valley sea kayak

hey guys just saw a valley pintail sea kayak for sale second hand for 450 euros on donedeal. had a look at the reviews on the net and looks pretty good. any thougts or advice, seriously considering buying it. thanks

Hi Anthony,
Valley have a good reputation and their boats are usually solid. I haven't paddled the pintail but looking at the rocker on it, it will be a great boat for rough conditions or surf but won't be as fast as a boat with a longer waterline. I just took a look at the one on donedeal and it looks like it has an ocean cockpit which can be a bit snug for some people, most modern boats have a keyhole cockpit like a river boat. You would have to buy a new spray deck as your river deck won't fit, looks like you'll have to buy hatch covers also so you'll have to spend another few euro to get on the water. That front hatch is a very small one also so you'll need a lot of small dry bags to store gear in the front hatch.

I'm on my 2nd fibreglass boat and love them but a fibreglass boat means you can't always get into the same spots as plastic boats, especially when the lads are rockhopping, unless you don't mind a few dings here and there.

Just a few things to think about. €450 is a cheap price for a fibreglass boat.

Don't know if any of that will help

Hi Anthoney

I'd agree with Sean .I had a Point 65 whiskey .The big problem was self rescue, was the small cockpit.I've checked the reviews ,great boat for experienced Sea paddlers in Rough water and Quote a dog to paddle on flat.
Just type in Valley Pintail it's all there.
Saying all that thats a cheap Valley .
Best of luck with your decision

thanks guys. the only reason i was looking at this kayak was the price, but i m not an experienced paddler at all and it would be my first sea kayak. i might just wait for a plastic boat to come up.