UPDATE: Since I wrote this post, I have been paddling the Valley Etain pretty intensively for close to 6 weeks now for an Ocean Paddler Magazine review. The review will be out in the next issue.
There is a lot of talk within the paddling community about how it compares to the P&H Cetus. As regular readers know I currently paddle a Cetus so thought I would share some comparison photos I took last week. Click any of the images to view and enlarged version.
Original Post
The Valley Etain is a slight break in tradition for Valley Sea Kayaks who traditional produce sea kayaks with a slight Fish Form (widest point just in front of the midpoint). The new Etain is Swede Form (widest point to the rear of the midpoint). Valley describe their design brief as being to:
Produce a contemporary sea kayak suitable for expedition style paddling whilst still fun and nimble enough for day and weekend work. The benchmark boats being – our own Aquanaut & Nordkapp’s, NDK’s Explorer, P&H’s Cetus and Quest models, Tide Race’s Explore and Rockpool’s GT.
Peter Orton of Valley, has also made the following observations:
As I mentioned previously this is not entirely about making a better Valley boat, although we certainly hope it will be one of our best, primarily it is about making a new boat for those that aren’t currently drawn to what we offer.
The hull has shallow to moderate ‘V’ in cross-section for good initial stability, and rocker which Valley describe as:
Specfications are stated as:…moderate i.e. slightly less than some other Valley boats to provide secure tracking but still enough to provide a lively ride.
Length: 17’6” (534cm)
Width: 21.5” (55cm)
Depth: 13.25” (34cm)
Weight: 51lbs (23.5kg)
Of interest, is a new take on the deck hatch, with Valley creating a removable ‘deck-pod’ (as shown in some images below).
This certainly looks like an interesting boat and as a P&H Cetus owner which features some similarities in design/features I’m interested to see how this Kayak compares.
Looks like a nice kayak. I can’t wait to try it. I’m really interested in seeing the cross-section shapes — the shadows make it look like my Siskiwit design. If it’s anything like that, I think I’ll love it.
Probably a trick of the photo, but the widest point does not appear to be behind the cockpit.
Mark
Actually it isn’t behind the cockpit, the mid point of the Etain is about 2 inches in front of the seat. The widest point is only 2 or 3 inches behind this making it very subtly swede form compared to our Cetus’s ( Cetii ??) which are very pronounced Swede Form.
Hi Duncan – I could be interested in one of these! bulk order discount?!!!
I have been considering changing my Quest LV for a Cetus. I am a bit heavy for the Quest LV and want a kayak more stable for photography. It looks like the Etain could also be an option. Looking forward to hearing a comparison report. Where is the best place locally (Dorset / Hants) to test paddle the Cetus and Etain?
Hi Ian,
Woodmill Canoe Shop in Southampton have both the Etain 177 and Etain 175 (essentially a lower volume version) composite boats as demos as well as the P&H Cetus and Cetus LV so would be your best bet to do a comparison.
I wrote up a review of the Etain which appeared in issue 25 of Ocean Paddler Magazine and if all goes according to plan will have my hands on the Etain 175 composite and Etain PE shortly so will be able to give an all round comparison once I’ve paddled those.
Thanks Duncan
I will arrange a test with Woodmill. I have just come back from a week with Jeff Allen’s Sea Kayaking Cornwall and got to try Rockpool’s Alaw and Mena and NDK Explorer and the HV version. Supprisingly I found the longer Menai easier to handle and turn in rough conditions and it is a quick boat.
Just joined this blog and trying to take on board all the information available after a number of years away. Need to buy a Kayak but totally confused as to what will suit me best! I will be doing mostly day trips, some overnight camping trips 3/4 times a year. 5foot 9inch 16 stone/101Kg’s/222 Lbs. Like the sound and reviews of the Etain but in need of some advice/help/experiences/inspiration. Happy to travel to buy correct Kayak!
thanks in advance
Still trying to test a standard Cetus locally. Woodmill have broken their demo boat, so it is waiting repair. Poole Canoes might have one for July. For what seems like a popular kayak, they sure are hard to get a test on the South coast.
Finally got to test paddle the Cetus and the Etain side by side at the very helpful Woodmill Centre. Both kayaks were very comfortable and fitted me well. Both are easy to handle. The Cetus seemed to be more responsive to edging and turning. The Etain seemed to track slightly better without skeg. I found the Cetus slightly smoother to roll.
I preferred the appearance and lower profile of the Cetus. The Etain’s higher deck looked bulky in comparison. Not keen on the Cetus skeg control.
I liked both kayaks, but first impressions go to the Cetus.