# pax20 vs shearwater 17 **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [November 9, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/pax20-vs-shearwater-17/34681 "2008-11-09T08:39:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Greg\_Gordon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Greg\_Gordon](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Greg_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/pax20-vs-shearwater-17/34681/1 "2008-11-09T08:39:01Z")
i built a pax20 a few years back and im almost done with a shearwater s&g 17 im  just curius  to hear opinions about the differences between the two . i paddled the pax for about 3 years  but found it was really too much of a racing boat for my usual type of paddling ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Gordon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Greg\_Gordon](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Greg_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/pax20-vs-shearwater-17/34681/2 "2008-12-03T20:41:23Z")
looks like i get to answer my own question.took the shearwater 17 out today for the first time and i loved it.so heres my 2cents  lots of cockpit room .creature comfort seat was VERY comforatable . boat has excellent speed and takes very little effort to move along. if i was on flat water and paddling at a sprint pace the pax would be a little faster but for me i think any other situation i’ll make better time in the shearwater.the shearwater feels very stable to me not at all"twitchy"  ive only ever owned the pax and a couple SOTs none of those ever responded to edging but this boat really does its a nice feature and reallyu aids in steering a course .i was out in about 25mph winds in a small bay and while i  didnt need it for those conditions im glad i put a skeg in it i think  under worse conditions it would come in handy                                   ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/uploads/clc/original/1X/cf22079d59704e5c3cf9240fe53ff8dd2757dabb.png) [@system](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/pax20-vs-shearwater-17/34681/3 "2008-12-04T12:42:41Z")
Greg, I’ve been curious about seaworthiness of kayaks similar to that of the shearwater.  I too have a Pax-20.  In rough waters or just large wakes it tends to take water into the cockpit from the sides.  I prefer not to wear a spray skirt in the warmer months because they are just too warm.  I have a Georgian Bay by Laughing Loon with a 25" beam.  It does great, but I want something in between the Pax and the really wide beam boats.  I’m seriously considering a Spring Run or Return by Redfish.  They are about the same as the Shearwater in size.  You said you paddled in 25 knts winds.  How did it do? ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Gordon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Greg\_Gordon](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Greg_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/pax20-vs-shearwater-17/34681/4 "2008-12-06T04:54:02Z")
the boat did great in a cross wind i had it  out in the ocean in about 3 foot chop and it handles great ive got a light nylon skirt thats fine .in boat wakes and breaking waves  youll need a spray skirt in any kayak this one does have about double the free board of the pax so it wont be as necessary you could try to get a nylon spray skirt with a zipper i had one for the pax and it worked pretty good in the florida heat. im really STOKED about this boat and would highly recomend it !