New kayak on the block...

[peguinpower]

Hurricane Phoenix 160 review





First impression, its beautiful. It is the most beautiful plastic SOT kayak I have ever seen, bar none. The lines are magnificent. Looking closer, the hardware is generic, taking away from the initial awe. Getting into the details, the rigging is lacking. I’ve been spoiled by Hobie. They do all the work, do it well, and all one need’s to do is add one or two things. The Phoenix 160, by any measure, is a bare fishing kayak. It doesn’t even have leash attachment points. Moving forward, the front hatch is reachable on the water. However, the rubber cap for the hatch requires some work to get back on. The experience is akin to putting a new bicycle tire onto its rim. A hard task initially, but the second tire will go on much easier. The space in the front hatch is cavernous by usual standards. That much space is NICE to have.

Not having a center hatch sucks. I’ve gotten used to having a center hatch to hold my tackle. This issue can be worked around by making a custom crate with a waterproof box to secure tackle for surf launches and landings. The rear bungee needs work too. They are permanently tied on and are not removable without cutting. I couldn’t slip my regular milk crate in there. I will need to device a quick release crate retention system for this issue too. The rear hatch is virtually useless on the water. It’s immediately behind the seat, doh, and the opening is only about 5 inches, if that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a useful tackle box that would go in there. And if I ever dropped some stuff in there, like say a GPS, camera, FF control unit, lure keeper, it will likely move elsewhere hence irretrievable on the water and likely just as difficult on land. I’m whining a lot here, but I re-read the Hurricane catalog and its does say the Phoenix 160 “is the choice for fishermen…”. In fairness to the company, I knew exactly what I was going to get and I don’t feel short changed. A big plus is that the design provides a lot of flat spots to place rigging. You will not want for space to mount an FF, rod holder, etc. You just have to put some work on the thing.

Lets talk stability. The rounded hull allows the kayak to rock like a canoe. I'd say primary stability is pretty low. Secondary stability is good. In no way did I feel that it was going over unless I allowed it to. The tipping point on the Phoenix is predictable. My Hobie Revolution takes a lot to tip over. I can hang my entire upper body over the rail at 45 degrees, and it wont go. The Phoenix will tip over with a little effort, but not without warning.

Performance - Speed is the primary reason I bought this kayak sight unseen. There was no SOT available around me that had the reputation of being of any great speed nor any of much greater capability than what I already owned. So here it goes. To put things into perspective, we did a few tests. We had a kayak drag race between the Phoenix 160 and an Hobie Outback with ST fins. After 50 yards, I won by one and half boats lengths. Today, we fished for about 4 hours. My son, in a Hobie Revolution with ST fins, says that in he constantly had to try to keep up with me, and I did consciously wait for him. Relaxed paddling and pedaling, the Phoenix will put on a steady gain over the Hobie Revolution. I have to say, I expected a lot and am a bit disappointed on the outright speed of this kayak. Paddling with others, I did not feel like I had a turbo charger amongst the normally aspirated. Putting the paddle into the water, there is no sense of an immediate speed advantage (albeit she is a pleasure to paddle). But I know little of fast kayaks, and this may be it. A couple of young girls in their outrigger canoes did go by me like I was anchored It does slice into wind satisfactorily. I can’t say excellent, as my Revo will punch through a howler just as well. Tracking is excellent. It will turn quite easily with the proper technique plus some edging.

Overall, its not love at first sight for me and the Phoenix. I’m not proposing marriage on the first date, but I will ask her out again (after her makeover). I reserve judgement for later.


PART II

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A FAST FISHING KAYAK?

Heres some stuff I dug up AFTER I bought the Phoenix.

-High Performance hulls really shine when the kayaker is putting in an athletic amount of energy - typicaly over 5 pounds. Here the graph lines began to splay and some real differences were apparent. When that much drag was being paddled against via the paddler, the ferraris step ahead of the volkwagons. "FAST" kayak hulls it became clear, merelly ALLOW the paddler a higher speed.

-Shorter kayaks gave embaressingly good efficiency for 3.8lb. drag factor. Speeds like 4mph seemed to come at a discount with a 14' hull as compared to an 18'. Nothings free tho and what allows the paddler to so readily and easily to hit that speed also keeps you confined to it as this is the outer edge of the hull speed. Sprinting 6 mph wouldnt happen here


-For slow (lower energy) paddlers - a long boat may be wasted potential (or luxury reserve potential if you prefer) or possibly even slower. For a faster (higher energy) paddler - a shorter boat is a huge limitation.

-In fact some high speed hulls are not as efficient at slow speeds.

-in order to go fast you need to paddle hard. A "fast" kayak is not enough. It is possible to make an "ultra-efficient" kayak, but it would be extremely narrow. Many people would benefit from a shorter narrower boat which would be efficient at the speeds they paddle, but might not have the top-end sprint speed which they never use any way.


Regards, /bing