Reviews for Greenland T Kayak by Tahe Marine

I am a 175cm 95kg male who has paddled the T for three years, alongside a semi carbon standard Greenland, a Tahe Reval, and an S&G angmagssalik as well as several other popular sea kayaks. What strikes me most about the Greenland T is the fun factor combined with my ability to tour in the boat. I have toured/camped from the boat for in excess of a week, restocking water and supplies en route very successfully, with a good average touring speed (4knts). I have giggled through 15ft swell in bF7, albeit without much prospect of making forward distance into the wind, surfed the self same swells home with perfect control.

The boat rolls like a dream and really is the preferred option over the stock Tahe Greenland if you are 85+kg; seriously. The construction is very good for the weight (mine has a kevlar layer) and is tough enough for heavy surf and the odd rock conflict. The gelcoat seems 'soft' compared to others and whilst it is easy with trad. design boats to confuse speed with stealth the Greenland T offers decent speed and excellent maneuverability when heeled and driven through the water properly (ie; edging and appropriate strokes). Low decks make for a wet boat and the large touring type hatches and large cockpit do allow for some water ingress (I use a Reed deck) but for me this is an acceptable pay off for what is in essence a coastal boat as opposed to a big crosser. Having said that I have made 5 mile crossings without any worry.

Tahe created the T to accommodate larger paddlers than the Greenland (both now carry the Zegul badge). I demoed both hulls and went with the T because it "felt" faster and more maneuverable than the slimmer Greenland. In addition to having a bit more volume (in beam), the T also has a day hatch and full keyhole cockpit that the Greenland lacks. However, at 5-foot-9 and 165 lbs, I am a bit smaller than at least one of the two previous reviewers. It seems that Tahe -- to expand their market to bigger paddlers -- moved the T's seat aft. I found it too close to the rear coaming for comfortable laybacks, and too far from the thigh hooks for someone of my size to get a good grip.

So I drilled a couple of new holes in the cheek stays and re-hung the stock seat about 1 inch forward. This gave me just enough room in front of the coaming for a much improved layback. I removed the backband in favor of a full-width, 1-inch minicell pad wedged between the top of the seat and the bottom of the coaming. I also removed the seat pad for a better fit (the stock seat is contoured so nicely no pad is needed) and I use a 1-inch minicell masik that I slide into place slightly aft of the thigh hooks. This gives me a tight but all-day comfortable fit in the cockpit and great control. If it changed the trim and handling of the hull at all, it improved it.

I'm 5'10 and weigh 88kgs. I have no problems fitting in the low volume Greenland. The first time I got in it I found it a little tippy, but my old boat is a lot wider. Once I got moving it soon settled down. Within 20 minutes I was happy. What really surprised me is the secondary stability. It's great. So easy to hold an edge and thanks to the hard chines it turns very smoothly and very quickly.

It's reasonably fast. The rocker and very sharp ends reduce the water line, but it's not meant to be a sprint boat. It tracks beautifully in all conditions. I tend to only use the skeg in a heavy following sea or surfing. I've never needed it to prevent weather cocking.

It's a great boat in waves. Rides up then punches through easily. In a beam sea, the V hull and hard chines mean bracing into the wave is easy. Its the easiest boat to roll I've ever paddled - even when fully loaded.

A lot of people thinks it's too low a volume for multi-day trips. I've now done two 5 days trips, with no issues at all. But coming from a mountaineering background I've spent far too much money on lightweight kit, and work on the principle "If I can't carry it I can't take it" and the boat still has way more volume than any rucksack!

The build quality and attention to detail is excellent. I find the seat and (basic) back support very comfortable. The footrests are solid and very easy to adjust. All three bulkheads and hatches are completely watertight. I never had a drop get in yet. Apart from a few very minor scratches from spare paddles on the stern deck there's hardly a mark on it. The hull is still unmarked despite a few beach landings. I've added some more bungy to the front deck and a mount for a Silva 70 compass.

The boat appears very made. Although not heavily built the deck does not deflect when sat on. All bolt heads are capped so will not damage cargo or flesh. Finish, inside and out is superlative. Most of the deck is finished in a slightly rough method. Not enough to be truly non-skid. The seat, all-day comfortable, has a thin, removable pad. An aftermarket back pad maybe welcomed by some. The only fault in build or equipment noted is the thinness of the toggle cords. I have all ready replaced them with a heavier cord. The cockpit is easy to enter, either feet or butt first. Exit, wet or dry is equally easy. Knee braces are perfect for me. I will add some thin padding.