The Valley Etain RM is an expedition ready kayak with a long waterline, a good turn of speed and is great to paddle on calm seas and very much able to handle very complex seas, it is also tough and surprisingly nimble so a good choice if you are a fan of rockhopping. The hull has a fairly neutral design with the widest point at the paddler's hips giving great connectivity and control. It has very good glide characteristics and is equally at home with high or low angle paddling techniques. The hull has soft curves and a shallow to moderate V in cross-section for good initial stability. It also has moderate rocker along the keel line to provide good tracking whilst retaining enough manouevrability to cope with lively conditions when needed.

The Etain RM has a small day hatch in front of the cockpit for items you need easy access to on the water. Just behind the cockpit is a slightly larger deck hatch which is also accessible on the water and ideal for storing items such as a cagoule ready to access quickly for protection from an approaching squall. Two large fore and aft hatches provide ample storage for day or multi day expeditions.  Key to the design brief for Valley was to create a sea kayak which had similar handling characteristics whether loaded or unloaded so the paddler doesn't have to re-learn how the kayak will handle whether on a multi-day expedition or a few hours rambling around a local paddle point.

Other features of the Etain RM include a locking point situated behind the cockpit and special attention given to cockpit ergonomics to ensure good comfort during long days on the water.

The Etain RM retains all the features of the composite model however being built in polyethylene construction it is able to cope better with rock garden play or landings on rocky coastlines. This versatile and forgiving Valley kayak is ideally suited to a wide range of paddlers and a multitude of usages from short trips to long expeditions.

if you are looking for more weight carrying capacity the 17.7 model is only 20cm longer and 5mm wider than the 17.5, so has very similar paddling characteristics, yet can carry an additonal 35kg.

Features

• Retractable skeg
• Adjustable footrest
• Padded seat and thigh braces
• Adjustable backrest
• Four hatches
• Compass recess for fitting optional compass
• Deck lines and bungees

Dimensions

Etain 17.5

• Length: 5.31m
• Width: 54cm
• Weight: 25kg
• Manufacturers Paddler Weight Range: 65-100kg
• Cockpit dimensions 87 x 47 cm
• Spraydeck size: N4/R4 / Keyhole

Etain 17.7

• Length: 5.36m
• Width: 54.5cm
• Weight: 26kg
• Manufacturers Paddler Weight Range: 90-135kg
• Cockpit dimensions 87 x 47 cm
• Spraydeck size: N4/R4 / Keyhole