Thanks, good choices. I would also add to your list, Eddyline Skylark and Rio, Delta 12AR and 12S, Feelfree Aventura (11.0 and 12.5), Stellar S12, Dagger Stratos 12.5, and Jackson Tupelo (12 and 12.5). Many of your choices (and these others) have slight to moderate increases in cockpit size to make it easy to enter/exit, and also touring kayak features (bulkheads, sealed hatches, deck lines and bungees) and performance (more streamlined shape, ability to edge, etc). Look forward to more of your videos!
Good choices for beginners. I would add that if you live near big water (Great Lakes and Niagara River for me), beginners soon find that a 10 foot boat without floatation is not what you want. Many of our new paddlers soon upgrade to a 12 foot or longer with sealed flotation front and back to enjoy group outings on bigger water. I recommend the latter as a beginner boat.
Absolutely! There are limitations of any recreational kayak. If someone has aspirations of exploring far from shore, or doing multi-day trips, I'd be inclined to recommend a stable day touring kayak.
Always choose the 12' over the 10' versions. A 10' kayak might seem big in the store, but feels very small in the water. And 12s paddle much better. And don't be shy about sit on top kayaks.
I'd always recommend the longest kayak that you can store and transport, up to about 18'. There are diminishing returns though. A 12' is much nicer than a 10', whereas a 14' is nicer than a 12, but not by as much.
I recommend the stellar and eddyline boats, I have a eddyline rio that i would keep but selling due to i want to stick to sprint kayaking until i am old and get into something relaxed as sea kayak for cruising.
They're great boats. The Stellar kayaks are especially nice, keeping some of the features of fast kayaks in relatively stable sea kayaks. I've got an S18 Expedition and it's a dream.
Thanks for the great video! I’ve been going back and forth with the Pungo 125 and the Loon 126. Do you happen to know how much faster the Pungo is vs the Loon? I think I’m leaning towards the loon but I keep reading the pungo is faster.
There are some great options out there. The Wilderness Systems Tarpon is a good one to consider. It is quite similar to the Pungo in terms of outfitting and material. Another option would be the Eddyline Caribbean. It's got the same lightweight thermoformed construction as the Sky 10 featured in this video.
Hey! do you have any opinions on the current designs Solara 100? Just getting into kayaking and I’m looking for a kayak to use mostly on sheltered lakes.
I don't have specific experience with that model, but have had quite a few headaches from Current Designs polyethylene boats. They suffered from questionable outfitting and poor quality control, at least towards the end of their run. That was mostly in their longer Sea Kayaks, so perhaps the outfitting on the Solara 100 may be better.
Nice, enjoyed this. Very informative.
Hi Joe! Glad you liked it!
Thanks, good choices. I would also add to your list, Eddyline Skylark and Rio, Delta 12AR and 12S, Feelfree Aventura (11.0 and 12.5), Stellar S12, Dagger Stratos 12.5, and Jackson Tupelo (12 and 12.5). Many of your choices (and these others) have slight to moderate increases in cockpit size to make it easy to enter/exit, and also touring kayak features (bulkheads, sealed hatches, deck lines and bungees) and performance (more streamlined shape, ability to edge, etc). Look forward to more of your videos!
All great selections with a variety of pros and cons to consider!
Love the pungo in green
Good choices for beginners. I would add that if you live near big water (Great Lakes and Niagara River for me), beginners soon find that a 10 foot boat without floatation is not what you want. Many of our new paddlers soon upgrade to a 12 foot or longer with sealed flotation front and back to enjoy group outings on bigger water. I recommend the latter as a beginner boat.
Absolutely! There are limitations of any recreational kayak. If someone has aspirations of exploring far from shore, or doing multi-day trips, I'd be inclined to recommend a stable day touring kayak.
Always choose the 12' over the 10' versions. A 10' kayak might seem big in the store, but feels very small in the water. And 12s paddle much better. And don't be shy about sit on top kayaks.
I'd always recommend the longest kayak that you can store and transport, up to about 18'. There are diminishing returns though.
A 12' is much nicer than a 10', whereas a 14' is nicer than a 12, but not by as much.
I recommend the stellar and eddyline boats, I have a eddyline rio that i would keep but selling due to i want to stick to sprint kayaking until i am old and get into something relaxed as sea kayak for cruising.
They're great boats. The Stellar kayaks are especially nice, keeping some of the features of fast kayaks in relatively stable sea kayaks. I've got an S18 Expedition and it's a dream.
@@PascalWCK yea i have a 18r i paddle for relaxing, I paddle a nelo sprint kayak .
Thanks for the great video! I’ve been going back and forth with the Pungo 125 and the Loon 126. Do you happen to know how much faster the Pungo is vs the Loon? I think I’m leaning towards the loon but I keep reading the pungo is faster.
The Pungo is 10% faster, maybe. I wouldn't describe either as fast. I'd sit in both of you have a chance and base the decision on how they feel.
Thank you for the response, I’ve sat in a pungo and liked it but near me I can’t find a loon 126 to save my life lol.
Great video!
Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
That Stellar looks stellar ....
It's always a Stellar day when you're paddling one.
I can't get comfortable in a sit inside. Any thoughts for SOTs?
There are some great options out there. The Wilderness Systems Tarpon is a good one to consider. It is quite similar to the Pungo in terms of outfitting and material.
Another option would be the Eddyline Caribbean. It's got the same lightweight thermoformed construction as the Sky 10 featured in this video.
Hey! do you have any opinions on the current designs Solara 100? Just getting into kayaking and I’m looking for a kayak to use mostly on sheltered lakes.
I don't have specific experience with that model, but have had quite a few headaches from Current Designs polyethylene boats. They suffered from questionable outfitting and poor quality control, at least towards the end of their run. That was mostly in their longer Sea Kayaks, so perhaps the outfitting on the Solara 100 may be better.