Vee wrote:
I am buying my first kayak but have been renting and demoing for a
couple of years. I have narrowed my choices to 3 similar boats. I am
very interested in hearing from those that own or have used these
boats for a period of time.
The boats are VCP Skerray RMX, CD Sirocco, and P&H Cappella 166 RM.

I would also like owner feedback on a Walden Passage, unrelated to the
above boats. Interested for general fooling around usage in addition
to one of the above. Thanks!

For reference, I currently own a Pintail, an Anas Acuta and a Bestsie
Bay Aral. I've previously owned a Passage, a Nordkapp HM, a fiberglass
BBK Recluse and a Nigel Foster Silhouette (European built). I've also
built three Greenland style skin-on-frame kayaks. I've paddled a Skerray
RM (not the RMX) for two weeks in Shetland and have demoed the Capella
and the Gulfstream, which is the Sirocco's fiberglass "brother". I'm 6'
tall and ~170# (currently 165#).

The kayaks on your list are very different boats.

The Passage is at the crossover point between recreational boats and
true sea kayaks. It's pretty capable in rough water, but it's a too
short, too wide and a bit too stable to be optimum. It's also rather
slow, which can be a real handicap on longer days. It tracks moderately
strongly compared to the others. It's a great boat for what it is and it
served me well. If its size and capabilities suit your needs, it would
be a good choice.

The Skerray is a very maneuverable boat, essentially a "plastic
Pintail". It's very confidence inspiring in rough water and seems to be
a bit faster than a Pintail. It's definitely faster than a Passage and
feels far more "spirited". I like the boat a lot. I would own one for
teaching and rock play if I could justify buying another boat.

The Capella feels very well made and has one of the stiffest plastic
hulls on the market. Like the Skerray, it's very maneuverable, but I
found that it weathercocked badly, to the point that the skeg could not
correct it fully. Perhaps your experience has been different. I don't
think it's as stable as the Skerray, but I paddled the boats a couple of
years apart, so I can't say for certain.

The Gulfstream/Scirocco is a bit of a tub, IMO. It's well built, but
it's slow and somewhat ponderous feeling to me, probably because the
cockpit is excessively roomy for someone my size. It tracks reasonably
well and turns well on edge, but it just feels too big.

Depending on your size and personal preferences, you may feel entirely
differently than I do about these boats. I originally favored strong
tracking boats, but now prefer more maneuverable craft, so consider my
opinions in that context.