PADDLER 8
PADDLER 8
REVIEWS
get on a wave . So , regarding speed , I would use this boat more to explore while covering distance . This means there are faster boats to paddle offshore and in a straight line , but the Leo will come alive and be easier on you when following a rugged coastline .
EQUIPMENT / OUTFITTING
As said before , this feels like an expedition boat in a small package . With all options , it has four hatches that can swallow your kit . A built-in compass and deck lines all around . The cockpit is what we can expect from a P & H boat by now . The Connect seat has hip pads that can be adjusted with some magic .
For the unaware paddlers , the hip pads have some sort of envelope where you can add or remove a piece of insert . It is neatly tucked away on the backside of each hip pad , but it proves particularly useful . I had to remove one insert myself to get a perfect connection without getting numbness in my legs . We had heard of previous footrest issues with the Leo but didn ’ t experience these on the water . We also understand P & H has updated their footrests and resolved this with any customers who had issues .
All P & H kayaks are now delivered with adhesive foam pads , but other kayakers still ask about this . To protect your kneecaps and make the kayak more comfortable , stick these pads in front of the thigh braces ( inside the cockpit ) where your knees touch the deck .
Just like the hull , the deck is also very elegant . The low back deck allows for easy self-rescue or back deck rolling . The skeg slider is positioned near the cockpit rim and not along the side . The slider is right where you need it and , in your sights , is better protected . The keyhole cockpit itself is long enough to allow bringing your legs in and out in a seating position . And that is important when doing self-rescues .
The deck lines are positioned throughout the entire length , and the cleats are extremely strong . During a rescue exercise with a big hopper dredger , they winched our kayaks out of the water with a crane ( our equipment included ), and even we thought they could snap under the tension . They didn ’ t !
It is all in the details ! How many times do you open and close your day hatch behind the cockpit with when you are in the water ? Right ! With only your right hand . That is why all hatches are rubber KajakSport , and the day hatch is a click-on KajakSport ( mix of rubber and plastic ). Easy to operate and access your stuff ( food , drinks , or whatever ) quickly and without worrying about closing it . Check the hull ! The P & H decal is embedded in the polyethylene !
We visited the P & H / Pyranha factory a few months ago , where we were enlightened about the whole production process of your favourite sea kayak . We never thought less of a polyethylene ( plastic ) kayak ; we paddled them for years , being fully aware of their advantages . But now we are in awe ! You can ’ t possibly imagine the amount of energy that goes into the development of these boats before they even make it to production . We ’ re not just talking about new models , but also the composition of the polyethylene and the tests they conduct to see if it will withstand constant abuse . Also , the deck details and inserts give this kayak a distinguished look .
CONCLUSION
The Leo is my favourite underdog ! We need to invent a new sea kayak class next to the ‘ fast sea kayak ’, the ‘ surf sea kayak ’, and the ‘ expedition sea kayak ’. The Leo now sets the standard in the ‘ compact sea kayak ’ segment ! Everyone looking for a manoeuvrable , high-end , polyethylene sea kayak with a blend of expedition / touring and playing / surfing characteristics needs to check at least the Leo out .
Also , the new colours ( Scarlet Red and Lizard Green ) are difficult to choose from . We paddled both and are still unsure which colour we like the most . While there were only a limited number of models to choose from back in the day , P & H almost made tailored models aimed at customers ’ specific needs . This does not make things easier to choose from , but it will undoubtedly bring you as close as possible to the boat of your dreams .
By now , we have produced many videos in which the Leo is clearly displayed for those who don ’ t have immediate access to a dealer . Just check out our NORTHSEAKAYAK YouTube channel : www . youtube . com /@ Northseakayak Price : MZ3 Skeg ( MKII Skeg Slider ): £ 1,595 CoreLite X Skeg ( MKII Skeg Slider ): £ 1,885 CoreLite X Skudder ( MKII Skeg Slider ): £ 1,985