Get What You Pay For? 12 Foot Kayak Materials Shoot Out!

Comments · 149

• DO

  @docmanh20 · 3 years ago

  Buy once, cry once. I've had my fill of the cheaper kayaks and they're good for what they are, but once you try out one of these big dogs in the video it's game over. It's like upgrading from a steel framed walmart bike to an carbon fiber electric bike. The difference in weight, comfort, speed, style (you'll get compiments) is outstanding. Spend your money where you spend your time, if you love the water then you won't regret it. :)

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• KR

  @krisl3314 · 3 years ago

  My husband and I bought 2 Aventura 125s during the pandemic. I'm not sure what the situation was like in the US but in Canada, supply issues meant it was nearly impossible to find kayaks in stock (and nobody was selling their used ones).  I had created a list of "smart buys" based on your reviews and the Aventuras were the first kayaks we were able to find.  Yes, it's a bit heavier than we'd prefer but if we were to go up in price, we would not have been able to afford the hobby and we tend to stick to bodies of water that are easy to carry them to.  Thank you for all your informative videos, I love watching them because I always learn something new.

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• GE

  @georgelaroche2062 · 3 years ago

  Thank you, you convinced me not to invest in a Stellar. The seat is poor for a kayak at that price, and other reviewers confirm that it lacks maneuverability. I'm glad you spent some time comparing the hull shapes. One important difference that you didn't mention is the depth and volume throughout the bow, middle, and stern and how that might affect stability in rough water. Eddyline sterns are so low that they're almost submerged, as can be seen in the video. In my experience, Eddylines takes advanced paddling skills in waves and wind---they are not inherently stable in those conditions. Two very stable hull designs in this approximate length category are the Delta 12.10 and the Hurricane Sojourn 135. Both are superior to the Eddyline in stability, they're lightweight, and you can save some money with the Hurricane Sojourn. Both have ample hatches for camping gear. The very large bow and stern volume of the Deltas and Hurricane Sojourns create inherent stability in rough water, requiring only beginner to intermediate paddling skills. Another comparison not mentioned is the thickness and flex of the bottom. Eddylines, Deltas, and Hurricanes all have rigid decks, but the bottoms are surprisingly thin and flexible. The theory is that the pressure of the water against the bottom supplies rigidity, but there are stories about cracking ABS plastic kayaks on rocks and submerged tree stumps. Finally, perhaps most important of all, I would love to see kayak demonstrations performed in wind and waves so we can get a real sense of their safety and paddling skill needed. Any of these boats will be fine in benign conditions, but there are major differences between them when the wind and waves kick up. My top choice among all of these short kayaks: the Delta 12.10. It's only fault is a slightly short cockpit as Delta uses the same 17" x 32" cockpit on the 12.10 as on the longer sea kayaks, which is sort of odd.

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• TH

  @TheWhiskeyCowboyLife · 2 years ago

  Another thing to keep in mind is that if you live on a lake/pond you can get away with a heavier boat since you will not be car topping it. And whether you like open water or "exploring" where you may be bumping or rubbing the layup will really matter. All great boats though... I love the idea of a kayak but am a canoe man; but the issues involved are quite similar. Great video.

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• BA

  @barry4fish19 · 3 years ago

  I have a red skylark for lake paddling and love it, even though lime green was my first choice but that color seems to sell out first. That Stellar is impressive, I guess some folks might stray away from that because it’s made in China, but the factory and designs do have good international collaboration from several sources. I also heard the seat in the Stellar kayaks isn’t very comfortable next to some other brands but that’s always a personal preference. Thanks for the great review, I think more videos with these comparisons are needed for sure, it would be nice to see one with the 14 footers since that seems to be a popular length for transitional light touring boats. You could do Equinox, Delta 14, Perception Carolina, WS Tsunami, Swift Kiwassa 14, and many others to choose from in that size.

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• CO

  @colinfitzgerald4332 · 1 year ago

  I have the Eddyline Sandpiper 13 ft.  It has a 28” beam and web suspension seat.  It’s not really fast but incredibly stable.  Eat lunch in the middle of the lake, lean back and relax for hours; its that comfortable.

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• GM

  @gmuz748 · 3 years ago

  Dan, I found your YT channel this past summer and became a happy subscriber.  It’s so very informative and insightful.  I purchased an Adventura 140 this past August based on your response to a larger-sized viewer’s inquiry about options in one of your earlier videos.  I’m 6’3” at 260 lbs and find the 140 to be a great kayak for its price-point, a real treat to paddle around.  I picked up a Crescent LT on clearance as well that month and it’s superb, as you had stated in several videos; a super thank you for the terrific opinions and guidance you provide!

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• RU

  @ruofhatem · 3 years ago

  Aloha! Always great effort in providing info and details on those interested getting into the sport.  Props to the videographer also.

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• BR

  @brianfraker1793 · 3 years ago

  Thx for the vids!  Bought a Walmart $240 and went down the Umpqua River.  Got pretty lucky nothing went wrong.  Time to learn.

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• WI

  @williamday1311 · 6 months ago

  ALWAYS enjoy - and much appreciate! - your videos and reviews Dan. You are the epitome of the ‘career advice’ of: find you something you love to do and it’s not work, or just a job! Thanks for the info, insight, education, and entertainment😊. Funny, I always seem to learn something in each of your videos.

• LJ

  @LJ-jq8og · 3 years ago (edited)

  Dan:  Great topic... Excellent review... Thx !

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• VO

  @voyeurbobb · 3 years ago

  Thank you for all the educational videos you do. I love them and bought my starter kayak based on one of them a few years ago. I would come try out more but Georgia is a long way from you 😔.  Thanks again.

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