Elaho HV

I recently bought a Necky Elaho HV again. Yes again.... I had one about 4-5 years ago. I have since bought and sold too many kayaks to mention. The reason I have returned to the EHV is because I am a taller paddler (6ft 3) and I really like a boat that turns when I lean it, rolls well, has low windage and comes fitted with thigh braces and a day hatch. Not to mention, has good acceleration and good looking too. The Elaho HV may just be the Yak I settle down with. I bought a red one, mainly because I can't afford a Ferrari but also because it was on special.

Just got back from my first trip in my HV (4 day paddle around Skidaway Island). The initial stability mentioned before will make first-time boaters antsy at best, but the secondary kicks in just fine. This yak is like lightning, and allowed me to make it uphill against 30 mph headwinds fully loaded. Wake from the bigger boats were handled well oncoming or at a 45, but I never had the guts to see how it took them broadside. It does Eskimo roll as easy as many WW boats, we tried it empty at camp one afternoon. Bottom line, if you need big time space and are moderate to advance paddler it rocks, but beginners will find it tippy.

OK, I'm back for round 2.....As you read in the previous review, Necky delivered a new Elaho HV to me at their cost.....Good news indeed!!! Thumbs up Necky!!!

Bad news...this boat still is wickedly unstable with any kind of broadside swell or chop. In calm water it is a pleasure to paddle. However I do all of my paddling in Pensacola bay, and in any chop/swell at all on the beam of the Elaho, it's a struggle to keep the boat upright....as in my first Elaho I installed the very thin "hot seat" to lower the cg as much as possible....it's better, but still no fun. I'm told now that Necky has discontinued this model...I think I know why. If anyone who reads this has a recommendation on a more stable, but still moderately high performance boat, please email me. I'm 6'2" and 205 lbs.

I love the Elaho in calm conditions, but feel like I'm fighting for my life when I turn crosswind. At least I didn't have to pay Necky anything for this second boat.....

I love my kayak! I'm a big dude, 6'4" 225, with real long legs, and this boat is perfect. Once I'm in, there's not a lot of wiggle room, but it's comfortable enough that I feel good throughout the trip on longer paddles.

This kayak has poor initial stability, and at first, worried me a little. That quickly went away, when I realized how good the secondary stability was. Now I enjoy the fact that I can really doing some leaning with it, and feel stable. Another great thing is the amount of storage capacity it has. I'm a hiker by nature, and can fit about 3 times as much in the hatches then in a backpack. Plus, the day hatch is nice for accessing things while on the water.

Love this boat, and I certainly recommend it for bigger paddlers.

I bought the E HV because I'm 6' 220lb. and I paddle big rivers and camp. I have the poly models and although a bit heavy, they cruise very nice and carry a weekends worth of camping gear and more. Tracks great, turns great and loading it up doesn't seem to slow it down. The secondary stability is great and the day hatch is a perfect addition. Easy rudder up/down and comfy seat.

Bought the fiberglass boat (5-10, 190lbs. First 'serious' year of paddling. I like the space the boat has and looked at a few others before locking in. Wanted a boat I could paddle for a few years, rather than buy a poly boat and want to swap it out in 12 months. So, paddling Elaho HV, Elaho, Looksha IV and the Wilderness systems 17' tempest. Elaho HV was by far the best candidate. Terrific initial stability, but a fantastic multi chine hull that holds the final edge like crazy. Have spent some time with it and have loaned it to a friend who's a very advanced kayaker; he can make it do amazing things. Needs some work to get the fit totally right (it's a big opening under the deck), but all in all, beyond a 10. Highly recommend for average to large size paddlers or anyone that wants a bit more room for touring. And go for the FG.

A little less than a year ago I started preparing to purchase a pair of kayaks for my soon to be wife and I. This meant test-driving a lot of boats. I am 6'1" and weigh about 220 lbs. I asked about the Elaho because I have rather long legs. I as referred to the Elaho HV because of that and my general size. I found that the eHV had a very tipsy initial stability that was more than compensated by its secondary stability. The initial stability really only took about 5-to minutes to adjust to and my balance was fine.

If you’re considering a purchase then don't let its initial stability bother you, it comes quickly. The secondary was great when trying hard turns. I found that if I evenly distributed the weight in the front and back hatch then the turning wasn't changed a bit and the tracking got a little better. Hardly enough to notice though. (yes I brought gear and what not with me to demo boats, and I suggest you do to if you know what you will be doing most often).

I found the seat bottom comfortable but the back had to be readjusted every time I got into it. Took about 20 seconds and afterwards it is quite comfortable. Using a GPS I was able to get it to nearly 8 mph with a coasting speed of between 4 and 5 mph. It covered a lot of ground...er..water pretty quickly.

All around I found it to be a smooth ride. Test drive anything before you buy it and consider using a local shop. The only thing I don't like about my eHV is that on its maiden voyage one of the rudder cables came undone, after a quick ride to the boat shop and 5 minutes it was fixed and ready to go. The store owner also let me borrow his rack system off his truck for my pickup truck for a few weeks while I was waiting for mine to come in. If you’re in the Georgia area I would recommend "Go with the Flow" those guys are great.

I am a big guy, big boned, but not real "big around" for my weight. I am 53 yr old, weigh 270 Lb, 5'-11" tall, and wear a size 42 jeans/2X T-shirt. I have ridden motorcycle for years, and have my pilot's license. I have developed a good "feel" for what is happening as I Ride, Fly, Canoe, or Kayak. I have been looking for the "perfect" composite kayak to handle my weight, and perform on the water, like a performance motorcycle does on land. Most kayaks designed for my weight, just don't perform as I would like, or are wide and "slow". My "Nanook" does a decent job now that I have it trimmed to carry my weight, but I am looking for more "performance" and lighter weight. Because of this I test paddled a Carbon, Necky, Elaho HV. I will try to hit the points I noticed, and let you see how you feel about this boat, after you read this (and try one for yourself). As you read this review, please keep in mind this boat felt this way to me because of my weight and size. This boat may feel differently to you if you are a lot lighter.

The carbon composite lay-up was very light. I really liked that. I first got into it on land, to adjust the foot pedals, and heard the gelcoat "creaking" as I got in. Is the layup too weak for my weight? (don't know?) The cockpit opening seemed plenty wide enough at the back of it, but the front of the cockpit opening was really narrow for me. On top of that, the seat back band adjusters were right where my knees hit getting in and out. I have had two composite kayaks over the years, and I have never had to adjust the back band more than the initial time I set up the boat. I think this is just a gimick, and waste of money. When I got down in the cockpit, there was plenty of room for me, my thighs, and feet. When I got into the boat on the water, the layup "creaked" again. I wonder how long this kayak would last before something started cracking if I bought one? The seat itself fit me OK, so no complaints on it.

Out on the lake I noticed this boat has one wickedly low initial stability. I got used to it after about 15 minutes, but I think I would always be afraid to take my camera along in this boat.

Secondary stability was really solid. The Kayak has hard chines, and I could lean the boat to the one side, to where the chine on the other side of the boat almost came out of the water, and I never felt like I was going to spill. I was impressed with how solid it felt "on its side/edge".

Speed was pretty good. I settle into about a 4 mph pace (using my GPS) in my "Nanook", but with the same pace and effort, I was doing 4.5 to almost 5 mph with a little extra effort. The hull seemed to get up to speed easily, and covered a lot of water with ease.

I was happy with the way the boat tracked. I never did get to try the rudder, the lake was calm, and so I just paddled and leaned the boat when I wanted to turn. The hard chines grab the water when you lean, and it will carve a really nice turn just by leaning. I was enjoying just paddling, then I'd stop paddling, and lean to one side and then the other. It turned as well as if I was using a rudder on "my" boat. The Elaho HV also tracked very well in a straight line too. I paddled up to speed, and held the kayak level, stopped paddling, and it continued in the same straight line as I was going. I liked that a lot.

I am not sure if I like the hatch covers. First there is a Neoprene stretch cover to seal the hatch opening. I understand this is to keep the water out. On top of that is a hard cover to make the deck flush. Having the flush deck is a great idea, as this helps keep spray off of the face when waves break over the bow. But I think this double hatch cover set up would be a "pain" to deal with if you access the compartments a lot. You would have to decide that for yourself.

Fit and finish seemed nicely done. I believe Necky makes a quality boat. Will I buy one?? I don't know yet. I test paddled this twice that day, with testing a different boat between times. I did enjoy paddling it. I am considering this and two other boats the local shops sell (Impex "Asseteague" & CD Solstice GT "Titan"). I like buying local, as then there is close-by help if I need it. I believe this kayak is a "Performance kayak" that will handle the bigger paddler. I am just concerned over the initial stability, as I do like to take a camera along to photograph wildlife. If what I have written above interests you, by all means test paddle one. I think for the right person, this would be a fun boat.

I have only paddled this boat several times but most recently at the NC coast where the wind and currents can really test your skill and endurance. I am not a big paddler at 5'9" and 170 lbs. The Elaho HV (High Volume) at 17' can easily accomodate a larger paddler. The Elaho is very stable even in choppy water. Entering and exiting the Elaho is easy because the cockpit has a good size diameter. The Elaho has a rudder which is very responsive and tracks very well. The three hatches were all dry after four miles of very rough water. The seat is comfortable and the back band is easy to adjust. If you are considering a larger touring kayak the Elaho should be on your list of boats to demo.