Quick preview of the Dagger Stratos 14.5

I had the chance to paddle the Dagger Stratos 14.5L last Sunday. Fun little touring kayak! It has an adjustable skeg, which is a first for me. In short it is a fin you lower more or less depending on how much tracking you need. I thought it tracked relatively well even without using the skeg, but when you use the skeg it becomes much harder to turn naturally. The cockpit is great with thigh braces and a solid foot brace, very comfy position. It is very stable and the cockpit is long enough to be able to sit first and then slide your legs in.
I wanted to check the speed because I read reviews complaining about its slowish cruising speed. I thought it was fine: I can keep the 8 km/h (5 mph) for hours but it does feel heavy compared to the Riot Edge 14.5 which is much narrower (22" - 57 cm vs 24.5" - 62.23 cm for the Stratos 14.5) for the same length.
My paddle is an Orka Super Flex Pro. I am in my mid fifties and not exactly fit...

[@IamNothing82]

Nice surf 😊

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

A bit like a stretched Arcadia. Great looking conditions for a little blast.

[@kayakintro]

Yes, we can say that! Personally I prefer having a rudder than a skeg but I can see some advantage to it. I forgot to put a link about the Stratos: www.dagger.com/us/stratos I haven't paddled the Acadia for awhile. It is great small kayak, super fast for just 370 cm.

[@larscrantz]

Seems like a nice little boat. I have never been able to sit in that position for too long though, my legs start to hurt after only 15-20 minutes. Great music choic btw...😊

[@IamNothing82]

I have had a Perception kayak where my legs were in the same position and I had the same problem, that sucked so bad. I really tried everything to make it better (I even made a video abt it), it was a improvement but didn't solve it. Pain became so bad after more and more trips, I just had to sell it.

[@kayakintro]

Thanks! I like music from the seventies/jazz. As for the position I am ok but indeed you have to choose about the legs together (not easy here as the top of the cockpit is low) or using the knee braces in order to be well "locked in" (I can get out easily of course...).

[@kayakintro]

@@IamNothing82 Found your clip which is at kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6utn6x9pr2Jd8k I agree with you in general about the backrest in the way of the spray deck. Very annoying and I sometimes remove the backrest totally. With the Perception Spectrum the seat has a kind of divider... After a few hours it really hurts! I just put a foam on it. The numb legs symptoms you have is common with some old Fenn surfskis when it is too narrow for the hips. The seat in the Stratos is comfortable compared to many of the sea kayaks I paddled.

[@larscrantz]

@@IamNothing82 I have come to accept that I am just not built for those types of kayaks. Luckily I can choose kayaks with a footrest...:)

[@kayakintro]

@@larscrantzIt has a footrest of some sort, it is the wall of the bulkhead. I am quoting them “Touring bulkhead foot brace: We've incorporated our world-class white water foot brace technology into the Stratos, providing a more ergonomic connection to the kayak and increased comfort and security.”

[@maldrury8313]

You can paddle 8km for hours but you're not exactly fit? Seems fit to me! How is the comfort compared to a Ski?

[@kayakintro]

@@maldrury8313 Well I am well overweight according to my BMI!! I definitely need to lose some weight this winter. The comfort is quite good compared to a ski! I am paddling more the sea kayaks because it’s getting quite cold now. No more wet bottom, no icy wind over the legs or frozen feet making me walk like a zombie after a surfski paddle! The seat is well padded. Personally I think the best kayak for Auckland is a multisport or something like the Epic 18X (and a ski for summer).