Nelo 600 vs V8 Double

I am looking for a stable double to take beginners downwinding. Does anybody have experience with both of these boats and care to share an opinion. Alternatives of course would be the stable doubles from carbonology and Fenn. But the waves I mostly paddle are steep windchop, similar to the columbia river gorge, so I think shorter doubles would be better.

Hi!I can’t really answer to your question but I paddled both of them in choppy water with my daughter who is a beginner. The V8 double (black tip) was significantly more stable than the 600. I am certain it would be fine even with two absolute beginners. It is more stable than my Mirage 730 double sea kayak.The 600 was lively by comparison despite being wider. I liked the cockpit in the Nelo better (low hump) and my daughter (who is short and light) thought the same. It was very light, I could carry it alone without any problem. One nice feature with the Nelo is the control of the rudder from the front or the back.I owned the XT double (with the double footwell at the back) and that one isn’t for beginners with short legs because of the big hump. On flat water it is faster than the V8 double and the Nelo 600 which is hardly a surprise considering the length difference. With a total newbie at the back it was tippy… The first time I paddled it with my wife we capsized and I didn’t expect that! We paddled again for 30mn and it went ok but I was nervous. My wife can paddle the 730 without any problem.It was absolutely fine with stability with my daughter.Good luck!

Thanks kayakintro. Good to hear your perspective on the xt double as well. Sounds like that is not the ski I want. There is a 600 near me and i will see if i can borrow it for a downwind.