Why is the Leo HV paddler weight so low. 124kg/245lbs? I have a Venture Islay 14 that I purchased back in 2014 ish and it’s paddler weight is 285 lbs. It’s the same width but shorter by 2’. I’m wanting to upgrade to the Virgo HV or Leo HV, but I’m 6’2” 240 lbs. so I’m guessing the Leo HV is not an option.
Thanks for the comment! It's important to note that the paddler weight ranges are intended as a guide only, and there is no exact science to them - the widths published on the website are also maximum values that occur at a specific point - your Islay remains wider for longer, whereas the Leo is widest just behind the cockpit, but tapers relatively quickly from there. Different hull shapes also carry weight differently, and some may have a narrower window of load at which they perform optimally. With all these factors at play, it's far better to demo a kayak before purchase, rather than go off numbers alone. I'm 6'1" and 250lbs myself, and have paddled both the Leo HV and the Virgo HV without issue, although not with any hatch load - I am confident I could comfortably take enough kit for a long weekend at least though, as I've previously used a Delphin 155 for a fully-packed, 11-day expedition (albeit in a warm climate). If you're looking for the most spacious boat in our range, and want to be sure of gear capacity, then I'd point you to the Scorpio MKII HV.
The diameter of the main bow (and certainly the main stern) hatch opening is enough to get in a BearVault, but only the height of the smallest (5 litre) canister would likely fit in the depth of the stern hatch, while in the bow hatch you could fit the next size up (7.2 litre).
Why is the Leo HV paddler weight so low. 124kg/245lbs? I have a Venture Islay 14 that I purchased back in 2014 ish and it’s paddler weight is 285 lbs. It’s the same width but shorter by 2’. I’m wanting to upgrade to the Virgo HV or Leo HV, but I’m 6’2” 240 lbs. so I’m guessing the Leo HV is not an option.
Thanks for the comment! It's important to note that the paddler weight ranges are intended as a guide only, and there is no exact science to them - the widths published on the website are also maximum values that occur at a specific point - your Islay remains wider for longer, whereas the Leo is widest just behind the cockpit, but tapers relatively quickly from there. Different hull shapes also carry weight differently, and some may have a narrower window of load at which they perform optimally. With all these factors at play, it's far better to demo a kayak before purchase, rather than go off numbers alone.
I'm 6'1" and 250lbs myself, and have paddled both the Leo HV and the Virgo HV without issue, although not with any hatch load - I am confident I could comfortably take enough kit for a long weekend at least though, as I've previously used a Delphin 155 for a fully-packed, 11-day expedition (albeit in a warm climate).
If you're looking for the most spacious boat in our range, and want to be sure of gear capacity, then I'd point you to the Scorpio MKII HV.
awesome video! looking for p and h in Malta now 🙂
Thank you! Have you tried speaking to Kayaks and More? www.kayaksandmoremalta.com/
👍
catching up to this… will the MV accept a “bear canister” in the rear hatch?
The diameter of the main bow (and certainly the main stern) hatch opening is enough to get in a BearVault, but only the height of the smallest (5 litre) canister would likely fit in the depth of the stern hatch, while in the bow hatch you could fit the next size up (7.2 litre).
@@PHSeaKayaks thanks for taking the time to research this! 😊👍
@@leoburns9674 you're most welcome!