X-Boat – P&H Cetus MV
Published December 2, 2009 | 
The P&H Cetus comes in standard & low volume versions. Soon it will be available in a mid-size as well. The Cetus MV project is aimed at folks in the 160-220 lb range. Yeah, that is sort of the average guy size range. It’s certainly true that the original Cetus (see “original coke”, & “original or extra crispy”) is just fine for most average sized paddlers but for some the MV will be a bit more tuned in. You can’t complain about having options. As coaches we’re always on about boat fit, and a mid-size version will provide a better fitting Cetus for many paddlers. For some this will mean better, easier and more precise boat control than they would have had without the MV version. Personally I see lots of advantages to smaller boats as it is, especially for those of us who are not circumnavigating Africa regularly.
What you are looking at here is an X-Boat. Not the final version, but a test build. Brian Day over at P&H Sea Kayaks tells me that that this will probably not be the last before we see the final production version. Still though, it’s nice to see some photos of a work in process.
Thank you to Brian Day of P&H for sending along the photos to share. You can follow P&H on Twitter and on Facebook if you’re into the social media thing. While I own a P&H Scorpio (Plastic Version of the Cetus), keep in mind I’ve only had a day’s worth of review time in the Cetus itself. I found the Cetus quite impressive on flat water, but still need more time with one in mixed conditions.
Related Posts:
5 Responses to X-Boat – P&H Cetus MV
Kudos to the companies who make these lovely, lovely boats for coming out with boats that can comfortably be paddled empty (or nearly so) by lighter-weight paddlers without risking being blown all over the water. Such a luxury to paddle a boat that actually fits, just like the big guys!! And I’m surprised how nice orange and red look together…
Looks like a nice boat. Is the length still near 18′ or did they reduce it? Personally, I’d like to see more boats at 17′. That seems to be my sweet spot.
Hi Derrick,
Thanks for getting the pics up. I want to re-iterate what you said about this kayak. It is strictly an X-Boat. Developmental and experimental. It isn’t a Cetus MV, or really even a stepping stone to that boat. We’ll be getting it into the hands of our US test pilots to get feedback on some design ideas that are being played with. There is only this one in the US. And, I think, one in Europe.
On the question of length for the actual MV, we are shooting for about 17’8″–just a touch longer than the current LV. Don’t know if you have had a chance to paddle the current Cetus, Bryan, but I think it paddles a lot “shorter” than it’s 17’10 inches.
Happy paddling,
Brian
For all those interested, today I have paddled the Cetus MV whilst on a demo weekend with Pete Baars at Sea to Summit on Anglesey, this is the very first production mv, my experience with sea kayaking is short amounting to maybe 10 day trips in fairly calm conditions in a Valley Aquanaut (plastic), I am 5’8″ and approx 164 lbs, various kayaks were tried today including Quest/Quest lv/ Cetus/Cetus lv and Capella 167, the Cetus mv was confidence inspiring in flat conditions, the fit was excellent for an off the shelf kayak (although some further fitting requirements would be needed for personal preference). This boat appears to tick all the right boxes for me with really good initial and secondary stability. By comparison the Quest lv very sharply goes from secondary stability to over.
Various size paddlers including smaller ladies and larger gents also felt at home in the Cetus mv.
great post my friend, very nice. congrats!