I got to take my new P&H Volan 162 Sea Kayak out for its maiden paddle, and it did not disappoint. There’s something undeniably special about unwrapping and launching a brand-new kayak. Especially a carbon/kevlar one you’ve customized from top to bottom.
This is the fourth model in the Volan series from P&H, built specifically with larger paddlers in mind. At 16'2″ long and 23.5″ wide, it’s roomy, sleek, and built for versatility. With a retail price starting around $5,600, the P&H Volan 162 Kayak isn't cheap. But it provides concrete proof that you often get what you pay for!
A Custom, Carbon/Kevlar, Composite Kayak
One of the unique things about P&H Composite sea kayaks is that you have the option to get a fully customized model. What does it mean to customize a kayak? It means you can choose almost everything about the kayak, including the color of its hull, deck, seam, keel, cockpit rim, perimeter lines, bungees, and even the color of the P&H logo on the deck. You get to choose the seat style, whether it has a rudder or a skeg, and perhaps most importantly you get to choose the layup of the kayak. The layup of a kayak refers to what materials are used (like Carbon and Kevlar), and how much of those materials are used. The result has an impact on the kayaks weight, durability and price.
This was the first time that I've ever customized a kayak. I have to admit that it was really fun to use P&H's online kayak customization tool to design my dream kayak. After playing around with colors for an hour or so, I finally settled on a colorway. The layup didn't take much thought, because my plan was to take this kayak on an epic, 10-day adventure on Lake Superior. I needed a kayak that could handle anything that Mother Nature threw at me. This meant the ‘Expedition' layup was right for me.
Lightweight and Durable: A Kayak Built for Real Adventures
The Expedition layup that I choose strikes a sweet balance between durability and lightweight. More specifically, the kayak weighs around 50 lbs—surprisingly light for its size and a blessing when transporting it solo. For comparison, a plastic kayak of this size will usually weigh 65–70 lbs. While the kayak is light in weight, it's not light on durability. The boat is made with kevlar/carbon, and features a reinforced kevlar keel and reinforced glass seam. The result is a boat that's built to handle serious conditions and the most challenging expeditions.
On-Water Performance: Maneuverable and Stable
What makes the Volan series of kayaks one of P&H's most popular kayaks is the fact that it's so versatile. It has the speed to cover large distances, and the playfulness to take advantage of any surf waves, current or rough conditions that you encounter along the way. While it's not the fastest sea kayak on the market, it's fast enough. More importantly though, the Volan 162 feels balanced, stable, and confidence-inspiring.
Comfort and Fit for Larger Paddlers
At 6’2”, I’ve struggled to find composite kayaks that offer a high level of comfort, and that was the idea behind the Volan 162. The largest of the 4 Volan models, the 162 was designed to offer taller and larger paddlers with ample leg room and foot room. That's exactly what it does. The cockpit is spacious without feeling loose. The outfitting—from padded hip supports to the adjustable back band—delivers both comfort and control. It’s rare to find a kayak that caters so well to taller or bigger paddlers. The P&H Volan 162 Kayak does exactly that.
Is the P&H Volan 162 Sea Kayak Worth It?
If you’re a paddler who wants a luxury, all-around kayak that can handle anything from casual day trips to challenging multi-day expeditions—the P&H Volan 162 Sea Kayak is a worthy investment. It's beautiful, it's built extremely well, it's comfortable, stable and fun to paddle. It's also customizable if you have the patience to wait a couple of month to get yours. In my opinion, the Volan 162 is definitely worth the price, but it's not going to be worth it for everyone.
Curious about how other P&H models compare? Check out my reviews of the Volan 160, the Scorpio Sea Kayak, the Virgo and the Leo.
