journal k ayaker’s Valley attains a worthy sequel to its


classic expedition kayak with the Etain. PHOTO: ALEX MATTHEWS


DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch a video interview with the Etain’s designer, Peter Orton


INSIDE OUT BY ALEX MATTHEWS The


Etain


BY VALLEY SEA KAYAKS


Valley may be the most venerable sea kayak manufacturer in the world. Their signature model—the Nordkapp—has achieved truly iconic status. But that kind of success cuts both ways: lauded for their classic kayaks, what can Valley do for an encore? The answer is a carefully planned departure


from classic form with the Etain. While Val- leys have traditionally been fish-form hulls (where the widest point of the boat is forward of the mid-point), the Etain is slightly Swede- form (widest point aft of the mid-point). Mov- ing the volume sternward generally creates better stability, more cargo capacity, improved sense of glide and allows the foredeck to be a little narrower to accommodate a more vertical paddle stroke. Aesthetically the Etain is a handsome, if


rather conventional looking, British sea kayak. The bow and stern are upswept, and the deck is clean and uncluttered. Refinements include carrying toggles neatly held in place by shock cords and a security lock bar aft of the cockpit. The Etain is available in two sizes: the 17.5


on test here and its larger sister the 17.7. Three lay-up options exist: standard diolene fiber- glass, carbon/Kevlar and triple-layer polyeth- ylene (17.7 only). Weighing in at 60 pounds with optional


keel strip reinforcement, our carbon/Kevlar test boat was no featherweight, but it was stiff


26 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SUMMER/FALL 2011


and neatly finished throughout. Afloat, the Etain has reassuring initial sta-


bility, certainly more than the Nordkapp. She’s not as fast as her famous sibling, but overall speed and glide are quite good and the boat ac- celerates quickly. The Etain also feels smaller than it really is thanks to the Swede-form shape. I really liked the seating position, find- ing it very comfortable and conducive to good control and drive. Tracking is quite stiff on an even keel. How-


ever, when edged aggressively the volume in the back of the boat allows the stern to skid round for tighter turns. The Etain feels great on edge when gliding through a turn or surfing a wave, but secondary stability is less reassuring when stationary. The Etain is well mannered in wind with


only a minor tendency to weathercock, which is easily controlled by adjusting the skeg. In waves and current, handling is poised and predictable with no unpleasant surprises: it’s a good choice for rough water duty. While not quite as fast or as maneuverable


as the Nordkapp, the Etain’s superior carrying capacity, tracking and initial stability make her a great choice for paddlers who want a depend- able and more user-friendly expedition kayak. As a touring platform, the Etain is a very cred- ible addition to the Valley family.


SERVICE-FRIENDLY SKEG The Valley skeg control works beauti- fully, and unlike most cable skeg sys- tems, the whole slider unit is designed for easy removal and servicing. Hallelujah!


PUMP THE KNEE BUMP With some subtle deck shaping remi- niscent of their surf-specific kayaks, Valley has created nicely defined knee pocket volume for plenty of legroom and comfort.


POD ‘N GO The foredeck day hatch is actually a completely separate pod held in place by the deck bungees and teth- ered against loss. It easily detaches from its dedicated recess in the deck so you can take it with you on land. Unfortunately, while all the other hatches remained bone dry, the pod took on some water.


VALLEY ETAIN 17.5 length .......................................17 ft 5 in width ............................................21 ¼ in weight ............................................60 lbs price ......$3,479 US Diolene (fiberglass) ...................... $4,349 US Carbon/Kevlar www.valleyseakayaks.com


PHOTOS: ALEX MATTHEWS


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