A Touring Kayak For Any Paddler? P&H Sea Kayaks Leo - Gear Review

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In this video, I'm testing and reviewing the P&H Sea Kayaks Leo - a touring kayak that you can take anywhere, and which I tested during an overnight paddling trip down the Class 1 rapids of the New River in North Carolina. Is the P&H Leo a good sea kayak and river kayak? Is the P&H Leo worth the cost? Is the Leo sea kayak good for both beginner and advanced kayakers? That's what we're going to find out in this in-depth gear review of the P&H Leo sea kayak.
Special Thanks to:
NRS: www.nrs.com/
Aqua Bound: www.aquabound.com/
Wiley X: www.wileyx.com/
Ontario Creates: ontariocreates.ca/
Purchase the P&H Leo: www.phseakayaks.com/us/kayaks...
Take a free online safety course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP), brought to you by the American Canoe Association and the U.S. Coast Guard: americancanoe.org/education/r...
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NOTE: These are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it's a great way to show your support. Thanks!
PADDLES
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle:
Aqua Bound Tango Fibreglass Paddle: bit.ly/3iaGleJ
Aqua Bound Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft Paddle: bit.ly/3z1kiOH
FOOTWEAR
NRS Kicker Remix Shoe: bit.ly/36F1B6Y
NRS Boundary Boot: bit.ly/2TaCMgl
PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS
NRS Guide Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yVID8j
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3dkDYaD
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt: bit.ly/3xF43pX
NRS H2Core Silkweight Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yZGbO2
NRS Hydroskin Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3wCvoI3
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket: bit.ly/3BbAZZJ
NRS Flux Dry Top: bit.ly/2U3Pvlw
PFD’S
NRS Odyssey PFD: bit.ly/3ibIk2n
NRS Zen PFD: bit.ly/2VCfrF3
NRS Chinook PFD: bit.ly/2TaEAG9
OTHER PADDLING GEAR
Zoleo Communicator: bit.ly/3zw7gw1
NRS Drylander Sprayskirt: bit.ly/36z5BG6
WRSI Current Helmet: bit.ly/2Te6KA6
PADDLING SHORTS/BOTTOMS
NRS Benny Board Short: bit.ly/2VIbK0L
NRS Hydroskin Shorts: bit.ly/3hCXPl2
SUNGLASSES
WileyX: bit.ly/3NtJQKR
FOLLOW KEN
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Blog: in4adventure.com
MADE POSSIBLE with the Support of:
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Bell Fund: bellfund.ca/
PRODUCED BY
Heliconia: www.heliconia.ca
Contact: info@heliconia.ca
#seakayaking #seakayak

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Опубликовано:

19 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 88

@ScratchesInmygelcoat Год назад

Hi Ken, I enjoy your reviews, but for an "in-depth" review I would have liked to know how it performs on the ocean. for example, how does it weathercock? and how well does the skeg work to counter weathercocking? how does it perform on a wave, or in a following sea? Is it fish or swede form? What's it like to roll and self-rescue? How well does it drain during an assisted rescue? Also, I think most sea kayakers would consider the rear day hatch an essential safety feature on the ocean. Sure, probably redundant on a river, but this is designed as a Sea Kayak.

@dbarless 9 месяцев назад

The skeg counters weathercocking very well. It handles extremely well in basically all open water conditions that it's safe to paddle in.

@Richard-bs8xe 2 года назад

Thanks for another great review! I took the new ACA paddling safety course. Really good and great for a beginners to get familiar with what a responsible paddler should do.

@thormusique 2 года назад

Another excellent video, Ken, thanks! The Leo HV really does look like a solid, nicely built boat. Cheers!

@SRKarting Год назад

I’m new to kayaking and find your reviews are absolutely epic, really helpful and informative and extremely well presented. I’m from the UK and really like the P&H range so these reviews are really great. Thanks

@PaddleTV Год назад

Awesome, thank you!

@c.rittenhouse6647 2 года назад

Thanks for reviewing the P&H RM kayaks! They’re on the edge of affordability for a lot of people as a RM option. I would love to see you review the Delta thermoformed kayaks as they are an affordable option. Thanks!

@emanohtolify 2 года назад

Great review. I'm considering a Leo LV for when my son(s) gets older. After years of using longer, faster kayaks, I've transitioned to a shorter touring boat with more rocker, similar to the Leo. It's been fun paddling a more maneuverable, more comfortable boat. I've never really used my day hatches as day hatches. As in I've never really needed to get into my day hatch on the water. I've always considered them an extension of my rear hatch and it helps keep smaller items organized. Or for the day I toss in a dry bag with gear and my lunch vs getting swallowed up in one of the other hatches. My new boat a Current Designs Sisu also has that front day hatch and I'm loving it as well. It doesn't interfere with the cockpit and anything I'd need quick access to is right there. I've never understood Valley's removable front pod, I've seen them and they are only held in by the deck bungee. It's awkward and I don't get why it's removable. The P&H hatch looks great.

@malcolmnicholls2893 Год назад

I think at least one is handy if you're at sea and need a snack or water bottle though?

@emmettcotter1206 7 месяцев назад

Great review. Thanks a million

@PaddleTV 7 месяцев назад

My pleasure!

@RonK 2 года назад

Great review - thanks so much ! There seems to be an error, however - on the displayed P&H web site as well as on your "specs table": Capacity of 124 kg would mean 273 lbs, but the tables list "245 lbs (124 kg)". Compared to the values of the MV version, I assume the "124 kg" are correct for the Leo, and the "245 lbs" are some sort of a typo

@allonsy9808 2 года назад

Fantastic review! I always appreciate your insights. It's a beautiful kayak., and I like that forward day hatch. The back day hatch...not so much. lol

@PaddleTV 2 года назад

I appreciate it!

@RiverKingsKayak 2 года назад

Thats a great looking boat!

@davyp2993 2 года назад

Have you tried a skin on frame kayak by Seawolf kayaks from Seattle.? I built my own on a course in Germany a couple of years ago, which in itself was interesting, but paddling it was such an amazing experience. I built a "Kurki" and I've paddled many different makes and types of kayak, don't get me wrong it looks like the shape of "just another sea kayak", it is not until you are in it and have taken only a dozen strokes that you will realise that this boat is something special. Kiliii Yuyan doesn't just design the kayaks he lives them. What was the most surprising was how silent they are, that sounds strange, but the way the "Kurki" is designed there is no ripple noise, and it's only your blade that makes a noise in the water.

@dandraos 2 года назад

Love all your videos. I’m a kayaker in ON. Have you ever tested any Stellar touring Kayaks?

@vitogaudiuso7835 2 года назад

Well done!Great review! How about a P&H Scorpio comparison with this boat?

@snowleopard1918 2 года назад

Looks like a nice boat, I have the Venture Islay 14 made by P & H , and it has a higher capacity weight rating. I’d love to check out the Leo as a 16 footer is as large as I want to go for a boat size, but the kayak shops near me are a joke in Vancouver.BC Canada

@paulcoverdale8312 2 года назад

Nice one Ken from da UK Thanks for sharing guys Paul 15.25 gmt Uk cheers

@stephengeorge7510 2 года назад

The rear day hatch is used to fill with ice and beers of course.

@wisenber 2 года назад

That extra bulkhead makes more sense when you take trim into consideration. For an extended trip without freshwater, having your dromedary bags locked in closer to the center makes a big difference. Another neat trick is securing about 10-15 lbs of weights to the floor of that compartment. You're kayak will right itself on its own that way when empty, and it requires much less effort to roll when you're in it. That 10-15 lbs really wants to be next to the water and not up in the air. That being said, it's scary to see plastic boats priced where lower end composite boats were not long ago.

@emanohtolify 2 года назад

I agree on the cost. I just bought a new composition boat and it's a grand more than last year. My first new high end poly touring boat was $1200, but that was 15 yrs ago.

@wisenber 2 года назад

@@emanohtolify I've been opting for used boats with a couple of exceptions. bought and Epic 18X for $1500 that was selling for $3900 new. Ten years later, I'm still using it. Another good option is building from plans. A stitch and glue model can be completed in a few weekends. Those wooden boats are tough yet lighter than plastic. I have a CLC 17 I built over 15 years ago that has only required a fresh coat of paint and varnish every ten years.

@malcolmnicholls2893 Год назад

I believe the plastic pellets for manufacture went up a fortune. This is according to a water tank manufacturer in Ireland.

@wisenber Год назад

@@malcolmnicholls2893 I imagine everything has gone up; however, plastic boat prices were climbing relative to composite boats before that. Even wood prices have gone up for the home boat builders.

@malcolmnicholls2893 Год назад

@@wisenber Good point. Wood is also a fortune in Britain.

@billmilstead1473 2 года назад

I was looking for the safety course you mentioned, but did not see it. Could you provide a link to it please?

@testMonkey 2 года назад

Any plans for a video that’ll compare the Leo and Virgo head-to-head?

@PHSeaKayaks 2 года назад

Thanks, Ken; a fair and informative review as always! 100% on board with sea kayaks not just being for the sea!! Day hatches certainly seem to polarise opinion; generally, we find people who like them, like them for keeping emergency kit that's a little too big for the bow mini hatch, but you still want quick access to :)

@PaddleTV 2 года назад

I couldn't agree more. The bottom line for me is that I fit everything I needed for a multi-day trip in cold conditions (which means extra bulky gear), and so the day hatch wasn't a limiting factor. Keep making the great boats! I can't wait to try more P&H Sea Kayak models!

@PHSeaKayaks 2 года назад

@@PaddleTV we'll keep making them if you keep paddling them! Haha. Thanks again!

@rickquist3992 2 года назад

That boat looks solid. Is the P&H "Skudder" a retractable understern rudder? It would be awesome to enjoy the benefits of an understern with the impact resistance of a retractable!

@malcolmnicholls2893 Год назад

I believe opinions are mixed regarding this feature. Worth checking.

@cleanshavedad 2 года назад

A couple of kayaks I would really like your review of are, Crescent kayaks. Really any model. And a boat my wife saw called the origami paddler.

@joshinfwtx4506 Год назад

Wade Harrison does a lot of Crescent reviews. His channel is mostly whitewater but he also does good reviews on fishing kayaks and general kayak related gear ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-N-baYKtxGzY.html

@jenniferlauck4337 2 года назад

Kayak-desire!!!

@malcolmnicholls2893 Год назад

Like the foredeck skeg lever. Suspicious my side lever lets water in. (Must fix).

@jimhunt1230 2 года назад

So if you had a choice between the Virgo MV and Leo HV which would you choose. Curious if the Leo MV would have fit you better? What size feet do you have? Thanks for the great reviews.

@PaddleTV Год назад

Hi Jim, The easy answer is... both! :). Seriously though, if I just wanted a fun boat to paddle, I would go with the Virgo HV (the MV was a little small on me. If I wanted to do more kayak camping or long tours, I would opt for the Leo HV. The HV was a perfect size for me. I'm 6'2", 195 lbs, 34" inseam, and size 10 (wide) feet. Cheers!

@raivkka4313 11 месяцев назад

Which do you feel of the more versatile boat, this or the Virgo HV. More specifically, for those times when the lazy big river throws a little spice.

@neobliviscarisa650 Год назад

Enjoyed the review. I never heard how it compares to the Virgo, as I am in 2 minds... plus how it compares to the Romney Sport? Thank you in advance

@PaddleTV Год назад

I haven't paddle the Romney Sport, but compared to the Virgo, the Leo is a little faster, and has more capacity for multi-day day trips. On the flip side, the Virgo was more playful. If I was doing long or multi-day trips, I would go for the Leo. If I was doing day trips, and playing in rough water, I would go for the Virgo. The HV would be the best size for me too. The Leo HV was perfect, whereas the Virgo MV was a little small for me. I'm 6'2", 195lbs, 34" inseam. Cheers!

@neobliviscarisa650 Год назад

@@PaddleTV I mentioned the Romany, as they were designed by the famous Nigel Dennis pedigree. I know they are made from durable composite, cockpit more suited to traditional sea kayaking (basic layout, to self customise; ergonomic seat set up for better rotation (glass surface) and the angle to help lower back? They are longer than Virgo… I tend to do day trips up to 20 miles on a good day… as well as shorter local play in the sea. I use a Smart Pro Neris ( folding inflatable hybrid hand made in Ukraine… amazing compared to Sea Eagle and Aqua Glide equiv… but I now want to learn hard kayak skills.. Thanks :-)

@joshinfwtx4506 Год назад

thaks for asking, I came here to ask about Virgo comparison also. Glad I read comments first. Thanks for the feedback @PaddleTV

@ocpbmuse Год назад

How would you say this compares to the prijon Yukon that Pete runs? Looking for something like the Yukon since they no longer make it.

@joshinfwtx4506 Год назад

The Virgo is closer in length to Yukon. I think both the P&H Virgo and Dagger Stratos 14.5 are good runner up alternatives to Yukon. All Rover Kings fans know that according to Pete no boat is as good for river kayak camping as the Yukon.

@user-zn7bq3kk9l 2 месяца назад

Hi Ken Really enjoy your channnel- I am calling on your expertise - we have now purchased a tandem SOT we used for the first time and when lifting back on to car we could hear water inside- it has a drain plug but is there an easy way to drain without having to try and stand a 13 foot kayak on its end?

@PaddleTV Месяц назад

Thanks! If the kayak has a hatch, you can sponge the water out. If not... unfortunately there's no choice but to put it on end.

@rusy9432 2 года назад

What do you think of the 13"6 Wilderness Tsunami, or the Tsunami series in general?thanks.

@bobm9509 Год назад

I love my 125. I'm no pro but 30 mile day trips are comfortable.

@rusy9432 Год назад

@@bobm9509 I ended up going for the 145 and it's great

@pduckwor Год назад

As a bigger guy I am considering the Scorpio HV, any chance you could review one of those as there not much on RU-vid about it?

@PaddleTV Год назад

It's on my list!

@davormazic8506 2 года назад

Would you reccommend MV or HV for me? I am 183cm and 85kg. Got a good discount on Venture Jura (Venture Jura is now called P&H Leo and specs are the same as Leo for MV and HV version). I can buy it for 1400EUR in TriLite (better material than MZ3) version with Scudder (SKEG/RUDDER) included.

@PaddleTV 2 года назад

Ooooo. That sounds good! For general, all-round use, I would go for the HV. It's not huge, and so you won't feel like you're 'swimming' around in the kayak. That being said, the MV would offer a little more 'performance' in rough conditions. Wouldn't be as comfortable as the HV though. Unless you're mostly doing rough water, I would go for the HV.

@christiller3257 2 года назад

How does this compare to a Wilderness systems Tempest 170? Besides being a foot shorter, $600 more and 3 pounds heavier?

@joshinfwtx4506 Год назад

I'd also like to know this

@Rockerrobin 2 года назад

If it can't fit in the back the truck it's too big 🤷. Nice boat if you can haul it around and store it personally 12.5 is the max I can take on and store away for the winter.

@andybobsadventures 2 года назад

Is 245lbs total capacity? Paddler and gear?

@thecappy 2 года назад

Hi, do you know of any good kayaks that can hold up to 300lbs? I’m a big guy (6’, 250lbs, power lifter type) and with any gear I’m hovering on the low side of 300.

@thecappy 2 года назад

Should specify sit in kayak.

@donkeyavenger 2 года назад

Eddyline sitka LT(350lb capacity) or XT(400lb capacity) is a good choice depending on your inseam. I'm 6'5" so I got the XT since it was much easier to enter than the LT for myself

@wisenber 2 года назад

I'd look at the cockpit size first then weight capacity. Lots of boats will carry that weight, but you won't be able to fit in all of them. I wear a size 13 shoe. Finding a cockpit that will accommodate a big foot can be just as challenging. Also, ALWAYS try to stay at 80% or under the rated weight. Otherwise, it will handle horribly. If you want to carry a total of 300 lbs, find one that can handle 375. If you can shrink your load to 280 lbs, you can drop to a 350 lbs capacity.

@lawrencestokes5745 2 года назад

Old Town Castine 145. 388lb usable capacity. Large cockpit. At 6', 246lbs have packed 66lbs of camping gear in the hatches (with room left over) and the boat handled great in windy conditions.

@JoshPiland 3 месяца назад

Appreciate this one! #Gratitude

@PaddleTV 3 месяца назад

🙌

@JakkeLehtonen-Jagster 7 месяцев назад

Is paddler’s weight same as how much weight it can or should carry totally? I mean if a paddler weights 100 kilo there isn’t too much room for any other cargo then.

@JakkeLehtonen-Jagster 7 месяцев назад

Okey… I was too hasty. They tell total capacity. That means longer expeditions will be quite difficult if followed those limits… I know 80% rule but how much we can go over max capacity or is it bad idea always in generally? And yes, this is more general question than just for Leo. Could you find enough materia to wonder weight question a bit deeper? Quite many is doing touring, camping and expediotions and because a kayaknis not a canoe 😏 we have to limit what stuff we are taking with us. And again - if followed rule of 80% of capacity it means we can forget camping with food and water right away.

@markscott4059 3 месяца назад

Have tried the PH Delphin 155?

@PaddleTV 3 месяца назад

Not yet!

@williamclark3712 2 года назад

Nice kayak but why does a rotomolded kayak cost $2600?? Tariffs?

@justin2237 2 года назад

Supply chain issues. Companies tend to not keep spare stock in hand because it costs money to warehouse. Any issues in raw supply cascade down the line

@gugeyer 2 года назад

with just skeg is more cheap.

@TheExtraTerrestrial Год назад

Yeah, I bought my last yak several years ago, for what I thought was a reasonable price. I'm looking around again now, and see the prices have gotten a bit wacky, especially for plastic boats. Dang.

@HeathenGeek Месяц назад

🙂🙂

@flt528 Год назад

Sea kayaks are called "sea kayaks" because they're designed for the rough water you often encounter in the ocean (narrow, plenty of rocker, buoyant bow for surfing, lower volume/decks, easy to roll). As opposed to "touring" kayaks made more for flatter inland waters with less wind (wider, less rocker, more volume, rudder). Classic "sea" kayak is P&H Cetus; classic "touring" kayak is WS Tsunami.

@keithmoriyama5421 2 года назад

What about Delta Kayaks? Basically a very similar kayak with superb build quality, but thermoformed, lighter, prettier and slightly cheaper.

@gordonbarton8440 2 года назад

Personally I think p&h have made the worst skeg system ever. So many times on the water and someone has an issue with a p&h skeg. The day hatch behind the paddler is ideal for first aid kit, storm shelter, warm clothes. Everything that a sea kayak leader needs to hand without digging about in the main hatches.

@paulmphoto 2 года назад

I thought sea kayaks were specifically different because the hulls are designed with higher bouyancy of kayaks in seawater.

@bigbranch1 2 года назад

Safety first.....learn the wet exit....reason I like sit on tops......

@ricjasareno5946 Год назад

The kayak industry needs to add technology system controls on its products, its time to upgrade the way people kayak

@Cornpone 9 месяцев назад

Like what? For a lot of people, the whole point of outdoor sports is to get away from tech

@alkaholic4848 Год назад

I'm guessing P&H pay you to do these reviews? Felt more of an advert to me, I didn't get anything useful out of it. Just stating the obvious (straight from P&H's marketing info), with a lot of digressions inbetween.

@thomasp8160 Год назад

polyethylene just isn't it if you're looking for a bit of a professional kayak. Unfortunately

@flatheadfletch Год назад

23” is not narrow. It’s on the wide side

@pikemaster1972 2 года назад

This company has left Capella paddlers high and dry by discontinued hatch covers . Like buying a car that you can no longer get tyres for . Stick with valley