If you want to try out what I would say. Is the best of the best sea kayaks. Look up Sterling Kayaks. Don't know if he's still making them. But their all hand made. And high performance.
Great review. My wife got a HV in orange, I liked it so much I bought one in blue. As mentioned, the screws (and the scudder) are for a sail. I converted it to a GoPro mount since I don't see a sail in my future. One thing I noticed? The skeg control went all the way forward. There's a video from p&h explaining that they set it to only go 3\4 forward to allow for cable stretch over time. Both of our Virgo's are this way.
Bet you the hatch all leaks badly. Try a few rolls or surfing and see what I mean. The roto mould hatch rims on my Scorpio are crap. Disappointing aspect of my Scorpio impossible to fix. BTW, the skeg destructed when I utilized a full skeg. It drops down below the hull line and has zero support in windy conditions. Other than these 2 whinges, I love the Scorpio to bits. It is a fantastic kayak to feel confident in, in any conditions. P&H, please use proper hatch rims in your plastic boats. Not a big cost.
I rolled this a few times and didn’t see anything in the hatch’s maybe this has a better rim to cover match up and the skeg worked every time with me but yeah I could see that being issues down the road because how much is going on with it
My wife and I are looking seriously into the P & H Virgo. Saw them at Canoecopia. Are you still happy with them a year later? Impressive and informative video. We are across the water in Door County, WI.
Well I only had this a couple weeks it was a demo I had while traveling around and returned it and I absolutely loved it there’s only 2 day trip type kayaks like this I would own and that’s this one and the dagger Stratos 14.5
These P+H boats are great, some comparisions to other boats of that lenght or shorter, like other recreationals would be nice 😎👍, good video, thank you
I was big time disappointed when I found the HV model was still too small for me. I’m 6’2” , 240lbs , 40” waist size 13 feet and when I sat in the boat the sides of the seat were too tight because they slope inward towards the seat back. Pressing on my hips. Also my feet were catching on the back of the day pod. Plus I didn’t like the day hatch behind the seat as it deprives you of the full length of the main compartment, that extra bulkhead is 4” thick between the main compartment and the day hatch, wasting valuable space.
@@WadeHarrison I'm a mechanical engineer and from what I learned in school surface roughness does increase drag in turbulent flow so I would expect it to slow it down. But fluid mechanics is complicated so I wouldn't bet too much on being right about this.
I loved it out there and the waves were not an issue with that rocker. I was with a group that had all types of kayaks from 14' to 18' and was easy to just hang in there with all of them.
Thanks for this review. Is the main difference between Virgo and Leo length or is there more to it? I'm ready to upgrade my Dagger Blackwater to something with performance that I can cover some miles with and can't quite figure out which touring boat is right for me. I'd mostly be in class I-II rivers and choppy lakes.
@@penninewild5970 thanks! When I do finally get splurge on a new boat I'm leaning towards something in the ocean play category. Fun to daydream. Until then I'm enjoying the Blackwater for my chill days and the RPM for my WW days. 🤙
those screw holes in the bow are for adding a sail.
Nice that’s for that!
Did alot of work around traverse city and sleeping bear. Beautiful area. Definitely wine country up that way.
Do great up there
If you want to try out what I would say. Is the best of the best sea kayaks. Look up Sterling Kayaks. Don't know if he's still making them. But their all hand made. And high performance.
Definitely sounds awesome someone doing hand made layups
I've just ordered this kayak in HV in this colour based on your review - P&H owe you a beer or two!
😎pass that on to P&H maybe they will
I'd love to get the HV version of the Virgo. I bet that hull surfs incredibly.
The waves were out all weekend but I did catch a few here and there
Great review. My wife got a HV in orange, I liked it so much I bought one in blue. As mentioned, the screws (and the scudder) are for a sail. I converted it to a GoPro mount since I don't see a sail in my future. One thing I noticed? The skeg control went all the way forward. There's a video from p&h explaining that they set it to only go 3\4 forward to allow for cable stretch over time. Both of our Virgo's are this way.
Oh nice thanks for the feedback
I paddled the HV for a couple hours I thought it paddled great but I wish the knee position was a bit higher
I paddled the HV also I really liked the knee position in both
Bet you the hatch all leaks badly. Try a few rolls or surfing and see what I mean. The roto mould hatch rims on my Scorpio are crap. Disappointing aspect of my Scorpio impossible to fix. BTW, the skeg destructed when I utilized a full skeg. It drops down below the hull line and has zero support in windy conditions. Other than these 2 whinges, I love the Scorpio to bits. It is a fantastic kayak to feel confident in, in any conditions. P&H, please use proper hatch rims in your plastic boats. Not a big cost.
I rolled this a few times and didn’t see anything in the hatch’s maybe this has a better rim to cover match up and the skeg worked every time with me but yeah I could see that being issues down the road because how much is going on with it
My wife and I are looking seriously into the P & H Virgo. Saw them at Canoecopia. Are you still happy with them a year later? Impressive and informative video. We are across the water in Door County, WI.
Well I only had this a couple weeks it was a demo I had while traveling around and returned it and I absolutely loved it there’s only 2 day trip type kayaks like this I would own and that’s this one and the dagger Stratos 14.5
In answer to your question on what those two inserts for screws it’s for a kayak sale option.
Regards Dave Nash. 👍
Thanks that makes sense..
Still paddling the Virgo? Looking to pick up the hv version. Had a Scorpio but was just to big…. Looking for a smaller kayak that still has some speed
This was just a demo I had for a few weeks sadly I had to give it back
How about speed for this short lenght. Can you keep up with the group at 4 knots for a longer periode of time?
Thnx for the review. Very helpfull.
I was able to hold between 4-7 knots fairly easily in this kayak it seems to have the prefect mix of rocker and the drop skeg helped a lot
These P+H boats are great, some comparisions to other boats of that lenght or shorter, like other recreationals would be nice 😎👍, good video, thank you
Yes all of them I seen have been very high quality
I was big time disappointed when I found the HV model was still too small for me. I’m 6’2” , 240lbs , 40” waist size 13 feet and when I sat in the boat the sides of the seat were too tight because they slope inward towards the seat back. Pressing on my hips. Also my feet were catching on the back of the day pod. Plus I didn’t like the day hatch behind the seat as it deprives you of the full length of the main compartment, that extra bulkhead is 4” thick between the main compartment and the day hatch, wasting valuable space.
Oh wow I felt it was good fit but could see the lack of foot room cause issues
Great boats, have a friend who just loves them. How does it compare to Dagger Stratos
Pretty similar I feel it’s a better all round touring and day tripping kayak the Stratos is a true day tripping and not so much touring
@@WadeHarrison on an overnight river trip with the occassional class II+ rapid would you have a preference between Stratos and Virgo?
I wonder why the bottom of the hull is textured. Seems like that would slow it down.
Just to help wear and I think it actually helps break water surface tension not slow it down
@@WadeHarrison I'm a mechanical engineer and from what I learned in school surface roughness does increase drag in turbulent flow so I would expect it to slow it down. But fluid mechanics is complicated so I wouldn't bet too much on being right about this.
How is this on superior? Handle the waves? Very fast at 14.5?
I loved it out there and the waves were not an issue with that rocker. I was with a group that had all types of kayaks from 14' to 18' and was easy to just hang in there with all of them.
So is P&H like the sea division of Pyranha?
P&H is it’s own brand made in the sane factory from what I understand
P&H was bought by Pyranha. P&H were already well known when acquired, so I guess it made sense to keep the brand.
Thanks for this review. What color is the kayak? Sunbeam?
I think the color name is something like fuego orange
@@WadeHarrison Many Thanks. In other videos or in pictures, Fuego looks so dark.
@@WadeHarrison Ahh, you are right. The darker one is the old lava.
@@malawisforum it’s probably the camera settings
Thanks for this review. Is the main difference between Virgo and Leo length or is there more to it? I'm ready to upgrade my Dagger Blackwater to something with performance that I can cover some miles with and can't quite figure out which touring boat is right for me. I'd mostly be in class I-II rivers and choppy lakes.
I only seen the LEo once I have not really looked over it but might get one soon
I am in the same position as you were, ready to move up from blackwater 10.5, trying to decide on virgo, leo or even a scorpio. Which did you go for?
@@penninewild5970 budget surprises have delayed my new boat purchase for now.
@@joshinfwtx4506 it's always the case, hope you get there soon 🤞
@@penninewild5970 thanks! When I do finally get splurge on a new boat I'm leaning towards something in the ocean play category. Fun to daydream. Until then I'm enjoying the Blackwater for my chill days and the RPM for my WW days. 🤙
lot of piranha patents 🤔
Yup