Check out my new TH-cam channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
I was on the hunt for an Eddyline Sitka but found, tested, and fell in love with my Delta 14. It’s been great paddling around the Columbia and Willamette rivers here in the Portland area… couldn’t be happier. Love your channel, trips and reviews- appreciate your friendly and informative style. Thanks!
What Delta has going for it is a great GENERAL hull shape with excellent build quality. That's the key. The hull shape does everything well but, nothing the best-- good speed, good stability, solid feel and performance on big water. Delta's are also beginner friendly-- even their 22" performance line are really, really stable. This style of kayak favors a North American big water touring design. It is suited for someone who is into touring more than high end performance, although their 16' x 22" skeg model excels on the surf.
I have spent the last couple of years ocean kayaking in the Delta 14 around mid to South Vancouver Island. I've also paddled around some neighboring smaller islands. The water conditions here can go from calm to insane quickly! I have had some scary moments for sure, but my Delta kayak has never let me down! I've navigated through 5' waves coming at me from multiple directions. I've cut through tides working against me. Recently, my biggest challenge (and scare) was surviving a solo trip out to the Trial Islands. I had to synchronize my mind, body, spirit, and the Delta 14 together to live to kayak another day. No joke. It's a great kayak! The kayaker however, well, she got learned that day;)
I love my Delta kayak. I have a 15 s, which is a little smaller than this boat and is designed for smaller people. I've done multi-day camping trips in it, I've done a lot of rolling practice in it (although it is quite stable, so I've never accidentally tipped in it, even in really rough conditions), and it always performs well. Even when doing rolling practice, the hatches never leaked. They are wonderful boats.
This is the kayak I have, and as a novice it is fantastic. It's not the fastest (I have to really work it to keep up with the slew of P & H, Valley, and Romany boats everyone in the groups always seem to have), but the stability is remarkable. The first time I found myself in rough seas the swells were about 18 - 24 inches, which being my 4th paddle was enough to have me muttering holy crap, but within 5 minutes or so I was quite calm as I realized I didn't have any sense that I was tipping over. During that paddle I also realized that, planning on using it or not, always unhook your rudder so you can lower it if you need it. Mine wasn't. I couldn't. It would have been nice.
Had my Delta 16 since Dec 2019. Really enjoy paddling it. It's stable in all the conditions I've paddled, which is salt water, coastal. Have done a number of multi day paddles, the last was a 6 day paddle in the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand. No problem with fitting in all my gear, and I like a bit of comfort. The seat as Ken mentioned is comfortable for me. I have had to add an extra bungy from the back rest to the combing behind as the back rest folds down on to the seat when you're re-entering from the back deck. I have also added the additional hip pads to give me more a "fit" with the kayak. Helps when paddling in rougher water or playing in the surf. Lots of leg room, I can even fit a water bag in front of the pedals (have the rudder model). Scratches - yep have a few now, occupational hazard when you discover the depth wasn't what you expected when rock gardening. ;) Agree with a comment below in that the hatches need to be regularly lubricated or silicone sprayed to help easy them on and off. No problem with them being water tight though. Good seals. Recommend - definitely!
I really like this style of review. It's a lot more interesting to see you talk about the boat while going on a short trip like that. I like to see the boat being used rather than spending most of the time on the shore or garden talking about it afterwards. It's a lot more watchable and I think the information just comes out better and more relevant that way. One thing I would have liked to have seen is what the bottom of the boat looked like at the end of the trip. I dunno why, other than you talked about it so it made me curious. I would love a thermoform or composite kayak but they are just too expensive over here for my taste (and actually in thermoform terms there are very few to choose from). My 14'10" wavesport hydra is a roto-moulded boat. It's very fast and comfortable but at officially 25kg's (feels a bit more to me) it is right on the limit of what I can handle solo getting on and off the car.
Thanks! Glad you liked it! FYI: The bottom didn't look bad... you don't get deep scratches in thermoformed boats as you do in rotomolded. Happy paddling!
@@just-dl I haven't purchased yet. Went with a Sea Eagle razorlite for now to paddle with my dogs. I do plan to go with the 14 next season though. I had to cancel a big kayaking trip this summer, so just decided to wait.
@@brianbell2176 sorry to hear about the cancellation! Sounds like the 14 may have come out on top. I’m also looking at the eddyline Sitka lt. But I like the delta’s hard hatch covers. Looks like it could truly be one-handed operation. And what Ken said about seat comfort was music to my…well, my keister rejoices! Need to check out the sea eagle. Doesn’t ring bells…,
Hi Ken, Just off the ocean in my Delta 15.5. I get home, and you are paddling the river at the bottom of the street in my old hometown. Love this boat, and for me, it is made locally. I tried the 14.5 and decided to add the foot. It has an incredible capacity for camping and is a pleasure to paddle. Blakeney is acceptable in the spring but pretty iffy in the summer.
That's awesome! It was a beautiful run. Looking forward to exploring section upstream of Almonte next! Might not happen until next spring when there's more water though. :). Cheers!
Great video Ken! I enjoyed this style of review with you taking it on a short trip. It really shows the boat being used in a way that we might be using it. The regular style review videos may technically be better since they focus even more on the gear and probably shouldn't go away, but this was great.
Glad to see your finally got to review a Delta! I've got a 15S, which is 2" narrower and from their performance touring lineup, it's been a great kayak so far. Biggest water I've dealt with so far is about 1M or so waves on Lake Ontario, which is a blast to play in. Going to take it kayak Camping this fall as well, so far it fits all my gear with room to spare as well. I outfitted mine with some DIY hip pads, and have rolled it lots of times. I find it to be fairly quick and fun to paddle. Definitely good stability, I've yet to worry about big waves coming at me. Thanks for the video Ken!
Thank you Ken for reviewing Delta 15.5. GT kayak. I was looking forward to your opinion on this kayak maker's design and features. Keep them coming Ken!
I was considering upgrading to a Delta from my WS Pungo 120, so I'm glad you did this video. While it's true that it's not an inexpensive kayak, as a Canadian myself buying a Canadian product, the price is considerably less than buying a similar imported US or foreign made kayak.
Thanks Ken, great you finally got one to test but I will admit, I wouldn’t take the risk of hull cracks in those rapids - even though thermoformed boats can be repaired relatively easily, I think most people would be using a roto-molded boat for sure. Delta should bring back the mango color that was so popular. I have found that they are good combination of maneuverability, speed and stability, and they sure do hold a lot of gear for longer trips. With skeg only, you save a couple pounds and don’t have to worry about a rudder getting in the way of loading it on your car (you can pack gear around the skeg box with no problem). However, from most dealers, a person has to order one with a skeg because rudder versions are more often popular and in stock. The hatches are great if you keep the seals lubricated frequently. I think Delta has one of the most comfortable seat systems among the popular touring kayaks, because the seat pan is longer and has some under-thigh support (some brands don’t have any), and if you move the seat pan back to the rear position, it plants the stern well enough to track and maneuver fine with just using paddle strokes. Eddyline is the only major thermoformed brand left that you haven’t tested yet, hopefully you can get one eventually.
I won't lie... I worked my way through that set of rapids very slowly! If I was in a rotomolded kayak, I would have been down about 5x quicker. :). So nice to paddle on the flats though! Thanks for sharing your experience with them. Great point about the keg too... Skegs are my preference for sure.
Well, what a treat to finally see a review in the use of this kayak! I’ve owned my Delta 15.5 GT for 3 months now, and have had it out 29 times so far. I’m absolutely positive I made the right choice here. I bought it primarily for touring/camping and find that it is a joy to have it out for any reason. The thing that stands out for me, is the hull design. The upswept bow keeps me dry when in significant waves, and the pronounced chine is confidence inspiring when edging. I will say that edging with the rudder down is difficult, so I just flip it up if I’m in a tight section of river. The stowage capacity in the hatches has been quite generous and I haven’t found occasion to fill it completely yet. I would imagine that I could put several week’s worth of gear in them for a long tour. As for whitewater? Better you than me ;)
I bought that exact boat, same colour from "White Squall" in Parry Sound this summer. Great boat. I paddle Georgian Bay all the time. I had a Delta 17 for fifteen years. Traded it in on the 15.5. Wanted something just a bit shorter. These boats have massive storage also. Great video.
I loved your paddle adventure, combined with the kayak review. I also paddle a thermoformed touring kayak, the Riot Edge 14.5, and I wonder how much it can take on impact. I have a few scratches, but they are amazingly superficial. It is more robust than it looks. I want to do some winter kayaking, but I think this material could get brittle in the cold. By the way, I used to paddle the Intex Challenger K1 and commented when you reviewed the boat. Your answer was so kind that I stopped feeling bad about having just that little cheap boat that no one else took seriously. So I kept paddling, and now I have a better-paid job and could afford the Riot Edge. Thank you for your encouragement!
I don't know how much a thermoformed kayak could take before breaking. It deals with scrapes well, but I wouldn't want to hit it too hard on rocks - especially on the side of the kayak. They do warrant taking better care of than a rotomolded kayaks, and I think your assumption that they could be more fragile in sub-zero weather is probably valid. It's worth sending Riot that question directly! Otherwise, I'm so glad to hear my Intex Challenger review was encouraging! I love to hear about people that 'discover' kayaking, and then continue to evolve/develop as paddlers! Congrats! Your journey has only begun! :)
@@PaddleTV It's a good idea to write to Riot Kayaks and ask them. As I am a bit older, I can't carry heavy boats, so thermoformed kayaks are a good option for me. I am cautious about hitting rocks. I enter or exit in shallow water where the boat is still afloat instead of driving it up on shore. Your lessons about paddling techniques also helped me a lot. I started using them with the Intex Challenger, and even then, it made a difference. In the Riot kayak, it's a dream of how efficient they are. In the last weeks, I tried the draw strokes you showed, and to my surprise, they worked really well. It is so much fun to be able to do it. So thanks again! Your content is helping a lot!
Riot went out of business three years ago. The owner high-tailed it to Thailand leaving creditors high and dry and the company way in debt. But they had a magnificent garage sale.
I really like the Delta Kayaks....they are beautiful. Delta and Eddyline make such great looking kayaks. You can tell they are a cut above...I have seen that you can order your Delta with a skeg if you prefer...they keep their shine and perform well. Thanks for your review...I'll see you on the water.
I've been waiting for a review of a Delta paddled on a small river with 1-2 class rapids. Considering getting a Delta 14. My only hestitation is that most of my camping trips are on small to medium sized rivers. I'm feeling a lot more positive about Delta boats in these conditions after watching your video! Thanks!
Please do not paddle your new Delta in WW!! There are kayaks made that are specially build to be crossover whitewater/flat-water boats. At the very least, if you must buy a touring kayak, get one the is rotomolded. It might stand a chance!
@@marksmithj9892I'm not planning on any whitewater paddling. I do have a rotomolded boat for those conditions. However, depending on water levels it's not uncommon, recently, to encounter some riffles.
My girlfriend and I bought a couple of 14’ pelican touring kayaks a couple years ago, and they’ve been good starter boats. But now we’re looking to up grade. I’ve actually been looking at this particular model for a while. So I’m super stoked that you did this review. Thank you you’ve definitely helped me to make a choice.
Slow tubs? What world do you live in? I'm not saying that Valley or Sterling Kayaks aren't nice... but to call this kayak a slow tub is totally off base. The Delta will be a little slower because it's a little wider. The flip side is that it will be more stable than the Valley or Sterling kayaks.
@@joethi4981 Slow tub? Delta is not a barge. I have maintained 8-9 kph with a Greenland paddle with my Delta 17. Even today I was holding 7 kph with minimal effort with a Lendal Cadance paddle with the same Delta 17. The Delta 15.5 would be a good choice as an upgrade from a Pelican 14 foot kayak.
Its about time Ken! The Canadian-made Delta's are fantastic kayaks. I have a 12.10 that suits my needs, but a 15 may be a future purchase after watching your review. Great kayaks for lakes and open water. Can't go wrong with a Delta!
thanks Ken, another great gear review. Always admired the look and finish of Delta kayaks, but its the performance that really matters, and if you're impressed that tells me a lot. Cheers!
Woah a video review on this! I bought this kayak used from someone ~ 3 years ago as my first ever kayak. Cool to finally see some videos on it. Will be interesting to watch! I don't know what to compare it to
Thanks for doing this review, I had been looking forward to a Delta review. My Delta 14.5 was the best kayak I ever owned. It was great for camping with large storage areas and large hatches. I did find the hatches a little difficult to put on though. Mine held up well even though I banged it on the cement pretty hard more often then I should have getting it off the car. Would love to see an Eddyline review as I'm considering one if I can find a place to store a full sized kayak again
Your review cemented my decision to purchase one a month ago. I've been debating between this and Eddyline XT (used), but this has far more storage capacity. It ended up being a win win anyways. My wife eventually got the XT.
I paddled a Delta kayak, I think it was 17', on a slightly bumpy lake and my feelings were similar to yours: not bad at all. I found that I preferred the overall feel of the Delta plastic boat to the fiberglass boats that I have usually paddled. I cannot articulate that any better, but I really liked the material the Delta was made of. I wonder if the Delta construction/material absorbs big wave energy better than a 'glass boat'?
my size 12 clod hopper feets fit nicely in my Delta 17. Agree much longer than 35-36" inseam and you would have problems. Have been on 9 day trip with room left over in my hatches. The only thing with hatches is they need regular lubrication on the rubber. The seat while good does get uncomfortable after several hours non-stop paddling for several days in a row. Upgraded my seat pad to a jackson sweet cheeks. Hip pads are a good upgrade also to add.
Fantastic review! Definitely love seeing the kayaks in action. I'm currently looking at the Eddyline Sitka LT and the Delta 15.5 GT. Looking to go back to a hard shell vs. my Sea Eagle 393 Razorlite. In general, I prefer the Delta (on paper--as I've had no chance to test either kayak). My concern with the Delta is the cockpit length. I'm short (5'2" with a 28" inseam--hopefully I can reach the footrests at the shortest setting) but chunky and worry about getting my legs tucked in (I'm not as flexible as before the weight came on--lol). The Eddyline cockpit has a couple of extra inches that might give me the space to get my legs in. lol But I still really like the Delta. Thank you for providing more insight into this kayak.
Glad you liked it! I can't help with the footrest length, but as I remember it, the cockpit of the 15.5GT Was quite roomy for my legs. It's not a low deck that makes it feel tight. I think you'd be fine in it.
This video was fantastic, especially seeing you paddle down the rough water! I am actually heading to check out a Melker Rodloga next weekend after watching your review of it. was trying to decide between the PH volan and the Rodloga and the aesthetic of the Melker draws my attention.. would you say they are comparable boats performance wise? or would you have a high preference towards the volan for any reasons?
Yikes... that's a tough question. Both kayaks perform very similarly - really well and playfully. The pros for the Volan are the outfitting and the weight. P&H has really dialled their outfitting over the years. The Rodloga isn't bad... it's just not as good/advanced. The Volan also comes lighter than the Rodloga. On the flip side, the Volan is significantly more expensive than the Rodloga... I would have a hard time deciding between these. The great thing is that you can't go wrong with either! They're both beautiful.
@@PaddleTV thank you for the response! I'm hoping to test them both out and be able to decide that way. Great video, I like to watch even when it's not a kayak in interested in.
Ken,Have you or could you do a video on how to do class 1-3 rapids? I would hate to find myself faced with one in my 14' or 17' airolite kayak & not know the proper way to handle it.
Great format Ken, and I was especially chuffed to see your review, literally a few hours before I set out in my 15.5GT. The boat is brand new to me and I'm still getting everything dialed in. As a disabled paddler (partially paralyzed left leg), not being able to properly operate the rudder, I chose the Skeg option. So far I'm loving the boat. I wanted a solid cruiser with which I can expand my ambitions over time, it's impressing me. I am however, experiencing numbness in my legs (more acute in my left leg) after about 45-60 mins. I'm committed to resolving this with exercise, time in the seat, and tweaks regarding fit. Do you have any advice?
Hmmmm... That's a tricky one. Have you paddled a similar style (touring/sea kayak) before, without the numbness? If yes, that's where I would like to identify any obvious differences. If not, it might just be the sitting style of this type of kayak. If you get a chance to try a different touring kayak, that would be a great test to find out if the same thing happens with it. If it doesn't, maybe it's a pressure point. If it does... it could be the general sitting position. You might need a kayak that has a slightly elevated sitting position. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
@@PaddleTV I've not had an opportunity to paddle similar touring/sea kayaks. Started paddling last season and worked my way up to 3-4 hours in the seat of a Perception Expression 11.5, which I'd classify as a light touring/recreational. I'll work on different seating positions/fitment, and try to gain access to other boats. Appreciate the advice, thx!
would you recommend this boat to a 6'2" 275lb paddler? currently using old town sportsman 120, but it's too slow... takes forever to get anywhere... want some thing that is somewhat stable but glides through water better. paddling mostly lakes and slow rivers.
I'm 6'3" 270 and I just bought this today. After jumping in and out of the PH, Eddyline and another, this one had the best seat and was the easiest to get in and out of. Haven't had it on the water yet. Would have preferred the P&H Virgo HV as the roto-mold is tougher than thermo-mold. Getting in and out on both was easy (easier than the eddyline). P&H seat was NOT comfortable for me as the seat contour is too narrow for my hips where the Delta seat is very nice.
An inflatable PFD definitely would be good in the heat, but it's not a good choice if you're paddling in any serious current, and so the rapids I was running made a foam PFD the right choice.
Bonjour depuis la Guadeloupe (French West Indies) mais les Canadiens savent où se situe la Guadeloupe ! Ce que j'apprécie dans ce type de vidéos, c'est avant tout de savoir si le kayak testé est compatible avec le programme prévisionnel et la personne qui sera dedans !
Agreed! This channel caters to beginner/inexperienced paddlers. Usually the information provided is great, but paddling a kayak like this in WW is most certainly inappropriate. It’s a poor test of this boat’s abilities and gives the impression that this is a common practice. If you want to put the 15.5 to the test, fill it with gear and paddle some windy open water.
there's a lot of your face appearing all the time in the video instead of filming nature and the landscape if you want to admire yourself buy a mirror or change the title of the video to filming myself and a little bit of nature
If you want nature and landscape watch Love Nature. At least when he was facing the camera and his lips were flapping, they were giving useful information. Crawl back into your cave Chad.
Check out my new TH-cam channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
I was on the hunt for an Eddyline Sitka but found, tested, and fell in love with my Delta 14. It’s been great paddling around the Columbia and Willamette rivers here in the Portland area… couldn’t be happier. Love your channel, trips and reviews- appreciate your friendly and informative style. Thanks!
What Delta has going for it is a great GENERAL hull shape with excellent build quality.
That's the key. The hull shape does everything well but, nothing the best-- good speed, good stability, solid feel and performance on big water. Delta's are also beginner friendly-- even their 22" performance line are really, really stable. This style of kayak favors a North American big water touring design. It is suited for someone who is into touring more than high end performance, although their 16' x 22" skeg model excels on the surf.
I agree! Great all-round touring kayak. Fun and stable! I look forward to trying one of their 'Performance Touring' models!
I have spent the last couple of years ocean kayaking in the Delta 14 around mid to South Vancouver Island. I've also paddled around some neighboring smaller islands. The water conditions here can go from calm to insane quickly! I have had some scary moments for sure, but my Delta kayak has never let me down! I've navigated through 5' waves coming at me from multiple directions. I've cut through tides working against me. Recently, my biggest challenge (and scare) was surviving a solo trip out to the Trial Islands. I had to synchronize my mind, body, spirit, and the Delta 14 together to live to kayak another day. No joke. It's a great kayak! The kayaker however, well, she got learned that day;)
I love my Delta kayak. I have a 15 s, which is a little smaller than this boat and is designed for smaller people. I've done multi-day camping trips in it, I've done a lot of rolling practice in it (although it is quite stable, so I've never accidentally tipped in it, even in really rough conditions), and it always performs well. Even when doing rolling practice, the hatches never leaked. They are wonderful boats.
This is the kayak I have, and as a novice it is fantastic. It's not the fastest (I have to really work it to keep up with the slew of P & H, Valley, and Romany boats everyone in the groups always seem to have), but the stability is remarkable. The first time I found myself in rough seas the swells were about 18 - 24 inches, which being my 4th paddle was enough to have me muttering holy crap, but within 5 minutes or so I was quite calm as I realized I didn't have any sense that I was tipping over.
During that paddle I also realized that, planning on using it or not, always unhook your rudder so you can lower it if you need it. Mine wasn't. I couldn't. It would have been nice.
You can use the blade of paddle reaching out to unhook the rudder. I did that all the time, since the 15.5GT is sooo stable to turn your head back.
Had my Delta 16 since Dec 2019. Really enjoy paddling it. It's stable in all the conditions I've paddled, which is salt water, coastal. Have done a number of multi day paddles, the last was a 6 day paddle in the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand. No problem with fitting in all my gear, and I like a bit of comfort. The seat as Ken mentioned is comfortable for me. I have had to add an extra bungy from the back rest to the combing behind as the back rest folds down on to the seat when you're re-entering from the back deck. I have also added the additional hip pads to give me more a "fit" with the kayak. Helps when paddling in rougher water or playing in the surf. Lots of leg room, I can even fit a water bag in front of the pedals (have the rudder model).
Scratches - yep have a few now, occupational hazard when you discover the depth wasn't what you expected when rock gardening. ;) Agree with a comment below in that the hatches need to be regularly lubricated or silicone sprayed to help easy them on and off. No problem with them being water tight though. Good seals.
Recommend - definitely!
Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
I really like this style of review. It's a lot more interesting to see you talk about the boat while going on a short trip like that. I like to see the boat being used rather than spending most of the time on the shore or garden talking about it afterwards. It's a lot more watchable and I think the information just comes out better and more relevant that way. One thing I would have liked to have seen is what the bottom of the boat looked like at the end of the trip. I dunno why, other than you talked about it so it made me curious.
I would love a thermoform or composite kayak but they are just too expensive over here for my taste (and actually in thermoform terms there are very few to choose from). My 14'10" wavesport hydra is a roto-moulded boat. It's very fast and comfortable but at officially 25kg's (feels a bit more to me) it is right on the limit of what I can handle solo getting on and off the car.
Thanks! Glad you liked it! FYI: The bottom didn't look bad... you don't get deep scratches in thermoformed boats as you do in rotomolded. Happy paddling!
I've been waiting for this. Narrowed my choice for new kayak down to this and Delta 14 for exploration and kayak camping. Thanks Ken!
My pleasure!!
Have you made your choice? The 14 is of interest to me, too. I want the skeg. Prefer to not have a rudder.
@@just-dl I haven't purchased yet. Went with a Sea Eagle razorlite for now to paddle with my dogs. I do plan to go with the 14 next season though. I had to cancel a big kayaking trip this summer, so just decided to wait.
@@brianbell2176 sorry to hear about the cancellation! Sounds like the 14 may have come out on top. I’m also looking at the eddyline Sitka lt. But I like the delta’s hard hatch covers. Looks like it could truly be one-handed operation. And what Ken said about seat comfort was music to my…well, my keister rejoices! Need to check out the sea eagle. Doesn’t ring bells…,
Hi Ken, Just off the ocean in my Delta 15.5. I get home, and you are paddling the river at the bottom of the street in my old hometown. Love this boat, and for me, it is made locally. I tried the 14.5 and decided to add the foot. It has an incredible capacity for camping and is a pleasure to paddle. Blakeney is acceptable in the spring but pretty iffy in the summer.
That's awesome! It was a beautiful run. Looking forward to exploring section upstream of Almonte next! Might not happen until next spring when there's more water though. :). Cheers!
Great video Ken! I enjoyed this style of review with you taking it on a short trip. It really shows the boat being used in a way that we might be using it. The regular style review videos may technically be better since they focus even more on the gear and probably shouldn't go away, but this was great.
Thanks! I had a blast doing this. Great excuse to go exploring. :)
Glad to see your finally got to review a Delta! I've got a 15S, which is 2" narrower and from their performance touring lineup, it's been a great kayak so far. Biggest water I've dealt with so far is about 1M or so waves on Lake Ontario, which is a blast to play in. Going to take it kayak Camping this fall as well, so far it fits all my gear with room to spare as well.
I outfitted mine with some DIY hip pads, and have rolled it lots of times. I find it to be fairly quick and fun to paddle. Definitely good stability, I've yet to worry about big waves coming at me.
Thanks for the video Ken!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Ken for reviewing Delta 15.5. GT kayak. I was looking forward to your opinion on this kayak maker's design and features. Keep them coming Ken!
My pleasure! I'm really glad I got a chance to try one!
I was considering upgrading to a Delta from my WS Pungo 120, so I'm glad you did this video. While it's true that it's not an inexpensive kayak, as a Canadian myself buying a Canadian product, the price is considerably less than buying a similar imported US or foreign made kayak.
Cheers!
Thanks Ken, great you finally got one to test but I will admit, I wouldn’t take the risk of hull cracks in those rapids - even though thermoformed boats can be repaired relatively easily, I think most people would be using a roto-molded boat for sure. Delta should bring back the mango color that was so popular. I have found that they are good combination of maneuverability, speed and stability, and they sure do hold a lot of gear for longer trips. With skeg only, you save a couple pounds and don’t have to worry about a rudder getting in the way of loading it on your car (you can pack gear around the skeg box with no problem). However, from most dealers, a person has to order one with a skeg because rudder versions are more often popular and in stock. The hatches are great if you keep the seals lubricated frequently. I think Delta has one of the most comfortable seat systems among the popular touring kayaks, because the seat pan is longer and has some under-thigh support (some brands don’t have any), and if you move the seat pan back to the rear position, it plants the stern well enough to track and maneuver fine with just using paddle strokes. Eddyline is the only major thermoformed brand left that you haven’t tested yet, hopefully you can get one eventually.
I agree and hope you (Ken) can test an Eddyline kayak and then compare that with the Delta and the Hurricane kayaks.
I won't lie... I worked my way through that set of rapids very slowly! If I was in a rotomolded kayak, I would have been down about 5x quicker. :). So nice to paddle on the flats though! Thanks for sharing your experience with them. Great point about the keg too... Skegs are my preference for sure.
Well, what a treat to finally see a review in the use of this kayak! I’ve owned my Delta 15.5 GT for 3 months now, and have had it out 29 times so far. I’m absolutely positive I made the right choice here. I bought it primarily for touring/camping and find that it is a joy to have it out for any reason. The thing that stands out for me, is the hull design. The upswept bow keeps me dry when in significant waves, and the pronounced chine is confidence inspiring when edging. I will say that edging with the rudder down is difficult, so I just flip it up if I’m in a tight section of river.
The stowage capacity in the hatches has been quite generous and I haven’t found occasion to fill it completely yet. I would imagine that I could put several week’s worth of gear in them for a long tour.
As for whitewater? Better you than me ;)
Thanks for sharing Scott!
I bought that exact boat, same colour from "White Squall" in Parry Sound this summer. Great boat. I paddle Georgian Bay all the time. I had a Delta 17 for fifteen years. Traded it in on the 15.5. Wanted something just a bit shorter. These boats have massive storage also. Great video.
I loved your paddle adventure, combined with the kayak review. I also paddle a thermoformed touring kayak, the Riot Edge 14.5, and I wonder how much it can take on impact. I have a few scratches, but they are amazingly superficial. It is more robust than it looks. I want to do some winter kayaking, but I think this material could get brittle in the cold. By the way, I used to paddle the Intex Challenger K1 and commented when you reviewed the boat. Your answer was so kind that I stopped feeling bad about having just that little cheap boat that no one else took seriously. So I kept paddling, and now I have a better-paid job and could afford the Riot Edge. Thank you for your encouragement!
I don't know how much a thermoformed kayak could take before breaking. It deals with scrapes well, but I wouldn't want to hit it too hard on rocks - especially on the side of the kayak. They do warrant taking better care of than a rotomolded kayaks, and I think your assumption that they could be more fragile in sub-zero weather is probably valid. It's worth sending Riot that question directly! Otherwise, I'm so glad to hear my Intex Challenger review was encouraging! I love to hear about people that 'discover' kayaking, and then continue to evolve/develop as paddlers! Congrats! Your journey has only begun! :)
@@PaddleTV It's a good idea to write to Riot Kayaks and ask them. As I am a bit older, I can't carry heavy boats, so thermoformed kayaks are a good option for me. I am cautious about hitting rocks. I enter or exit in shallow water where the boat is still afloat instead of driving it up on shore. Your lessons about paddling techniques also helped me a lot. I started using them with the Intex Challenger, and even then, it made a difference. In the Riot kayak, it's a dream of how efficient they are. In the last weeks, I tried the draw strokes you showed, and to my surprise, they worked really well. It is so much fun to be able to do it. So thanks again! Your content is helping a lot!
Riot went out of business three years ago. The owner high-tailed it to Thailand leaving creditors high and dry and the company way in debt. But they had a magnificent garage sale.
I really like the Delta Kayaks....they are beautiful.
Delta and Eddyline make such great looking kayaks.
You can tell they are a cut above...I have seen that you can order
your Delta with a skeg if you prefer...they keep their shine and perform well.
Thanks for your review...I'll see you on the water.
Cheers! Hope you have a good summer of paddling!
@@PaddleTV Thanks..I live in Fl and can paddle all year long.
I've been waiting for a review of a Delta paddled on a small river with 1-2 class rapids. Considering getting a Delta 14. My only hestitation is that most of my camping trips are on small to medium sized rivers. I'm feeling a lot more positive about Delta boats in these conditions after watching your video! Thanks!
Yup. It definitely wasn't designed for running creeky rapids like this, but it's a very versatile boat.
Please do not paddle your new Delta in WW!! There are kayaks made that are specially build to be crossover whitewater/flat-water boats. At the very least, if you must buy a touring kayak, get one the is rotomolded. It might stand a chance!
@@marksmithj9892I'm not planning on any whitewater paddling. I do have a rotomolded boat for those conditions. However, depending on water levels it's not uncommon, recently, to encounter some riffles.
My girlfriend and I bought a couple of 14’ pelican touring kayaks a couple years ago, and they’ve been good starter boats. But now we’re looking to up grade. I’ve actually been looking at this particular model for a while. So I’m super stoked that you did this review. Thank you you’ve definitely helped me to make a choice.
Don't buy these kayaks as they are like slow tubs. Buy Valley or Sterling Kayaks. They are beautiful and you will never get bored.
Happy to help!
Slow tubs? What world do you live in? I'm not saying that Valley or Sterling Kayaks aren't nice... but to call this kayak a slow tub is totally off base. The Delta will be a little slower because it's a little wider. The flip side is that it will be more stable than the Valley or Sterling kayaks.
@@joethi4981 Slow tub? Delta is not a barge. I have maintained 8-9 kph with a Greenland paddle with my Delta 17.
Even today I was holding 7 kph with minimal effort with a Lendal Cadance paddle with the same Delta 17.
The Delta 15.5 would be a good choice as an upgrade from a Pelican 14 foot kayak.
@@joethi4981 $2400 vs $7100+. Sure hope they are 3X as fast and 3X as tough
Its about time Ken! The Canadian-made Delta's are fantastic kayaks. I have a 12.10 that suits my needs, but a 15 may be a future purchase after watching your review. Great kayaks for lakes and open water. Can't go wrong with a Delta!
Ha! Yes it is about time. :). It was worth the wait. :)
thanks Ken, another great gear review. Always admired the look and finish of Delta kayaks, but its the performance that really matters, and if you're impressed that tells me a lot. Cheers!
Woah a video review on this! I bought this kayak used from someone ~ 3 years ago as my first ever kayak. Cool to finally see some videos on it. Will be interesting to watch! I don't know what to compare it to
Great review, but I would love to have seen the bottom of that Delta after the rapids. I suspect it needed more than a little lovin'... 😁
Very enjoyable review! Love this format for a review. Cheers Ken!
Love it! I love the Deltas. We uses 3 different Deltas in our family and each one of them are fantastic
:)
Thanks for doing this review, I had been looking forward to a Delta review. My Delta 14.5 was the best kayak I ever owned. It was great for camping with large storage areas and large hatches. I did find the hatches a little difficult to put on though. Mine held up well even though I banged it on the cement pretty hard more often then I should have getting it off the car.
Would love to see an Eddyline review as I'm considering one if I can find a place to store a full sized kayak again
Your review cemented my decision to purchase one a month ago. I've been debating between this and Eddyline XT (used), but this has far more storage capacity. It ended up being a win win anyways. My wife eventually got the XT.
I paddled a Delta kayak, I think it was 17', on a slightly bumpy lake and my feelings were similar to yours: not bad at all. I found that I preferred the overall feel of the Delta plastic boat to the fiberglass boats that I have usually paddled. I cannot articulate that any better, but I really liked the material the Delta was made of. I wonder if the Delta construction/material absorbs big wave energy better than a 'glass boat'?
my size 12 clod hopper feets fit nicely in my Delta 17.
Agree much longer than 35-36" inseam and you would have problems.
Have been on 9 day trip with room left over in my hatches.
The only thing with hatches is they need regular lubrication on the rubber.
The seat while good does get uncomfortable after several hours non-stop paddling for several days in a row. Upgraded my seat pad to a jackson sweet cheeks.
Hip pads are a good upgrade also to add.
Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try one of Delta's Performance Touring kayaks like you have!
@@PaddleTV If you're ever in Durham Region I'd be more than happy to let you at mine
Fantastic review! Definitely love seeing the kayaks in action. I'm currently looking at the Eddyline Sitka LT and the Delta 15.5 GT. Looking to go back to a hard shell vs. my Sea Eagle 393 Razorlite. In general, I prefer the Delta (on paper--as I've had no chance to test either kayak). My concern with the Delta is the cockpit length. I'm short (5'2" with a 28" inseam--hopefully I can reach the footrests at the shortest setting) but chunky and worry about getting my legs tucked in (I'm not as flexible as before the weight came on--lol). The Eddyline cockpit has a couple of extra inches that might give me the space to get my legs in. lol But I still really like the Delta. Thank you for providing more insight into this kayak.
Glad you liked it! I can't help with the footrest length, but as I remember it, the cockpit of the 15.5GT Was quite roomy for my legs. It's not a low deck that makes it feel tight. I think you'd be fine in it.
This video was fantastic, especially seeing you paddle down the rough water! I am actually heading to check out a Melker Rodloga next weekend after watching your review of it. was trying to decide between the PH volan and the Rodloga and the aesthetic of the Melker draws my attention.. would you say they are comparable boats performance wise? or would you have a high preference towards the volan for any reasons?
Yikes... that's a tough question. Both kayaks perform very similarly - really well and playfully. The pros for the Volan are the outfitting and the weight. P&H has really dialled their outfitting over the years. The Rodloga isn't bad... it's just not as good/advanced. The Volan also comes lighter than the Rodloga. On the flip side, the Volan is significantly more expensive than the Rodloga... I would have a hard time deciding between these. The great thing is that you can't go wrong with either! They're both beautiful.
@@PaddleTV thank you for the response! I'm hoping to test them both out and be able to decide that way. Great video, I like to watch even when it's not a kayak in interested in.
Yep love them
Great review !!! Love to hear your thoughts on the Delta 12 AR
Thanks
looking at the delta and eddyline, what is the better built more rugged boat?
I wanted to see the scratches but hey, a good watch.
If you could only have one " weekend warrior " boat which would you choose ? Delta Kayak 15.5 GT OR P&H Virgo
We were there last weekend! Great spot! 👋😎👍
Nice! It is beautiful. Look forward to exploring upstream of Almonte.
Ken,Have you or could you do a video on how to do class 1-3 rapids? I would hate to find myself faced with one in my 14' or 17' airolite kayak & not know the proper way to handle it.
I would have fun doing that! :)
Im tossed between the 15.5 and the 16..... 195 lbs 5'10" beginner kayaker but intermediate canoe paddler.
Great format Ken, and I was especially chuffed to see your review, literally a few hours before I set out in my 15.5GT. The boat is brand new to me and I'm still getting everything dialed in. As a disabled paddler (partially paralyzed left leg), not being able to properly operate the rudder, I chose the Skeg option.
So far I'm loving the boat. I wanted a solid cruiser with which I can expand my ambitions over time, it's impressing me.
I am however, experiencing numbness in my legs (more acute in my left leg) after about 45-60 mins. I'm committed to resolving this with exercise, time in the seat, and tweaks regarding fit. Do you have any advice?
Hmmmm... That's a tricky one. Have you paddled a similar style (touring/sea kayak) before, without the numbness? If yes, that's where I would like to identify any obvious differences. If not, it might just be the sitting style of this type of kayak. If you get a chance to try a different touring kayak, that would be a great test to find out if the same thing happens with it. If it doesn't, maybe it's a pressure point. If it does... it could be the general sitting position. You might need a kayak that has a slightly elevated sitting position. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
@@PaddleTV I've not had an opportunity to paddle similar touring/sea kayaks. Started paddling last season and worked my way up to 3-4 hours in the seat of a Perception Expression 11.5, which I'd classify as a light touring/recreational. I'll work on different seating positions/fitment, and try to gain access to other boats. Appreciate the advice, thx!
would you recommend this boat to a 6'2" 275lb paddler? currently using old town sportsman 120, but it's too slow... takes forever to get anywhere... want some thing that is somewhat stable but glides through water better. paddling mostly lakes and slow rivers.
I'm 6'3" 270 and I just bought this today. After jumping in and out of the PH, Eddyline and another, this one had the best seat and was the easiest to get in and out of. Haven't had it on the water yet. Would have preferred the P&H Virgo HV as the roto-mold is tougher than thermo-mold. Getting in and out on both was easy (easier than the eddyline). P&H seat was NOT comfortable for me as the seat contour is too narrow for my hips where the Delta seat is very nice.
Underrated brand! CANADA😎 👊
Well, today I learned there’s a Mississippi River in Canada too.
Our Mississippi is a little smaller than yours! :)
Good stuff. Thanks!
"This boat has gone from new to used" haha
The is " blow-moulding" such as Prijon and a few others
i have pakayak does is the delta 15..5 gt more stable
As best I can remember, they're pretty similar in stability.
@@PaddleTV thank you keep up good work
Why not wear an inflatable PFD in the hot weather?
An inflatable PFD definitely would be good in the heat, but it's not a good choice if you're paddling in any serious current, and so the rapids I was running made a foam PFD the right choice.
Bonjour depuis la Guadeloupe (French West Indies) mais les Canadiens savent où se situe la Guadeloupe !
Ce que j'apprécie dans ce type de vidéos, c'est avant tout de savoir si le kayak testé est compatible avec le programme prévisionnel et la personne qui sera dedans !
I've been watching you for a few years. Could you test an Epic Kayak. Thanks, love your shows.
I would love to! If you wanted to help make that happen, you could send them an email letting them know they should get me a kayak to test!
I know some guys. I will reach out to them.
❤
Umm you quoted the price in USD, I am pretty sure its CAN dollars Ken
$2495 in BC Canada.
Completely irresponsible video. Thermoformed plastic is NOT intended for whitewater as it has low impact resistance at speed and in cold water.
Agreed! This channel caters to beginner/inexperienced paddlers. Usually the information provided is great, but paddling a kayak like this in WW is most certainly inappropriate. It’s a poor test of this boat’s abilities and gives the impression that this is a common practice.
If you want to put the 15.5 to the test, fill it with gear and paddle some windy open water.
there's a lot of your face appearing all the time in the video instead of filming nature and the landscape if you want to admire yourself buy a mirror or change the title of the video to filming myself and a little bit of nature
Some people can find something negative in anything.
If you want nature and landscape watch Love Nature. At least when he was facing the camera and his lips were flapping, they were giving useful information. Crawl back into your cave Chad.
what a stupid thing to say