Venture Islay 12 LV

A Touring Kayak

The Venture Islay 12 LV is a compact adventure-touring kayak created for smaller and lighter paddlers who want a more secure fit, responsive handling and room to progress.

It is an excellent step up from a shorter recreational kayak, providing greater hull efficiency, more speed and increased storage capacity without moving into the length and less manageable feel of a full-size touring or sea kayak.

Whether you are planning relaxed day trips, exploring local waterways or beginning to take on longer weekend adventures, the Islay 12 LV provides touring capability in an easily manageable package.

Designed for Lower-Volume Paddlers

The “LV” designation means low volume. Compared with the standard Islay 12, this version has a narrower 62cm hull and a maximum recommended paddler weight of 90kg.

This more compact format is designed to give smaller and lighter paddlers a closer connection with the kayak. The result is a boat that feels easier to control and more responsive when edging, turning and making directional adjustments.

Selecting the correct kayak depends on more than body weight alone, but the Islay 12 LV is particularly relevant for paddlers who find standard recreational and touring kayaks unnecessarily broad or spacious.

Touring Performance in a Manageable Size

At 381cm long, the Islay 12 LV sits between short recreational kayaks and longer touring or sea kayaks.

Its additional length provides greater hull efficiency than a typical recreational kayak, helping paddlers cover distance more effectively. At the same time, its compact dimensions retain the manoeuvrability needed for narrower rivers, winding waterways and relaxed exploration.

This balance makes it suitable for paddlers who want:

• More speed than a short recreational kayak
• Better efficiency for covering distance
• Useful storage for extended trips
• Easier manoeuvrability than a longer touring kayak
• A manageable boat for regular day-to-day paddling
  
  

Built for Day Trips and Weekend Adventures

The Islay 12 LV is intended for a mixture of day trips and weekend adventures.

Its touring-oriented design gives you the capacity to carry more equipment than a basic recreational kayak, making it a practical choice for longer days, packed lunches, spare clothing and lightweight overnight equipment.

This is not simply a recreational kayak with touring styling. It is designed to provide the increased efficiency, control options and storage capacity needed as your paddling ambitions grow.

Skeg-Controlled Tracking

The Islay 12 LV is available with a retractable skeg and Twistlock footrests.

A skeg can be lowered when additional directional stability is required, helping the kayak hold its course in wind or across open stretches of water. It can then be raised when greater manoeuvrability is preferred.

This gives the paddler the ability to adapt the kayak’s handling to the waterway and conditions rather than being restricted to one fixed setup.

A Skudder system with Toe Pilot footrests was also offered by Venture as a control option. The exact control system supplied should be confirmed from the selected product configuration.

Who Is the Venture Islay 12 LV For?

The Islay 12 LV is particularly well suited to:

• Smaller and lighter paddlers seeking a better-fitting touring kayak
• Recreational paddlers ready to progress to longer journeys
• Day touring and relaxed weekend adventures
• Exploring lakes, gentle rivers and similar touring environments
• Paddlers wanting improved speed and storage without a long sea kayak
• Anyone who values manoeuvrability alongside efficient forward paddling
  
  

Key Features

• Low-volume touring design for smaller and lighter paddlers
• Compact 381cm length
• Narrower 62cm hull
• Recreational-kayak manageability with greater hull efficiency
• Suitable for day trips and weekend adventures
• Easier to manoeuvre than a longer touring or sea kayak
• Retractable skeg control option
• Twistlock adjustable footrests with the skeg configuration
• Bow and stern storage capacity
• Optional compatibility with a removable storage pod
• Optional compatibility with flush-mounted fishing-rod holders
• Manufactured in Great Britain
• Available from The Boathouse in blue or green
  
  

Technical Specifications

• Model: Venture Islay 12 LV
• Kayak type: Sit-inside adventure-touring kayak
• Size: 12 LV
• Construction: MZ3 single-layer polyethylene
• Length: 381cm
• Width: 62cm
• Weight: 23.5kg
• Maximum paddler weight: 90kg
• Deck size: XL
• Manufactured in: Great Britain
• Current colour options: Blue or green

Please treat the maximum paddler weight as a manufacturer’s guide. The paddler’s dimensions, experience, clothing and the weight of equipment carried should also be considered when choosing the correct kayak.

Available Control and Accessory Options

Depending on the individual kayak configuration, Venture lists the following compatible options:

Control systems

• Skeg with Twistlock footrests
• Skudder with Toe Pilot footrests

Accessories

• Storage pod
• Flush-mounted fishing-rod holders

Please check the selected configuration or contact The Boathouse before ordering if a particular control system or accessory is essential.

Why Choose the Venture Islay 12 LV?

Choose the Islay 12 LV when you want more than a basic recreational kayak but do not need the length or scale of a full touring or sea kayak.

Its low-volume fit, manageable dimensions, touring storage and adaptable tracking make it a strong progression kayak for smaller paddlers who want to travel farther, carry more equipment and continue developing their skills.

Available as UK stock from The Boathouse in blue or green.