Im on my second Delta Seventeen (honestly, I preferred my first one, it was an original from 2009) and I had a sixteen for a while, and I used a 15.5 on an Alaska trip. Great boats, and can’t beat them for the price.
Found my mfg-installed seat back a hinderance for self rescues and just getting in and out. Solved problem with a small back band. This provides some support while not getting in my way! What ever cost of ditching seat back and installing correctly fitting band- do so.
It is a game changer right!? It is the key! I will say I think it is harder to do it stationary so good on ya, for making that work and not going for a swim.
@@AdventureOtaku yea it's amazing how well it works but yea when we was waiting around chatting etc I was just sitting on an edge and had a low brace ready at first but now I'm quite comfortable on a 4 edge woth out needing the brace to be there so yea just a fun little thing I like to do and now it's payed off
Great video ! Loved the inside view at 3:02 because the "good adjustment/fit" is a part where I still struggle a little bit with my kayak. I have a Epsilon P200 and even though I'm 6' I'm quite fit (165 lbs) and there is a lot of room around my body (should have gone for the P100). I recently added hips foam to improve the fit (there was a good 2-3" space between both sides of my hips and the lateral part of my sit) but I think I should also add some thickness/foam at the thighs padding area. I suppose our thighs should be constantly in contact with the thighs foam ? Actually if I want to always be in contact with the thighs area I have to pull up at the maximum of adjustment the bottom of my sit. After a 3h run I often have some pain in the knees with this setting. What are your advices? Thanks :)
I generally add thigh padding first. Get the adjustment with foot pegs, padding at the thighs, and seat position right first, then if you want too add padding around your hips. I don’t actually have any added padding at my hips. But my thighs are locked in pretty well. The knee pain, may be the bend in your knees is wrong, or you need more padding, or both! Good luck, let me know how it goes.
Aside from the coaming issue how do you like the newer Delta? They're a rarer boat in this area but it's on my short list for a future touring boat. P&H, Stellar and Valley are on the wishlist lol. I paddle a few small rivers and creeks that are minimally cleared. Decent edging is the only way to even make it through a few in anything over 10' without back paddling or pulling yourself through but it's amazing how many people buy a decent kayak and remove the thigh braces because "they're in the way" or "I have a rudder". Rudders aren't too great when there's trees 3" below the water. Although it can be amusing to watch it makes for a slow paddle if you're stuck behind them. Reminds me I need a new pump too, entire top came off. Thinking about trying one that pumps on both strokes.
Ive been paddling Deltas for a long time, They are lighter than similar fiberglass boats and cost less. But what really got me hooked on them was at the end of a long road of boat searching for something to paddle the inside passage in, it was how much gear they could carry, and still be fun to paddle empty. The Valleys, P&h's and stellar are all great boats. Test paddle them all (if you can) and then decide. In general I love Deltas - and this will probably show up in a video at some point - I think I prefer my old one to my new one.
@@AdventureOtaku A boat that paddles good both loaded and empty is a rare thing. Had a WS Sealution, it paddled horribly loaded or unloaded. Saying it was a barge is being nice. Preferred my Aquaterra but it only had what could be considered inspection hatches. Not going to fit much through a 6" hole. The only thermoformed boat I've ever paddled was an Eddyline. Most of my boats have been RM or fiberglass. I paddled a Valley Nordkapp for a while in the 90s then went to mostly SoTs and surf skis.. I stopped paddling around 02 and just decided to get back into it last year. The second I got my boat on the water I remembered how much I loved it lol. So many companies I liked are gone and the others are cashing in on the rec and fishing craze. I've been the full time caregiver for my mother for the last 5 years so any long paddles still have to wait. I can't be gone more than few hours most of the time but I've paddled almost 300 miles since I bought the Dagger in late Oct last year.
The sealution was a great boat in its day, and my first boat was ALMOST an aquaterra (which was really perception) I wish I could remember which one it was…chinook maybe? I remember the inspection hatches…. Im glad you found your way back on the water. I lost my mother about 8 months ago, cherish your time with her. Thanks for stopping by.
@@AdventureOtaku I'm sorry for you loss. It's a tough time. Yup the Chinook, early models had the inspection hatches. The Sealion came a bit later and became the Perception Eclipse but I never got to try one. Looking forward to your videos from Alaska.
Did you install padding for your hips to increase contact wit hhe kayak? I came across the Delta Contour Hip Pad Fit Kit and wondered if your using that or somthing eles, or nothing al att.
I am not using the contour hip pad kit, though I did remove the thigh brace pads, and add thicker padding. I am still fine tuning the fit of this boat compared to my last one. BUT I probably won't do the hip pad fit kit... for no good reason, but i am not using any additional padding around my hips.
Loving all this content - very informative! Quick question (newbie here) at 7:40 it looks like your hands are sliding position on the loom - is that typical for paddling? should I be adjusting my hands when doing a forward stoke ("hands across the face" - see im paying attention!)?
At 7:40 I don't see my hands move, but I do have a very loose grip and the paddle is definitely moving around inside my "water" hand. But at 7:22 I definitely slide the paddle a little to the right to get more of a reach on the sweep I am doing. The further away from the center of the boat that I can get the blade the more the boat is going to turn. Great question. Thanks for watching.
When you're talking about your old kayak having a lot more of rocker it wouldn't be that it had harder chines instead? In my book (perhaps I'm wrong) more rocker refer to a rounded hull shape from bow to stern (instead of a flat shape that increases speed but less stability in waves).
My old Delta actually had both, more rocker, and harder chines. The rocker makes the boat easier to turn (but then doesn’t track as well! And yes, you are right, it is the curve of the keel line from bow to stern.) The hard chines make it harder to get it on edge (but easier to keep on edge.) So my newer delta, less rocker, doesn’t turn as well, even on edge. BUT is much better tracking in a cross wind. The more rounded chines make it easier to get on edge, but is harder to keep on edge.
Yeah, think of your keel line sticking down into the water. It slices through the water, creating pressure that forces the boat to go straight. Now bend the keel line, so it rises out of the water front and back, it has less surface touching the water, so less pressure. Less pressure, less tracking, more turning - you are essentially shortening the keel line, so a 17 foot boat may only have a 14 foot keel line below the water because of the rocker. Then you put it on edge, you are shortening the keel line even more! Edging is the key to boat control.
Great to see another Delta. I bought my 17’ Delta seven years ago and absolutely love it.
Im on my second Delta Seventeen (honestly, I preferred my first one, it was an original from 2009) and I had a sixteen for a while, and I used a 15.5 on an Alaska trip. Great boats, and can’t beat them for the price.
Found my mfg-installed seat back a hinderance for self rescues and just getting in and out. Solved problem with a small back band. This provides some support while not getting in my way! What ever cost of ditching seat back and installing correctly fitting band- do so.
Totally agree. I did a whole video about it…. Thanks for watching.
I was paddling today and edging I’ve been practicing stationary and it’s finally clicked and I can use it effectively and it’s amazing
It is a game changer right!? It is the key! I will say I think it is harder to do it stationary so good on ya, for making that work and not going for a swim.
@@AdventureOtaku yea it's amazing how well it works but yea when we was waiting around chatting etc I was just sitting on an edge and had a low brace ready at first but now I'm quite comfortable on a 4 edge woth out needing the brace to be there so yea just a fun little thing I like to do and now it's payed off
@@AdventureOtaku I also had the mind set I either
learn to edge
Learn to brace
Or learn how to rescue
@@AdventureOtaku I also had the mind set I either
learn to edge
Learn to brace
Or learn how to rescue
@@AdventureOtaku I also had the mind set I either
learn to edge
Learn to brace
Or learn how to rescue
Wow so you edge the yak opposite the way you want to turn. Interesting. I just got a 17' Eclipse that I need to learn edging. Thanks for the video.
That’s correct. You’re welcome. The eclipse is a great boat, enjoy it.
Great video ! Loved the inside view at 3:02 because the "good adjustment/fit" is a part where I still struggle a little bit with my kayak. I have a Epsilon P200 and even though I'm 6' I'm quite fit (165 lbs) and there is a lot of room around my body (should have gone for the P100).
I recently added hips foam to improve the fit (there was a good 2-3" space between both sides of my hips and the lateral part of my sit) but I think I should also add some thickness/foam at the thighs padding area.
I suppose our thighs should be constantly in contact with the thighs foam ? Actually if I want to always be in contact with the thighs area I have to pull up at the maximum of adjustment the bottom of my sit. After a 3h run I often have some pain in the knees with this setting.
What are your advices?
Thanks :)
I generally add thigh padding first. Get the adjustment with foot pegs, padding at the thighs, and seat position right first, then if you want too add padding around your hips. I don’t actually have any added padding at my hips. But my thighs are locked in pretty well. The knee pain, may be the bend in your knees is wrong, or you need more padding, or both! Good luck, let me know how it goes.
Aside from the coaming issue how do you like the newer Delta? They're a rarer boat in this area but it's on my short list for a future touring boat. P&H, Stellar and Valley are on the wishlist lol. I paddle a few small rivers and creeks that are minimally cleared. Decent edging is the only way to even make it through a few in anything over 10' without back paddling or pulling yourself through but it's amazing how many people buy a decent kayak and remove the thigh braces because "they're in the way" or "I have a rudder". Rudders aren't too great when there's trees 3" below the water. Although it can be amusing to watch it makes for a slow paddle if you're stuck behind them. Reminds me I need a new pump too, entire top came off. Thinking about trying one that pumps on both strokes.
Ive been paddling Deltas for a long time, They are lighter than similar fiberglass boats and cost less. But what really got me hooked on them was at the end of a long road of boat searching for something to paddle the inside passage in, it was how much gear they could carry, and still be fun to paddle empty. The Valleys, P&h's and stellar are all great boats. Test paddle them all (if you can) and then decide. In general I love Deltas - and this will probably show up in a video at some point - I think I prefer my old one to my new one.
@@AdventureOtaku A boat that paddles good both loaded and empty is a rare thing. Had a WS Sealution, it paddled horribly loaded or unloaded. Saying it was a barge is being nice. Preferred my Aquaterra but it only had what could be considered inspection hatches. Not going to fit much through a 6" hole. The only thermoformed boat I've ever paddled was an Eddyline. Most of my boats have been RM or fiberglass. I paddled a Valley Nordkapp for a while in the 90s then went to mostly SoTs and surf skis.. I stopped paddling around 02 and just decided to get back into it last year. The second I got my boat on the water I remembered how much I loved it lol. So many companies I liked are gone and the others are cashing in on the rec and fishing craze. I've been the full time caregiver for my mother for the last 5 years so any long paddles still have to wait. I can't be gone more than few hours most of the time but I've paddled almost 300 miles since I bought the Dagger in late Oct last year.
The sealution was a great boat in its day, and my first boat was ALMOST an aquaterra (which was really perception) I wish I could remember which one it was…chinook maybe? I remember the inspection hatches…. Im glad you found your way back on the water. I lost my mother about 8 months ago, cherish your time with her. Thanks for stopping by.
@@AdventureOtaku I'm sorry for you loss. It's a tough time. Yup the Chinook, early models had the inspection hatches. The Sealion came a bit later and became the Perception Eclipse but I never got to try one. Looking forward to your videos from Alaska.
Did you install padding for your hips to increase contact wit hhe kayak? I came across the Delta Contour Hip Pad Fit Kit and wondered if your using that or somthing eles, or nothing al att.
I am not using the contour hip pad kit, though I did remove the thigh brace pads, and add thicker padding. I am still fine tuning the fit of this boat compared to my last one. BUT I probably won't do the hip pad fit kit... for no good reason, but i am not using any additional padding around my hips.
Loving all this content - very informative! Quick question (newbie here) at 7:40 it looks like your hands are sliding position on the loom - is that typical for paddling? should I be adjusting my hands when doing a forward stoke ("hands across the face" - see im paying attention!)?
At 7:40 I don't see my hands move, but I do have a very loose grip and the paddle is definitely moving around inside my "water" hand. But at 7:22 I definitely slide the paddle a little to the right to get more of a reach on the sweep I am doing. The further away from the center of the boat that I can get the blade the more the boat is going to turn. Great question. Thanks for watching.
@@AdventureOtaku Thank you so much! Huge fan!
You’re so welcome! Paddle safe.
When you're talking about your old kayak having a lot more of rocker it wouldn't be that it had harder chines instead? In my book (perhaps I'm wrong) more rocker refer to a rounded hull shape from bow to stern (instead of a flat shape that increases speed but less stability in waves).
My old Delta actually had both, more rocker, and harder chines. The rocker makes the boat easier to turn (but then doesn’t track as well! And yes, you are right, it is the curve of the keel line from bow to stern.) The hard chines make it harder to get it on edge (but easier to keep on edge.) So my newer delta, less rocker, doesn’t turn as well, even on edge. BUT is much better tracking in a cross wind. The more rounded chines make it easier to get on edge, but is harder to keep on edge.
@@AdventureOtaku Oh good to know! Didn't knew that more rocker helped to turn.
Yeah, think of your keel line sticking down into the water. It slices through the water, creating pressure that forces the boat to go straight. Now bend the keel line, so it rises out of the water front and back, it has less surface touching the water, so less pressure. Less pressure, less tracking, more turning - you are essentially shortening the keel line, so a 17 foot boat may only have a 14 foot keel line below the water because of the rocker. Then you put it on edge, you are shortening the keel line even more! Edging is the key to boat control.
@@AdventureOtaku Totally makes sense! Thanks for the extra information :)
Edging my kayak 🫣😂😂😂
Does your kayak not edge?
@@AdventureOtaku I’m not sure. I’ve only heard of edging in a sexual context. I have an Ascend 128T yak
Maybe that’s why this video is getting so many views!?
@@AdventureOtaku 😂🤣😂
Opening "sound" was painfully LOUD!
Thanks. Ill adjust.