This is my second kayak, I started with a 12’2" Perception Acadia 27 1/2" wide rec. kayak and wanted to get a high quality Kevlar sea/touring kayak.
Ron Haxby, the owner of Pacific Star Kayaks, is an experienced kayak builder and a nice person to work with.
My kayak weighs 55 pounds because Ron doubled the Kevlar layup in the hull for me (I am 6’2”, 215 pounds) and he outfitted the boat with a wider than standard seat. I like this customized touch and appreciate the solid workmanship Ron put into my boat.
Coming from the 27 1/2" Arcadia with extraordinary initial stability, the narrower sea/touring kayak needed some time to get used to. But since I did, I feel very save and relaxed in the boat even out on the Coos Bay in high wind and very choppy conditions.
Especially when loaded with some cargo the boat reaches its full potential. It is a very safe and stury craft.
The entire boat is very well built, nice and solid work. The only thing I had to do was some fine-tuning on the backrest. Maneuverability is great for an 18’ boat and tracking is extraordinary. As far as I am concerned, the boat handles wind and waves very well, but I have to admit that I am not an expert paddler in open sea conditions.
Since I have this boat I did not paddle my old boat anymore. I find this a great boat and can recommend it to anyone.
