The skeg box is a huge cutout on the bottom of the boat and I did hear the skeg thunking around a little. Minor weathercocking but I was able to control it by edging and did not need the skeg (I have never used the skeg in the Gemini in 7+ years). It was quite happy in some reflected powerboat slop and 2-3’ waves (biggest conditions I could find today). The coaming is also narrow on edge which makes carrying the kayak solo on your shoulder uncomfortable unless you put your PFD on first.
The cockpit coaming is bulky and a little high - I hit it a few times which I don’t normally do in the other boats. Once I adjusted the foot pegs I didn’t have to fiddle with anything else for the 8.5 mile paddle. I found the Virgo to be very comfortable (I’m 5’7", 150 lb) - roomier than the Stratos but tighter than the Gemini. I have thousands of miles on the Gemini and really love the kayak, it’s like an old, dependable friend now that never lets me down. So very familiar with this type of kayak. I own a Valley Gemini SP RM and a Dagger Stratos 12.5 S, and used to have a Dagger Alchemy 14S - have also paddled the Stratos 14.5S. The Virgo is 14’ x 22", 51 lb in Corelite X. Thought I would share my impressions since the kayak has been mentioned in a few threads recently but is new enough that not many people have been able to paddle it yet. I borrowed a demo Virgo LV from Sweetwater Kayaks here in St Pete today.
0 kommentar(er)
