The New Improved look Sea Leopard now in production, the "Benz" of the sea Kayak world See what people are saying: read the reviews and comments below, and find out why people are raving over it The Sea Leopard HAS CHANGED its spots, Comments by new owner P.W. Your Sea Leopard has been the best kept secret in sea kayaking. I can't believe the stability for such a long narrow kayak. I like the cockpit. It is a comfortable fit for me. I also like the big glovebox. I find the new layout a snug fit for me after a few minor adjustments. I can still easily lock in for a roll but because my circulation is not as good these days, I need to be able to move my legs a bit after a couple of hours in the saddle to maintain circulation. I gave up carbon because it conducts heat almost instantly which is not desirable in Qld. The rapid heating of the air in an empty kayak causes water to be drawn in over the edge of the hatch when it cools just as quickly on entering the water and I usually ended up with half a cup of water in my hatch after every paddle in summer. It was most annoying but rarely happened on a trip because the hatches were full of gear which left little room for air. I don't think that would be a problem in your part of the world. The simplicity and flexibility of the Leopard's hatches is brilliant and solves the expansion problem nicely. Dry hatches all round. Since my original email I have paddled the Leopard for about 25km and am now a definite convert. We usually do between 30 and 40km day paddles on the weekends we are not doing an overnighter but I didn't have enough time available this time. However it was enough to convince me that I have made the right choice. I feel as though I have missed out on owning an Australian icon for years. I was particularly impressed with it's stability in a beam sea. I found that the Leopard responded to the steering strokes and turns easily when J leaned. Doesn't it love a following sea? I came home under sail on a reach in about 12-14kn constant breeze. I only took a couple of good strokes to put it on the 3-4 foot wave and with minimal effort was able to overtake the sea and progress from wave to wave. I can't wait to get it out in a decent blow! I have been experimenting with packing it for a trip and am pleasantly surprised with it's capacity. It is deceptively large and I actually had room to spare. I found that lying on it's side was even helpful in some instances. 08 January 12:24 AM The Leopard makes its appearance in Sydney Matthew Koerber, of Adrenalin Adventure represented Rafta Kayaks in the New Look Sea Leopard at the Maximum Adventure 24hr race near Newcastle on the 22-23 of September. Matthew was just coming back from an injury in the Geo 07, but was again forced out with injury, but had this to say about the Sea Leopard: Thanks again for the use of the Sea Leopard over the weekend, it was great. I was very impressed with the performance of the Sea Leopard. While the stronger paddlers on ski's got away from me, I kept the ski back markers and the guys paddling Rockets in my sights. The Mirage's (4 or 5 of them) were nowhere to be seen behind me by the end of the paddle, so i was quite impressed with the speed considering they're as stable, if not more so, than a Mirage. Unfortunately I couldn't wear my Garmin GPS during the race, or else I could have supplied you with average speed figures for the paddle legs. I think one of the stand-out features was the cockpit. I found the glove box aided with bracing the knees in the cockpit, and this led to maintaining good form throughout the paddle. I find I get lazy and sloppy with my paddle stroke in a Mirage, and the Sea Leopard had me maintaining good posture throughout. Adjusting the pedals was also pleasantly easy after what you have to go through with the Mirages. As for the race, unfortunately my adductor muscles blew up a little as I ran into equal second place. My good friend, Mark McDonald, was paddling his Rocket and wasn't comfortable taking it out in the dark, so for the night time paddle I allowed him to take the Sea Leopard out. He seems quite impressed by it also, and was very appreciative as he was certain he wouldn't have been able to handle his Rocket given the conditions on Saturday night. I set the kayak up at the registration tent on Friday night when I arrived at Budgewoi. It seemed to attract a fair bit of interest. Cheers. Matthew Also some comments from Phil Newman, (Engineer Paddler Circumnavigates Tasmania) Who is representing Rafta Kayaks in the Hawkesbury Classic in October, who writes: Matt dropped the Sea Leopard off yesterday, it looks great, you've done a good job. I popped down to the river with it and did a 12km lap. Initial comments: Boat puts you in a great position to paddle, I feel high in the boat rather than some boats which make you feel you have to reach up and over the cockpit. Glove box is very handy and makes you feel comfortably 'locked' into the boat, only down side is I have broad feet and there is barely enough room for them to sit on the foot pegs. The narrow nature of the boat at the cockpit facilitates a good vertical stroke keeping the paddle close to the body. I have large thighs and use a lot of leg action during the stroke, this is slightly restricted by the height of the front deck but comfortably so. The rear skeg gives the boat great lateral stability so you can concentrate on putting in power rather than staying straight. The hard chine give huge primary stability and also enables you to turn the boat by leaning out on the corners rather than using the rudder. I found the limit of the primary stability while leaning the boat heavily through a turn but it braced well. The boat is good to paddle although I feel I am pushing water out of the way and this seems to be confirmed by the turbulent wake that is generated about level with the front hatch. I went through and with the wash of some power boats and I love the way the flared bow sheds the water out and away and washrides confidently although I will need to experiment more with the rudder if I get into some swells to see what it does. Overall a very comfortable boat that has an excellent paddling position so the limitation will be how much effort I can put in and how fast the hull will let me go through the water as a result. I know I will have fun and be comfortable trying. Thanks Bob Phill expected to do the race in 13 hrs, but in the New Look Sea Leopard brought it home in 11 hrs and 4 seconds to take out a second place in his division, an amazing effort, we are all delighted and indebted. Thank you Phill