This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
journal k ayaker’s


Not your daddy’s sea kayak. PHOTO: STEVE ROGERS


INSIDE OUT BY TIM SHUFF Delphin 155 The BY P&H


The first day we tested the new P&H Del- phin in surf there was a ripping fall gale—ideal conditions for a boat aimed at maximizing sea kayaking’s rough water fun factor. The Delphin 155 was designed by Graham


Mackereth, owner of P&H and its whitewater arm, Pyranha, and Richard Taylor, contributing designer of Pyranha’s Molan and Varun white- water kayaks, with wish lists from surf-loving pro sea kayakers. So it’s no surprise that it blends the performance fit and playful lines of a white- water boat with sea kayak storage and speed. Paddling out in the Delphin is an immedi-


ate confidence boost. The rigid, triple-layer RM Corelite hull exudes compact strength and invincibility. The novice-friendly primary stability and easy, predictable edging encourage powerful strokes by erasing fear and hesitance. Pivoting around to line up a surf is nearly in-


stantaneous thanks to the Delphin’s short length, soft-chine midsection and flat bottom. Meeting the wind in profile, it’s equally happy to paddle, turn or just float in perfect neutrality. In a chaos of wind and waves, the Delphin cancels out op- posing forces, seeming to bob in her own micro- climate of calm—no need to drop the skeg. Heading inshore, the Delphin accelerates


quickly and catches waves with ease. P&H’s play gurus explain this as the effect of the hard


30 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SPRING 2011


chines at the bow, which “direct water onto the planing surface.” The Swede form and longer relative waterline achieved by the truncated, squared-off stern are two other factors that squeeze every shred of speed out of the Del- phin’s 15 feet, five inches. Staring down the face of a wave, we felt the usual fear of pitch poling into


none of


the trough. Chalk this up to the extra rocker, moved-back cockpit and generously propor- tioned cutter bow that P&H designed to float high and resist pearling on steep, fast waves. In their words, the bow “just kisses the water,” while the stern digs in for control and tracking. With all this design in your court, the Delphin virtually does the surfing for you. Suitable for a wide range of paddler sizes


and abilities—a lower volume version is also available for small to medium paddlers—the Delphin lives to surf, ride current and dance in wind. As you’d expect of an aggressively rockered, planing hull, you won’t win any rac- es against more destination-minded designs, but P&H is betting you’ll be having too much fun to care.


DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch a video review at Skookumchuck tidal rapid.


SHAPED TO SURF


The flat-bottomed planing hull is forgiving and incredibly maneuver- able. Partial hard chines at the bow and stern soften in the midsection for beautifully smooth edging and a rock-solid secondary sweet spot.


CONTROL CENTER Padded walls, aggressive thigh braces, contoured hip pads and a ratcheted backband borrow from whitewater outfitting and yield excellent plug-and-play fit and boat control. The skeg slider is well clear of the knees and the deck pod keeps a clutter-free foredeck.


BOLD BOW


The bow is the window to the Del- phin’s soul: upturned for maneuver- ability, full volume to reduce diving and aid resurfacing, with hard chines to channel water onto the hull for quick acceleration on a wave.


length .......................................15 ft 5 in width .............................................22.5 in weight ............................................58 lbs load rating ..........................143–275 lbs price ........................................ $1,799 US www.phseakayaks.com


INSET PHOTOS: TIM SHUFF


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56