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The Cetus MV has proved to be the most versatile day/short expedition kayak that I have tried. Its outstanding features are comfort, stability, speed, manoeuvrability, rough water handling and behaviour in strong winds.

About the test: paddling conditions and paddlersThis test took place during the period November 2011 until January 2013. The P&H Cetus MV was paddled for over 900 km in a wide variety of waters off the west coast of Scotland, including: the Solway, the North Channel, the Clyde, north and south of Ardnamurchan and the Inner Hebrides. It was used on open crossings and round major headlands, such as the Mull of Galloway. It was tested in winds of Force 0–6, in flat water, wind-blown chop, tide races moving at up to 20 km/hour and in surf on exposed Atlantic beaches. Finally, it was paddled by about 10 different paddlers weighing from 60 to 104 kg, varying between novice to 5 star level.

The main tester is 1.73 m tall, weighs 85 kg and has paddled about 18,000 km since 2002. The Cetus MV was paddled alongside and compared with a number of other popular ‘all round’ sea kayaks. These kayaks included the P&H Cetus LV, Cetus HV/original, Quest and Quest LV, Rockpool Alaw Bach and GT, Valley Nordkapp LV and Etain 175 and Tiderace Excite and Explore M. We also compared it with the Rockpool Taran 18 and Taran 16, which are both proving to be more versatile than simply the record breakers perceived by some. The majority of paddling was day paddling, but the Cetus MV was also used for 10-day self-supporting expeditions ‘bothying’ in winter and camping in summer. Manufacturer’s summary

Fast-paced, responsive and really easy to carve and turn, this is the middle ground for those who want a bit of extra volume

but are too light for the original Cetus. Perfect for newcomers and experts to launch their adventures, the Cetus MV has superb stability in all conditions. Its ability to inspire confidence is remarkable and truly unrivalled by any other sea kayak out there.

P&H’s handcrafted quality is on show here in its finest form. The MV has all the load-carrying capabilities of the original Cetus with its two main hatches, plus spacious day hatch and deck pod.

DesignLike its siblings the Cetus HV and LV, this is a low sleek kayak which hides its size. The Cetus MV is of Swede form (wide point behind the cockpit) with marked taper and rocker towards the ends. As a result, the sculpted foredeck seems narrower than other kayaks from the cockpit. This is a design that promotes speed through the water (despite allowing a broad beam for stability). The Cetus’ stern forms a drawn-out, inbuilt skeg, similar to those on the Alaw Bach and Excite. This gives a long waterline length for speed when the kayak is upright, but disengages from the water for manoeuvrability when the kayak is edged (if carrying an appropriate load). Moving forward, the bottom is wide and shallow under the cockpit with a slight V at the keel. This runs into a rounder section towards the bow, with no hard chines between the sides and the bottom. In comparison with a similar volume traditional British style sea kayak (such as the Nordkapp LV), the Cetus MV’s cross-section at its widest point is further aft and is wider and shallower.

Construction, finish, fittings and ergonomicsI have used six separate 2009/2011 P&H Cetus HV/MV/LV kayaks and all have shown a superb quality of finish in respect of lamination and assembly of the hull, deck and bulkheads. The test Cetus MV arrived blemish free, but, about four weeks after it was delivered in November 2011, it developed some slight rippling on either side of the skeg box. This was noticeable only in some angles of light, but P&H offered to take it back. However, as I was enjoying it so much (and as it had no impact on performance) I hung on to it.

The GRP bulkheads are fitted with a rubber bung with a relief valve to prevent implosion/explosion of hatch covers in extreme temperature conditions. There were no faults in the fitting of components and accessories. The test Cetus MV has a plain, but very smart orange deck and white hull; three of those who have paddled it have gone on to buy a Cetus with stunning glitter finishes in turquoise or dark blue.

The long keyhole cockpit makes this one of the easiest kayaks to get in and out of, especially if you suffer from hip or knee problems like me. The plastic seat has a removable padded cover and is fitted low in the cockpit, allowing me (at 85 kg) to fit snugly. For those that like to paddle using full hip rotation and do not like seat covers, the seat base is comfortable on its own and perfectly supportive, with just the right amount of rise at the front. The seat back is also supportive; it is not too high for layback rolls and reasonably resistant to folding forward under your bum during rescues/recoveries. Its tension adjusts effectively using a belt and two corrosion-resistant

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D-buckles. Smaller paddlers should stick some foam hip pads to the sides of the seat to ensure good contact for edge control.

The thigh braces were not as aggressive and supportive as those of Rockpool and Tiderace, but were more pronounced than those of the Nordkapp LV. The Quest, GT and Explore M allowed a higher position of the knees, which some may prefer. I found the Cetus MV braces to be a happy compromise; they allowed a comfortable range of thigh positions from relaxed cruising to full-brace-in-a-tide-race mode.

The test Cetus MV came with a custom bulkhead and a block of closed cell foam shaped to the profile of the bulkhead. I found that the custom bulkhead was suitably reinforced to take the pressure of the toes, and used just a little of the foam to create toe pads. I paddle in UK size 10 boots and, despite the foredeck’s low profile, there was enough room for day-long comfort.

The footrests (fitted as standard) are adjustable with large and comfortable plastic pedals. They slide on a track and are locked by twisting ‘paddles’ which come back to just behind your knees. A 90-degree twist (while you are still seated) allows the footrest to be slid forward or back with your toes for a perfect fit.

End toggles (secured by elastics), deck lines and elastics, Silva 70P compass recess and security/towline bar were of the usual high P&H standard. Behind the cockpit there is a transverse deck recess designed to take a paddle shaft while launching and landing. Personally, I like to keep my nice carbon-fibre paddles well out of the way of my bum and the beach. However, there is no doubt that the moulding adds to deck rigidity and, due to arthritis, I do like to sit on the rear deck while getting my legs in and out of the cockpit.

The test Cetus MV was fitted with a prototype of the second-generation skeg slider that is now fitted to all P&H sea kayaks. The intuitive skeg system is an ingenious slider on a ratchet that pulls the skeg up, and holds it up, against a shock cord that pulls the skeg down. Unlike some of the first-generation sliders, this new model has remained light and positive and very easy to operate. After five months the skeg slider box came out of the hull. There had been very little adhesive holding it in. I sent photos to P&H who have amended instructions to their fitters on production kayaks.

Stability and rollingOn flat water I found the primary stability of the Cetus MV to be exceptional, only slightly less than that of the Cetus HV. It is significantly more stable ‘at rest’ than the Nordkapp LV and Taran 16, and a little more stable than both the Alaw Bach and Excite. Once moving in confused waters, the Cetus MV and Nordkapp LV both gave a significantly easier ride than the above-mentioned kayaks.

The wonderful rough water stability of the Nordkapp LV works only while you are actively paddling. In contrast, the Cetus MV has allowed me to take photographs with a DSLR in rougher water than in any other kayak I have paddled. It also scores highly for camera work because it is so quick to turn and change viewpoints.

The Cetus MV is easy to roll and the rear cockpit rim and relatively low rear deck allow back deck rolls.

Manoeuvrability and trackingIt only takes a few paddle strokes to realize how much you are going to enjoy paddling this kayak. The slightest lift of a knee and you feel the kayak instantly respond. The Cetus MV feels alive. In calm conditions it is possible to do a 360-degree turn with just a single sweep stroke and bow rudder. Although the Nordkapp LV turns very well, it is less easy to hold on edge as the Cetus MV. A real surprise during the testing was how tight the Taran 16 turned with its rudder (although not quite as tight as an edged Cetus MV). We all felt that the Cetus MV’s stability and manoeuvrability on edge would make it just as ideal for relative newcomers to learn about edge control as for experts throwing it around in gnarly conditions.

Having paddled the Cetus LV, MV and HV, I have discovered that (for my weight) the MV is the most manoeuvrable of the three when used as a day kayak. When trying a Cetus HV/MV/LV, you should choose the smallest size that still allows the waterline to shorten as you edge. A satisfying gurgle from the stern during an edged turn should be a clue that you are in the right kayak.

In moderate wind and water conditions it is easy to maintain a course in the Cetus MV using a little edge or skeg, but it does not track as straight as the Quest LV, Etain 175, GT or Explore M without edging or skeg.

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SpeedThe Cetus MV proved to be very quick to accelerate up to top speed. The Cetus MV, Cetus LV and Nordkapp LV all required fewer strokes to hit their maximum speed. I found that the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV, Etain 175 and Explore M all had a similar maximum sprint speed, which was greater than the Alaw Bach and Excite. However, and quite understandably, none of the above kayaks could match the acceleration or top speed of the Taran 16.

Behaviour in wind, waves, surf and tide races A low profile means that the Cetus MV behaves very well in stronger winds. In waves, it is a wetter kayak than the bigger-volume kayaks (the Etain 17.5, GT and Explore M). Unloaded or in Force 5–6 winds (over sheltered waters in the lee of a low headland) the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV and Taran 16 could be comfortably paddled into wind and short, steep, windblown chop at 45 degrees. The Cetus MV and Nordkapp LV were the easiest kayaks to turn, bow through the wind, in winds approaching Force 6. The Cetus MV can be used without a skeg, as it is so responsive to edging.

In small–medium following seas and in surf, the Alaw Bach and Excite picked the waves up with much less paddler input than any of the other kayaks in this group. However, an experienced paddler could use the acceleration of the Cetus MV, Nordkapp LV and Taran 16 to catch even the most unpromising swells on open water. The Cetus MV was also very controllable coming in through the surf zone on the approach to a landing. After a broach in surf, the Cetus MV was very stable when braced into the wave; the lack of chines reduced the likelihood of a shoreward flip. The Cetus MV was also one of the easier kayaks to straighten up from a broach.

The Cetus MV inspires confidence, giving a very smooth passage through difficult rough-water conditions.

Paddling when loadedThe Cetus MV has a smaller volume than several of the other kayaks I had initially compared it with. On the water and when packing, it feels of similar volume to the Quest LV, Alaw Bach and Nordkapp LV, but is surprisingly smaller than Explore M, Excite and the Etain 17.5. It is obviously a lot smaller than the Quest, GT and the two Tarans (though the Taran 16 feels and behaves like a much smaller kayak). The Cetus MV with a standard bulkhead position takes the same amount of gear as the Nordkapp LV and Alaw Bach, which I find is enough for a self-supported trip of up to a week.

The Cetus MV is ridiculously stable with an 85 kg paddler and 35 kg of gear aboard, both at rest and on edge. A loaded Cetus MV and the loaded Nordkapp LV are much less affected by strong winds than any of the other kayaks in this review. For my weight I found the Cetus MV to be the ideal compromise size for day and short expedition paddling. Loading a traditional British-style kayak such as the Norkapp LV, I tend to put an equal weight of gear in the fore and aft compartments and then put my water bag behind the seat. In the Cetus MV I find it paddles better downwind (and swell) with the gear weight distributed about 60% to the rear.

Other kayaks to considerIf you are considering buying a Cetus MV, you should also try the other day/short expedition kayaks which we paddled alongside it. The Alaw Bach and Excite are equally playful on rough water but are more affected by strong winds. The Alaw Bach cockpit is smaller and, at my weight, I find it just a bit tight for day-long comfort. The Quest LV is great downwind but is not as manoeuvrable or stable. The Nordkapp LV is not as comfortable but is an outstanding kayak with a similar range of strengths. It is probably the best kayak of this size in very strong winds and rough water, but it does require more concentration and skill to exploit it. The Explore M is very comfortable with a good turn of speed but is less playful, being more directional and expedition orientated. A wildcard to consider is the Taran 16. Despite being bigger volume and of a very different design to the Cetus MV, it is also surprisingly versatile. It excels downwind in waves but it can still carry a great load. The Etain 175, Quest, GT and Taran 18 are all much bigger than the Cetus MV and should more appropriately be compared with a Cetus HV.

ConclusionThe Cetus MV has proved to be the most versatile day/short expedition kayak that I have tried. Its outstanding features are comfort, stability, speed, manoeuvrability, rough water handling and behaviour in strong winds. Lighter or heavier paddlers can achieve a similar performance from the Cetus LV or HV. The beauty of the Cetus family is that they excel both on day trips and when loaded on expedition. I (like many of my enthusiastic sea kayaking friends) ended up buying two sea kayaks: one for day use and one for expeditions. With the introduction of the Cetus family, this is no longer necessary. I have now sold my Quest and my daughter has inherited my much-loved Nordkapp LV. I have bought a Cetus MV to replace them both!

Manufacturer’s response Thank you for such a thorough and measured review; we really appreciate the time and effort you take to fairly test our

products. We are pleased that you have been able to use the Cetus MV in such a broad range of conditions and have managed to spend some quality expedition time in it.

With regard to the rippling mentioned, without actually seeing the boat it is hard to determine what has caused this. We are looking into it however and, as always, are more than happy to assess any P&H boat that a customer has concerns over.

We are really pleased with the new second-generation skeg system and thank Douglas as well as P&H Team Paddlers for their part in testing this; we have addressed and resolved all the issues around the spring, cord and elastic.

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our boats, the fittings, construction and our service, so we appreciate all customer feedback. If you have comments you would like to share with us please send them to info@phseakayaks.com

SpecificationWeight (standard construction, custom bulkhead, optional keel strip, compass, including hatch covers): 27.9kg length: 541cm Width: 54.5cm cockpit length: 80cm breadth: 41.5cm internal height at front of cockpit: 30.5cm rear of seat base to front of cockpit: 70.5cm price (standard specification): £2349for more information see WWW.phseakayaks.com