Comparison Leo MV vs Scorpio MV

Some curiosity regarding the new P&H Kayaks Leo line has come to my attention in how it’s performance compares to the longer Scorpio models. Speed and tracking/maneuverability have been the most frequent questions so I took a Leo and Scorpio onto The River Connection harbor with a Garmin GPS watch to compare what they can do.

Design – As you can see in the photos the 16’ Leo has a significant amount of rocker compared to the Scorpio. Follow the bottom of the keel on each to get a sense of the rise. The Leo is a very sharp radius soft chine whereas the Scorpio less so.

Sizing – for fit purposes, I am 6’ a more lanky dense build at 198lbs. 34” waist, 32” inseam, 23” thigh circ., #11 shoe. I’m typically a high angle paddler.

Fitting – both kayaks remind me of a close fitting whitewater boat type cockpit which given the Connect 30 seating (from the other side of the factory at Pyrahna whitewater kayaks) makes sense. The Scorpio had 1/2” greater vertical room to the thigh braces but some attention was needed to discern the difference. The Leo deck felt lower but that may have been due to the flatter shape of the foredeck than anything else.

Performance

Leo MV

Maneuverability – When heeled to approx. 50 degrees of tilt to make a skidding turn, with the water coming 2” onto the sprayskirt the Leo MV was able to execute a 19’ turn diameter with just forward sweep strokes.

Tracking – The Leo is a polite tracking kayak but if your forward stroke exit drifts past your exit/pivot point it is going to have a tendency to yaw. Paddler’s fault, not the kayak.

Speed – While I’m not an Olympian, I do race and do better than OK so I have some oomph in my core rotation on the forward stroke.

Flat out hard paddle 75 meters 9’00” top sustained speed (6.55mph/10.54kph)

Fast but non-strained cruise speed 12’00” sustained speed (5mph/8.05kph)

Scorpio MV

Maneuverability – When heeled to approx. 50 degrees of tilt to make a skidding turn, with the water coming 2” onto the sprayskirt the Scorpio MV was able to execute a 34’ turn diameter with just forward sweep strokes.

Tracking – The Scorpio is a quite straight in its tracking on an even keel making it forgiving if your forward stroke exits late.

Speed – While I’m not an Olympian, I do race and do better than OK so I have some oomph in my core rotation on the forward stroke.

Flat out hard paddle 75 meters 8’30” top sustained speed (7.05mph/11.35kph)

Fast but non-strained cruise speed 11’20” sustained speed (5.20mph/8.37kph)

Now I have a briefly wetted model Leo MV (Fuego Orange) and Scorpio MV (Turquoise) that could use a good home. Drop me a line if you want to check them out or have them arrive before the Holidays!

See you on the water,

Marshall

The River Connection, Inc.

Hyde Park, NY

845-229-0595