Review of Maelstrom Vaag (and Tiderace Xcite)

Maestrom Vaag - Norwalk CT

Maelstrom Vaag - "fold" aft of cockpit for rocker

Hi Mark –
As promised, a few thoughts on the Vaag and Xcite:
1. General/Stability: Like the Tiderace Xcite, the Maelstrom Vaag is longer and more of a straight-running boat than my Romany or Pintail (two boats I’ve owned most recently, though I also owned a hard-chine Greenland-style boat, an Explorer, and a Necky Looksha IV years ago. Have also paddled a range of other boats on the Hudson w/ AKT). The Vaag had similar initial and secondary stability to the Xcite, maybe a little more “solid” feeling in initial stability than the Xcite. But essentially both the Vaag and Xcite are noticeably more “loose” in stability than the very solid Romany and Explorer – which is actually nice, having some easier hip looseness. Some of this may be due to hull shape (both boats may be less flat in cross section than the romany/explorer) but also may be due to my weight – at 175lbs, 5’10” and size 10 feet, I’m on the top end for the Romany so it sits low in the water and as a consequence is a very stable platform, sometimes too stable. The Xcite and Vaag have more buoyancy so feel more loose to edge at my weight.

2. Tracking/Edging: As I said, the Xcite is more of a game-changer. Its hull seems sufficiently different from the Explorer (and Explorer knock-offs I’ve paddled) that’s it’s really a new type of “feel” on the water – straight running, but maneuverable when edged, carvable turns on a wave face when you shift from hard edge to edge. Xcite also side-slips (hanging-draw) with almost no effort, miraculous really. On the other side, to me the Xcite is stiff tracking when not edged. The Vaag on the other hand is less of a radical departure, like a “tweaked” Explorer or P&H boat (Capella, etc.). The Vaag has a smooth, rounded hull with less chine. This gives it a more familiar feel to me than the Xcite. Vaag may actually be less chiney than my Romany.

3. The Stern: The real new thing about the Vaag is the hull shape behind the cockpit. Obvious when paddling and obvious once you take a look at it on dry land. It appears to have noticeably more rocker than NDK boats, and the rocker is not spread out along the hull gradually, but instead begins just behind the cockpit as if someone bent/folded the boat there at a pivot point. What this does (at least today, paddling out and around Sheffield in some 5-10 kt west wind - head and tail winds) is loosen the rear end considerably. I was shocked really – the boat is substantially longer than my Romany (and feels it when paddling straight), but give it a little edge and it cranks a sharp turn faster than I’ve experienced in a boat in a long time (get an Anas acuta or Pintail on edge and it’ll do the same). What adds to this effect is the tapering of the stern too – looking at it from above, the Vaag tapers much more quickly from the cockpit backwards as compared to most boats. So when you edge it, almost the entire stern is out, above the water! This turns a 17’ boat into an 11’ boat instantly and it cranks a turn on a dime. However, a consequence of this rocker and stern shape I noticed is that with some mild following seas today, it yawed readily back and forth with each wave – even more readily than my Romany. This was fun today and easily corrected with the skeg or strokes, but would it be fun on a bigger day? Probably. Would have to test it. In any case, the tapered shape of the stern and more radical rocker makes the Vaag maneuverable. [I had the Xcite out in bigger conditions (20kt winds)so hard to compare tracking stiffness to the Vaag fairly, just impressions.]

4. The Vaag cockpit overall wasn’t my favorite due to low deck height – as I said to you, the Xcite cockpit is the most functional and comfortable cockpit I’ve ever sat in. If I was being really picky, I’d lower the Xcite front deck maybe 1” but that’s being picky. The Vaag would benefit from the knee bumps of the Xcite or Romany Surf or XL in my opinion. [By the way, the Vital (the smaller Maelstrom boat) should definitely be offered in a larger/taller cockpit. I’m an average sized guy and could not fit comfortably in the Vital – but it’s 6” longer than a Romany!?? Why limit it to tiny paddlers? It might just be the perfect day/play boat average paddlers are looking for if they could fit in it!] The awesome part of the Vaag cockpit was the foam back support – amazing. I’ve shaped a bunch of foam supports for various boats but these guys got it right. It is the perfect size and shape, placed at the perfect height to hit you at the base of your spine. It provides a supportive vertical surface but also allows a bit of lean back if you want and lateral movement for hip rotation. It gets an A+ in my book. I typically like the variability of a ratcheting back-band - you can crank it tight for wave play, but loosen it on the fly from the cockpit for the paddle home. But the Vaag’s foam backrest is really nice – I wouldn’t miss the back band.

5. The tiny front hatch by the cockpit isn’t necessary – I’d lose it in both the Vaag and Xcite. What can you hold in there – a VHF? I keep that on my person near to use. Might fit a candy bar in there? It’d be OK if it was a “neutral” add-on, but if you have a foam footrest to have your feet more centered (something a lot of paddlers like) the hatch box there may get in the way of your feet. I’d remove it entirely. Also, the Vaag’s hatches looked a little “iffy” in terms of water tightness – I prefer the new style of Kajaksport hatches on the Xcite.

6. What I’m looking for in a boat may be unique to me – all boats are a compromise. I’d take some volume away from the Xcite and maybe give it more rocker. I’d add more deck height to the Vaag and maybe shorten its length. But you can’t go wrong with either boat. As I said I think the Xcite is a more significant change from boats out there, so if I was buying a boat for big water that might be it, simply to try something “new”.

Take care - JIM (Saturday - 12/11/10)