Valley Etain RM 17.5 & 17.7

Swede form Sea Kayaks for Expedition Paddling

The Valley Etain RM is an expedition ready kayak with a good turn of speed and able to handle complex seas. The Etain is designed to paddle just as well loaded as it does empty. The hull has a fairly neutral design being only slightly "Swede" form, with the widest point rear of centre. This kind of design provides good glide making it a very efficient kayak to paddle. It is also ideal for high angle paddle techniques when needed because yoour paddle strokes are over a narrower part of the boat. Other features are a hull that has a shallow to moderate ‘V’ in cross-section with a great stability profile and good tracking characteristics too. It also has moderate rocker making it responsive to edging and providing surprisingly good manoeuvrability when needed.

The Etain RM has a small day hatch in front of the cockpit for items you need easy access to on the water. Just behind the cockpit is a slightly larger deck hatch which is also accessible on the water and ideal for storing items such as a cagoule ready to access quickly for protection from an approaching squall. Two large fore and aft hatches provide ample storage for day or multi day expeditions. Other features of the Etain RM include a locking point situated behind the cockpit and special attention given to cockpit ergonomics to ensure good comfort during long days on the water.

The Etain RM retains all the features of the composite model however being built in polyethylene construction it is able to cope better with rock garden play or landings on rocky coastlines. This Valley kayak is ideally suited to a wide range of paddlers and a multitude of uses from short trips to long expeditions.