The Skim Distance and the Rockpool Menai 18 differ considerably, even if they’re both sold as expedition kayaks.

The Skim Distance is very long and slender, 588cm long and 53cm wide. It is very fast, even when fully loaded. I could easily cruise at 8-9km/h in Sardinia, both on flat water and in following seas. The main problem I had with the Skim Distance was that I found it difficult to handle when winds and waves came in from the side. I was unable to keep it on course without using the skeg, and even then it was quite hard work. It weathercocked a lot. It didn’t leecock at all as some has experienced. I can think of two reason: the length of the kayak and lack of paddling skills on my part 🙂 The Skim Distance is wonderfully stable, especially when loaded. On the worst day in Sardinia I had it out in F6-7 winds and waves of 2m and more, and had no problems with stability. Keeping it on course was tough, though.

The Rockpool Menai is a different beast. It is also very stable and great in waves. The Menai is shorter and wider, with a very different hull shape. It makes it a slower kayak than the Skim Distance, but also easier to handle in different combinations of wind and waves. I can keep a loaded Menai going at around 7km/h, which is a bit slower than the Skim Distance.

In any case, if you want a fast kayak for not too rough conditions, the Skim Distance is great, but if you want an expedition boat for rough waters, take the Menai.

In short, both are great boats, but different.

I haven’t tried the Skim Differ yet. I hope I will soon, when I’m back in Denmark.