Disclaimer, I do not have this kayak model, rather I bought the Pelican Trailblazer NXT 100 6 years ago. The sharp edges aren't as big of an issue as you would think. They are sorta rolled on the bottom and only kinda sharp on top. Sitting inside is fine. The cup holder between your legs is less for a standing bottle and more for a bottle on its side. Fits and holds a nalgene this way great. The sharp edge with the rope hand holds can be a problem, but i replaced it with nylon paracord and it works fine. The seat is meh, I added extra padding from a cut up closed cell foam sleeping pad underneath. Those clips are very meh, but mine haven't broken yet. I have pretty thick thighs and haven't had a problem with getting in and out of mine. Features that this has that mine doesn't or are different? Dash is different, mine has a bungee to hold stuff down. Works well. No thigh pads on mine. Drain plug on this is an improvement, mine is a loose piece of rubber, no retention. Mine has straight bungees in the back, no netting. Mine also didn't come with a paddle holder, just notches in the gunwell behind the dashboard. I would say for a cheap kayak, you could do worse. I agree, this ain't an open water kayak. I use it on mostly still lakes in the midwest for camping trips. Works fine. Is it great? No. Is it good for 300ish? I would say it is okay.
As my first kayak purchase ever, I just bought two of the 2023 model and they seem decent for being under $500 Canadian. There's another review on RUclips by Angling Spiders that shows the boat after 3 years of frequent use and it held up very well. To me the long term reviews are worth 10 "first impressions" reviews. I'm going to add some flush mount rod holders to mine and try it for fishing calm lakes and rivers.
Thanks for the detailed analysis of this kayak! I was looking exactly for the comments you had regarding a larger person in such a kayak, so I'll steer away from this particular model. It would have probably worked out good for me as a cheap introductory kayak for use on the lake at the local park, but because I'm larger than according to your analysis, it's not a good fit for me. Thanks again.
Hey man. The little nuggets, like the true reason behind the hull arching & beveling around cup holder are really enlightening about the industry. You can see how hitting a price point and other hard reqs affect architecture and fitting decisions. Thanks for sharing man - major injustice you’re not around 10k subscribers
Im a bigger guy at 280lb right now and we just bought two of these.,,havent gotten them on the water yet…but Yes, it felt a little snug. My guess is we will use it for this season and i might switch it out next summer…any suggestions for a budget kayak for a bigger guy?
They're good kayaks but only for lakes & smooth running water. The double keel prevents turning in fast moving water, but holds a line while paddling on a lake. Top paddling speed if you are strong is about 7mph. They're very difficult to tow behind a boat while occupied. I don't recommend it. A friend lapped and hit me with wakes with his jet ski & the kayak held its own.
Im 225 and i have the same mission and for messing around on small lakes its fine its very stable and lots of room the cup holder in the seat is useless as i cover it basically once sitting but its a fun boat for small lakes ,if i knew what i know now its worth getting a 12ft ,also you cant buy a skirt for it.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Disclaimer, I do not have this kayak model, rather I bought the Pelican Trailblazer NXT 100 6 years ago.
The sharp edges aren't as big of an issue as you would think. They are sorta rolled on the bottom and only kinda sharp on top. Sitting inside is fine. The cup holder between your legs is less for a standing bottle and more for a bottle on its side. Fits and holds a nalgene this way great. The sharp edge with the rope hand holds can be a problem, but i replaced it with nylon paracord and it works fine. The seat is meh, I added extra padding from a cut up closed cell foam sleeping pad underneath. Those clips are very meh, but mine haven't broken yet. I have pretty thick thighs and haven't had a problem with getting in and out of mine.
Features that this has that mine doesn't or are different? Dash is different, mine has a bungee to hold stuff down. Works well. No thigh pads on mine. Drain plug on this is an improvement, mine is a loose piece of rubber, no retention. Mine has straight bungees in the back, no netting. Mine also didn't come with a paddle holder, just notches in the gunwell behind the dashboard.
I would say for a cheap kayak, you could do worse. I agree, this ain't an open water kayak. I use it on mostly still lakes in the midwest for camping trips. Works fine. Is it great? No. Is it good for 300ish? I would say it is okay.
Loved it! Thanks for the video.
As my first kayak purchase ever, I just bought two of the 2023 model and they seem decent for being under $500 Canadian. There's another review on RUclips by Angling Spiders that shows the boat after 3 years of frequent use and it held up very well. To me the long term reviews are worth 10 "first impressions" reviews. I'm going to add some flush mount rod holders to mine and try it for fishing calm lakes and rivers.
Thanks for the detailed analysis of this kayak! I was looking exactly for the comments you had regarding a larger person in such a kayak, so I'll steer away from this particular model. It would have probably worked out good for me as a cheap introductory kayak for use on the lake at the local park, but because I'm larger than according to your analysis, it's not a good fit for me. Thanks again.
Hey man. The little nuggets, like the true reason behind the hull arching & beveling around cup holder are really enlightening about the industry. You can see how hitting a price point and other hard reqs affect architecture and fitting decisions. Thanks for sharing man - major injustice you’re not around 10k subscribers
Thanks for enjoying and commenting! We’ll keep at it when inspired but go dark when the paddling is too good!
We don’t have Costco here.. but it’s just amazing the things you can get there. Was fun watching you explain bits and pieces of that kayak
I want a costco membership just for the "monkey tree" lmao
Im a bigger guy at 280lb right now and we just bought two of these.,,havent gotten them on the water yet…but Yes, it felt a little snug. My guess is we will use it for this season and i might switch it out next summer…any suggestions for a budget kayak for a bigger guy?
Eddyline SP130, Bigger Pungo, Feel Free Adventura…sit in lots of them if you are shopping.
45? Looking good man, must be all that paddling keeping you young.
Hahaha! Always been a baby face I guess! The joints know what age they are!
They're good kayaks but only for lakes & smooth running water. The double keel prevents turning in fast moving water, but holds a line while paddling on a lake. Top paddling speed if you are strong is about 7mph. They're very difficult to tow behind a boat while occupied. I don't recommend it.
A friend lapped and hit me with wakes with his jet ski & the kayak held its own.
Im 225 and i have the same mission and for messing around on small lakes its fine its very stable and lots of room the cup holder in the seat is useless as i cover it basically once sitting but its a fun boat for small lakes ,if i knew what i know now its worth getting a 12ft ,also you cant buy a skirt for it.