Picture of New Hurricane Phoenix 16

[patriciorg]

Thought some would like to see this...

Overall Length - 15'10"

Beam - 29" Waterline 27"

Weight Capacity - 250 lbs.-300 lbs

Weight - 55lbs

Price $1199

....looks nice. What do you think?

[sullivan504]

Actually, I'm bummed about the specs-- I had thought that the widest beam was going to be 27" or less and the capacity was predicted to be 375 pounds. I'm planning to buy the first one from KFS if Jon & Joey give it a "thumbs up," otherwise I'm leaning towards a Dorado or MacSki.

[XXX]

Actually, the 14' has a 325lb capacity...
So a 16' should have a minimal of 375lbs I would think, since I think a 16' has one more inch" of beam I think...
A Texas dealer posted that Hurricane projected about 425lbs but they still had to load it & test it out for sure is what was posted a few weeks back...

[ValFitzAndrew]

Thanks for the pic. It looks to be a beautiful hull.

What do you suppose happens if you load the hull to 400 or even 425 pounds? I would think the water line length gets a little longer, the beam gets a little wider. The cockpit sinks a bit deeper probably making it wet or wetter. The bottom line being that it wont handle quite so well. The hull weight won't change so it will still be lighter than the competition.

For instance, the Hobie Adventure hull is advertised to weigh 62 lbs but I think that is optimistic. Now, does 7 pounds or even 14 pounds make any real difference on the water? I'm not sure.

It is MHO it's the price difference and technology ie paddle vs pedal which differentiates the two offerings and appeals to two seperate and destinct groups.

[bnz]

patriciorg, is that the only picture you have of it? I'd love to see other angles, especially the hull shape. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[vivian]

What is your opinion on this question a friend asked about the new Phoenix 16. The dealer told her she did not need a rudder because the kayak had a molded skeg. I am not a fan of molded skeg kayaks and have never paddled a Phoenix so don't know if she would need one. I also don't like the specs with that max 29" beam which would be close to it if she loads it with camping gear. I think the boat would be pretty sluggish?

[XXX]

phx160-2

[bnz]

Don't know Viv, will just have to paddle and see. I know the Phoenix 140 is an easy paddling yak.

Let's see XXX, if we can get this to show...http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/8006/125ozh28wa.th.jpg (Is the bow flared a little?)

[XXX]

bnz,,,
Connie Mac has about 3 or 4 more on his site...
If this thing paddles anywhere close/fast to your ws-160 bnz, it could be a real contender, huh... http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/thumbsup.gif http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/thumbsup.gif

[bnz]

Okay XXX, you got me on this one. Who is Connie Mac and what's the link for the website? At this weight and from the shape of the hull, my guess is that it's every bit as fast if not faster even though an inch wider. That trylon (airalite [sp?]) is pretty slick stuff.

[Terry S]

... what's the link for the website? ...
Try http://creativefeathers.com/Kayaks.cfm

[XXX]

phx160-3

[XXX]

phx160-4

[RiverRaider]

You guys are bummin' me out with all these Yak's... I have the "iwants" real bad !!! http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/banghead.gif

[bnz]

Okay XXX you're just frustrating me here with these pics. I want to see the whole thing, all the way around. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

River, once you get addicted it never ends. KAS can be a very real and present problem. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[patriciorg]

Originally posted by bnz:
patriciorg, is that the only picture you have of it? I'd love to see other angles, especially the hull shape. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

....sorry bnz, that is all I have. I got the picture and the info from a newsletter from a local kayak shop. It looks very skua dorado but, without the performance or cool features.

I am still kayakless. I think I am going to order a T160i with KFS's toe pilot system. Not until the Fall though, it is too damn hot in South Florida now.

[RiverRaider]

Hurricanes website only references this boat in text, no pics? You would think they would get stuff out there asap?

[sullivan504]

Originally posted by RiverRaider:
Hurricanes website only references this boat in text, no pics? You would think they would get stuff out there asap?


I'm pretty sure that the first review and set of pictures came from a Texas kayak fishing site. If memory serves, the reviewer was a factory rep, shop owner, or sponsored paddler, but he made it clear that the boat was not a FINAL design... there were going to be slight changes to the top deck mold before this went into full production. It would appear that all of the subsequent pics on the web have been of that one boat, and most of them seem to be from that same post. It doesn't seem like Hurricane considers the website to be a high priority.

I spoke with someone at the factory and was told that all Hurricane dealers should have the 160 by late fall, but they couldn't promise a date to fill the first orders that came in.

Another odd thing I noticed about the Hurricane website is that they invite paddling enthusiasts to 'stop by' for a visit, but don't actually give an address anywhere on the site. Even more vexing is that KFS isn't listed on the dealer page.

Can't wait to get my 160 from KFS... keep us posted, Joey!

[RiverRaider]

Did you pre-order one?

I hope they keep that center "hump" or whatchamacallit in the center, nice place for a rod holder or FF

[sullivan504]

I was going to, but Joey advised me to wait until he & Jon had a chance to wet-test one. So KFS still has my credit card on file from purchasing my Hobie Adventure, and I won't be upset in the least if I get an e-mail saying that my new 160 is ready for pick-up at the local freight terminal.

If Jon & Joey find serious problems with the 160, I'm not sure what my second choice 'yak will be. I have a fairly long list (you've commented on that 'shopping list' thread), but even the Dorado isn't exactly the boat I want. All I know is that I want to buy the second kayak before putting down a deposit on the new stinkpot this winter. I'm going to test the MacSki in Florida next month, but I'm worried about the skeg and the fact that it's an open deck layout.

[bnz]

I spoke with someone at the factory and was told that all Hurricane dealers should have the 160 by late fall


http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[RiverRaider]

Originally posted by sullivan504:
I was going to, but Joey advised me to wait until he & Jon had a chance to wet-test one. So KFS still has my credit card on file from purchasing my Hobie Adventure, and I won't be upset in the least if I get an e-mail saying that my new 160 is ready for pick-up at the local freight terminal.

If Jon & Joey find serious problems with the 160, I'm not sure what my second choice 'yak will be. I have a fairly long list (you've commented on that 'shopping list' thread), but even the Dorado isn't exactly the boat I want. All I know is that I want to buy the second kayak before putting down a deposit on the new stinkpot this winter. I'm going to test the MacSki in Florida next month, but I'm worried about the skeg and the fact that it's an open deck layout.

It will be interesting to hear about what you think of the MacSki, keep us posted.

[sullivan504]

BNZ- If I'm reading the emoticon-in-lieu-of-actual-text correctly, you're bummed. Honestly, the news, if correct, means to me that Hurricane expects to have the backorders taken care of by then. Sounds like GOOD news to me. Imagine if Hobie could keep up with demand so well.

RiverRaider- If I lived somewhere with cleaner water, I'd probably have ordered a MacSki already, hoping that it would be fast enough. The speed issue, plus the skeg and presumably wet ride, put it pretty low on my list. But it's SOOOOO cool and so rare in the USA, I can't pass up the chance for a test ride.

[bnz]

sullivan,

I am bummed about it. I've only been emailing Brad Taylor off and on since last fall about this yak. I was told last that it should be out by end of June. Waiting for backorders till this fall? Just a bummer. Means I probably won't get to test paddle one till then.

You should test paddle a Macski if you can. Just make sure you post your results as I've been interested in hearing about its speed as well. If I remember correctly, it's only like 25" wide. I do know the guys who have them and have posted on here really like them.

[sullivan504]

Originally posted by bnz:
...I've only been emailing Brad Taylor off and on since last fall about this yak. I was told last that it should be out by end of June....


Okay, that's different-- AND it puts you in a different class from a lot of the [dare I say] whiners on this forum who just "want it want it WANT IT want it WANT IT want it WANT IT want it NOW!" Reminds me of my 2-year old. And before somebody looks up archived posts and calls me on it, I'll admit to having been one of those whiners. Most of the recent anticipation (I'll be polite and call it that.) has been about the Manta Rays and Hobie products (Matt Miller must have the patience of a saint to put up with us all!) and we've all seen what happens when delivery dates slip or demand exceeds production capacity. So BNZ gets a little more credit than whiners like, say, ME...

While I'm airing my rambling grievances for all the web to read: I am forced to smirk/snark when an entire reply is nothing more than a friggin' smiley. bnz, at least, has a pantsload of "real" posts that merit serious respect, so please don't think, Gentle Readers, that I'm referring to him in my rantings. But should I start to lower the signal-to-noise ratio with endless "me too" postings and the like, I invite the entire Cajun Country forum to smack me with a wet nutria at the next PaddlePalooza.

Getting back on topic, I'm seriously looking forward to the Phoenix 160, and I fully expect to buy one from KFS if it's given a green light from the experts in New Jersey. But all the pictures out there seem to be of the first boat, which might change. I'm happy to wait until the manufacturer thinks they've worked the bugs out. Let's face it-- there will be other bugs that the first batch of buyers will uncover, so I'd like those problems to be few and far between.

[LunaSea]

Sullivan,

How far south in Florida will you be next month? You're welcome to come down and paddle my Dorado if you want to test one out. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Looking at that Phoenix 16, it sort of reminds me of Lconn's Perception Illusion, but with a tank well.

[sullivan504]

LunaSea-- Thank you for the offer, but I'll be checking out the MacSki on the panhandle (Seaside area), not South FL.

[RiverRaider]

Luna, you posted in another thread that the Phoenix was available "out" or something to that effect.. is it? I'm confused?!

[LunaSea]

RiverRaider...I was looking at 4 or 5 new Phoenix 14s for sale at an outfitter on Key Largo, and he said he expected to get the 16s in soon. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[bnz]

Hmm, sounds like another trip down to <STRIKE>Homestead/Flamingo</STRIKE> Key Largo may be in order soon then. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[LunaSea]

I'll leave the light on for you, Bnz! http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[puppy drum]

when is the hurricane comming? I'm ready to unload my t120. just waiting and waiting........

[calfarmli]

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53010 This should answer you ?

[CPP]

PHX 160, really nice

[bnz]

For the lazy among us http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif...

Reviews on the TKF site:

I paddled both of them this afternoon (my T160i and the PHX160). These boats are really hard to compare. About the only thing that they have in common is that they are both 16 feet long. No way is the PHX160 a copy of the T160i. Seriously - NO similarities between the two.

So... just my personal observations...

(And, by the way - it way MY T160i that we did the comparisons with, and I love my T160i. I was skeptical abouth the PHX160, and I think that I am an impartial reviewer.)

The PHX160 is definitely lighter than the T160i. By a lot. No scales needed - I carried both of them.

The T160i tracks better than the PHX160. My T160i paddles like it is on rails - literally. You can stroke one side for what seems like forever and the yak continues to track straight ahead. The PHX160 tracks well, but it feels much looser to the stroke. The bow swings noticeably on a power stroke, where the T160i's bow does not.

The PHX160 is way, way more maneuverable than to T160i. (Corollary to above observation!) It does track well, but it also turns well. I was able to spin the PHX160 in six strokes. While I was trying out the PHX160, another good paddler in my T160i was unable to spin it at all - the best that he could do was turns around the outside of me at about a third of my turn rate. In narrow marsh channels, this is a BIG factor.

The PHX160 has rocker out the wazoo. I am 200 pounds. With me sitting in the PHX160 and not moving, there was about 18 inches of bow out of the water. The T160i, on the other hand, has all of the hull in the water with me in it.

In still water and no wind, the T160i has a higher top end speed, because it has more effective waterline length. I brought along a GPS for my trials. I was able to top 6.0MPH in the T160i, but could only manage 5.8MPH in the PHX160. I could sustain 30 second bursts of 5.5 in the T160i, but only 5.3 in the PHX160.

The PHX160 outglides the T160i. With another paddler of about the same weight, we did side-by-side glide tests in which we started out alongside each other, paddling hard, then started gliding at the same time. After about 10 seconds, as the speed dropped through about 4.5MPH, the PHX160 started to inch away from the T160i. I think that this means that, at normal paddling effort (which translates to about 3.7 MPH for me for a long haul), the PHX160 will be faster for the same amount of paddling effort. Stated differently, I think that the PHX160 will be less tiring paddling the same distance at normal paddling speed.

The PHX160 will never drain as fast as a T160i. The T160i has 6 scuppers in the cockpit alone, and two more in the tankwell. The PHX160 has two drains - one in the takwell, and one in the cockpit (all the way forward). The two drains are joined by a plastic tube to a single hole in the bottom of the hull. Yes - one hole. The bottom of the PHX160 is a thing of beauty - no channels and only one "ventral" hole. As I looked them over, though, I realized that the scuppers in the T160i are not totally there for drainage - they are actually structural support columns between the hull and deck. Why else would there be two scuppers behind the seat, in the very highest part of the cockpit - way above the floor? If those scuppers are draining, you are in a world of hurt. In fact, you aren't even sitting in the yak any more.

The PHX160 is way stiffer - period. Hard as a rock. Difficult to belive, because it is so much lighter.

The PHX160's forward hatch cover is very secure, while my T160i's forward hatch cover is totally insecure - it really needs a bungee over it.

I like the T160i's rudder system better than the PHX160.

(Purely subjective) I like the PHX160's cockpit layout much better. I think that the big center console in my T160i is a poor use of space - particularly with the water bottle holder. What a waste! A cylindrical depression that you can't mount squat on. WHO CARRIES A WATER BOTTLE THERE??? The PHX160 has a broad flat space in the front of the cockpit, with a "dashboard" on the forward wall. I really liked that-- room to mount stuff, and enough room in the forward part of the cockpit floor to carry a small tackle bag between your feet, and it not be in the way.

No dorking around trying to mount a fishfinder transducer in the PHX160 hull - you can actually glue something to it. I have experimented with polyethylene, and nothing is REALLY secure. The trylon will take a real mount.

The PHX160 is - I don't know how else to say this - a sexier boat. I mean, it just looks HOT.

What can I say - my T160i is about to be for sale!



Walker gave a very good and accurate account of my feelings as well. I, as many of you know, had a very nice Tarpon 140 that I enjoyed very much BUT had never paddled a T-160i before ... now I was able to paddle each for the first time back to back .. that was neat.
I paddled the T-160i first and have to say that I was very impressed with how comfortable it was and how well it paddled .. it is a rocket for a SOT.
I then paddled the Phoenix 160 and, as expected, It was a pleasure to paddle. The biggest difference between the two kayaks is the Maneuverability Factor. The PHX rules here for sure .. there is just no comparison. There are two major reasons for this ... The very smooth bottom verses the Tarpons 2 large "rails" and the fact that there is so much rocker in the PHX that there is probably only 14 1/2' or so of hull in the water .. that said the PHX 160 maneuvers much better than my Tarpon 140 did (again the two rails under the Tarpon). Pictures below.
Hurricane decided to go with this really neat looking scupper system which seems to use one of those motor-boat one-way bilge valves. I'm not convinced yet that I can get the PHX160 going fast enough for this valve to work like it was designed to do but time will tell on this one. I wouldn't take the PHX160 BtB .. myself .. and I really like my PHX140 in the surf zone and beyond although larger scuppers was my main suggestion for either yak. Nope .. Norm .. It's a bay boat unless they change the scupper setup (maybe a 12v pump between the scuppers)
I LOVE the Trylon material .. and have to heartedly agree with the DONZI comparison. The Hurricane line definitely are SWEET kayaks.


As I was prepping my PHX160 tonight, I found that some of the hardware attachments on it are with pop rivets. I didn't notice that on Monday as I should have. Granted, the pop rivets are for little non-structural things (pad eyes and carrying handles). All of the big stuff is bolted down.

But, it seems to me that since the PHX160 starts out in two pieces, it would be just as easy (and probably less expensive!) to use stainless machine screws, washers, and stop nuts everywhere. Maybe it is just a personal preference, but I will take machine screws over rivets any day.

Anyway, I filled in the heads of all of the pop rivets on the PHX160 with silicone so that they won't leak.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/2624ffp.jpg

[bnz]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/2waterlines.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/digginin.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/25u5q95.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/25u5x6t.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/25u5yxt.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/25uld8w.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/060828-180100.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/060828-180143.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/h1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/h2.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/h3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/h4.jpg

[bnz]

Comparisons w/ a 160i...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/060828-175416.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/25zl5cy.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/060828-175731.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/bnznet/Phoenix%20160/060828-175816.jpg

XXXfactor, I'm envious! http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

(Let the naysayers now commence with their comments because it isn't fiberglass and doesn't have "OK" stamped anywhere on it. http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif )

[vivian]

That PH160 has a ton of rocker fore and aft good for ocean swells but will sacrifice waterline length in flatwater paddling most of us do. The bow looks like it could be wind susceptible if not weighted down. Most fishermen never put anything in front hatches to trim out their boats and ride stern heavy with equipment. I wish he would have tried out the boat in the review loaded with gear for typical day trip.

[XXX]

bnz,,,
Looks like it will be everything we thought it might. But according the the reveiw, looks like the w/s is still a bit faster...
I called to check on mine yesterday & he thinks it might possibly be here next tuesday...

vivian,,,
When I put my big fat (you know what) in it next week, lets see how much rocker & wind resistance it has then ... http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/rofl.gif http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/rofl.gif http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/rofl.gif

[RiverRaider]

SWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!

Wow thats some serious rocker on that hull! How does she track ?

I was on Hurricanes site earlier today.. didnt see any of that? where did those pics come from? any more underside pics? thanks a ton to whoever provided those.. I like that clean clean cockpit layout... I want to paddle the 16' in the worst way!

I got so jazzed looking at the pics I didnt even realize there was a review there http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[puppy drum]

calfarmli,

Thank You! awesome pictures. I just have to decide which one to get(14 or 16).

[XXX]

river raider,,,
There are more pics on the texas kayak fishing site...If you do a search, there are about 3 to 5 threads with pics...
Also connie has several on his website,,,creative feathers in lamarque texas...