P&H Delphin demo paddle on Hudson River May 2011 - it's all about the Cockpit!

Was working up in Newburgh NY last friday, so decided to stop a bit early and demo the P&H Delphin at the nearby River Connection kayak shop in Hyde Park, NY. It's been on my short list of boats to demo as I'm looking for something a little more comfortable in the cockpit that is also a shortish day-paddling sea kayak. The owner Marshall set me up with a demo.  First impressions are - fun, turny, even moreso than my Romany. Also a fair amount of yaw with the 1' following waves in the center of the river without the skeg down - to be expected for a short rockered boat. Very manouverable in tight corners as I messed about near shore.  Expect it would be very fun in tidal races or shore-breaking surf.   Didn't take any photos but grabbed the one above online to show cockpit.

Cockpit:  The primary reason the boat was on my short-list was the feel of the cockpit. Unlike my current boat, the Delphin has knee-hooks that are placed further forward away from the torso and adjustable fore/aft. The knee-hooks are also somewhat closer together than other boats. I was pleased to find that this allows a higher and more centered knee position that was very comfortable and solid feeling.  On my current boat, the thigh grips are set quite low and out to the side - this forces the legs out in an Indian-style position that I have come to find (after 15 years of paddling) bothersome to my lumbar back and not the best position for sitting up straight (at least for me). The Delphin and Tiderace boats (see reviews below) allow my knees to be perhaps 2 inches closer together and 1 inch higher up - not much, but enough to make a noticeable difference (to me anyway). More power in forward stroke, more freedom to maneuver the boat around, more comfort.