Overview:
When people think of a “traditional” sea kayak, the Valley Anas Acuta is the boat that comes to mind. Its Greenland styling combined with extreme chines and tremendous rocker makes this kayak different from all the rest. The Anas Acuta was designed after an Inuit hunting kayak of East Greenland and was the industry’s first ever production sea kayak.
Image Courtesy of Valley Sea Kayaks
The Deets:
Material: Diolen
Class: Sea Kayak in a class of its own
Length: 17’2”
Width: 20”
Cockpit: Ocean (16”x20”) or Keyhole (16”x30”)
Weight: ~49lbs
Paddler Suitability: 110-195lbs
Hatches: Bow/Stern/Day
Standard with skeg
MSRP: $3,899.00
The Review:
Paddling the Valley Anas Acuta is truly a unique experience, its fish-form with immense rocker and hard chine hull make this boat most comfortable in less than perfect conditions. I have been paddling my 1995 Anas Acuta for 3 years now and have yet to find much, outside of speed and tracking in flat water, that she doesn’t do well. One of the defining characteristics of this kayak is just how responsive she is to anything from weight shifts to paddling strokes. For an experienced kayaker, this boat is truly a jack-of-all-trades, making it easy to show off many different strokes and trick rolls. When put on edge, the Anas is a dream to turn or draw, her secondary stability also helps with static bracing.My Anas is outfitted with Valley’s ocean cockpit, making it a very tight fit when compared with the cockpits of many of today’s kayaks. The Ocean cockpit helps to make the kayak become an extension of my body and allows amazing control over the hull when paddling, bracing or rolling.
Nick, in his Anas Acuta, demonstrates a hand roll for his kayaking class
I would not recommend this kayak as a touring boat but as more of a day boat for playing. There is room for storage in the bow and stern hatches, however I would not want to sacrifice her playfulness by loading her down. The day hatch is plenty for me; it has enough room for snacks and H2O to get me through the day. Also, I would not recommend this boat for beginners; its 21” beam and fish-form make it a relatively unstable boat. Finally, if outfitted with an ocean cockpit, the wet-exit can get a lot more intimidating.
-Nick
PROS: playfulness, traditional styling, day hatch, easily rolls
CONS: Does not track well in near perfect conditions, slow in flat water