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09/27/2011 01:04PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I am in the market for a new boat and see the thermoform kayaks by Delta seem to have good reviews. Anyone familiar with this boat, I am looking at the 15.5 expedition model. I am especially interested in hatch opening sizes and storage of packs for longer trips. I have a yoke and can get throught the carry the boat thing, it is unload and pack and then reload at each portage that gets me down.
Thanks for input.
 
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09/28/2011 09:15AM  
Can't say I'm overly familiar with them, but just at first glance I would suggest shopping around a bit more. At the MSRP I saw you have some very nice options. Compare against a Perception Eclipse (was one for sale on here) or a P&H Scorpio, or maybe Wilderness Systems' line. Again though, I'm not familiar with the Deltas, which is both a disclaimer and a red flag.
 
09/28/2011 09:55AM  
I have paddled Wilderness Sytem starting with the Secret, a sweet boat, and now the tsunami ultralight. The saving in weight was not worth the flimsy construction. Warping set in by the end of the first year and bulkheads have pulled away allowing water to flow bow to stern. I want to get away from the rotomolded boats due to this warping problem. Try keeping a boat going straight when it isn't.
Thanks for the input, I will keep shopping with plans to purchase by spring of 2012.
 
06/04/2012 10:23PM  
I did get the Delta 12'10" at Canoecopia and have been paddling locally since. It is shorter than I am used too and that took getting used too, but I have had it out with 25mph wind on a bigger lake (will use the full skirt next time) and have paddled upriver in some heavy current and put about 75# of ballast in it recently and it sat in the water nicely, not too low.
Overall I am liking the 37# it weighs carrying it from vehicle to water and once use to the shorter boat liking the way it handles. I hope to get a solo in yet this year and will add more then.
 
06/05/2012 07:04AM  
Sounds like the boat is doing its job. Congrats!
 
01/08/2013 11:05PM  

I realize a considerable amount of time has pasted since the initial post, so I don't know how much interest remains for the original question.

After owning a Perception Eclipse 17 for about 7-years, I traded it in on a Delta 18.5 Expedition in October 2011. I can honestly say, it's the best kayak I've ever owned.

Although I'm a canoeist first and foremost, and I own several fantastic solo canoes, I really wanted a kayak for touring the Great Lakes, especially Isle Royale, Georgian Bay, and the North Shore of Lake Superior.

I originally purchased a Perception Eclipse 17, because I thought it would be the best kayak for my purposes. Although the Eclipse was serviceable, I was never really in love it.

After a kayak touring trip to Isle Royale 2011, and later that summer a trip through the Border lakes of the BWCAW, I came to the conclusion that there's got to be something better.

I test paddled the Delta 18.5 Expedition, as well as several kayaks from Current Designs, I really took to the Delta 18.5 Expedition for several reasons. The Delta 18.5 was stable, seaworthy, very efficient, and provided the capacity I wanted. It also turned well despite its length and it looked quality built.

The real hook was that it was one of the most comfortable kayaks I had ever paddled. I'm 6' 4" and 220 pounds, and I tend to pack a lot of gear. So the length and volume was just what I needed. Additional benefits was that the Delta 18.5 was lighter and stiffer than the Eclipse, although it's approximately a foot and a half longer.

The icing on the cake was that I can paddle the Delta 18.5 Expedition for hours without developing sciatica and my butt cheeks going numb, which was always an issue with the Eclipse and other kayaks that I had previously owned. I can't speak for the other Delta models, but I love my 18.5 Expedition.

As of this post, I haven't had the chance to do an extended touring trip in the Delta 18.5 Expedition. I was originally planning to do a solo circumnavigation of Isle Royale in July 2012. But, because I could only get away for a 9-day trip, I opted for a 9-day solo canoe trip in Quetico with my Wenonah Voyager instead. (I wanted at least two-weeks for Isle Royale).

Although I haven't done an extended kayak touring trip as of yet, I've paddled it extensively on the many, large, local lakes where I live, including Lake Michigan.

I have the utmost confidence that when I do load up my Delta and head out for an extended trip, I'm sure I'll be pleased with its big water tripping performance.

BTW, mine is the Metal-flake blue deck over the polar white hull and I get compliments on this boat every time I take it out.



 
01/09/2013 06:39AM  
Hans Solo, your input is appreciated. Note my comment about the plastic breaking when cold. I have emailed Colin who has provided excellent customer service in the past and will see what he has to say. Do you have any thoughts about cold and thermoplastic?
 
01/09/2013 09:51AM  

Yes bhouse46, I did see your post about the cold cracking problem with thermofoam, but I can't say I've experienced that issue. Then again, I can't say I've had my Delta out in temps lower 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

If I can find open water, I paddle every month of the year. On Thanksgiving Day of 2012, I went for a morning paddle with my Delta on one of the local lakes near my home. Although it was the end of November, it was unseasonably warm, (upper 50's to low 60's from what I remember).

I can't say I've found many downsides to the thermofoam material, but if this cold cracking is a common characteristic of the material, then there's cause for concern. I'd be interested to hear any feedback you receive from Delta concerning this problem.

As always, I plan on attending Canoecopia this year and Delta has been an annual participant at the show for several years now. That being said, I plan on getting some feedback from the Reps when I'm there regarding this material condition.

I hear what your saying though about use in the Superior-Quetico country. The Delta's, or any good touring kayak for that matter, are ideal for the bigger wind swept lakes like Pickerel, Sturgeon, Quetico, Beaverhouse, Saganaga, etc., but the unloading and re-loading is a pain in the neck. Been there, done that with my old Perception Eclipse 17.



 
01/24/2013 05:13PM  
I emailed Colin on the 8th, he responded on the 9th asking for photos which I sent on the 12th. No word so I bumped on the 22nd, no word yet. I likely will make the trip to Canoecopia to meet with him and negotiate terms with Rutabaga regarding warranty issues. HansSolo, if there I hope we can meet, I likely will drive up early Saturday and overnight.
 
01/24/2013 08:28PM  
Update, Colin got back today offering to fix the boat if I bring it to Canoecopia. Plan on seeing me there.
 
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