Reviews

P&H Volan | Sea Kayak Review by James Lasak

Taming the High Seas |

What does it mean to kayak on Lake Superior? First of all, the term “lake” is generous. ”Mother Superior” as us locals call her—is the epitome of unapologetic. She is deceiving, fast, and incalculable. Her power is raw & violent, vexing & indecent. She is non-negotiable, humbling, and rightfully condescending. Capable of producing hurricane force conditions, if you choose to paddle this lake during her fits, mood swings, and arctic temperatures, you are on her terms. And to be able to paddle her adverse conditions effectively & successfully, you need a kayak that fits—in more ways than one. I need a kayak that can be wielded as an extension of my body. The Volan 158 is that kayak. Master of all trades, jack of none. Truly a superior sea kayak.

Photographer: Bryce Page


Photo & Spec Information: P&H Website

Spec Overview |

Length: 15' 9"

Width: 21.7"

Weight Ranges: 34lb - 57lb depending on layup

Max Paddler Weight: 245lb


Edge |

The Volan’s 16’ chine makes corrections in dynamic waters crisp & fiery. Combine this with its willingness to sit on edge in rough water, and what you have my friends, is a very agile kayak. With the waves of Lake Superior breaking at their own discretion, their unpredictability adds a level of danger that is hard to account for with such variability in wave heights and periods. Being able to hold an edge while hitting a move has meant the difference between continuing on with my paddle or having it turn into a rescue situation—as the harder chines seem to stick better on edge as opposed to a kayak with a U-shaped hull. The responsiveness is also a standout aspect of its agility. Wave periods vary day to day, but on average are about 4-5 seconds on the days I paddle in conditions. So, in seconds, being able to throw my Volan on edge and promptly swing it perpendicular to slice through breaking waves is essential, and something I accredit to the nimbleness of its design.

I have found that over-edging combined with a sweeping brace produces a fast & sharp turn, which has saved me from being smashed into cliff faces on several occasions.

The Volan not only fits me physically, but it fits the harsh conditions of this lake, finding a fast home in the roughest of waters. 


Hull |

The hull’s flat midsection holds level and promotes unrivaled stability while maneuvering through incessant wave periods, icy surf, and dynamic clapotis waves of the lake. Thinking about the hull specifically, a recent trip along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore comes to mind. Its January 2nd, 6 miles from the takeout, racing the sunset, in a 6-8 foot swell with clapotis waves along sheer cliffs, with a water temperature of 34.5℉, I sat paddling very comfortably. Looking over at my co-paddler in his fiberglass 16’ 8’ Capella, he was fighting to stay upright, throwing braces every few strokes. I commend him for staying locked in and making it back without a capsize, as I myself know how tippy that kayak is. But my Volan on the other hand completely shined in our paddle along the rocks. Not once did I have to throw a brace for stability—feeling totally in control. The balance felt in the cockpit is remarkable, even with currents and erratic wave patterns hurling you involuntarily. This stability allows me to position my boat with utmost effectiveness and handles in such a way that confidence skyrockets. The design invites you into an understanding of its responsiveness. With enough time spent in the cockpit, unlocking and harnessing its potential you become one with the boat, and can position it with the accuracy and grace of a samurai. Skills plus stability equals security and promotes confidence, all of which leads to success. Bottom line: this boat makes you a better paddler. This unique balance in turn adds to another key feature of the Volan.


Speed |

Generally speaking, longer kayaks are faster than shorter ones. But in my time spent paddling the Volan in overhead swells and 25kt winds, I would say that is not always the case. When paddling alongside longer 17’ kayaks (Nordkapps, Skerrays, Scorpios, Aquilas), I find myself setting the pace, and even waiting up for other boats that cannot keep pace. I attribute this to 2 vital aspects of the Volan’s design: its bow rocker and flat hull midsection. As previously mentioned, the flat hull promotes balance. This contributes to speed as the paddler does not need to spare excess energy keeping the boat stable with hip snaps and braces. Most of the paddler’s energy can be focused on an efficient and powerful forward stroke, resulting in prolonged speed through rough conditions. Furthermore, the bow rocker of the Volan also complements its speed. That may sound counterproductive, but when paddling in large, sporadic clapotis waves, it has proven to be an advantage. As if anticipated by the kayak itself, the bow effortlessly raises and glides over cresting waves, carrying speed throughout rather than puncturing the wave, which briefly hinders speed. A harmonic balance between the rocker and volume in the bow prevents pearling while keeping the keel in adequate contact with the water. As a result, tracking straight while maintaining speed in agitated water and gale force winds is not as exhausting as other kayaks I have paddled which allows the Volan to punch above its weight class against longer, more aquadynamic kayaks. It simply holds its own on longer paddles while simultaneously boasting playboat characteristics. The Volan’s strength lies in its versatility—thriving in whatever conditions the day throws its way.


Surfing |

Surfing was my motivation for purchasing this kayak. And boy does it fulfill that. The surf really brings out the Volan’s ocean play characteristics. And you can feel the kayak come alive in the waves. Similar to the Delphin, the flatter hull gives me optimal stability while riding waves, and allows me to carve and change directions almost at will, producing long & exciting surf lines on complex waves. The style combinations this boat offers are endless. If you want to hit cartwheels, simply set up late on a wave and watch that bow dive, launching you airborn into a frontflip. If you want long, fluid, crisp lines, paddle out further past the surf zone and catch a roller that would typically pass underneath other kayaks I have surfed. Picking the right wave is a learned skill, but because of the way the bow flows into the planing hull of the Volan, when there is an opportunity for speed to be had on a wave, the kayak naturally harnesses it—like a skateboard dropping in on a halfpipe.

When side surfing, the flat hull skips you across the water like a skipping stone, tossing you towards the beach in a pleasantly violent manner. I like to add quick rolls when broached in a side surf, letting the wave tumble and roll me like a burrito, adding some style and flair to the ride.

This is something that feels rather effortless in the Volan because of the agility I have in the cockpit that comes from the secure fit of the boat. Ample room in the cockpit allows my knees to bow out underneath the deck promoting maximum travel in hip snaps and the interchangeable hip pads of the seat keep me grounded as if in a whitewater boat. Transitioning, the lines running alongside the bow help with lift and promote a drier ride even on steep wave faces. This is a crucial feature for the waves of Lake Superior, as they tend to pick up tall and dump heavy at shore, steepening throughout the ride. My biggest praise for this kayak is its balance. Not just stability, but in its design features. From rocker to volume, width to length, the chines, and cockpit fit, it has the right amount of everything, for every condition. I call it my goldilocks boat because it’s “just right.” It is nimble and responsive, compact and quick, and has allowed me to create my desired paddling experience on any given day. 


Rolling |

I will continue to beat the dead horse that is boat-fit in regards to rolling. For starters, the low and flat back decks that most all P&H’s sea kayaks are known for make layback rolls an absolute breeze. I own a Valley Anas Acuta, a known heavyweight in the rolling aspects of sea kayaking, which I purchased for that very reason. There is no doubt that the Anas Acuta is a tremendous rolling kayak, and there are some notable comparisons to the Volan. If you look at the hull shape of each boat, the Anas Acuta has very hard chines with a mildly sharp V-chined hull that almost prefers to sit towards one side or another which has contributed to capsizes on certain rolls. Whereas the flat bottom of the Volan allows you to sit level. Even when you shift your weight around the flat hull pulls the boat back into a level position. I’ve noticed this helps on certain rolls—here’s how: When I roll my Anas Acuta, I must bring myself up perfectly centered over the kayak. There are times where I get 90% of the way up, but run out of real estate (leverage, climbing angle, hip snap). And because the Anas Acuta likes to sit to one side, if you don't finish lined up with the ideal center of gravity, there is a tendency to capsize right back to that side. However, on the Volan, as long as you get your roll past a certain point, the flatness of the hull pulls the boat level naturally—as the design itself wants to sit flat. This was helpful when learning the spine roll. I kept falling back towards my working blade in the Anas Acuta as I wasn’t shifting my weight over enough to center. In the Volan, once I got past the indefinite edge (the point where the boat will flip back), the hull helped the rest of the way. Even if I was off center slightly, I remained upright. Now, this is no reason to become lax on your more technical rolls. But this feature has helped me learn and understand body positioning on a variety of complex rolls through muscle memory so that when I hop in a greenland style rolling kayak, I know what a completed roll is supposed to feel like.

Completing a layback hand roll.


Layup |

Choosing the layup of your kayak depends on many things: What kind of paddling you’re doing, the geology or lack thereof in your area, how much weight you feel like lifting atop your car, etc. My Volan boasts P&H’s performance kevlar/diolen layup. In my opinion, this composition is the best of both worlds. Acrobatic in the water, lightweight and easy to lift overhead onto my vehicle. It is also rigid and durable, with sufficient gelcoat in potentially high impact places on the kayak like the keel, chines, and gunnel. Although I try to avoid it, I have had some quite harsh collisions with rocks, ice shelves, and other boats with nothing more than a few spider cracks to dremel out and repair as a result. I would really only consider the ultralight layup for strictly calm, flatwater trips where I could prioritize gentle dismounts and collision-free ocean play. On the other hand, If I wanted something as hefty as P&H’s expedition diolen layup, I’d just get a plastic boat at that point. Overall, I have been pleased with the kevlar/diolen make-up because of its robust and agile qualities. It is a great middle ground for those who do not want to sacrifice strength at the expense of weight and performance. 


Tripping |

Do not be fooled by its description. The Volan 158 is categorized as a day/weekend sea kayak, but I have found it aptly capable of more than just a weekend excursion. In the words of American outdoorsman and author Sheridan Anderson: “Backpacking is the art of knowing what not to take.” As outdoor enthusiasts, that is a life-long skill honed from every experience we have in the backcountry. Knowing what you need and what you don’t need is a hard thing to do, but with practice, it becomes an intriguingly positive challenge, personally. For expedition kayakers, tediously researching, planning, and revising extended trips exploring the vastness of the waterfront backcountry, this skill is essential to the success of our travels. As someone who enjoys the simplicity of life, relying on minimal essentials, and improvising along the way, I try to incorporate that into my backcountry travel style. With regards to tripping in the Volan, there is enough for a week-long trip, depending on the conditions and what creature comforts you’re willing to sacrifice. Of course, winter trips require much more gear for warmth and shelter. So for comfort's sake, I would choose my 17’ Valley Skerray if temperatures were consistent with winter conditions. But, for late spring, summer, and early fall trips up to a week long, I have no reason not to voyage in my Volan. Not only do I find it more pleasurable to paddle, but it aptly accommodates my packing and travel style: minimalism. And if that's your style as well—or one you’re interested in—then this kayak will not just work for you, but provide you with opportunities to condense your kit, discover what is truly necessary, and bask in the comforts and challenges of the natural world rather than the those of the modern.


Conclusion |

The versatility of the Volan model is unmatched in my opinion. A paragon of balance, it plays a standout role in all conditions, and is the most athletic kayak I have paddled to date. This is why I call it the sea kayaker’s sea kayak, it simply does it all—and does it well. On a deeper note, some things in life just make sense. A vague take, yes, but for me, the Volan 158 just makes sense..

Sea kayaking has filled a void in my life, a void that longs for adventure, sanity, purpose, and danger. This kayak allows me to fill that void. It fits this lake, and her unruly conditions. It fits me, as in this boat, I am not just a paddler; but become half man—half kayak.

My Volan is a precise and inseparable weapon of my craft. And when wielding it out on the deafening seas of Lake Superior, in an attempt to harness the power of her waters for my pleasure—a symphony of chaos erupts, and it plays to the tune of my soul. I have found for myself a fast home in the cold, unforgiving conditions of Mother Superior. I will continue to return to her every time her North Winds call out, with the best roommate for the job: The Volan.


About the Author

James Lasak

Lake Superior, Marquette, MI

ACA L3 Instructor, Guide Trainer, Guide



 
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