Valley Etain — In Stock
These are stock boats from our 2026 Valley order — already specified, with no custom build slot or factory wait. Each hull listed below is a single kayak in the colourway shown. Want a different size, colour, layup or fitted options? Order a custom-built Etain.
The Boat
Valley has been building expedition sea kayaks since the Nordkapp in 1975 — a hull that effectively invented the category. The Etain is their modern answer to that legacy: an expedition-capable kayak that doesn't demand an expedition to justify taking it out. Its speed, tracking, and load-resistance make it equally at home on a day paddle or a week-long coastal traverse.
The hull is intentionally neutral — neither fish-form nor aggressively Swede-form — which gives it predictable handling regardless of conditions or load. The widest point sits at the paddler's hips, creating a direct connection between body and boat. A shallow-to-moderate V keel delivers initial stability without sacrificing performance; moderate rocker keeps it lively without wandering. The result is a kayak that tracks well on an even keel, carves cleanly on edge, and surfs with confidence.
These stock boats are standard Diolen fibreglass. The Etain has been paddled on major expeditions including Justine Curgenven's 2014 Aleutian traverse. At Kayak Ontario, it is the hull we recommend most often to serious paddlers who want one boat that does everything well.
Available Hulls
| Size | Deck | Trim / Coaming | Hull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-5 | Smoke Alpha | Tangerine | Lt Aircraft |
| 17-5 | Post Office Red | Smoke Grey | Lt Aircraft |
| 17-5 | Tangerine | Black | White |
| 17-5 | White Alpha | Dark Battleship | Smoke Grey |
| 17-7 | Tangerine | Black | White |
One kayak per colourway, all standard Diolen. When a hull sells, it comes off this list.
Specifications
| Model | Length | Beam | Depth | Weight | Cockpit | Paddler range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etain 17-5 | 531 cm / 17'5" | 54 cm / 21.25" | 32.5 cm / 12.75" | 25 kg / 55 lb | 85 × 48 cm (Seals 1.5) | 65–100 kg / 143–220 lb |
| Etain 17-7 | 536 cm / 17'7" | 54.5 cm / 21.5" | 33.5 cm / 13.25" | 26 kg / 57.5 lb | 88 × 50 cm (Seals 1.7) | 90–135 kg / 198–297 lb |
Weights are average values for standard Diolen construction with hatch covers fitted.
Fit & Sizing
The 17-5 fits the majority of paddlers at 65–100 kg; the 17-7 is built for larger paddlers at 90–135 kg with a correspondingly larger cockpit opening. Both share the same hull character. If you are unsure which size fits you best, we strongly recommend a demo paddle before buying — contact us to arrange one at our Hamilton location or at an upcoming clinic.
Terms of Sale
— Stock kayaks are sold as listed. Colour, layup and fittings are fixed.
— A $500 deposit reserves your hull. The balance is due in full on delivery or collection.
— Prices exclude HST.
— All-in pricing: shipping from the factory to our Hamilton facility — including marine insurance, brokerage, and customs clearance — is included in the price shown. Onward delivery within Canada is available and quoted separately on request.
— Kayak Ontario will store your kayak at no charge for 14 days from the date we notify you it is ready for collection. After that, a storage fee of $50 per kayak per month applies.
— See our refund policy for cancellation terms.
Valley Sea Kayaks · Nottingham, England · Available through Kayak Ontario