I also have a Delta 17 with rudder and like it a lot. When I was looking at buying I had reduced my choices to Delta and Eddyline, both thermoformed process, both very nice kayaks. I read reviews and watched videos and it looked like people were leaning slightly to the Deltas and when I saw my first one in person I was quite impressed. Now it's no contest, Eddyline has shut down their Burlington, Washington State shop and moved to Mexico, and moved their HQ to Arkansas. Below are cut-and-pastes from their own websites from June 23, 2024. Eddyline Kayaks 2017 Tom and Lisa Derrer hand over the reins of Eddyline Kayaks to its seasoned management team. The current ownership / management team of Todd Keane, Janet Sutton and Scott Holley, along with the entire Eddyline staff, stand committed to honoring the Eddyline legacy of innovative design and superior customer service. 2021 Eddyline expands production to Queretaro Mexico to improve capacity and innovation from proximity to critical suppliers. RZC, the investment office of Steuart and Tom Walton, makes a strategic investment to facilitate the company’s growth. 2023 Eddyline relocates to Siloam Springs near several world-class kayak parks. This central location helps Eddyline improve its distribution throughout North America. Delta Kayaks PROUDLY MADE IN NORTH AMERICA All of our kayak models are made right at our manufacturing facility in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. We use Computer Aided Design (CAD) and over 35+ years of experience to design our kayaks. The final assembly and finishing touches are done by hand so that every step of the process is up to our strict standards.
I am 5'10" and and "athletic" 220lbs. Trying to decide between an XL or an XXL. I have a Level Six Badin semi-dry top which is plenty large but have concerns that an XXL in the Odin would be too long for me as my inseam is only 30"
There is no reason someone as a beginner couldn’t use this paddle. It is a large investment to get started. There are some benefits to using a traditional hand carved Greenland paddle. Homemade ones are a bit more forgiving but definitely not as efficient. I think in order to truly appreciate the carbon paddle it might be beneficial to start with an inexpensive handcarved. Just my opinion though. In my own experience I started with a handcarved paddle before moving into the carbon fiber and found it very beneficial with the upgrade.
Mike have you ever paddled the Delta 16’? I went to a kayak demo paddle yesterday and tried the Delta 15.5, 16 and 17. First my current boat is a 14’ P&H Venture Islay skeg boat similar to the Delphin, 23” width, with moderate rocker, it turns easily with the skeg up and tracks well with it down. P and H skegs are long. It holds lots as it only has two hatches. It’s 10 years old and I was just thinking about upgrading. I’m 6’2” 240lbs, size 13 feet. It was interesting to paddle some other boats after all that time, watching other paddlers in other boats, some going faster and wondering how my boat speed, and handling compares. I paddled all three Deltas several times on a calm lake. Compared to my 14 , the 15 felt a little too roomy, too round, not as tippy, harder to turn and tiring to paddle. The 17 was marginally faster, but interestingly not as fast as my 14, still felt harder to paddle not as tippy, harder to turn , has a nice foot area and tracks well. The 16 was notably faster , a little faster than my 14 and about as tippy, it tracks well, turns the best of the three, had the least foot room, but about the same as my 14, I just wonder about paddling it in lumpy waters. Deltas have really comfortable seats, my 14 seat I don’t find overly comfortable at the rear of my butt. I would get a skeg boat for sure as I found the rudder hard on the shoulder to pull down, a bit awkward with my big feet. Paddled with a skeg to long I guess. So now I’m still wondering about the 16 vs 17
It would be nice to see Delta kick it up a notch, get some different colours, at least for special order, I once saw an older purple boat that looked really sharp. Plus I read they used to come with rescue straps on there boats. I always add them to my boats and add vinyl tubing to the deck lines directly behind the cockpit for a better grab.
Mike, I’m going to be test paddling a Delta 17 next weekend, it will be a rudder version. I’m kind of a skeg guy like you, and unfortunately in Vancouver the two shops that sell Deltas only carry rudder versions. I’m not sure why they never have skeg boats in stock. A skeg boat is a special order. I see Outdoors Oriented sells skeg Delta boats. My feet are size 13 so I always sit with them in a V shape, heels together, toes apart and those rudder pedals seem awkward to press then. Have you ever paddled the rudder version? Any comments you could give me about both versions? Thx Kevin
I’m surprised that they can’t get you a skeg version! Especially seeing as Delta kayaks are made in BC! However the rudder version is as good as a rudder version gets. my first Delta was a rudder. Luckily they are gas pedal design. You can still brace and basically just use your toes for wind correction. I have size 14 and there’s still lots of extra play room wise. Enjoy your test paddle. Would love to hear what you think. 😊👍
I have the 14 and the 16, both skeg only, use them in different locations. I ordered the 14 from a small paddle shop in Minnesota. They didn’t have any problem placing the order ahead of time, added it to their existing order - in late summer or fall is when a lot of the paddle shops will place their big orders for early spring shipment. Where I live, no Delta dealers close by, really no choice but to special order one and travel a big distance to get it (this is same with trying to get any of the Eddyline kayaks too). REI is a crap-shoot, can’t special order one from them, they decide what to stock, but most dealers should be able to get what you want - I think Delta can make any of the touring models with skeg only (14, 15s, 15.5, 16, 17), you just have to order and wait for it.
Hey Mike, i bought a brand new delta 17 just 2 days ago, got it home and discovered the were some gouges in the bottom where it looks like it was dropped. i didnt so much as bump the thing so it happened before i bought it. it is only in one small area in the middle of the kayak and they apparently masked it with some stinky wax stuff i washed off with a wet cloth cause i didnt want to smell it anymore. what would u do? i can send you a picture if you give me your email or something.
You can fill the gap in with Delta M110 Structural Acrylic Adhesive. It comes in the Delta repair kit. There is also instructions in the kit. Most delta dealers will carry the kits.
I have owned my Delta 16 for 12 years and I’ve paddled it thousands of kilometres. If it was ever irreparably damaged, I would immediately go and buy another Delta 16…. Nothing negative to say about it after 12 years of ownership!
Mike I have the 230 cm Kalleq too and love it, bought it site unseen having never tried a Greenland paddle and it’s fantastic. I wondered about the length when I first got it. I’m 6’2” 240lbs just like you and bought it from James Manke kayak out here in B.C. He said go for the 230cm and I’m glad I did. I get maximum power when I want it and if I want it super easy then just paddle at a shallower angle and it’s great. I think the 220cm would have been too lame, lacking power. On a different note how do you find your Delta 17 with the skeg? Is it fairly maneuverable and any problems with your skirt popping off ? Just wondering because we’re both the same size and weight and I’m thinking of upgrading to the Delta 17. Thx Kevin
First of all James Menke is so awesome! I’m really glad you’re enjoying your paddle. As for the Delta, it’s a great kayak for touring. It tracks extremely well because of the V-shaped hall and minimal rocker. However the flipside of that is it doesn’t turn as quickly as a boat with more rocker. However it’s not terrible. As far as the cockpit rim, it is a little shallow and is great for touring. However a white water skirt is recommended for it to bite a little better. I had a Delta skirt and it had a tendency to pop off when I was learning how to roll. I think if the Delta is in your price range it offers a lot for a kayak in its range. It’s great for beginners and intermediate. It does have a bit of volume so it makes it a little challenging to lay flat on the back deck. It is relatively quick and I did a review on it so you might want to check that out. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Let me know if you have any more questions. 😊👍
Nice video and very well explained in a calm way. After more than 25 years of hammock camping I have used the Marlin spike hitch on both webbing and rope. Of course thin rope will damage the tree more. I still use it on my emergency 'just in case' hammock. So the loops on the hammock are rope with a fishermans knot. The suspension to the tree is a length of the same rope with a figure 8 knot at one end. No metal hardware because I just use sticks I find on the ground. Put the Marlin spike hitch in with this stick and attach to your loop on the hammock. This is the most lightweight and cheapest method. There will never be rope on rope or rope on webbing in my setup since a hammock setup is never fully static. You move in your sleep and the wind blows so it will always be somewhat dynamic. When I know I'm gonna be sleeping in the hammock I use the Daisy chains, webbing loops on the hammock and two aluminium carabiners because this always works and I can set it up blindfolded wearing thick gloves. Of course the broader Daisy chains means less damage to the tree. In my opinion all these titanium gadgets and whoopie slings are for people with too much money and not enough common sense.
Great video! I'm looking at L6 Odin or Emperor for kayak fishing in Wisconsin spring and late fall. BTW, what type of paddle is that, never seen one before?!
I would say 100% P&H Virgo. But it would be good if you could try out a low volume and a medium volume to see which one fits you better. P&H has better rocker then Delta. If you wanted a high volume kayak for packing lots of gear in moderate to light conditions I might suggest Delta. But I think P&H make the most well suited kayaks for most people. If you’re looking for something intermediate to advanced.
That's exactly what I'm looking for. I would like it to be a little longer, between 4.5 and 5m but then I see that we go up in weight with the leo model. I don't know if there is another good compromise from another brand with similar characteristics around 25kg in weight. Do you know an alternative model with these requirements? A thousand thanks
I'm picking up an used wooden GL paddle. Any recommendations on what to look for? It's 2 years old so not sure how long one (wooden) lasts. Any thoughts! Thank you.
Sounds like a good start! There are some basic measurements you can aim for. Ideally if the paddle blade is on the ground the opposing paddle blade should reach your fingers when your arm is fully reached upwards. Generally the loom is approximately the width of your kayak. Those are just basic principles. Ultimately you can use any paddle pretty much. If the paddle is made out of wood it can last many years. Especially if it has been finished with oil. Basically just re-coat it every fall or once a year. If it’s a spair varnish you can sand it and add a little bit of varnish to all the bumps and bruises. Good luck and enjoy.
I just bought the Ipik, wanted the kalleq but it was out of stock. ( However, I have a really hard time take it apart. Do you have the same issue? I've heard people waxed the connection to help preventing this issue but not sure how.
I have not had this issue. I mainly keep my paddle part except for when I’m using it and I always am very mindful about not letting sand and dirt get into the connection area. Hopefully somebody else will make a comment that has been experiencing this issue that may have resolved.
Great info! I've got a more interesting problem on my Delta 16 though. The flexible combing section extending into the cockpit forming the left knee brace is cracked for about 90% of it's length. Will a repair with epoxy handle the flexing in that area, or am I looking at replacing the entire combing? Thanks for any help here and again, good video!!
I think using an ABS backing would give you greater support adhered with the structural acrylic two-part epoxy. If you reach out to Delta Kayaks they should be able to provide you with the perfect information as well as maybe some material to help you repair it.
is there a way to make the music sound more even? I feel like its s =o loud at some parts and more quiet at others. Can this be done in garage band after or is this solely a mic issue
I actually owned the 15.5 before I owned the 17. In all honesty I just wanted to try them both. The 15.5 has a ton of extra capacity. It had a lot of extra volume that I didn’t need. The 17 has a lower deck volume And is slightly faster. Which basically translated to the 17 having a more efficient paddle speed for longer distances and having a lower deck means it was better for play and rolling. They were both great boats and I enjoyed owning both of them. If you’re into packing a lot of gear and camping out of your kayak then the 15 five is a good choice. However if you like doing some distance and having a more efficient performance boat the 17 is more optimum.
@@MikeProut I am the exact same size as you but my feet are size 12.. Is the 15.5 good for our body type or is the 17 better? Online the stats show that the 17 has more storage space..
I think the 17 would be a better fit for you. Do you have a retailer near you where you could try both boats? Size 12 feet would be absolutely no problem for either kayak.
@@MikeProut No, unfortunately I don't have anything near. Which is why I am interrogating you haha. I was going to order the 15.5 GT because of reviews I've watched. But since watching your video, I began to wonder of the 17 would be more appropriate for my size. We have many lakes around and canoe circuits that I would like to go on, which take between 3 to 10 days to complete, from what I am told. I have tried a friends kayak before and have been on a few canoe camping trips when I was younger. I enjoy the kayak a lot more but I only have like 2 hours of experience with them haha. I may have to make a journey to try some. The nearest kayak store, with touring/sea kayaks is an 8 hour drive away from me.. There are some closer but they just have fishing kayaks and small white water kayaks. Thank you for your time!
Was going to buy the Kalleq until I coincidently found the Inuksuk Carbon Greenland paddle that has very similar characteristics as Ipik for less money. Do you know the Inuksuk ?
Nice video. AWESOME boat man. We run calm rivers and lakes in Michigan. So my Pungo 120 is just right. We hit bottom a lot in the shallower rivers. Was the hydration bladder included or purchased seperately?
Thanks for the info on the repair. I have a similar crack behind the cockpit of my Delta 17. Do you have info on how to obtain the preformed piece from Delta that you used for this repair.
Normally if you contact Delta and explain to them what’s going on they can help you. They are definitely not the quickest but if you follow up with them they will send it.
Greetings from northern Minnesota! Great video - thanks for posting! I followed your link from the Level 6 site as I am considering the same suit. I saw from your review there that you purchased a size XXL. I would likely go with that size as well because I am 6’2”, 250 and have a 53” chest. My question to you: do you find the suit snug at all and if so, where? Thanks again for the detailed review!
Thanks you! It’s not snug anywhere! There’s a little bit of wiggle room all the way around which is perfect for when it gets really cold and you need extra layers. Just remember to always burp the extra air out of the suit.
Mike! Bearman! I have a delta 20t. I'd like to set up a bixby motor on the rudder. Any way you'd mcgyver it to make it work? If this was your project?? here's a link of what i need in term of rudder mod...not sure if the aftermkt rudder can fit but if not what would YOU do?? thanks ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vfkfaHoSHWM.html
Hi Mike. very interesting videos. My wife and I are buying Deltas shortly. She'll be going with the 15s - fits her perfect. I am 6' 220lb. Leaning towards the 17 - but will look hard at the 15GT. Any preference at this point??? Also not sure about the skeg or rudder. We're on Lake Nipissing - so can blow pretty good. Like that the skeg is "cleaner", but is the rudder not better for open water? Am getting up in years and need all the help I can get (if the rudder makes that much difference). Also considering Greenland paddles and noticed you have the Gearlab Kalleq, as well as wood. Is the Gearlab a no brainer? I have seen videos of the wooden Greenland in use and the fluttering seems quite pronounced. Thanks.
The 15.5 is a very high volume kayak. It is designed for very large paddlers or hauling a lot of gear. The 17 on the other hand has similar volume but longer. It has a better paddling coefficient and has a more efficient speed. If volume is not that important then I would seriously consider the 16. It’s closer in size to your wife’s kayak so they’re better matched to paddle together. As for Skeg versus rudder, the only reason a rudder would be better than a Skeg is to make up for poor paddling technique. They are both design to do exactly the same thing, however people have become a custom to using a Rudder for steering which it is not intended. Quite honestly after owning the 15.5 as well as the 17 I have hardly ever used either the Rudder or the Skeg because of the design of the kayaks. I prefer Skeg 100%. As for Greenland paddles it’s important to use a couple of simple techniques when starting to use one. There are many good videos giving tips on how to hold a Greenland paddle. It’s important to have an 18° angle to eliminate the flutter. Once you learn to hold the paddle offset it would become intuitive and you will no longer have flutter . It’s always good to start with a Wood Greenland paddle. The gear lab paddle is incredible especially for technical rolling. It really slices the water efficiently. But there’s nothing like the feel of wood in your hands on a long day paddle. Good luck on your kayak journey! There’s so much fun and joy to be shared.
Mike, My Delta 15.5gt fell from about 8 ft, while hanging off season. It landed on a cement floor on the rudder bracket. The rudder popped off as did a 6 inch piece of the hull. Any chance I can repair that?
Yikes! Sorry to hear that. You should try and email Delta with detailed photographs. Maybe the retailer you bought your kayak from could potentially fix it but it would be their judgment call.
