First Look: Specs and Features

The Hurricane Santee 116 Sport Kayak, priced at $1,250, is 11'6″ long, 28″ wide, and weighs a mere 39 lbs. While it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, the features it does have are real enhancements, like the bow and stern bulkheads for safety, a stern hatch for storage, a paddle holder for convenience, an adjustable seat, thigh pads, and foot braces for comfort, and molded grab handles to make it easy to move around. Its sleek design also hints at efficient glide through the water.

On the Water: Portability

The Hurricane Santee 116 Sport Kayak excels in portability. Weighing only 39 lbs, it's easy to transport. What makes it light is it's construction. It's a plastic kayak made by thermoforming. This manufacturing process results in a kayak that's about 20% lighter than typical plastic kayaks of a similar size, but it does make the kayak less durable, which we'll talk more about shortly.

Kayak Performance

The Santee 116 Sport is a recreational kayak, which means it's designed to be a stable boat for paddlers of any skill level to enjoy on flatwater. But the Santee also claims to offer great speed and glide. Did they succeed in creating a boat that's stable and fun to paddle? The answer is Yes!

The kayak is stable enough for anyone to feel confident in, but it's shape allows it to cut through the water smoothly and glide extremely well for a recreational kayak. The thermoformed plastic is also nice and smooth and stiff, which only enhances the kayaks's performance.

Comfort: Paddle All Day

The comfort of a kayak is critical to most recreational paddlers. If comfort is important to you, then you'll be happy to hear that the Santee 116 Sport is quite a comfortable kayak. It features a roomy cockpit, adjustable foot pegs, and Hurricane's supportive and adustable Strong Side Seat. Its design accommodates taller paddlers (up to 6'5″) and allows for a comfortable, efficient paddling posture.

Durability of the Santee 116 Sport

Thermoformed kayaks are lighter than other plastic kayaks, but their lightweight nature comes at the cost of durability. That being said, I wouldn't call the Santee 116 Sport fragile; It's simply a kayak that can't be abused. It's not a kayak to drag on the ground or bang hard into rocks. It's the kind of kayak that deserves padded roof rack bars when you transport it.

Value: A Smart Investment

At $1,250, the Hurricane Santee 116 Sport Kayak is a good value if it's the type of kayak you're looking for. Yes, you do pay a small premium for the kayak being thermoformed, but you get a lighter kayak, that glides through the water extremely well.

Who is the Santee 116 Sport For?

This kayak is ideal for flatwater paddling. It's not suited for rough conditions. It appeals to those seeking a comfortable, lightweight, and efficient sit-inside kayak for calm waters. It's a good choice for paddlers who prioritize having a lightweight kayak with good performance and are willing to take care of their gear.

If the Hurricane Santee 116 Sport Kayak isn't precisely what you're looking for, but you do like the idea of a lighter, thermoformed kayak, Hurricane has a number of other kayaks to consider. Check out my other Hurricane Kayak reviews, Prima 125, Osprey 120 and Tampico 130 to see which one is right for you

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A Perfect Blend of Speed and Stability

The Prima 125 is part of Hurricane’s recreational line, but let me tell you, it offers much more than just recreational paddling. One of the first things that stood out to me was how well this kayak blends speed and stability—two characteristics that don’t always go hand in hand. The Prima 125 is designed with a sharp bow and a long waterline, which translates to excellent tracking and speed on the water. Whether you're cruising on a lake or exploring coastal waters, this kayak moves with impressive efficiency.

Now, what really surprised me was how stable this kayak felt despite its sleek design. Stability is often a trade-off when you’re looking at faster, more performance-oriented kayaks, but the Hurricane Prima 125 kayak manages to keep you feeling secure even in choppy conditions. This makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced paddlers who want a kayak that performs without feeling too tippy.

Lightweight and Easy to Handle

Another feature that deserves mention is the weight—or lack thereof. The Hurricane Prima 125 weighs in at just 43 lbs, which is incredibly light for a 12.5-foot kayak. This makes it easy to transport, whether you’re loading it onto your car roof rack or carrying it down to the water by yourself. Hurricane has done a great job with the construction, using a Trylon ABS plastic that’s not only lightweight but also durable and resistant to UV damage.

Comfort and Fit

Let’s talk about comfort, which is crucial if you’re planning to spend long hours on the water. The Hurricane Prima 125 comes with an Airestream seat, which I found to be one of the more comfortable kayak seats out there. It’s well-padded and adjustable, allowing you to find that perfect seating position. The kayak also has ample legroom, which is a big plus for taller paddlers like myself.

Versatility on the Water

One of the things I appreciate most about the Prima 125 is its versatility. While it’s certainly fast and nimble, it’s also versatile enough to handle a variety of water conditions. I’ve taken it out on calm lakes, slow-moving rivers, and even some light coastal waters, and it performed admirably in all settings. The Prima 125 also has enough storage space for day trips, with a rear hatch and bungee deck rigging to keep your gear secure.

Hurricane Prima 125 Kayak, who is it for?

The Hurricane Prima 125 is a kayak that offers a lot more than meets the eye. It’s a performance-driven kayak with a surprising amount of stability, making it a fantastic option for a wide range of paddlers. Whether you’re looking for a kayak to help you cover long distances quickly or one that offers a stable and comfortable ride for a day of leisurely paddling, the Prima 125 has you covered.

If you’re in the market for a new kayak and want something that combines speed, stability, and ease of use, I highly recommend giving the Hurricane Prima 125 a try. It’s a kayak that truly stands out in its category.

Until next time, keep exploring, stay safe on the water, and happy paddling!

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What I Love About Sit-On-Top Kayaks

Firstly, sit-on-top kayaks are open and comfortable. You can sit cross-legged, stand up in a lot of them, move around without any problem, and even sit sideways with your legs over the side if you want. They're also incredibly stable, making them ideal for activities like fishing, photography, and videography where you need a stable and open platform. These kayaks prioritize stability over performance, which is great for doing more than just paddling.

What I Hate About Sit-On-Top Kayaks

On the flip side, sit-on-top kayaks are generally heavy. They have a lot more plastic in them compared to sit-inside kayaks of the same length, making them 15-25% heavier. They're also harder to carry and move around because they lack a cockpit rim, which means you can't just throw them over your shoulder. You have to carry them suitcase-style from the side grab handle, which is cumbersome, or you need two people, one on each end. This added weight and awkward carrying make them less appealing for solo adventures.

Another downside is that sit-on-top kayaks often sacrifice performance for stability. As someone who loves a fast and responsive kayak, this can be a bit of a letdown.

Hurricane Osprey 120 Kayak: Breaking the Mold?

Now, Hurricane thinks they've found a way to change my mind with the Osprey 120 kayak. Let’s dive into the specifics before hitting the water. The Osprey 120 retails for $1,500. It's 12 feet 2 inches long, 31.5 inches wide, and weighs 47 pounds with the seat (43 pounds without). It has a capacity of 325 pounds. The design aims to optimize both performance and stability, featuring a relaxed hull design, a K9 bow pad, gear tracks for mountain accessories, adjustable foot braces, four molded grab handles, a gasketed H-pod for storing small items, and a rear tank well with bungees.

Testing the Hurricane Osprey 120 Kayak

It’s time to get this kayak on the water. Despite a gray sky, it's a perfect day to test the Hurricane Osprey 120. Here’s what I found:

Portability

At 47 pounds with the seat, the Hurricane Osprey 120 kayak is a remarkably portable sit-on-top kayak. This weight is a significant advantage, especially for someone tired of lugging around heavier boats. However, carrying it solo remains tricky without the ability to throw it on your shoulder. Carrying it suitcase-style is manageable up to about 100 yards. Still, a kayak cart would be a welcomed addition to your paddling kit.

Performance and Stability

Hurricane claims the Osprey 120 strikes a great balance between performance and stability, and I’d say they’re right. The kayak is 31.5 inches wide, which isn’t super wide but provides plenty of stability. The thermoformed construction makes it rigid, smooth, and offers excellent glide through the water. It tracks well, even when you stop paddling. While it’s not a speed machine, it performs better than expected for a 12-foot sit-on-top kayak.

Comfort

The elevated frame seat is incredibly comfortable, offering good lower back support for paddling and the ability to kick back in full Lazy-Boy mode. For paddlers up to 6'2″, this kayak offers ample space. Taller paddlers might find the cockpit area a bit cramped.

Durability

Thermoformed kayaks like the Osprey 120 are designed for use, not abuse. It can handle scratches and minor bumps, but if you’re planning to paddle in rocky areas or drag your boat around, a rotomolded kayak would be a better choice.

Features

The Hurricane Osprey 120 kayak has practical features without overloading on accessories. The K9 bow pad is great for bringing along a dog, providing grip and comfort. The gear track in front of the cockpit is within easy reach and doesn’t interfere with paddling. The H-pod is perfect for storing small items, although it could be slightly bigger to accommodate larger phones.

Value

At $1,500, the Osprey 120 is about $200-250 more than comparable rotomolded sit-on-top kayaks. The extra cost is justified by the weight savings, improved performance, and overall better glide through the water. For many, the premium will be worth it.

Who is the Hurricane Osprey 120 Kayak for?

The Hurricane Osprey 120 kayak is perfect for anyone who wants a sit-on-top kayak and is willing to pay a little extra for a lighter, better-performing kayak. It’s versatile enough for flat water, some rough water, and mild currents, but not for rapids or heavy surf. It's ideal for paddlers who like to fish or do other activities on their kayak. The Osprey 120 is not for someone who wants a kayak that prioritizes durability. It isn't a kayak to drag around or run into rocks with repeatedly. Unlike the heavier, rotomolded sit-on-top kayaks, some care needs to be taken when paddling any thermoformed kayak.

Interested in a lightweight sit-inside kayak? Check out the Hurricane Tampico 130 kayak review.

If you’ve tried this kayak, please leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you enjoyed this review, give it a thumbs up and subscribe to Paddle TV for more gear reviews, paddling tips, and adventures. Stay tuned for more exciting content!

Happy paddling!

Ken Whiting

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The Basic Draw Stroke

The basic draw stroke involves reaching out your blade to the side of your kayak, about level with your hip. You then need to put the blade fully into the water. After that, just pull your body and the boat toward the blade. 

For the most effective stroke, rotate your upper body to face your active blade. Plant your blade completely in the water and get your paddle shaft as vertical as possible. Getting your paddle shaft vertical means pushing your top hand fully across the kayak. This can put you in a bit of an unstable position. So when learning the stroke you can lower your hand to face-level instead. With confidence, you can start reaching over the side of the kayak. 

With your blade completely in the water, you will pull your lower hand towards the hip. Your top hand should stay fairly stationary during these motions to act as a pivot for the stroke. 

Before the blade reaches the side of the boat, stop the stroke, and slice your blade back out away from the boat. If you let the blade come right against the kayak it can get a little tippy. 

A common problem people face with the draw stroke is that instead of the kayak moving laterally, it starts turning. This is because every kayak draws differently. If you find that the bow is starting to turn then it probably means you are drawing too close to the front of the kayak and vice versa. You have to find the happy medium – the hip is a good starting point. 

Knifing Draw Stroke or T-Stroke

The idea of the t-stroke is that once the blade gets close to the side of the boat, instead of slicing it out to the back of the kayak, you keep it moving. To do this, once the blade is by the side of the kayak, curl your wrist forward and spin the blade 90 degrees. This lets you take the blade directly back to where it started to begin a new stroke. 

The benefit of this is that you are in control of the kayak the whole time. Additionally, you can make strokes a lot quicker. 

The Sculling Draw Stroke

This is the next evolution of the draw stroke. This is a stroke that I use all the time because it lets you fine-tune your position in the water. 

It starts in very much the same way as the basic draw. You turn your head and body to face the active blade and, with your paddle shaft as vertical as possible, engage your blade in the water. This lets you provide the most lateral pressure on the water.

The difference here is the motion of the blade. Instead of just drawing the blade towards the hip, you make a sculling motion to apply steady and even pressure on the paddle. This bypasses the whole recovery phase that the basic and knifing draw deal with. 

The key to the sculling draw is the motion of the blade through the water. The blade moves in a small path forward and backward along the side of the kayak, about two feet out from the side of the kayak. 

The trick here is that the leading edge of the blade needs to be higher than the trailing edge. As I am pushing forward I will cock my wrist back a little, and as I am pushing back I will curl my wrist forwards. You can almost think of it like buttering bread. When you spread butter onto bread, if your knife doesn’t have a climbing angle on it you are just going to dig into the bread. And that is the same with sculling: the leading edge has to be higher than the trailing edge. 

By doing this motion vertically you spread even pressure onto the power face of your paddle (the side of the blade you take a forward stroke with) and that draws your kayak sideways. 

Top Tips for Draw Stroke

1. Be Subtle

You can change the angle of the paddle but these need to be subtle. If the changes in angle are not subtle you could effectively be just doing forwards and backwards strokes in the water! 

2. Use Your Core

The paddle motion is not driven by your arms but by your core. The way you do that is by turning your upper body and keeping your top hand in a relatively stable position. You just need to move your paddle by rotating your upper body. The arms are only responsible for changing the angle of your paddle. 

The reason to use your core is that the muscles in your torso and core are way more powerful than those in your arms. So it makes sense to harness that power! 

The sculling draw stroke is a very effective way to travel sideways in the water. But it goes beyond that: by mastering the sculling draw you are improving your paddle dexterity. You are developing a better understanding of how slight changes in blade movement and angle in the water impact the movement of your boat. This comes into play in so many different ways as you progress as a paddler. So I would highly recommend that you take the time to learn the sculling draw along with other forms of the draw stroke for kayaking. 

Introducing the Hurricane Tampico 130! For this tip I used the Tampico 130. This is a great thermoformed kayak. The thermoformed plastic is much lighter and helps for a much easier day on the water. I recently took this kayak to the Okefenokee and did a full in-depth review. Check out my Kayak Camping in the Okefenokee Swamp journal and my Review of the Hurricane Tampico 130

Kayak: Hurricane Tampico 130
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Draw Stroke for Kayaking appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Hurricane Tampico 130 Specifications

Price: $1600 (USD)
Length: 13’ 2”
Width: 26”
Weight: 45 LBS (20 KG)
Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)
Best Use: Touring

The Tampico 130 features:

• A multi-chine hull to blend speed, tracking, and stability
• A new H-pod storage hatch
• Bungees on the back and front
• The new Airstream strong side-padded seat
• An adjustable back support
• Bulkheads on the front and back
• Hatches on the front and back.

Portability

There are three main ways that kayaks are made. One way is by rotomolding. In this process, plastic is placed into a mold and then heated up in an oven, and rotated around to fully cover the mold. Once the kayak is done you can open up the mold and voila! You have a kayak. Rotomolded kayaks are often cheaper, very durable, and a lot heavier.

Another method is creating composite kayaks out of materials such as carbon, kevlar, and fiberglass. Composite kayaks are nice and stiff kayaks that are very lightweight, fast, and perform great. You will pay a premium for this type of kayak.  

The Hurricane Tampico 130 is made by thermoforming. In this method, two sides of the kayak are made separately and then welded together. This allows them to create a stiffer and lighter kayak that is not quite as cheap or durable as a rotamolded kayak.

Because of the way it was made the Tampico 130 is only 45 LBS, which, for a boat of this size, is nice and light and easy to move around. You do have to be a little more careful when tying the Tampico 130 to a vehicle. You cannot just reef as hard as you can on the straps as you might do with a rotomolded kayak. That said, you don’t need to baby this kayak either!

Comfort

Was the Hurricane Tampico 130 comfortable to use? Well, I tested this out on a three-day trip where I spent 7-8 hours on the water each day. So it really tested the comfort of the kayak. And this kayak passed the comfort test.

The seat in the Tampico 130 is nice and padded. It has a thicker part at the front of the seat which helps lift your legs up and provide thigh support. The back support is adjustable, can go up and down, and is well padded. It is a comfortable kayak.

Stability

The Hurricane Tampico 130 is a 26” wide kayak which means that it is not going to be the most stable kayak. It is a light touring kayak so you will be trading some stability for efficiency of travel through the water. That said, you could put anybody in this kayak and they would probably feel comfortable and stable.

The Tampico 130 has a V hull which is designed for traveling forwards. But it also means that when you hold the kayak on edge it locks into place. Because of this the Tampico 130 has good primary stability and really good secondary stability when you put it on edge.

Performance

The performance of the Hurricane Tampico 130 comes from the hull. The hull is V-shaped, with a keel right down the middle of the kayak, which helps it track and cut a straight line through the water.

It is not the fastest kayak because it is only 13’ long. But for a 13’ kayak it travels efficiently and effectively through the water. Because of this, it is a fun boat to paddle. Every stroke you take really feels like you are cruising through the water instead of fighting it.

Not only is the Tampico 130 great at traveling forwards, but it is also very easy to turn. You can easily edge this kayak around or use sweep strokes to effectively turn it. The Tampico 130 does an excellent job of combining stability, maneuverability, and forward speed.

Features

The Hurricane Tampico 130 does not have that many features to talk about. There are two main hatches, one up front and one behind. There are also two bulkheads to separate the compartments of the kayak. These are great for multi-day trips because it provides you with two watertight (not waterproof) compartments.

If you do swim in a kayak with bulkheads like this you will only swamp the cockpit area. This is both much easier to deal with than a fully swamped kayak but also helps to protect your gear. You will still need to pack your gear in dry bags to make sure that it stays completely dry. Hatches are never completely dry.

The hatch at the back provides you with plenty of space to store gear for a multi-day trip. There is no skeg on the Tampico 130 which means you get a lot of extra space to store your equipment.

There is a third, day hatch, right in front of the cockpit. This has a gasket on it so is waterproof. It is the perfect place to store snacks, phones, and other useful items you want in close reach. The only downside to this hatchet is that it is exactly the same size as my phone. So, once I'd put my phone in the hatch, I couldn’t get it back out. This is of course being picky, but I couldn’t help but wish it was a tiny bit bigger!

Who is the Hurricane Tampico For?

This is a light touring kayak. You can tell this because it has a cockpit with a rim that is designed to take a paddling skirt. That, combined with the fact that it has two bulkheads, means that the Tampico 130 is safe to take into rough conditions. So it is a boat that can really handle any type of condition. That said, it is first and foremost designed to be used in calm conditions, but it can handle rougher conditions if necessary.

It is only 13’ long so the Tampico 130 is not designed for massive expeditions where you intend to cover huge amounts of ground. But it still moves fast. So it is a great kayak for people who are looking to give up some of the stability that bomb-proof kayaks offer, in order to have a boat that is fun to paddle and can travel faster.

This is a boat that anyone, from beginner to expert, can really enjoy using on single-day or multi-day trips.

Value

The Hurricane Tampico 130 retails at $1600 (USD) which is almost exactly what I would expect to pay for a touring kayak like this. You pay a tiny bit extra with the Tampico 130 to get a kayak that is only 45 LBS. But if you have the money and intend to use the kayak a lot then paying the premium to half the weight of your kayak is totally worth it.

The Hurricane Tampico 130 gets two big thumbs up. It is definitely another keeper boat for me!

Kayak: Hurricane Tampico 130
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Hurricane Tampico 130 Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

The connection you develop with the environment is taken to the next level as you watch and listen while day turns to dusk, dust turns to night, and then night gives way to dawn. That’s why I was so excited to do a 3-day kayak camping trip across the Okefenokee Swamp.

Multi-day Camping in the Okefenokee Swamp

Many might question the comfort of a multi-day trip across the Okefenokee Swamp. The incredible efforts of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and their partners have made it a bucket-list experience. They maintain around 130 miles of paddling trails through the swamp. They’ve built and maintain several camping platforms in the swamp. There is a covered section to provide shelter, a picnic table, an outhouse, and enough space to pitch up to 6 tents. Each platform is like an oasis within an oasis.

Paddling the Okefenokee Swamp

Our trip involved covering around 32 miles over 3 days of paddling. We were crossing the swamp from east to west. While one could imagine paddling across a swamp being just a lot of the same, this couldn’t be further from the truth.  

The Hurricane Tampico Meets the Okefenokee

I decided this trip would be the perfect opportunity to test out the new Hurricane Tampico 130 touring kayak. A 13’ foot touring kayak with good stability and plenty of storage space, I felt the kayak would be maneuverable enough to navigate the tight spaces. It was fast enough to cover the 10+ miles we had to cover each day. Stay tuned for my full, unbiased review of the kayak.

The paddling trail started out winding through dense swamp bush with periodic openings into what they call the swamp prairies. Along the way, we encountered countless birds and many alligators. We were fortunate enough to have Dan Jones as our guide – one of the guides for Okefenokee Adventures.

With Dan being a naturalist, it was like having Wikipedia along for the ride, as he provided fascinating insight into the plants and creatures that we passed. 10-miles of exploring later, we found ourselves at Maul Hammock Shelter – our home for the night, and hands-down one of the coolest campsites in the world.

Our second day started like the first, but quickly changed as our waterway intersected the Suwanee River. Suddenly, we had a little bit of current helping us out. The dense brush also started giving way to taller forests of majestic cypress trees. 

The 11 miles we covered on this second day seemed to go by a little faster, partly because of the current, but largely because of the ever-changing and utterly dramatic landscape.  Our day of paddling came to an end at Big Water Shelter, which is found in one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen – covered with lilly pads, surrounded by cypress trees, and of course, filled with big alligators.

Third and Final Day

Our third and final day might have been my favorite, aside from the fact that it marked the end of the trip. The river opened up in sections to some larger lakes and we could see a lot more big gators sunning themselves on shore. 

The river would then tighten up and wind through thick cypress forests, with only a paddle’s width of room to get by. It was a 10-mile section of river that I never wanted to end. 

To many people, the idea of doing a multi-day trip through a swamp will sound horrendous. Truth be told, during the hot parts of spring and summer, it likely could be a little nightmarish. You might be fighting the intense heat and the bugs that come with it. 

Between the months of November and April (we did our trip in mid-April) the Okefenokee Swamp is a magical place to explore. It provided one of the most wonderful, beautiful and unique kayak camping experiences that I’ve ever had.

Looking to Try Camping in the Okefenokee Swamp?

For more information about guided or self-guided multi-day trips in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, visit okeswamp.org.

Check out my last article on the Okefenokee: Kayak Fishing with Alligators.

Kayak: Hurricane Tampico
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Kayak Camping in the Okefenokee Swamp appeared first on Hazeadventure.