DMala
06-23-2003, 06:55 PM
Last Saturday morning I went to Schuylkill Outfitters (North Wildwood, NJ), and briefly tried both a Necky Spike and a Necky Dolphin. Note that I have been kayaking for many years traditional SIKs, in fact that was the first time I tried a SOT. So my prospective reflects the opinion of a long-time paddler, but not necessarily the point of view of a “specialized” kayak fisherman who typically paddles Cobra, WS and other common SOTs, which follow for the most a different design concept.
I am 5’9” and 153 lb, so I am not a big guy.
First I tried the Spike: after a few paddle strokes I immediately noticed the relatively limited initial stability, which I got used to within a minute. The hull just responds to your body position, and has a play of few degrees of inclination on each side which requires that sort of automatic adjustment which very quickly goes unnoticed. This anyway allows you to use the hull shape to assist you when making a turn, as well as to more easily reach out when for example bracing against a wave. In fact the Spike, also thanks to his modest length, turns very easily, which I really liked a lot. It still however tracks well without a rudder (again, you can use the hull to make small corrections when necessary), and the speed seems quite respectable. Paddling against a tidal current, you can feel that there is not much drug against you, because the kayak is short and the bottom wet area is limited, so you can keep up a good speed with relatively little effort. Small waves a few inches high were not a problem in terms of hull noise (I do not know what would happen with waves a foot high or more), and were properly deflected away by the bow. The impression is that you sit quite low on the water. When trying to lean onto a side, it was easy to reach the water with the edge of the kayak, but after that point the kayak suddenly stabilizes and to lean further is not as easy at all. This is a good secondary stability. Since there is only a bow hatch (small) in the front and a day hatch, there is a nice flat area between the cockpit and the tankwell at the rear, where it would be easy to install rod holders. Overall I felt I quickly gained a very high degree of control, responsiveness and comfort in this kayak, but the low paddling position made me think that it is going to be a relatively wet ride.
The Dolphin on the contrary has what appeared to me a higher and drier sitting position. The initial stability seemed a lot higher than the Spike, as well as the ability to quickly accelerate and go fast on flat water. Speed seemed really excellent. However, due to the longer hull, when paddling against the current I felt I had relatively more drag to overcome, even if it was still a fast boat. Not surprisingly, turning was a little more difficult: while with the Spike I could make a 90 degree turn with a good hull lean and a strong sweep, with the Dolphin it would take me 2-3 sweeps. I attributed this to the extra two feet in length, but also to a hull that does not lean as easily. Sitting sideways with my legs in the water was very easy and the kayak felt secure. Overall I would say that it had a good ability to turn, while for the Spike it is excellent. One disconcerting thing with the Dolphin was that the bow, going against small waves 4-5” high, would make a slapping noise and project a splash of water several inches high and to the side, which going against the wind would have certainly been blown back and soaked me. Maybe I was too light and a heavier load would modify this characteristic. This kayak has an additional dry hatch behind the cockpit, but it is positioned sideways so I am not sure if it could be used to store a 2-piece long rod for fishing from the shore. It was easy to access and Bob from the store showed me how to use the hatch cover straps to hold down a board with a rod holder and a paddle clip, which would facilitate fishing without having to modify the kayak.
The workmanship and finish of both kayaks seemed excellent. Eventually I picked the Spike, because I paddle relatively short distances in back bays and narrow creeks, and overall it felt I could paddle it more efficiently than its longer brother. Each one however has its own strengths, and it all depends on what you are looking for and your paddling style.
DMala
I am 5’9” and 153 lb, so I am not a big guy.
First I tried the Spike: after a few paddle strokes I immediately noticed the relatively limited initial stability, which I got used to within a minute. The hull just responds to your body position, and has a play of few degrees of inclination on each side which requires that sort of automatic adjustment which very quickly goes unnoticed. This anyway allows you to use the hull shape to assist you when making a turn, as well as to more easily reach out when for example bracing against a wave. In fact the Spike, also thanks to his modest length, turns very easily, which I really liked a lot. It still however tracks well without a rudder (again, you can use the hull to make small corrections when necessary), and the speed seems quite respectable. Paddling against a tidal current, you can feel that there is not much drug against you, because the kayak is short and the bottom wet area is limited, so you can keep up a good speed with relatively little effort. Small waves a few inches high were not a problem in terms of hull noise (I do not know what would happen with waves a foot high or more), and were properly deflected away by the bow. The impression is that you sit quite low on the water. When trying to lean onto a side, it was easy to reach the water with the edge of the kayak, but after that point the kayak suddenly stabilizes and to lean further is not as easy at all. This is a good secondary stability. Since there is only a bow hatch (small) in the front and a day hatch, there is a nice flat area between the cockpit and the tankwell at the rear, where it would be easy to install rod holders. Overall I felt I quickly gained a very high degree of control, responsiveness and comfort in this kayak, but the low paddling position made me think that it is going to be a relatively wet ride.
The Dolphin on the contrary has what appeared to me a higher and drier sitting position. The initial stability seemed a lot higher than the Spike, as well as the ability to quickly accelerate and go fast on flat water. Speed seemed really excellent. However, due to the longer hull, when paddling against the current I felt I had relatively more drag to overcome, even if it was still a fast boat. Not surprisingly, turning was a little more difficult: while with the Spike I could make a 90 degree turn with a good hull lean and a strong sweep, with the Dolphin it would take me 2-3 sweeps. I attributed this to the extra two feet in length, but also to a hull that does not lean as easily. Sitting sideways with my legs in the water was very easy and the kayak felt secure. Overall I would say that it had a good ability to turn, while for the Spike it is excellent. One disconcerting thing with the Dolphin was that the bow, going against small waves 4-5” high, would make a slapping noise and project a splash of water several inches high and to the side, which going against the wind would have certainly been blown back and soaked me. Maybe I was too light and a heavier load would modify this characteristic. This kayak has an additional dry hatch behind the cockpit, but it is positioned sideways so I am not sure if it could be used to store a 2-piece long rod for fishing from the shore. It was easy to access and Bob from the store showed me how to use the hatch cover straps to hold down a board with a rod holder and a paddle clip, which would facilitate fishing without having to modify the kayak.
The workmanship and finish of both kayaks seemed excellent. Eventually I picked the Spike, because I paddle relatively short distances in back bays and narrow creeks, and overall it felt I could paddle it more efficiently than its longer brother. Each one however has its own strengths, and it all depends on what you are looking for and your paddling style.
DMala