Paddler weight

Can anyone tell me if a glass or hybrid carbonology vault would be suitable for an experienced but small (5'7) &light (57kgs.) paddler in wind driven conditions. Thanks.

Hi Marty

here is a link to a good independent look at the boat.

www.surfski.info/forum/19-boats/5830-car...dpackers-review.html

Just a thought is that with your weight you would perhaps be better off looking into some of the true low volume hulls out there, such as the Stellar SES , or the new Fenn Flash. My wife has been paddling a few such skis lately in her search for a new ski ,and see only weighs a few kilos less than you. The hulls are designed around smaller paddlers, where as you might find that with the larger hulls the boat will be sitting too high in the water, and it will feel tippier and get blown about more.

I paddled one a couple of years ago, at a similar time to Brett. I am the same dimensions as you. I found it maneuverable and it had good secondary stability, quite reassuring. I was more in chop than in surf and the wind was probably about 10-15 knots. It did feel like I could manage it in more weather. The deep bucket felt very snug and secure. The problem with this was I also found it harder to remount than the V10l ( and subsequently the SES and the Swordfish). I also felt sluggish on flat water, borne out by GPS, but that may have been my fault.

I certainly felt that its strength was stability in chop/surf/wind and it sound like that is what you are looking for. Take one for for a paddle. Just make sure you test the remount.

Thanks for your help g/c kiwi & marieski. I'll have an opportunity to try an ses in excel layup in the next couple of weeks.It might be a bit light given what you've said in the past Marie about the trap of too light a boat for an already light paddler (good thoughtful advice which I'll follow) I don't think I'll have a chance to try a vault as I don't know of any here in adelaide but was attracted by the vault because of it's width & short length. I'm on the water 6-7 days a week, most days ( especially in summer) being 15-30knts, causing steep wind driven chop to 1.5 mts. I'm pretty much a neophyte regarding ocean skis as for the last 40 yrs. have been in Hayden & Forcefield spec skis ( fairly tippy at my light weight) Kiwi, you mentioned looking at the fenn flash did you mean carbonology flash or the fenn spark? Please let me know if your wife finds any other low volume boats that really appeal, you've probably got more to choose from up there than down here, thanks again.

Sorry Marty...a senior moment on my part!! Of course is was the Fenn Spark! I paddled it as well , I'm 80 kgs , so at the top of it's weight range and I really enjoyed it, as I did with the SES.

No way could I paddle my SES in 30knots and 1.5 m chop. I could do it in the Vault. The other boat that is particularly good in short chop is the Flow Superstar. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks Kiwi, I'm glad I'm not the only one having senior moments.Given that fenns &epics are by far the most common boat around here I should be able to arrange a paddle with our local dealer. It's good that more manufacturers are building for lightweights as well as the more common weight paddlers.

Thanks Marie, I just read your review of the s/star and it sounds like another possibIlity. I think I'm going to have to make time to travel to nsw or qld for a couple of days to try out a greater range of boats. Not much variety that I know of here in adelaide.

Marty wrote: I think I'm going to have to make time to travel to nsw or qld for a couple of days to try out a greater range of boats. Not much variety that I know of here in adelaide.

No need to go that far Marty. Jarad Kholar at Peak Adventure in Melbourne sells a few brands. "Peak Adventure also sells new kayaks, paddles and accessories from all the leading ocean racing brands including FENN, FINN, EPIC, STELLAR, CARBONOLOGY AND MOCKE" and I believe he has just become the importer for Flow Kayaks. (Flow "Superstar" and "Sharp" ski's) www.flowkayaks.com/site/surf-skis/

If you time your visit well he also runs paddling sessions where you're likely to see a variety of skis (they get quite a big turnout from what I've seen on their FB page)

www.peakadventure.com.au/store/index.asp

Thanks Brett, I had a look at the peakadventure site, he certainly has a lot to offer right across the board and I see he has an atom as well as a vault available for hire. My wife and I are going to Melbourne next month for a couple of days for the Monet exhibition so will include some try outs while we're there. You offered this information at the perfect time, as I had'nt even considered other activities during this trip and it will also give my wife an opportunity to try some different boats as she is starting to take a greater interest in paddling more seriously and moving up from plastic. Since discovering surfski.info and joining the forum I have gained many valuable insights thanks to the generosity of all you good people in sharing your knowledge & experience.