While on Merritt Island Fl last weekend I demoed the S&G NH, S&G Petrel, Petrel Play and the strip Petrel. All of this was done in the boring but unavoidable safe zone of the demo area. The NH was better than I remembered with excellent secondary stability, tracking and quick turning. It is just an amazing boat. I used to own one and may build it again.

The Petrel Play was the real reason I showed up at the demo. It immediately reminded me of the VCP Nordkapp in the sense that its secondary stability was different than most kayaks. Capable but very different. I wanted to try it out in the surf but that was understandably out of the question. The demo dude told me that he loaned one to a group of hardcore British kayakers and they fought over it to the point of swapping in and out of it while on the water. They all just loved it. This type of anecdote holds a lot of weight with me.

I really want to build this boat but I would like an opinion of those who have taken it out into the mayhem of surf and big water. Am I correct in thinking that this boat performs best in rough water? Nordkapps come alive and the deeper the trouble the happier they are. Again like a Nordkapp the Play tracked well until edged and then came about extremely well and very fast. But the secondary stability while cruising on flat water was less than expected. Thoughts?