Specifications

Features

• Molded in footbraces
• 5″ deck plate
• Fins (optional)
• Comfort carry handles
• Sit-On-Top backband (standard)

Paddler Specs

Height: 6 feet
Weight: 220 lbs

I went on vacation to Wrightsville Beach, NC. with my family and had a chance to take the Dagger Kaos surf boat with me. I am a class 4 whitewater kayaker with little experience with surf kayaking. I had a ball with this boat, it is a little over 10ft long and is similar to a long surf board with fins that you can remove, if you like. The fins definitely make a difference; it is super fast with the fins. Make sure no one is in front of you because this thing is a rocket. You catch a wave and you roll on very fast. It took me a few times to learn how to turn or carve the wave. At first I was trying to place my paddle as a rudder to turn but learned all you need to do is low brace and it is very responsive. The boat tracks very well and it will catch air as you are paddling out through the surf. The thigh straps are a must with this boat; the tighter the better. I could almost roll it. Maybe with a little more practice and adjustments I could have. The dry hatch is dryer than expected. A must have for boaters near the surf. I had some long board surfer drooling over this boat. The only dislike I had about this kayak is that it was a little hard to carry, not quite deep enough to shoulder it, but I did have a killer hike from the car to the water.

Russ Dalton
VA.

Paddler: 6 year old male- 42″ 45 lbs
Experience level: beginner, semi-swimmer, with several paddling trips and one overnight under his belt. He has been in kayaks since 18 months, first solo paddle at age 5 (a month before 6th birthday), has paddled solo 2X since.

Boat: Wilderness Systems Tsunami SP
Length/ Width: 12′/ 21″
Max Weight Capacity: 180lbs
Other Features: Movable foot pegs, bow and stern bulkheaded hatches, adjustable thigh braces
Pros: Simple but comfortable outfitting, bulkheaded hatches, tracks well, deck lines
Cons: heavy and awkward for a kid to move on their own

Wildy Tsunami SP (small person)

At the store I often get asked, “How old does a child need to be to start paddling?” My initial reaction is as soon as they can sit up on their own. However, there are many factors that weigh into this decision. First never take a child strapped into a car seat in a boat. No, there are no seat belts you do not want your child strapped or attached to the boat. You and your child need to be able to get free should the boat capsize. Children under the age of 13 are required by federal law to wear a PFD or lifejacket in any boat. If you are afraid of capsizing with your youngster and don’t know how you or your child would react then you may want to wait until you are more confident in your own skills. This is kayaking and while you may not want, and don’t plan on capsizing. It’s a very real possibility and almost inevitable at some point in time during your paddling career. However, if you love paddling, chances are your enthusiasm will get your kids exited too.
If paddling is part of your lifestyle, than your boats should be introduced to your child at a very early age. My youngest son, has been climbing in and out of boats at home before he could even walk, at approx 18 months, my wife and I took him on his first paddling trip in the floor of a tandem.

Age 2

He sat in my lap until he was too big and was tired of the repeated bonking he got from my paddle shaft as I maneuvered the marshes of the Outer Banks.
We then moved to a tandem, where he sat up front and drug his arms in the water as I paddled us around, or he sometimes would sit in the tankwell of a 14ft Tarpon.

Age 4

As his sixth birthday approached, it was time to start some early paddling lessons of his own, like his older brother who also started paddling at age 6 in Maine (but that’s a different story entirely). I was surprised that the Tsunami SP (TSP) fit him so well when he first sat in it. With the foot pegs all the way up he could sit up straight and firmly plant his feet on the pegs with his legs below the thigh braces…4 inches below (he still has quite a bit of growing room). He was a little nervous doing it on his own but he knew how the hold his breath and was not afraid of falling in or getting wet. I stayed close and gave him his first lesson on paddling strokes and techniques.

age 5

He seemed to be quite stable and comfortable in the boat, the paddle seemed awkward for him and certainly could have been shorter due to the narrowness of the boat. He picked it up quite quickly despite it being his first time paddling on his own power. The boat tracked well and seemed quick, he had a bit of trouble getting it to turn, but due to his early knowledge of the strokes this did not surprise me. It also confirmed that it tracked fairly well. After about 15 minutes we paddled enthusiastically back to shore. I did not want him to get tired or bored and I wanted to leave a lasting good impression of paddling on his mind. This was the end of the summer and by the next summer he would be ready!

paddling lesson

A trip to Bugs Island Lake the following May would be his next lesson in the TSP. With a few months of growing between paddling trips he fit in the boat a little better and was certainly more confident. We paddled twice that trip. Once as an instructional session of about 15 minutes, than after lunch took about a mile long paddle to explorer some coves and see a few birds. I towed him the majority of the time, but he paddled as if he was on his own over the better part of the trip. He had no problem resting and letting me do the work when he was tired, but as soon as he felt rested he was back at it again. It seemed very stable, and he had no problem getting it to go when and where he wanted.

age 6

Not to say that all parents should take their small children out paddling on their own, especially if they do not feel comfortable, but this is what I do, I teach paddlesports. I certainly used caution, I am not taking him out in conditions or cold water, I am aways with-in a paddle stroke way and he is aways, always wearing his PFD.
Making sure that kids wear a properly fitted PFD is extremely important, too big is no good and loose and unzipped is no good either (this topic is a different rant altogether).

Paddle Stroke Lesson

If you are eager to try paddling with your children, I would certainly encourage you to look into a class that you can take together or inquire about kids lessons at your local paddling shop. Also inquire about kids paddling classes at local lake municipalities. As it currently stands in Greensboro, NC kids under 12 must be in a tandem, ages 13-15 can paddle in a solo boat with an adult paddler with-in a paddles length away, and kids must be 16+ to paddle completely on their own. Kids classes should be relatively short in length and be geared toward safety which will develop into good habits on the water, this will help to keep your children’s interest up while having fun and being safe. Good paddling technique takes time and lots of practice, so don’t rush it. They will get better with practice and as they get stronger their endurance will improve, allowing them to paddle longer. If you get frustrated then so will your kids and they will not want to paddle. It is supposed to be fun, so make it fun, keep it short and bring a tow rope…

and Maybe I’ll see you and your kids on the water,

Will

Buying a Kayak

1. Types of Kayaks:

Whitewater Kayak-typically less than 9 feet long, shaped like a banana (rockered), small cockpit opening, paddled with a neoprene skirt, used for paddling large rapids and waterfalls
Great for whitewater paddling
Not for paddling lakes

Recreational Kayak-typically a 10-14 foot boat with little rocker, a large cockpit
opening, often paddled without a skirt, used for gentle moving rivers and lakes (the average boater)
Great for paddlers who are new to kayaking, want to paddle gentle waters, be
comfortable
Not as fast as sea kayaks, typically not used on the ocean or rough rivers

Sea Kayak-typically at least 14 feet long, very little rocker, small cockpit opening, paddled with a skirt, used for paddling on the ocean or sound, or paddling 5-25 miles in a day. Sea kayaks will have deck rigging for spare paddles, maps, and rescues.
Great for paddlers who want to paddle long distances (>5 miles), roll, and/or camp
Not as stable as a recreational kayak, tight fitting

Sit on Top Kayak-typically a 10-14 foot boat with little rocker, paddler sits “on top” of the kayak hull, which is sealed, water drains out of the kayak automatically
Good for-paddlers who don’t want to feel trapped, summer time, fishing
Not for paddlers who want to go fast, stay dry and warm

2. What will you use it for?

Lakes-get a boat that is fast and tracks straight usually at least 12 feet

Gentle Rivers-get a boat that has a flat bottom so that it will turn well usually 12 feet or less in length (depending on size of paddler)

Gentle Rivers AND Lakes-there are boats that do well at both, and some have a rudder or skeg you can use that on windy days at the lake.

The Sound-this is the ocean, with all its dangers (current, tides, waves, wind) get a boat that helps you minimize your risks and maximize your enjoyment. Buy a sea kayak.

3. Who will you paddle with?

You want to have a boat similar to the others in your group, if your group is all paddling 14 foot sea kayaks and you are in a 10 foot recreational kayak, you will have trouble keeping up. Similarly, if your main paddling partner has a 12 foot boat, you should also, or longer if they are a stronger paddler. Typically the longer a boat is, the faster it is.

4. Length:

Lakes: Typically 12 feet works great for most paddlers. It is easier to manage in windy conditions on the water, and easier to load than a 14 foot boat. I would only buy a 10 foot boat if you are doing some rivers, or plan to make very short (less than 2 mile) trips, or if small children will be paddling the boat often.

Rivers: Plenty of flat bottomed 14 foot boats work well on local rivers like the Dan and the Yadkin, but if you paddle mostly rivers and are not over 250lbs, a 10 foot or 12 foot boat will be much more maneuverable and keep you from getting stuck sideways on the rocks. Length and speed are not usually issues since the current is pushing you along, get the shortest boat that floats your weight comfortably.

5. Choosing the Boat:

Demo, Demo, Demo. Talk to a knowledgeable paddler who can help you decide on a few boats (2-3) that would suit your needs. Next, go to a “Demo Day” held at a local lake and paddle both boats. Get Outdoors holds demo days every other week during the summer giving you plenty of opportunities to paddle a wide variety of boats and make an informed decision. Paddling the boat you are going to buy is by far the best way to choose a boat. Regardless of what a friend or salesperson recommends, YOUR opinion is the one that really matters. The best way to make an informed decision is the paddle the boat.

6. Comfort:

When sitting in a kayak be sure you adjust the seat, foot pegs, and thigh braces to fit you. Are they easy to adjust? If you are not able to demo a boat on the water, be sure to spend at least 10 minutes or so sitting in your boat. You want to be sure you are comfortable. Something that is a little uncomfortable in the store will become unbearable once you are in the boat for hours. It will not matter how great the performance features of the boat are if you are not comfortable.

7. Price:

There are reasons some boats are more expensive than others. “Cheap” boats are often just that, cheap. Important comfort and hull design features are often missing on the least expensive boats. Spend the money to get a boat that is comfortable and paddles well so you enjoy your time paddling. If you do not enjoy paddling your boat it is likely to become an expensive garage ornament. If you store your boat properly it will last decades. Invest in a quality kayak that you enjoy paddling and it will pay off with many great days on the water over the years.

By Edward Stephens

Statistics:
Paddler: Height-6′4″ Weight-350+
Ultimate 145: Length-14′ 7″ Width-30in Weight-65lbs

At A Glance:
Cost: $1,100
Pros: Straight, stable, fast, comfortable with lots of add ons.
Cons: Costly accessories, middle skirt cannot be adjusted, skirts are not as watertight as they could be.

I have now spent 50+ hours in my Ultimate 14.5 Solo and here are some general impressions of the boat.

First, it tracks very straight. I have found it really easy to keep in a straight line. I paddle mostly flat water but we did take it to Cape Lookout and I had confidence in it there (although it was almost perfect conditions). I have been in some kayaks where the current was pushing me all over the place. I have not had that sensation in this kayak. I have only been in kayaks for a little over a year and the Ultimate to me is easy to paddle and fast. When in a group of paddlers I have never felt like I was slowing everybody down. The Ultimate has what Native calls a tunnel hull; this is basically a bulge on the outside left and right edge of the kayak (not to get too tangled up in nautical talk). It reminds me of pontoons in a way. The effect is increased stability and more displacement (so it can carry more weight–like Giles Corey). I have seen pictures of guys standing and fishing in this kayak, I know it can be done and I may try it some very warm day, but right now I think I’m too big to be trying to stand.

Second is the seat, it’s FANTASTIC. I debated as to whether this isn’t its best feature but decided performance should be given more weight. I’m using my Ultimate primarily for fishing and can spend five or more hours sitting in this seat and be very comfortable (You can even take it out and use it as a camp seat). It’s a suspended seat design using a screened material called Textilene®. This fabric is designed to be able to take 5 years of daily sun exposure before it begins to break down. Filling the seat is a material called HiFlow™ 3-D Mesh (patented). It reminds me a little of fishing line; it’s 100% recyclable and doesn’t use ozone-depleting cfcs (chlorofluorocarbons) in its manufacture.

Now I guess you’re wondering, “Why did he go all ‘Mr. Science’ on me”? Well, friends these miracle materials mean two things, first the seat sheds water. It’s not like those molded seats that get wet and stay wet. Second, because it’s an oatmeal color and not black it doesn’t get as hot as those molded seats either.

The seat is attached to a composite tray which slides under two clips in the kayak and then held into place with two buckles. I find it so easy to take the seat out that I store it inside. There is also a bar that allows for adjusting the incline of the seat (the bar fits in notches in the floor pan). Lastly the seat only weighs about 5-6 lbs so it can also be taken out when loading or unloading your kayak if that extra weight is a concern.

“For want of a nail”. Maybe it’s just me with my big feet, but in some kayaks I’ve been in the footpads are short and tiny. With this being the case I find one of two things happening, either my feet are constantly slipping off them or they seem to cut into my feet (reaching only to about the middle of my foot). The Ultimate has ball of the foot sized pads they call the Easy Foot™ System. You won’t find yourself slipping off them or feel them making your foot numb. Adjusting the footpads is pretty easy; with your foot off the pad just push or pull the attached rod to position it to where you want it and then when you feel it “click” let go of the rod and put you foot back on it.

“What is that rib on each side of the kayak”, you may ask. Why it’s the Adapt-a-track™. One cool thing the Ultimate has is the ability to add accessories by either sliding or clipping them on. You can add cup holders (was there ever a doubt about that one?), paddle holders, lash points, bottle holders and side bags.

The only accessories I have used so far are the skirts. It was for the Cape Lookout trip I mentioned before. Overall, I liked the skirts but they are not without a couple of issues. They can be difficult to put on. I’m wondering if wax or graphite or something might help them go on easier. The tunnel skirt requires you to be in a set position. You cannot adjust it to sit where you want; you have to sit where it is. What I did like about the skirts is that for the most part they worked very, very well. I really liked that the center skirt and the rear skirt have ribs that give the skirt a convex shape which helps shed water. They also have Velcro-ed flaps that allow you to connect the skirts together and these make a pretty watertight seal. What they seem not to have considered is the side gap between the bow skirt and the Solo Center skirt. The bow skirt has at its back a graceful curve that looks great when it’s used by itself; unfortunately when used with the solo center skirt it creates a 6-8 inch gap on the side. The material overlaps, but it doesn’t Velcro down and so water can wash into the kayak when it washes over it.

I do like that the skirts clean up easily and they there are some pockets and straps to tie down your paddle or fishing rod. The solo stern skirt even has “pockets to accommodate fishing pole holders.

Here’s a list of some of the add ons:

• Ultimate Catamaran & Trampoline
• Ultimate Dashboard
• Ultimate Console
• Ultimate Bow Bag
• Ultimate Stern Bag
• Wussy Foot Pads, Large
• Ultimate Rudder Kit
• Ultimate Motor Mount

… And there’s more, the Ultimate also comes in a two person version, and in addition to Polyethylene you can get it the Ultimate in Tegris a high tech composite material which is incredibly light, stiffer and offers high impact
resistance.

…And still more, there’s even a version of the Ultimate that is powered by petal power.

Conclusion: So far I have been very happy with my Ultimate. I think it is stable, roomy, versatile and fast. I will update my review as I spend more time in it.

Have Questions?

For more information visit: Legacy Paddlesports-Native Watercraft

Proud to be made right here in Greensboro, NC

Statistics:
Paddler: Height-5′ 7″ Weight-165lbs
Pungo 120: Length-12 feet Width-29in Capacity-325lbs

At a Glance:
Cost: $825
Pros: Very stable, fantastic tracking (it goes straight), fast
Cons: More costly than some other 12ft boats (it is worth it)

Best Use: Flatwater Paddling (Lakes and Deep Rivers)

The Pungo series has one of the best recreational hull designs around. Going straight ahead is something that often gives new kayakers trouble. When wind blows from the side onto a kayak it often causes the boat to turn. One windy day out on the lake is sometimes enough to make a new kayaker want to take up mountain biking.

Tracking is the ability of a boat to maintain a straight course. The V hull and extended keel at the stern of the Pungo makes this one of the best tracking boats out there. Too often new kayakers purchase a kayak with a flat bottom because they are typically less expensive. Unfortunately they pay later in frustration.

You can see the extreme difference in keel designs in this picture. The red Pungo at the top in this picture has a keel that extends much further than most other recreational kayaks. This reduces its effectiveness on rivers since the keel inhibits turning and hangs on rocks, but makes this boat the ideal choice for lakes.

The V hull also makes the Pungo quick for a recreational kayak, allowing it to outpace boats with flatter hulls and broader designs. The chines or bends along the length of the boat allow it to pass through the water effortlessly and manuver well when placed on edge. Although the V hull design makes this boat seems tippy when sitting in it on shore, it is very stable in the water. At almost 3 feet wide, you almost have to lean over and get your hair wet to tip this boat over.

Pungos are equipped with Wilderness System’s Phase 3 seat, a design that has set a high standard for paddler comfort. The seat back adjusts up and down to give the paddler plenty of support, and can be adjusted while sitting in the boat. The seat is padded and covered in cloth to prevent hot plastic burns and sticking to the seat on those hot summer days that are great for kayaking. In addition the footrests have been recently redesigned to allow the paddler to adjust those while in the boat also.

A bulkhead, or foam wall, behind the seat in the Pungo improves the strength of the boat, reduces warping, and creates a stiffer hull that improves speed. This also creates a dry storage area that can be used to carry your lunch, or camping gear for overnight trips.

Conclusion:
Anyone who is new to kayaking and thinking of purchasing a 10’, 12’, or 14’ recreational kayak should consider the Pungo as a top choice. The comfortable seat, easy adjustability, and ability to paddle straight will make kayaking a new, exciting, and enjoyable adventure!

On January 15, 2009 Nathan and I scouted a possible location for a paddling day trip on Reedy Fork Creek. The launch is at NE Park just east of Brown’s Summit between North Greensboro and Gibsonville, NC. We ran the shuttle (approx 30 min) and once back at the launch site in the park we unloaded our kayaks (I was paddling a Remix XP 10 and Nate was paddling the Tegris Ultimate 12) and set off. The air temps were in the low-mid 30’s with water temps a few degrees above freezing. A hundred yards down stream the Reedy Fork Creek joins Buffalo Creek. Buffalo Creek is a drainage ditch that winds through Greensboro picking up a lot of trash and debris and carries it by way of the Reedy Fork Creek into the Haw River.

This is a fairly scenic paddle. There are little to no roads, buildings, or structures along 90% of the this route. This mostly flat water paddle has intermittent rapids (class I) with one class II rock garden about halfway along this eight mile paddle.

After slogging through the backwater of the dam, near what will be the take out for store trips, and commenting on the overwhelming amount of trash in this area, we portaged the dam and continued on to the confluence of the Haw River.

At the confluence we turned left and continued up the Haw River, portaging a few rapids the were either too strong or too bony to paddle up we finally stopped just short of the take-out on US-87 and carried the boats a couple hundred yards to the van. By the time we got to the take-out the air temps were in the mid 20’s and ice had formed on our boats and paddles. It was an invigorating day on the water and will give us more opportunities to take folks out on local waterways. We will be organizing a river clean-up on this stretch of water later this spring.

Remix XP 10 review:

Paddler Height- 5′ 11″, weight- 175 lbs (+ approx 10 lbs of gear for the days paddle)

The outfitting was extremely comfortable, I used most of the hip pad shims to get a snug fit in the boat. The large rear hatch and bulk head kept my gear dry and no water was found in the hatch at the end of the trip. The hatch was big enough to swallow a 200 cubic inch pack, shoes, and a few water bottles and was nowhere near full. I could have doubled the gear I was carrying easily. The tray that runs up the center of the cockpit was great to keep a water bottle and snacks handy and and dry in one place in the boat so I didn’t have to try to find them had they slid around in the cockpit.

I did not use a skirt due to the recreational aspect of the paddle and to see how wet I would get since I would imagine many folks using this boat may not want to use a skirt. I stayed quite dry during the day, a little water came in over the cockpit rim when leaning the boat on edge so Nathan could see the skeg.

The skeg worked remarkably well, I left it up while paddling through the ledges and rock gardens that dot this paddle, but during the majority of the trip I left in down to help the boat track in the long flat water stretches. Wondering how much the small skeg really helped, I put it through a couple of tests. First I paddled with the skeg up and the XP 10 handles like a big whitewater boat. It is fairly maneuverable but has really good stability. It eddy turns and peels out well in minor rapids. With the ten foot length it does take a little bit of extra umph! to move it through tight areas, but the more this is done the easier it gets. For the next test on a deep flat water stretch with a good current (2-3 mph) I got a good head of stream going (with the skeg down) and the boat track remarkably well. I quickly raised the skeg and lifted my paddle over my head, the boat immediately started to spin out. As I came all the way around 360 degrees I deployed the skeg and the XP10 quickly started to track in a fairly straight line again. I also tested the durability of the skeg by purposely leaving it down and running over shallow rocks. I easily retracts back into the skeg box and pops back out when clear of the rock. The skeg seemed no worse for wear, at the end of the trip, after doing this a couple dozen times. The skeg does make a bit of noise rattling back and forth inside the skeg box but if it was any tighter debris would get stuck and potentially cause the skeg to malfunction.

The XP 10 also has remarkable stability. Both primary and secondary. I felt boomproof going over ledges sideways or bouncing off rocks, I wouldn’t recommend a novice doing this in the temperatures we were paddling in but under more comfortable conditions getting wet would not matter as much. This boat will also hold an edge if you can get it leaning and can maintain the good J-lean. The primary stability is so good it takes a good bit of effort to lean this boat on edge and I imagine a great deal of effort to actually tip it over.

Overall I would highly recommend this boat for mid-size to large paddlers who wants to do mixed paddling (flat to class I-III whitewater) but would like to get a bit more aggressive than you could in a rec boat. It is also great for the paddler that may not want to learn a roll, due to it bomber stability. This would be a great boat for the local NC Piedmont rivers (Dan, Haw, Yadkin, Mayo, Smith, New, etc). I did feel a little loose in this boat, but with a bit more time spent customizing the outfitting it would fit me well.

Please come stop by the store and see the new Liquid Logic Remix XP10 (also the XP9 for smaller paddlers), demos will start on March 14 at the Guilford side of Lake Mackintosh or join us the trip discussed above later this spring. Stay posted for times and dates.

Will