge my turns properly this issue disappeared. A smooth, efficient paddle stroke will move this kayak through the water with ease. The Sirocco is like a piano. It takes the paddler a while to get used to how it performs, but once you've familiarized yourself with its characteristics you're on your going to enjoy this kayak.

Overall performance. The Sirocco is extremely maneuverable. Slight edging or correct forward sweep strokes will change course easily. Course changes are extremely fluid and slight. Once again, it takes time to get used to but once you've got it your going to love it.

You also need intermediate skills to paddle this kayak correctly. The smoother, and more efficient the paddle stroke the better. Know proper forward and reverse strokes, forward and reverse sweeps, know proper rudder strokes, edging turns, and know high and low braces. You don't have to be an expert at this stuff, just have some knowledge of how they are performed. I have gotten to the point with this kayak in which I hardly need to use corrective strokes, I simply "edge" the kayak a little to make corrections. An intermediate to expert kayaker would enjoy the "smooth operator" aspect of this kayak.

The skeg is very useful and performs well in strong winds. Not unlike other kayaks, quartering winds are the hardest to deal with. In any wind I found that "trimming" the skeg up or down just slightly assisted in the performance of the kayak. You don't need it all the way down or all the way up to get the best results. Slight "trimming" of the skeg a little bit up or down provided great, efficient tracking.

Another tidbit, this kayak can lean way out there. I can lean back on that flat deck with a good low brace and put nearly half the cockpit in the water. When you can get that much of the hull out of the water...I consider that a good thing. When you're hit broadside by heavy seas the waves have a tendency of washing over the kayak rather than pushing it up or to the side.

Rolling! I've just started to perform screw rolls with this kayak. It's an excellent boat for rolling. The flat back deck allows a taller paddler to "lay back" on the roll. If you think you'll be rolling in the future this kayak is for you.

Speed: This is not a fast kayak, but it is an easy one. What I mean is the kayak will reach a maximum velocity around 5.5 to 6 knots full paddle (or throttle). But the kayak WILL MAINTAIN at 3.5- knot speed with little effort. Paddling the Sirocco feels more like flying. Though I could see myself moving it took very little effort to move this kayak through the water. Better yet, the Sirocco does not lose speed in rough waters. The most outstanding performance characteristic of this kayak is its ability to slice through the most turbulent of conditions without losing efficiency.

Overall rating is…well it's a 10! I think I have enough experience now to rate a kayak so. Big thanks to Current Designs for finally coming out with a poly model based on Derek Hutchinson's great designs. From what I understand this kayak has become a hit. And it deserves to be a hit!

I had tried 8-9 kayaks without much luck. When I tried the Sirocco I new almost immediately that it was a great boat. I found the seat comfortable on my rear even after staying in the boat for a few hours. My legs were fine too. However, I did find that my lower back muscles became sore, I problem I did not have with the R5 excel(which has a high back to the seat). Maybe my lower back is just not used to it yet. I am 5'10 and 195IBS(muscular build) to give you an idea of my body type.

It tracked well when I had it out in heavy boat traffic (3 foot waves coming from both sides). Also, I found that I was able to go quite fast, especially when I pushed myself. For other kayaks I found that an increase in effort was often not worth the speed I gained.

Ignore the number, it's demo time, this from a short 200yd dash in gentle wind and waves at Sandy Pt. Maryland. The Scirocco gave me the impression of "if I could only have one boat this could be it" feeling. Easy to turn, efficient and fast enough, comfortable cockpit, manageable in wind and waves. This would be a first recommendation for a long rental to get to know a kayak when customers do the "I want a boat that will.....and still be able to grow into".

I recently purchased a poly CD Sirocco, and I must say that I am quite pleased with the kayak. I have owned a fiberglass Seaward Tyee, a poly Perception Sea Lion, a kevlar Seaward Endeavour, and now the Sirocco. Although all of my previous kayaks had certain attributes that made them an enjoyable paddle, I am having the most fun in the Sirocco. I enjoyed my Sea Lion because it carved a turn very when leaned and was quite nimble, however I sold the kayak because of tracking problems (I kayak in conditions that are often windy and with significant current), and I do not enjoy using a rudder. I sold the kevlar Endeavour because I enjoy spending time in the surf zone, in rock gardens, and exporing close to island shores, so it was too painful to run over and into rocks, etc with a $4,000 kayak. After 5 years of serious paddling, I came to the conclusion that I wanted a kayak with a Greenland style hull with a retractable skeg, and in polyethelene, thus the Sirocco. This kayak is a highly manueverable craft, and can easily be held right up on edge with a sculling high brace. Lean, and the boat carves a turn every bit as well as the Sea Lion ... something I thought that no other kayak would be able to do. Although a bit squirrly in current, dropping the skeg (just half way) straightens the track out nicely. The Sirocco is not the fastest kayak on the ocean, but nor is it a slow or sluggish paddle. I wouldn't hesitate to take the boat on longer multiday excursions where covering water was the objective (Perhaps not for a multiweek however ... maybe). I am 6'1", 175 lbs, and the kayak is extremely comfortable ... fits my body shape like a glove. It is a very well made craft, and although not the lightest (as usual for any poly kayak), it is satisfying because of it's substantial level of construction quality ... it is a very sturdy, strong boat. Both primary and secondary stability are good, so it is a good choice for a beginner that wants to advance quickly and properly by learning to use the body and paddle to handle the kayak. The intermediate to advanced kayaker will appreciate the boat's playful and responsive nature. I give this kayak a 10 out of 10, based on what it is and where it is priced. Was my kevlar Endeavour lighter, faster, and a better tracker? Sure ... but it was also over twice the money, not quite as fun to paddle overall, and it was a stressful event to scratch the gel coat! There is much to be said for well made poly kayaks!

This is a preliminary review of the new Current Designs Sirocco, a rotomolded version of their composite Gulfstream kayak. A mild winter and early February thaw here in NJ has gotten me out on the water (Lake Mohawk) a few months sooner than I expected. I have logged about 7 hours in my new Sirocco and I must say I am impressed. The Sirocco is a British style kayak with a pointy, upswept bow and stern, a day hatch, flat foredeck, and a skeg (instead of a rudder). The boat is well balanced for a solo carry and easy to pop on to my car roof rack. The Sirocco has good initial stability and excellent secondary stability. The boat is very responsive to slight changes in paddler input and is highly maneuverable when put into a lean. Tracking is decent with the skeg up, but with the skeg down the boat tracks dead on. I haven't had it out in steady winds greater than 10 knots, so I will reserve further comment. The skeg control is outstanding-smooth, easy to reach and easy to deploy. It is also easy to make fine adjustments to the skeg to get just the right balance of tracking and maneuverability. The foot braces are firm and lack the mushy feel of those foot braces found in ruddered boats. The seat bottom is very comfortable and the backband provides a fair amount of support, although it is not as comfortable as the seatback in my CD Solstice GTS. The cockpit opening is very large and easy to enter and exit. BTW finding a non- Current Designs sprayskirt that fits properly and doesn't slide off the smooth plastic rim too easily may be a problem-I found an Old Town neoprene skirt meant for the Millennium to be a perfect fit. The Sirocco is a lot faster than I expected it to be, considering its 23.5 inch width. It paddled efficiently and had good glide. The Sirocco paddles backwards extremely well, which I have had to do a number of times to get myself out of some narrow spaces in as-yet- unmelted lake ice. I really appreciate the day hatch located to the rear and left of the cockpit. The boat is stable enough so that I feel quite confident twisting around to open the hatch. It's a great place to store a rain jacket, refreshments, binoculars and a camera.

Let me add to this review that I am 6' and 176 lbs. I paddle at least 20 miles/week. I currently own a Current Designs Solstice GTS in Kevlar. The Solstice is a very fast, hard tracking boat. I have been searching for a plastic boat that is very maneuverable, yet won't seem like a log compared to the GTS. I have owned and subsequently sold a Perception Carolina (my first boat, a great boat- my wife still has hers, I use it for fishing and for taking guests out), a Prijon Kodiak (didn't work for me at all) and a Perception Corona (not bad, but not fast enough). I think I have finally found a plastic boat that looks good, has superior maneuverability, and has decent speed. My one reservation about buying a CD plastic boat was their reputation for oilcanning on earlier (pre-2000) models. I have been told that this issue has been addressed. I cartop my boat often, so I will keep my eye open and report back to this forum if any problems develop. My Sirocco has been cartopped 5 times so far, including the 100-mile trip from the dealer to my house with no problems.

I hope to get out on the ocean soon if we get some more 50-degree days here. My lake can also get tumultuous when those March winds start to howl. I'll file a further update after I get the boat out into some varied conditions. So far, however, so good.