P&H DELPHIN SEA KAYAK – SPECS & REVIEW LINKS
The P&H RM Delphin 155 Sea Kayak – In Charleston
Smaller, Lighter, More Playful!
A true ocean play boat, this is the rugged roto-moulded version of the
newly designed P&H Aries. The Delphin shares its sister ship's excellent performance in high-energy
environments including surf, tide races, and rock gardens. The full
bow and stern, and ample rocker, reduce plunging and increase responsiveness.
A pronounced mid-section makes for predictable edge-turning and side-surfing. The
built-in skeg gives firmer tracking in smoother seas on the way to or
from the play zones.
›› LEARN MORE: Delphin Reviews & First Impressions
New from P&H in 2010 the Delphin turns traditional sea kayak design on its head
and challenges many preconceived ideas of how a sea kayak should look and
behave. The newly designed Delphin is being produced in two sizes — the 150 and the 155. The cockpit has been move backwards and the stern squared off so the
bow just kisses the water but when paddling the stern engages and aids
tracking. This is a shorter, lighter and more playful design for P&H — The Delphin is designed to carve, change direction and generally rip-up
the wave then spin on a dime to get you back out over the breakers for
another ride, while still having the poise and presence to serve as an excellent light touring boat.
“
This combination is unique to the Delphin and creates
a kayak that paddles like a traditional sea kayak on flat
water with enough speed to keep up with the pack but
transforms into a new genre of free-ride sea kayak when
it hits moving water, coming alive in tide races, over falls
and surging water” —P&H Design Notes
Sea Kayak Carolina has the Delphin — Call us at 843-225-7969 for details.
The P&H RM Delphin 155
Length: 15’5”
Max. Width: 22.5"
Max Deck Height: 13"
Volume: 76 gal.
Cockpit: 32"x16.6"
Weight: 46lbs
Material: 3-ply RM Plastic
Optimum Total Load (approx.): 143-275 lbs
Available at Sea Kayak Carolina.
Learn more —
›› visit the official P&H Delphin page
- Rocker - Creates super manoeuvrability when surfing and prevents purling
- Quick Resurfacing Bow - Splits and sheds water preventing nose burying on steep waves and helps punch through waves on way through surf
- Hard Chines - Direct water onto planing surface and bow allowing for a super-fast pick up on the wave
- Planing surface and smooth chines - Forgiving for beginners and when surfing
- Flat Midsection Hull - The most manoeuvrable sea kayak on the market, spins like a white water kayak to get you out of those sticky situations like crossing fast flowing races
- Width around cockpit - Stable for beginners
- Stern - Squared off to increase water length, speed and tracking
- Rear weighting - Creates a long water line when paddling on flat water for speed and tracking
- Large rear and fore hatch - Lots of day tripping storage
- Low back deck and cockpit - Easy to roll when the wave wins
- Deck Pod - access your essentials on the move
- Skeg - aids tracking capabilities in cross winds
- Rudder ready - beginners will love the rudder, easy to control and confidence inspiring.
Reviews & First Impressions of the P&H Delphin
Britain’s Best Selling Canoe Magazine, Canoe & Kayak rates the Delphin "Best Ocean Play Boat" in a line-up of 12 world-class plastic sea kayaks.
“
...we’ve invented a brand new award, just for the Delphin.
It is really, really easy to edge and its maneuvrability is
amazing...it’s initial and secondary stability are excellent
and it edges and carves with ease.we can certainly see
many ‘expedition’ sea paddlers adding a Delphin to the
boat rack as a second boat for days when they just want
to head out for some fun.” —CKUK 8/31/2010
VIDEO: Delphin in the Surf
Following are some notes from P&H's Brian Day's paddle of the new boat when he visited Sea Kayak Carolina with the "almost production" Delphin 155. Brian reports that this boat was taken from the production forms, and only differed in some of the fit and finish elements.
Appearance
By now everybody has had a chance to see the images that have been
circulating about the Delphin. Heavily rockered. Buoyant bow. Chopped stern.
The bow has a distinct peak to it that will shed water and resurface
predictably. There are two sharp chines below the bow to help bring the boat
up onto plane in the surf. Hull is VERY flat underseat with a rounded edge.
Behind the seat a soft chine reappears and carries on to the stern ending at
the tip of the keel line, rather than “ghosting” up toward the sheer.
Sitting in the boat the bow has very nice lines and the same “looks smaller
than it is” impression that the Cetus gives.
Fit
This is the Delphin 155. And the outfitting in the boat is pre-production.
It is safe to assume that things will change slightly in the final boats.
That said, the fit is comfortable for me (6’1” 185#). It should easily
accommodate paddlers over 200 pounds. Plenty of room for bigger guys without
being too loose for somebody my size. The Delphin 150 will be great for
shorter or lighter folks.
Back deck is low enough to allow for layback rolls. Footroom is just fine
for my big dogs. Backband is Connect 30 whitewater style with ratchets at
the thighbraces. Footrests are standard P&H.
First Paddle
Got the boat out at Folly Beach. Unfortunately the surf was minimal.
One-footers. Enough to catch a few gentle rides but not enough to really go
to work. BUT—here are some observations:
Stability
We had hoped that the Delphin would be stable enough to use as a beginners
boat. It is. VERY stable. I went from the Scorpio LV into the Delphin. The
Delphin is noticeably more stable than the Scorpio LV. I suspect that it is
also slightly more stable than the full sized Scorpio. No problem for
beginners or big guys.
Edging
Very easy to edge despite the huge primary stability. Responds to weight
shifts in the seat. Holds on edge without hanging a knee. Just what we would
expect from the current generation of P&H hulls.
Maneuverability
Remarkable. This is easily the most maneuverable sea kayak I have ever been
in. Edge the boat, look where you want to go, and the Delphin with rip
through 180 degrees effortlessly. No problem to charge out toward a set,
bang the boat on edge and turn completely around in time to catch the wave.
And it seems to track pretty darned well, too.
Surfing
The waves were pretty near nonexistent. But there were a few rides to be
had. The Delphin comes up to speed well. Catches small wind waves
effortlessly. Can be maneuvered on the wave once you have started surfing.
Scott at Sea Kayak Carolina was so impressed with the ease of surfing that
he plans to buy a half dozen Delphins specifically to teach beginners how to
surf sea kayaks.
Rolling
Easy to roll. Pops right up onto the hull. Hand rolls are not a problem. The
paddler can lay back to finish if desired.
That’s all for now – more details once I have a
little more time in the boat.
“Awesome day. Best kayak surfing of the year. Five-six
foot breaking waves and even bigger faces! The Delphin
performed as advertised – one bad a** surf boat!!
—Wm. Seabrook, surfing hurricane Earl waves at
Lighthouse Inlet, Charleston, SC 9/1/2010
Josh Hall on the Delphin —
I wanted to pass on
my thanks to all of you for letting me test the NEW P&H Delphin. Although
the conditions were minimal I thought the boat was quite unique. P&H
certainly has done something very creative and specific for a long boat sea
kayak.
It behaves and responds more like an IC Surf Kayak than a
traditional touring boat that just surfs well. The stability (secondary and
primary) lends itself well to the beginner paddler who is learning to surf a
sea kayak for the first time. For the more experienced and aggressive
paddler; the ease in which the boat responds to edge changes was
impressive.
What I found most remarkable was how it surfed in reverse. I
discovered that I had the excellent control with simple rudder strokes
regardless of whether I was facing down the wave or riding in reverse. P&H
most definitely has something with this boat. If the opportunity arises I
would love to test it out in more advanced conditions. Best to all, and
thanks again for the invitation – always great to get on the water with the
SKC and P&H crowd.
Josh is an ACA Instructor Trainer, with Advanced
Open Water Traditional Skills Endorsements, an
ACA Whitewater Canoe Instructor and an ACA
Advanced Whitewater Kayak Instructor