Internet dangers...
One idle browsing session turned dangerous. I typed “Rockpool Taran” into Google — you know, just in case there was one for sale — and up popped an advert on UKRGB.
“Whoops,” I thought.
I messaged the seller, who told me he thought he’d deleted the advert… but yes, his Taran was still for sale. Not only that, it was described as being in excellent condition, with photos to back it up. There was only one catch: it was just outside Plymouth. A four-hour drive away.
I asked for more photos, slept on it (well, tried to), and the next morning knew exactly what I had to do — go and see it, just in case.
Road Trip to Tavistock
Five and a half hours later — thanks to an M5 accident — I rolled into Tavistock and pitched up at a campsite for the night. I’d arranged to view the boat the next morning.
I’d brought my paddling kit but no boat. If the Taran didn’t live up to expectations, I’d just head home. But if I bought it? I’d already planned a detour to Looe for a first paddle. Google Maps had shown a slipway right by a big car park — perfect.
Love at First Paddle
Fast forward to lunchtime in Looe, and I was now the proud owner of a Rockpool Taran 18 with a "disco" sparkly red deck. The car park was busy but I found a space by the slipway. Parking wasn’t cheap — reasonable up to four hours, then a jump to £10.20, plus another £2 to launch. Classic seaside economics.
I remembered trying a Taran briefly in 2015 and finding it a bit tippy, but stepping in from the Pace 17 Tour, it felt surprisingly familiar. Slightly less initial stability when stationary, but once moving, very similar. The Taran’s secondary stability was excellent, and edging made it feel agile despite the extra waterline length.
The rudder, however, felt vague — much like my Pace when it had the SmartTrack peddle system — and I find the SmartTrack footrests uncomfortable. I’d swapped the Pace to the Aussie Expedition Kayaks Bigfoot system. I can see the Bigfoot system moving boats. One surprise: without using the rudder, the Taran will still track relatively in a straight line, something the Pace simply won’t do.
Out to Sea
Heading through town, I felt like I’d paddled the Taran for years. It glided effortlessly, helped by a few knots of ebb tide. Soon I was clear of the harbour, turning into a westerly wind around St George’s Island.
That’s when I realised I was in some decent swell — and the Taran was handling it brilliantly. I felt completely at ease, perhaps even more so than in the Pace. With the wind in my face and Eddystone Lighthouse on the horizon, it was one of those perfect paddling days.
At Polperro, I landed to adjust the seat (still too loose, buckle slipping). The seat base has no padding, but even so, it’s comfortable — and forgiving — for my not-so-small frame.
Downwind Bliss
Turning back with the swell and wind behind me, the Taran came alive. Downwind surf was fast, smooth, and addictive. I wasn’t ready to head straight back, so I explored inside Hore Stone, watched for submerged rocks, poked into a couple of caves, and stopped for a break in Portnadler Bay.
Up to this point, I’d felt a little guilty — like I was cheating on the Pace 17 Tour. But by now… I was completely sold.
The Final Push
Returning to Looe, the tide had dropped and the remaining water was streaming out fast. I dug in, made it past the bridge, and almost to the slipway before it became too shallow. A short walk later, I was back at the van, grinning.
Stats: 9.4 nautical miles (11 miles) in just over three hours — not bad for a first date.
Verdict
The Taran lived up to — and probably exceeded — the hype. Stable, fast, comfortable, and seaworthy. I’ll be making a few tweaks (rudder and footrests), but I’m already looking forward to the next paddle.
It might be early days, but the Pace 17 Tour may have some serious competition for my affection.
