Rockpool's Taran 16 or the Tarantella: which boat is right for you?

This is a very popular question and it really comes down to your size and what you want to do with the boat. First up lets look at the similarities and secondly the differences.

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Similarities: The boats are the same length and they have the same hull so how they behave on the water will be the same for both boats. They will both be lightning fast and will make jumping on waves in a downwind situation easy. A few quick well timed strokes and you will be surfing along on small wind waves. Both boats are specifically designed for intermediate to advanced paddlers.

I wouldn't recommend the Taran series for a beginner. Intermediate paddlers on the other hand will certainly be able to grow their skills in either of these boats. Both have great secondary stability and are very easy to roll. When I have been teaching people to roll I usually start them in my Taran 16 as it's easier to roll than most peoples own boats. This however, is a good segue to discuss the differences...

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Differences:

As easy as the Taran 16 is to roll, the Tarantella is even easier! A paddling mate who recently bought a Tarantella says he feels that it is even easier to roll than his Greenland T! Whether it is in fact easier to roll or just the same, that is a nonetheless enthusiastic praise and whilst this isn't a traditional selling point for the boat it clearly should be.

The differences between these boats are above the waterline. Essentially the Tarantella's deck is lower than the Taran 16. This reduces the effects of wind on the boat which is especially helpful for lighter paddlers as it reduces windage.

I've taken measurements from a Taran 16 and a Tarantella (subject to small errors of course) and here are the dimensional differences:

• *Bow: Tarantella is 27mm lower
• * Lower edge of the cockpit coaming at the very front: Tarantella is 18mm lower. This is quite noticeable and makes for a cosier fit for smaller paddlers. It's quite a rewarding feeling for me when a smaller paddler takes a test paddle and they have a huge smile on their face because they have finally found a boat made just for them.
• * Back deck: Tarantella is 17mm lower (the lower back deck on the Tarantella makes it even easier to roll)

But what about storage you ask. The greater storage volume of the Taran 16 (224 litres) provides more space for camping gear relative to the Tarantella (167 litres), however having said this the Tarantella still has ample storage volume. For reference, the Tarantella has 22 litres more storage volume than the Mirage 532 despite being a shorter boat! I have recently come to realise that just because I can fit a huge amount into my Taran 16, that doesn't mean that I should necessarily fill it on an expedition. On a recent trip I had to make three trips carting stuff to the beach (including a stove-top espresso machine) when the others needed only one or two trips. The upshot of that ramble is that the Tarantella has ample storage space.

A distinct cut off for which boat you should choose, depending on your weight, is not really cut and dry for somebody in the 85kg range and will depend on how you want to use the boat. For example I weigh 85kg and with a total volume of 312 litres the Tarantella would be ample boat for me for day trips or an overnighter. However, this depends on whether I could pack sensibly (i.e. no espresso machine) - a skill I need to master. For week long trips or longer I might struggle, but I haven't tried yet.

My friend who weighs 70kg is preparing to cross Bass Strait in a months time in his Tarantella and he will be carrying food for 15days and a lot of water plus camping gear.

Given how little information there is regarding this topic on the internet I will be updating this post to try and provide more guidance for paddlers around 80 to 85kg, so check back later or feel free to contact us for more information.