The Golden Era of Kevlar Kayaks: Spotlight on the Current Designs Pachena

Why can’t I stop scrolling Marketplace?! 😫

Every now and then, a used kayak pops up that makes you stop mid-scroll and think, "Dang, they really don’t make them like that anymore." That’s exactly what happened when I spotted this pair of Kevlar Current Designs Pachenas—two boats with a serious legacy and plenty of life left in the hulls.

These are what I call Golden SKUs: kayaks that hit the market just right, solve real-world problems for paddlers, and end up sticking around for decades. Think of classics like the Necky Looksha, Wilderness Systems Pungo, Eddyline Skylark, Sterling Reflection, or the Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro. Each of these boats became iconic for a reason.

The Pachena: A Rule-Breaker in a Sea of Longboats

The Current Designs Pachena arrived in the late '90s and early 2000s, during a time when sea kayaks were typically long, lean, and purpose-built for expedition-style trips. Back then, most touring kayaks were in the 17–18 ft range, designed for speed and storage—great if you were crossing channels or planning weeklong trips, but intimidating for beginners or day paddlers.

Then the Pachena came along and broke the mold.

• Length: ~14 feet

• Construction: Kevlar layup = ultralight and durable

• Cockpit: Large and friendly for new paddlers

• Stability: Solid initial and secondary

• Performance: Enough glide and tracking for day touring

• Storage: Just enough for minimalist overnights

It was approachable, stable, and didn’t require an expedition mindset—or expedition skills. You could hop in and feel confident, and still have a boat that rewarded good technique as you progressed.

West‑Coast Roots: Built in British Columbia

Current Designs started on Vancouver Island in the late ’70s, building composite coastal cruisers for the rugged BC shoreline. Production later moved to Minnesota after Wenonah Canoe bought the brand in 1999, but many early Kevlar CDs—including plenty of Pachenas—rolled out of that original BC shop.Current DesignsPaddling Magazine

During the sea kayaking boom of the late '90s and early 2000s, the West Coastal culture embraced these lighter, sportier touring kayaks. Shops up and down the West Coast were buzzing with brands like CD, Necky, Nimbus, and Seda—each pushing the envelope in composite kayak design.

And the Pachena was a standout in that field.

~Paddling Magazine did a great article on the rise and fall of touring kayaks in the early to mid 2000's, thats well worth side quest.

History Repeats: Modern Echoes of the Pachena

We're seeing a comeback of the Pachena-style boat—shorter touring kayaks that are easy to handle, quick enough for longer trips, and stable enough for beginners.

Some of today’s equivalents include:

• Stellar S14

• Delta 14

• Melker Värmdö

• Eddyline Sitka LT

These modern designs build on the same principles: approachable, versatile, and efficient without sacrificing safety or fun.

Eddyline Sitka yellow

Melker Varmdo

Delta 14

stellar s-14 multisport

Melker Varmdo

stellar s-14 g2

The Beauty of Buying Vintage

There’s something satisfying about rescuing a classic. Clean it up, re-rig the deck lines, maybe replace the seat foam, and suddenly you’ve got a kayak that’s ready to paddle for a fraction of the cost of something new.

That said, buyer beware: not every vintage kayak is a gem. UV damage, poor storage, missing hatches—there’s plenty of junk floating around out there. If you want to know what I look for when buying a used kayak I came up with Vintage Kayaks Buyers Guide Super nerdy I know.

I also post my used, vintage, and project boats on my Used & Closeout Kayaks page if you’re in the market.

Final Thoughts

The Current Designs Pachena is more than just a nostalgic Marketplace find—it’s a piece of kayak history. It represents a shift in the sport toward accessibility, performance, and simplicity. And if you’re lucky enough to find one in good condition, don’t sleep on it.

These boats were ahead of their time… and they’re as relevant today as they ever were.

Have a favorite old-school kayak you’d never part with? Let me know in the comments or shoot me a message—I'm always up for a vintage kayak chat.

Need help identifying or restoring a classic kayak? Contact me here I’m always happy to help fellow gear nerds.