P&H Delphin II 155 CLX sea/surf kayak

 

 

 WATCH THIS SPACE - REVIEW COMING IN 2023 (Due to a rash impulse purchase!)

 

The unique Delphin design is a big departure from the traditional British sea kayak shape and was like nothing seen before when it first hit the market.  A fusion of sea kayak and white water kayak design thinking it is designed to excel in playing, rock gardening and especially surfing with excellent manoeuvrability and with a bow section designed to promote early planing and reduce purling (nose diving). Originally I thought it was something of an ugly design but have to say it has grown on me especially as I now more appreciate the functionality of the shape. The squared of bow and stern should maximise waterline length, and hence speed, for a shorter kayak and the low back deck looks like it was made for rolling.  The slightly more rearwards than normal cockpit is designed to allow the bow to just kiss the surface which, together with the bow shape should help promote planing and help you turm more quickly.

 

As I spend most of my time in my sea kayaks now I decided two distinctly different kayaks made most sense to give me most flexibility and justify owning two sea kayaks with less of an overlap in functions!  The intention therefore is for my Delphin to become my primary play/rock gardening/surf boat but with potential to also be my novice guest boat.  I am then thinking of possibly replacing my Seabird Scott with a NDK Explorer as my main touring/expedition type boat.  The more heavily rockered Scott is probably ultimately a little more manoeuvrable than the Explorer so can double as a moderate play boat but the Explorer is a little faster.  I look forward to finding out for myself whether the hype surrounding the design and performance of the Delphin transfers into practice or whether I have made an expensive mistake! Unfortunately the purchase of the Delphin requires, for both storage space and economic reasons, the sale of my Dagger Katana much to the chagrin of my son who normally chooses to paddle it. I am hoping the surfing ability of the Delphin will win him over.

 

This Delphin MK II version updates the original design with additional hatches to increase touring potential a re-positioned skeg slider and also has built in fittings at the bow to allow a sail to be mounted without having to drill or modify the hull (I really want to try a sail as well!).  The Delphin reviewed here is of the Corelight X construction (Triple layer plastic) which should make it lighter and stiffer than single skin plastic kayaks to improve performance although possibly slightly less resilient.

  

 

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