A Touring Kayak For Any Paddler? P&H Sea Kayaks Leo - Gear Review

In this video, I'm testing and reviewing the P&H Sea Kayaks Leo - a touring kayak that you can take anywhere, and which I tested during an overnight paddling trip down the Class 1 rapids of the New River in North Carolina. Is the P&H Leo a good sea kayak and river kayak? Is the P&H Leo worth the cost? Is the Leo sea kayak good for both beginner and advanced kayakers? That's what we're going to find out in this in-depth gear review of the P&H Leo sea kayak.

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[ScratchesInmygelcoat]

Hi Ken, I enjoy your reviews, but for an "in-depth" review I would have liked to know how it performs on the ocean. for example, how does it weathercock? and how well does the skeg work to counter weathercocking? how does it perform on a wave, or in a following sea? Is it fish or swede form? What's it like to roll and self-rescue? How well does it drain during an assisted rescue? Also, I think most sea kayakers would consider the rear day hatch an essential safety feature on the ocean. Sure, probably redundant on a river, but this is designed as a Sea Kayak.

[SRKarting]

I’m new to kayaking and find your reviews are absolutely epic, really helpful and informative and extremely well presented. I’m from the UK and really like the P&H range so these reviews are really great. Thanks

[waelhassanmd]

I’m going kayaking tomorrow, and every so often I get struck with a crazy thought about everything going wrong. Then I come and watch one of your videos, and immediately I’m calm. Kayaking isn’t really as hard as I keep making it out to be even after going kayaking before.

[Richard-bsxe]

Thanks for another great review! I took the new ACA paddling safety course. Really good and great for a beginners to get familiar with what a responsible paddler should do.

[c.rittenhouse]

Thanks for reviewing the P&H RM kayaks! They’re on the edge of affordability for a lot of people as a RM option. I would love to see you review the Delta thermoformed kayaks as they are an affordable option. Thanks!

[emanohtolify]

Great review. I'm considering a Leo LV for when my son(s) gets older. After years of using longer, faster kayaks, I've transitioned to a shorter touring boat with more rocker, similar to the Leo. It's been fun paddling a more maneuverable, more comfortable boat.

I've never really used my day hatches as day hatches. As in I've never really needed to get into my day hatch on the water. I've always considered them an extension of my rear hatch and it helps keep smaller items organized. Or for the day I toss in a dry bag with gear and my lunch vs getting swallowed up in one of the other hatches.

My new boat a Current Designs Sisu also has that front day hatch and I'm loving it as well. It doesn't interfere with the cockpit and anything I'd need quick access to is right there. I've never understood Valley's removable front pod, I've seen them and they are only held in by the deck bungee. It's awkward and I don't get why it's removable. The P&H hatch looks great.

[RonK]

Great review - thanks so much !

There seems to be an error, however - on the displayed P&H web site as well as on your "specs table": Capacity of 124 kg would mean 273 lbs, but the tables list "245 lbs (124 kg)". Compared to the values of the MV version, I assume the "124 kg" are correct for the Leo, and the "245 lbs" are some sort of a typo

[davyp]

Have you tried a skin on frame kayak by Seawolf kayaks from Seattle.?
I built my own on a course in Germany a couple of years ago, which in itself was interesting, but paddling it was such an amazing experience.
I built a "Kurki" and I've paddled many different makes and types of kayak, don't get me wrong it looks like the shape of "just another sea kayak", it is not until you are in it and have taken only a dozen strokes that you will realise that this boat is something special.
Kiliii Yuyan doesn't just design the kayaks he lives them.
What was the most surprising was how silent they are, that sounds strange, but the way the "Kurki" is designed there is no ripple noise, and it's only your blade that makes a noise in the water.

[thormusique]

Another excellent video, Ken, thanks! The Leo HV really does look like a solid, nicely built boat. Cheers!

[wisenber]

That extra bulkhead makes more sense when you take trim into consideration.
For an extended trip without freshwater, having your dromedary bags locked in closer to the center makes a big difference.

Another neat trick is securing about 10-15 lbs of weights to the floor of that compartment. You're kayak will right itself on its own that way when empty, and it requires much less effort to roll when you're in it. That 10-15 lbs really wants to be next to the water and not up in the air.

That being said, it's scary to see plastic boats priced where lower end composite boats were not long ago.

[PHSeaKayaks]

Thanks, Ken; a fair and informative review as always! 100% on board with sea kayaks not just being for the sea!!

Day hatches certainly seem to polarise opinion; generally, we find people who like them, like them for keeping emergency kit that's a little too big for the bow mini hatch, but you still want quick access to :)

[vitogaudiuso]

Well done!Great review! How about a P&H Scorpio comparison with this boat?

[testMonkey]

Any plans for a video that’ll compare the Leo and Virgo head-to-head?

[jimhunt]

So if you had a choice between the Virgo MV and Leo HV which would you choose. Curious if the Leo MV would have fit you better? What size feet do you have? Thanks for the great reviews.

[raivkka]

Which do you feel of the more versatile boat, this or the Virgo HV. More specifically, for those times when the lazy big river throws a little spice.

[neobliviscarisa]

Enjoyed the review. I never heard how it compares to the Virgo, as I am in 2 minds... plus how it compares to the Romney Sport? Thank you in advance

[stephengeorge]

The rear day hatch is used to fill with ice and beers of course.

[malcolmnicholls]

Like the foredeck skeg lever. Suspicious my side lever lets water in. (Must fix).

[allonsy]

Fantastic review! I always appreciate your insights. It's a beautiful kayak., and I like that forward day hatch. The back day hatch...not so much. lol

[snowleopard]

Looks like a nice boat, I have the Venture Islay 14 made by P & H, and it has a higher capacity weight rating.
I’d love to check out the Leo as a 16 footer is as large as I want to go for a boat size, but the kayak shops near me are a joke in Vancouver.BC Canada