Looking for a fast kayak?

[Prof. Salt]

Viking makes an odd looking but sleek/fast boat called the Oxygen. I have been paddling a loaner for a few weeks and it can hit 8mph on flat water which is fun, but the real adventure takes place on the open bay when the wind is really whipping. Last night after work winds were blowing 21-31 and I hit 13mph on the kayak, but on this particular kayak the speed feels so much faster than that. My Stealth has hit 15mph in similar conditions but I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't have a gps on board because I had total control and nothing felt "on the edge". Control in choppy conditions is a skill that takes time to learn on a skinny boat like the 18' long 24" wide Oxygen but I'm getting there quickly. With water around 80 degrees, falling off the kayak is just a brief "cooling off" period before jumping right back on the waves, lol. I didn't put this one up on YouTube, but it's on the TKF Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/wgmadden/video ... 4394472417

[Dandydon]

Thanks for sharing such thrilling kayak speed racing, Professor. I'm impressed because my portable GPS once clocked my Outback at 5 mph, but I was pedaling AND paddling like a crazed demon. Can't keep that up for long.

Those narrow dart-like kayaks are amazing, but not for me because I might capsize. So my plastic chariots have always been at least 34" wide.

Quick correction: Last Spring my Outback attained 7 mph while Kickingback towed me w/ his powerful trolling motor mounted in his Hobie PA. Thanks, Charlie!

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[2 Weight Willie]

Vikings are so expensive tho...was looking at them when looking for a new kayak a few months ago...thats fast tho, 8. Wow.

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[Tombo]

Expensive is a relative term. Compared to many other kayaks, yes. Others like Hobie's are even higher priced. If you want to save money, get the kayak you want. First you will keep it longer, second is you will save money by not selling at a loss the kayak you bought as a compromise. Like I did .

[TexasJim]

Yeah, tombo: In guitars and amplifiers, there's a saying: Buy once, Cry once. TexasJim

[CaptJack]

the fastest of the plastic SOTs was the originial hull Wilderness Tarpon160
when they brought out the tankwell 160i model they flattened the hull which slowed it down