Borealis XL: Our XL Design: The Borealis XL design complements our line of multi-chine hull shapes, combining the raked stern and sweeping sheer line of a Greenland style kayak, with the performance and beauty of our famous multi-chine kayaks.
Design Features: The Borealis XL is a high volume solo touring kayak suited for paddlers weighing 230-300lbs. At 17', with a 25.5" beam, 13" deck height, and extra large 19"x36" cockpit the Borealis provides the volume, stability, and ease of entry that bigger paddlers need.
More comfortable fit for everyone: Originally designed for heavier paddlers, we were surprised to discover what a pleasure the Borealis is to paddle for anyone wanting a roomier more comfortable boat with increased stability for a more relaxed feeling on the water. Paddlers wanting more foot and leg room will love the Borealis XL. It's 13" deck height gives you more foot room and allows your knees to be bent more. Our experience is that this sitting position can reduces foot and leg cramping. Pygmy's signature cambered decks cut away the sheer enabling you to maintain a high paddle angle and ergonomic stroke, despite her extra width. For those that prefer a smaller cockpit size she is also available with our standard 17"x33" cockpit, and can be fitted with our keyhole knee braces.
High Volume and High Performance: John's new Borealis XL design is by far the most stable solo kayak we manufacture, yet its sophisticated multi-chine hull design has only 2.8% more wetted surface than our highly rated, award winning Arctic Tern 17' design. This means you get the benefits of a dramatic increase in initial stability, more space for gear, and a roomier, more comfortable cockpit without sacrificing paddling efficiency and performance. The Borealis XL tracks solidly, and responds quickly to edge turns.
Great for long distance touring: High performance, high volume, and high comfort equals a great boat for long distance touring. If you want to carry lots of stuff with ease and comfort the Borealis XL should be considered a great choice for ocean touring and extended camping.
Watch a Video of the Borealis in Motion:
To check out Dave Elliott's photographic blog of building a Borealis, click here.
Borealis XL Specs: Length……17’ Beam…… 25.5” Height…… 13” Weight…… 43lbs Cockpit.…. 19”x36” or 17"x33" *Initial stability……15.4 Carrying capacity (vol.cu.ft)……15.80 **Standard cruising speed……19.70 Loaded waterline length……14.7' ***Top cruising speed……5.33 mph Available as kit……yes Available as plans……no
*The transverse Metacenter, in inches, is a measure of a kayak's initial stability. A higher number is more stable. All single kayaks computed with same weight person.
**Kayak cruising speed is proportional to the boat's wetted surface, which is the area of frictional drag of the water on the hull, here expressed in sq. ft. ***90% of theoretical hull speed (THS) in mph. A boat's theoretical hull speed is a function of square root of its loaded waterline length (LWL). at approximately 80% to 90% of its hull speed a kayak will start to produce a bow wake longer than its LWL and the effort required to continue acceleration rapidly increases
Borealis XL Features: Hull type… Multi-chine Deck type… Pygmy multi-chine cut away deck with patented rear cockpit recess Best used for… Day paddling, Kayak touring, Kayak fishing Paddler experience level… Beginner to Advanced Shoe size….Up to men’s 15 (depending on shoe and personal comfort) Cockpit size…19”x36" (also available with a standard touring cockpit opening of 17"x33")
