The Valley 17.3 Étaín - post review

I've paddled the Étaín over two dozen times now, enough to evaluate my experience. Things I like:

• the kayak fits well for my size
• the seat (modified so the back band is ~4" higher) is comfortable for my compromised back
• weathercocking is minimal and easily controlled with the skeg
• the deck pod is shallow enough so I can remove my feet from the foot pedals and stretch out my legs
• I can fit the dismantled kayak cart into the rear hatch
• the kayak will roll despite the higher back band; of course, this ancient mariner uses an extended paddle layback roll
• I understand the skeg apparatus and have been able to repair it

None of the prior advantages are overwhelming, but for me they make the kayak my 'goldilocks' kayak. Although I really don't need the deck pod, it is not in my way when I want to stretch out my feet - unlike the deeper deck pod of the P&H Cetus.

The one thing I'd like to change - the kayak is heavier than I would prefer. As I age and become more puny, this will be true of any kayak I use/own. On the water, the weight is no problem, of course.

A semi-related question - which paddle do I prefer to use? The four in contention are

• Greenland (aka GP)
• Aleutian
• Euro (Werner Shuna)
• Quill (Nimbus Chinook)

Before being smitten by arthritis in my left shoulder, I already had the GP and the Euro. Then the arthritis encouraged me to try the Aleut and subsequently the quill. The Aleut was reputed to minimize shoulder pain, so I was excited to try it - and it was a beautiful piece of art. However, I found no benefit from using it and hope to sell it. The Nimbus quill was my next try and it does seem to help. At this point I prefer the quill, but only slightly over the Euro and GP.