Intex Explorer K2 Specifications

Price: $150 (USD)
Length: 10’ 3”
Width: 36”
Weight: <30 LBS (<13 KG)
Capacity: 400 LBS (181 KG)
Best Use: Calm Water

Sea Eagle 330 Specifications

Price: $200 (USD)
Length: 11’ 1”
Width: 34”
Weight: 26 LBS (12 KG)
Capacity: 500 LBS (227 KG)
Best Use: All conditions

Intex Explorer K2 and Sea Eagle 330 Features

Both budget kayaks feature:

• Three chambers of floor and two side tubes
• Skegs. The Explorer has a removable skeg while the Sea Eagle has two integrated skegs
• Skirts over the bow and stern

Both inflatable kayaks include:

• Two paddles
• Two seats
• A pump 
• A repair kit
• A carry bag

These kayaks look very similar to each other and are both sold as tandem inflatable kayaks. In reality, they are more suitable for an adult and child tandem as there is not a lot of space in either of them. The weight capacity is low, even in the Sea Eagle which has a slightly larger capacity. 

Build Quality

When you compare the build quality of the Intex Explorer K2 and the Sea Eagle 330 some things stand out.

Valves

The side tubes on the Intex Explorer have Boston valves which are basic but good for blowing the kayak up. However, the floor, skirts, and seats use pool toy-style valves. This shows us that the Intex Explorer is less of a serious kayak and more like a pool toy. 

In comparison, the Sea Eagle 330 uses higher-quality Boston valves on all three chambers, the two skirts, and the seats. 

While testing the Intex Explorer K2, I discovered that there is a seam on the top of the side tube exactly where your hands hit when you paddle. This is incredibly annoying. The Sea Eagle 330, in comparison, doesn’t have any seams. 

The Bow Skirt

On the Sea Eagle 330, the entire front skirt is inflatable whereas on the Intex Explorer, only one band on the skirt is inflatable. This means that the bow of the Sea Eagle 330 looks better, is sturdier, and has more structural integrity. 

Around the bow, lines hold the skirts down and provide something for you to grab onto. The line on the Intex Explorer is a hollow, cheap line with two anchor points, whereas the Sea Eagle 330 has a real rope with many anchor points. 

The Warranty

Overall the Sea Eagle 330 feels more robust. The quality difference is illustrated very clearly by the difference in warranty. The Intex Explorer K2 has a 90-day warranty for factory defects while the Sea Eagle 330 comes with a three-year warranty for manufacture defects. That is a really big difference for the $50 price difference. 

On top of that, the Sea Eagle 330 is designed to be used in up to class 3 whitewater whereas the Explorer is designed for calm water only. That tells you straight away the confidence that each company has in their product. 

So in terms of build quality, the Sea Eagle performs significantly better. 

Performance

When it comes to performance the Intex Explorer and the Sea Eagle 300 don’t differ very much. However, there are a few small differences. 

Both kayaks blow up to only 1 psi. This is very soft and therefore affects their performance. Despite this, the Sea Eagle 330 felt firmer and therefore performed better. This is due to the bigger I-beams on the floor of the kayak that provide more rigidity to it. 

The Intex Explorer has a very soft floor. What this means is that when you sit in the kayak, your weight actually bends the kayak and pushes the center down. This will slow you down. It also makes paddling less comfortable because you will be sitting with your legs higher than your butt.  

The Sea Eagle offers a seat upgrade that provides a little more height and rigidity to avoid sinking the kayak in the middle. Even without this, the extra rigidity on the floor of the Sea Eagle keeps your feet below your butt making the whole experience more comfortable. 

The other big difference is that the Sea Eagle 330 can handle up to class 3 whitewater while the Intex Explorer can only be used in calm water. Beyond this, the speed and maneuverability of both kayaks are very similar. 

The Accessories

The Paddle

Both budget kayaks come with paddles that have very basic, aluminum shafts and plastic blades. These work when initially getting into the sport but are not as lightweight, durable, and efficient as higher-quality paddles. They are however sufficient to help introduce you to the sport. 

The Sea Eagle paddle is about 238 cm whereas the Intex paddle is 218 cm (paddles are measured in centimeters, not inches). For a wide, sit-on-top style kayak 218 cm is not ideal because you will have to reach further over the side tubes to get the blade in the water. The Sea Eagle paddle, which is slightly longer, is much easier to use in these wide kayaks. 

Another key difference between the two paddles is the blades themselves. The blade on the Intex paddle is completely flat. This means that the paddle blade bends when you put any pressure on it in the water. So instead of gaining power, the blade will cause you to lose power. 

The blade on the Sea Eagle paddle has a rib down the center. This prevents the blade from bending at all. This slight design difference gives you significantly more paddling efficiency when using the Sea Eagle paddles. 

The Pump

Intex provides you with an adequate pump. It has nozzles for both the pool toy and Boston valves. It is, however, very short and requires you to bend over to use it. This makes it very uncomfortable to use. 

The Sea Eagle 330 comes with a foot pump and all the necessary connections. These screw onto the valve so that the pump does not pop off when you are pumping. You do not have to bend over to use it which makes it much more comfortable. The Sea Eagle pump is an upgrade from the Intex pump. 

Value

The Intex Explorer sells for $150 from Amazon and the equivalent Sea Eagle 330 package sells for $200 directly from Sea Eagle. So is the extra $50 worth it, what kayak is the best cheap kayak to purchase?

There are a lot of advantages with the Sea Eagle; you get a better paddle, a more durable kayak, more upgrade options, and a much better warranty. So I would absolutely pay the extra $50 for the upgrade. 

However, that does not mean that the Intex Explorer is the wrong kayak to purchase. Both these inflatable kayaks do a great job of letting people get on the water and try out kayaking for an affordable price. 

If you enjoy kayaking, you will very quickly outgrow the Intex Explorer K2. You will likely take a little longer to outgrow the Sea Eagle 330 because it is more durable and can be used in a variety of conditions. 

The reality is that you get so much value out of both of these budget kayaks. It is amazing to be able to pay $200 or less and get an inflatable kayak, paddles, seats, a pump, and a carry bag. There is no right or wrong decision to make when choosing which kayak to buy. But there are some very good reasons to pay the very little upgrade and purchase the Sea Eagle 330. 

Kayaks: Sea Eagle 330, Intex Explorer K2
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Cheap Kayak Comparison: Intex Explorer K2 vs Sea Eagle 330 appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Melker Rödlöga Specifications

The Melker Rödlöga comes in a high and low volume version. I tested the high-volume version which has the following specifications:

Price: $3900 (USD)
Length: 16’ 7”
Width: 21 1/4”
Weight: 54 LBS (24KG)
Capacity: 175LBS – 230 LBS
Best Use: All conditions

The Rödlöga features:

• A skeg and a rudder 
• Aggressive thigh braces
• An adjustable, ergonomic seat
• Four hatches
• A recessed area between the bow hatches
• 190 liters storage space

Portability

This is a 16.5’ long kayak that only weighs 54 LBS. That is very light for such a long kayak. This means it is very easy to throw on your shoulder and move it around. 

When transporting or storing a kayak like this you need to make sure you have a padded space for it. Otherwise, you can cause damage to the boat. 

Stability

This is 21 1/4 inches wide. That is a very narrow kayak which means that it is designed for speed but not necessarily stability. However, across the center of the kayak, the hull is quite flat, with a hard chine or edge to the side walls. This means that it has surprisingly good primary stability. At the same time, it easily rolls from edge to edge and into good secondary stability. 

All in all, for a 21 1/4” wide kayak, designed for speed rather than stability, it does have both good primary and secondary stability. 

Performance

Usually, stability comes at the cost of performance, so is that the case with the Melker Rödlöga? Well, the answer to that is maybe a little. There is a slight reduction in speed in this boat. But that is also because it is designed to be used in all conditions. 

The Melker Rödlöga is Melker’s “play” touring boat variation. It has a lot of rocker bow to stern which makes it very maneuverable. You can use it for all sorts of kayaking. But you do lose a little bit of top-end speed when you have a kayak with that much rocker. However, it also makes this a more playful and versatile kayak to use. Exactly my sort of kayak. 

In terms of maneuverability, the Rödlöga turns incredibly well. When you hold the kayak on the edge it starts to turn already. That makes it a lot of fun to play with. Yet, when you drop the skeg down it tracks very well, which is exactly what should happen. 

The Rödlöga has a great combination of stability, speed, and maneuverability which makes it a very comforting boat to take into all conditions from white water rapids to rough conditions on open water. I was very impressed by its performance in the rapids and on flat water. It is a great all-round boat. 

Comfort

I am 6’2”, 195 LBS with about a 34” inseam and I had plenty of room in the Melker Rödlöga. But, as a size 10, I did not have a lot of foot room. So it is worth noting that for people who are slightly taller and have bigger feet than me, you might start to feel a little pinched in the foot area. That being said, if you are much taller than me you will probably be over the weight limit fairly soon anyway. And then this is not the right kayak for you anyway. 

The cockpit of the Rödlöga is very simple. But sometimes simple is enough. There is a contoured seat pan with a thin foam pad on it and some aggressive thigh hooks that also come with foam pads that you can position yourself. The back band on the seat is non-adjustable, but you can move the position of the seat. So all in all it was adequately comfortable. 

It doesn’t come with hip pads, which wasn’t a problem for me as the seat fit me perfectly. However, some people with different-sized butts might miss these. 

Value of this Touring Kayak

The Melker Rödlöga retails for $3900 (USD) which is a lot of money for anyone. But that is what you expect to pay for a composite sea kayak of this nature and quality. In fact, you would expect to pay between $3000-$6000 for a kayak like this, so the Rödlöga is very much in-range. 

You would often expect to pay a little premium for a kayak that looks so good, performs so well, and is environmentally friendly. With the Rödlöga it feels like you are getting all these things without paying that premium. So this is good value for what it is! 

Who is The Melker Rödlöga Kayak For?

The Melker Rödlöga is for somebody who wants a playful, all-condition kayak. You don’t need to be a hardcore paddler to enjoy paddling this boat, but it is great for people looking to progress into paddling in rougher waters. This boat really is an all-round kayak. 

In my opinion, the Melker Rödlöga is a lifetime kayak. If you get this you will probably have it for a lifetime. So the fact that you can grow into this kayak and really use it in any condition is awesome. 

In the big picture, this is not a stable kayak compared to recreational or touring kayaks. So while some beginners could use this boat, however, it is geared toward people with a bit more experience. People who know a little more about what they want out of a kayak. People who are ready to lose a little bit of stability to get some performance. 

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

The post Melker Rödlöga Review, an Environmentally Friendly Kayak appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Types of Kayaks

When you are choosing a kayak there are three big choices you have to make. Do you want a portable or hard-shell kayak? Would you rather use a sit-in or sit-on-top kayak? Do you want a paddle or a pedal-driven kayak? 

Once you’ve narrowed down the options you need to decide if you want a recreational kayak, a touring kayak, or a sea kayak. While this blog post is all about touring kayaks, let’s break down the basics of the different kayak categories of kayak that exist.

Two big factors help determine what type of kayak you are looking at, and that is length and width. The longer and narrower a kayak is, the more effectively it will travel through the water.

Recreational Kayaks

These are kayaks that prioritize stability. This comes at the cost of speed and performance. Recreational kayaks are usually between 9’-12’ long. These kayaks are the widest kayaks available at around 30+” wide. This also means that they are the slowest because they are pushing the most water and therefore create the most resistance. 

Sea Kayaks

These prioritize performance. They travel as quickly and efficiently through the water as possible. Sea Kayaks are usually between 14’-18’ long and about 22”-24” wide. While these were originally designed to be used on the sea, they can be great on lakes, rivers, and ponds too. They are not exclusive to the ocean. 

Touring Kayaks

Touring kayaks fit in the middle of these two categories. They provide a great balance of stability and performance. They are kayaks that are still relatively stable but are also fun to paddle. Touring kayaks are usually between 12’-16’ long and 24”-30” wide. 

Which Different Touring Kayaks Are Available?

There are many different names for touring kayaks. But I typically categorize touring kayaks into three different groups:

• Recreational touring kayaks
• Touring Kayaks
• Performance Touring kayaks

The Recreational Touring Kayak

This kayak is in a class of its own. It is a kayak that is not designed for rough water but is designed to be a fun and efficient kayak to paddle in calm water. It gives up some stability for the “fun factor”. Recreational touring kayaks tend to be a little wider at around 26”-30”. 

You should not take a recreational touring kayak into rough water for a number of reasons. They tend to have big cockpits so that the kayaker doesn’t feel confined. This means that they can not take a kayak skirt. They also often only have one bulkhead in the back. A bulkhead is a wall in the kayak that separates it into different sections. These are important in rough conditions because without them a lot more of the kayak can fill with water if you flip. 

Recreational touring kayaks are also not designed to be rolled. So if you ever want to learn to roll then these are not the right kayaks for you. 

A great example of a recreational touring kayak is the Liquid Logic Saluda. 

Touring Kayaks

The basic touring kayak is a kayak for use in all conditions. They have two bulkheads, one behind the seat, and one just in front of your feet. So if you do flip it is only the center cockpit area that gets swamped. This makes rescues much easier. They also tend to have smaller cockpits that are designed to take spray skirts. You can roll a touring kayak. 

Touring kayaks tend to be a little narrower than recreational touring kayaks with a width of between 25” and 27” inches. 

A great example of a touring kayak would be the Pakayak BlueFin 142 which is 14’ and designed to handle both rough and calm water. It's an all-round and do anything touring kayak. 

Performance Touring Kayak

Performance touring kayaks are the next step up. And truthfully performance touring kayaks and sea touring kayaks are very similar. I tend to use the term interchangeably. 

Perfomance touring kayaks can perform well in any conditions. They travel very efficiently through the water and allow you to travel long distances with ease. 

How are they high-performance? Well, they have the same size cockpit as touring kayaks, they are designed to be used with a skirt and tend to have more conforming seats.

Performance touring kayaks are designed to be as rollable as possible. Usually, you can customize the hip and thigh hooks so you can get support in the right places. This helps with edging and rolling the kayak. 

They also have low back decks to make it easier to roll. 

Performance touring kayaks tend to be narrower, longer, and faster, in general just higher performance. But they do give up a lot of stability for that. Some of them can even feel a little tippy. 

To use performance kayaks safely in all conditions you need to have a guide with you or prior training. This is particularly the case if you are going to be traveling further from shore than you can swim. 

A good example of a performing kayak is the P&H Volan. It is a carbon Kevlar kayak that is a work of art! 

Who Are Touring Kayaks For?

To sum it all up the big question is, who are touring kayaks for?

Recreational Touring Kayaks

These are really for anyone who wants a kayak that will be fun to paddle. They need to be willing to give up some stability for a kayak that will travel through the water a little faster. But they will need to stick to calm conditions. 

Touring and Performance Touring Kayaks

Performance and touring kayaks can be used by anyone from novices to experts. These can be used in calm conditions by anyone looking to paddle a kayak that moves efficiently through the water. 

These kayaks also open the door to rougher water paddling, learning how to roll, and playing around in ocean surf. They allow you to enjoy a wide variety of calm and rough conditions and different paddling activities. But many of these activities will require training. 

The further you go down the road with performance touring kayaks the more opportunities you will have to push your limits and have fun. 

Find Your Kayak

There is a kayak out there for everyone: for each individual body size and shape and for every reason that someone might want to go paddling. Once you find the right boat for you it's amazing how much fun you can have on the water. 

Kayaks: Pakayak Bluefin 142, Wilderness Systems Pungo, Liquid Logic Saluda, Melker Rodloga, P&H Volan 160, P&H Leo
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Choosing a Touring Kayak appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Wilderness Systems Targa 130T Specifications

Price: $1329 (USD)
Length: 13’
Width: 36”
Weight: 99 LBS (45 KG)
Capacity: 450 LBS (204 KG)
Best Use: Recreational

The Targa 130T features:

• A portable cooler
• An elevated stern camp-style seat
• A reversible bow framed seat
• A bow storage hood
• Adjustable footrests
• 4 carry handles

Keeping the Peace in a Tandem Kayak

Tandem kayaks are sometimes known as “divorce kayaks”. So when I took the Targa 130T out I was testing both the kayak and my marriage! I’m glad to say even after testing the kayak I am still happily married.

But let's talk for a moment about why people call tandem kayaks “divorce kayaks”. Paddling a tandem kayak can cause arguments between even partners and close friends. This is often because people do not recognize the different reasons why they want to take a kayak out. For some people, like myself, it is to push myself to the limit in various ways, whereas, for example, my wife gets on the water to relax.

To enjoy your time out on the water in a tandem kayak you need to make sure that you communicate with your partner about what you both want to get out of the paddle. That way you can stay on the same page and have a great day on the water! This is why when my wife and I took the Targa 130T out for a test paddle we went for a gentle, relaxing paddle and had a great day.

Portability

The Wilderness Systems Targa 130T is a 13′ kayak which is not very long. You can slide this into the back of a pickup truck. So it is portable in that it is short.

That said, it does weigh 99 LBS. This means it is not easy to carry around. Even with two strong people, my wife and I, carrying the Targa 130T to the water was difficult. For a kayak this heavy I would recommend using a kayak cart to make moving it a lot more manageable. What’s more, if you have to put this kayak on roof racks on your car you will need at least two strong people. It is a very heavy boat.

Stability

Despite having elevated seats, the Targa 130T is very stable. At 36″ wide it is a wide kayak so will provide a stable platform. Kayaks such as the Targa 130T are not designed to be edged, so you can see them more as giant floating docks that you can paddle!

Comfort

This is a big, wide, open platform, so is very comfortable. It is especially comfortable for your legs as the kayak is wide enough to sit in any position you want.

The seats in the Targa 130T are very comfortable. They are adjustable and have great lower back support. The fact that they are elevated and framed suspension seats also means that they conform to butts and are super comfortable.

A great aspect of the Targa 130T is that the bow seat can turn around. This means that you can float around on the water while facing each other. There are no more conversations to the back of someone's head in the Targa 130T. So when Nicole, my wife, got tired, she just turned the seat around, put it into lazy mode, and laid back whilst I paddled. This is a great feature to allow people to spend time together in a comfortable and friendly way.

Performance

Is the Targa 130T a performance machine? At 36″ wide it is not. This kayak has a pontoon hull that pushes a lot of water. It is very heavy and has a lot of drag. That said, there is a nice bow keel that slices through the water and helps the kayak track. So, for the type of kayak that it is, the performance of the Targa 130T is solid. It is not designed to be a performance kayak but it is still enjoyable to paddle.

Features

The Wilderness Systems Targa 130T has a few different features. One of the key features is the reversible bow seat, which we have already established is awesome.

The other key feature is the integrated cooler. This is a full cooler that sits in the stern of the kayak. It does take up a lot of the storage space that might be necessary when taking the Targa 130T on a kayak camping trip but is an excellent feature for people who want to use it for a day trip. One thing to note is that you should take the cooler out when driving with the kayak as it is likely to fly out of the kayak on the road otherwise.

The other feature is the bow hood. It is designed to shed water and keep stuff underneath it dry. This doesn't really appeal to me as it is such a thick piece of plastic that it dramatically reduces the space underneath the hood. It just isn't something that I get any value out of. But this is by no means a dealbreaker, it's more just personal preference.

Value

The Targa 130T costs $1329 (USD), but is that good value? Well, I think it is. This is about what you would expect to pay for a high-quality kayak with comfortable framed seats, foot pegs, and an in-built cooler.

Who Is the Targa 130T For?

This kayak is for a variety of people. First and foremost it is for people who want a stable kayak more than they want a performance kayak. It is for people who want a kayak that they can use as a single or a double kayak. Importantly, this is a social boat. It is designed to let you spend quality time on the water with friends and family.

I did a review of the single paddler version of this kayak last year. Check out The Wilderness Systems Targa 100 Review article.

PFDs/Life Jackets:  NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Kayaks: Wilderness Systems Targa 130t
Paddle:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece
Shirts and Tops:  NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts:  NRS Benny Board Shorts
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Wilderness Systems Targa 130T Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Perception Hangtime 11 Specifications

Price: $950 (USD)
Length: 10’ 10”
Width: 33”
Weight: 68 LBS (31 KG)
Capacity: 350 LBS (160 KG)
Best Use: Recreation

The kayak features, above all else, a padded stern seating area. It also has a reclining seat, six cup holders, a paddle park, a padded deck area, molded footrests or footwells, and bow storage with a bungee.

The great thing about paddling is that there really is a type of paddling for everyone. For some people, it's about going out and really pushing their boundaries. For other people, it is more about just getting out on the water and having a relaxing experience outdoors with friends and family. And that of course, is what the Perception Hangtime 11 is all about.

Portability

This is about an 11’ long kayak which is relatively short for a kayak making it easier to move around. It is also 68 LBS, which is about what you would expect for a kayak made this way. So it is not light or particularly heavy, making it a fairly portable recreational kayak.

Comfort While Paddling

Comfort is what the Perception Hangout 11 is designed for. So let's, first of all, talk about the comfort of paddling this kayak. The Hangout 11 comes with a really nice seat, something that Perception is really known for. It is not a fully framed seat. It has an adjustable frame at the backrest so you can choose to set it up for active paddling or chilling out. But it is sitting, with a nice thick pad, on the floor. That means it doesn’t contour as much to your butt as a full-framed or suspended seat, and there is the potential to get a soggy butt.

The other feature the seat has are straps on the side that allow you to lift the front of the seat in order to support your thighs. This provides your upper legs with great support so your legs don’t just flop down.

On the downside, there are the footwells. I am never a fan of footwells for two main reasons. Inevitably there is not a perfectly comfortable sitting option as footwells give you fewer options for leg length. The other problem is that you get a lot of support on your heel, but not enough on your foot's ball. So I usually prefer foot pegs and foot braces. But this complaint is by no means a deal breaker.

Comfort While Lounging

With the adjustable seat that you can crank right back, you can lounge very comfortably in the seat itself. Alternatively, the lounge seat is surprisingly comfortable. It is nice, big, and contoured, and the headrest can be adjusted to whatever position makes you feel most comfortable. It was really nice for resting on and off the water. You basically have a beach chair just built into the kayak.

Stability

The Perception Hangtime 11 is absolutely stable. It is a 33” wide kayak so it is designed to be stable as opposed to fast-moving. The pontoon-style hull of the Hangtime 11 lends itself to stability. You can stand up in it and in all honesty you would be hard-pressed to flip the Hangtime 11.

Performance

The Perception Hangtime 11 is designed for chilling out and not for paddling long distances or winning any races. That said I was surprised by how well this kayak tracked when paddling forwards. It has the pontoon hull, but also a nicely shaped bow that really helped cut through the water better than I was expecting. It is obviously not fast due to its dimensions, but it did a good job at tracking.

Features

The main feature is the lounge seat in the back, and that does a great job doing exactly what it is designed for – being a chill-out kayak!

Otherwise, you have the storage space with the bungees which is a handy feature if you want to bring a dry bag or other things with you on a paddle. There is also a paddle park which I used when just floating around. Behind the seat, there is a lot of storage, and even some extra bungees to put a tackle box or another gear bag.

There are not a tonne of features, but every feature on the Perception Hangtime 11 works and makes a lot of sense with the design of the kayak.

Value

Let's talk about the overall value of the Perception Hangtime 11. This kayak costs $950 (USD) which falls into the sub $1000 (USD) kayak. There are many kayaks in this price range and this is one that, if relaxing and chill-out floating sessions are your style, is pretty good value. Yes, there are definitely things I’d like to see in it such as foot braces. Yes, you will get a little wet using the seat which is not suspended, or sitting on the lounge seat. But overall it's great value for what it is.

This kayak is largely designed for chilling out in warm conditions and just going for a chill paddle with friends and family. So this is a great recreational kayak. You don’t see many innovations in kayaks and sometimes they can be gimmicky. But for me, the addition of a built-in lounge chair is awesome for the right person, making this the ultimate chill-out kayak. I tested the Perception Hangtime 11 on the Flint River.

PFDs/Life Jackets:  NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Kayaks: Perception Hangtime 11
Paddle:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece
Shirts and Tops:  NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts:  NRS Benny Board Shorts
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Perception Hangtime 11 Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

The Travel Canoe is a full-size, 16-foot inflatable canoe that fits in the trunk of a car! But the question is, how well does it actually work as a canoe, and is it worth the price? Let’s see, with an in-depth and unbiased review.

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe Specifications

Price: $1800-2000 (USD)
Width: 38”
Length: 16’
Weight: 64 LBS (29 KG)
Capacity: 915 LBS (415 KG)
Best use: All conditions

The Travel Canoe features:

• Drop stitch constructions that can be pumped to 10 psi
• Plastic bow and stern moulds to cut through the water
• Traditional wood and webbed seats
• A removable rear skeg
• 4 floor drains
• 6 D rings to secure things down
• 2 non-slip EVA deck pads

Set-Up

The big reason you don’t see inflatable canoes around is that they are so big! The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe is no exception. Despite that, it is very easy to assemble. It has three large chambers, a floor, and two sides, which need to be blown up to 10 psi. Blowing this up manually would take a long time, but using an electric pump took minimal effort.

Portability

One of the big drawbacks of canoes is that they are big, heavy, cumbersome, and hard to transport. So immediately the Sea Eagle Travel Canoe gets high marks for portability – it came straight out of my car trunk! It was also quick and easy to set up with an electric pump.

That being said, carrying this solo was not an easy task. While 64 LBS might be light for a canoe, it is fairly heavy to carry in a bag. On top of this, the bag is not a high-end, form-fitting carry bag. Once the canoe is fully inflated it is still difficult to carry. A 16’ and 64 LBS canoe is not easy to carry solo. Carrying it inflated or deflated would be much easier with a second person.

Comfort

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe is a wide, open, inflated kayak so it feels spacious and comfortable. The seat is a classic webbed canoe seat. It has three sitting positions you can choose from. These positions depend on how many people are using the canoe. Overall it is a comfortable canoe seat without any special features.

Stability

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe is the most stable canoe that I have ever paddled. I expected it to be stable due to its flat bottom but was still surprised by how stable it is. It is the type of canoe that anyone can feel comfortable in.

There are two types of stability. Primary stability is when the boat is flat on the water. The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe has a lot of primary stability. Then there is secondary stability. This is when you hold the boat on edge. It is more relevant for people who intend to take the boat into challenging water. The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe has really great secondary stability too. When holding it on the edge it locks into place.

Performance

As a general rule with paddle craft, when you have additional stability you typically give up performance. And that is the case with The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe too. It is not a speedy boat.

The Travel Canoe does travel through the water fairly efficiently due to the fact it is a 16’ canoe. But it does not compare to a canoe with a keel along the hull or a displacement hull that is designed for speed. The Travel Canoe is slower than other canoes.

Features

Canoes don’t tend to have a huge number of features, but there are a few features worth talking about.

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe has drain holes. This means that you can open the drain holes if you get swamped while on the water. Drain holes work well in an inflatable canoe because the canoe will stay on the surface whether it is swamped or not, meaning the drain holes stay above water and work well too.

In fact, the inflatable nature of the Sea Eagle Travel Canoe means that it can never swamp and sink. You are basically paddling a giant life jacket. So if you flip the canoe you can simply flip it back over and paddle to the side without having to empty the boat. Perfect for paddling on large bodies of water or the sea.

The only other feature that this canoe has is the removable skeg. This is necessary on a canoe with such a flat hull because it helps the canoe track. Without the skeg, a little bit of wind would blow this canoe all over the place.

Who is The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe for?

This is a canoe for anybody who wants a canoe. But particularly for someone who wants a portable canoe. This boat allows you to throw it in the back of a car, and store it in an apartment, but also to take it on multi-day canoe trips. It has the stability for a beginner, but might not be as useful for advanced paddlers looking to cover a lot of distance.

Value

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe retails for $1800 – 2000 (USD). This is about what you would expect to pay for a quality canoe. In fact, quality canoes can retail at even double this price. So for this price, you get a quality canoe with the added bonus of great portability. That means that, although it is a lot of money, it is really great value. It is definitely a canoe to consider.

Kayak: Sea Eagle Travel Canoe
Paddles:  Bending Branches Expedition Plus
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Sea Eagle Travel Canoe Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Why is Clothing Choice a Safety Issue?

Well, very simply, because of hypothermia and hyperthermia. Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops too much because of the cold and hyperthermia is when it rises too much from the heat. You need to protect yourself from both of these conditions.

And there are three factors that really dictate how at-risk you are. These are:

The water temperature

This has the biggest impact on your safety on the water. In particular, you need to worry about hypothermia. If the water is cold and you end up submerged in it, you can freeze. Your body temperature can drop too much and it can be life-threatening.

Air temperature

Air temperature can go either way; it can cause both hypo and hyperthermia.

The type of paddling you are doing

This can result in both. In rough, but very warm conditions where you are required to be very active, your body temperature can rise too much. But more so hypothermia is a concern when kayaking in cold air and being doused in water.

Warm Water Kayaking Gear

When kayaking in hot weather and conditions the biggest concern for most people is getting sunburnt or suffering from over heating. But hyperthermia is something that does need to be on your radar. The first time I saw how debilitating hyperthermia was has stuck with me ever since. It really is terrible.

Fortunately, it is very easy to avoid hyperthermia when kayaking because you are on the water. By splashing yourself or taking a swim, drinking water, and protecting yourself from the sun you can keep hyperthermia at bay.

A couple of key pieces of gear that I wear when I am in really hot conditions include the following:

A hat is important for hot days

You need to protect yourself from the sun. In Dominica this winter, when kayak surfing, I got reminded of this. I was slammed by a wave, my hat went flying and I didn’t see it again. After only 15 minutes in the hot Caribbean sun, I realise that not having a hat wasn’t just an inconvenience, it was a real safety issue. So we had to cut our day’s plans short. Hats can really be a key piece of safety gear.

NRS Silk Weight Shirt

I often wear this silk-weight top. It is a really light top, it protects you from the sun and has a little bit of moisture wicking. Therefore it provides a cooling effect on the body when paddling.

This top is very similar to a loose-fitting rashguard, which can be another great thing to wear in the heat if you prefer having more form-fitting clothing. Guide shirts can also work well in the heat.

Surf shorts

This is self-explanatory, these are lightweight and great for swimming. Important warm water kayaking gear, because you can cool off with a swim!

A simple water shoe

A simple water shoe provides protection for my feet, fits in the kayak very well and drains water, and dries quickly. It also isn’t too hot.

Cold Water Kayaking Gear

This is a bit of a different story. You have to take more care because if you are on the water and get cold, you can’t just splash yourself with water or take a swim to warm up.

Hypothermia can very quickly escalate. The biggest danger is finding yourself swimming. When you are submerged in water, it will suck the heat from your body. The colder the water is, the quicker it will suck the heat from your body. If you are in the water under 40°F (10°C) hypothermia can literally set in in a couple of minutes or less if you are not protected.

So what you wear really depends, first and foremost, on the temperature of the water. But also, if you do end up going for a swim, how long will you be submerged in the water? If you are paddling close to a shoreline where it is easy to get out of the water and get back to your vehicle very quickly, it is a very different situation to if you are paddling offshore, with a long swim back.

Similarly, your skill level and expertise, and the skill level of your group, all make a difference. Are you confident that you can get back into your boat easily if you swim?

There are lots of factors that dictate how protected you need to be, but it really only changes your protection a little bit. Ultimately, when paddling in cold water you need to dress in a way that means you can comfortably survive being immersed in the water for an extended period of time. That means erring on dressing on the warmer side of things.

There are two real things to consider when dressing for cold conditions:

The Outer Shell

This is going to cut the splashing and wind. Or it will provide a completely dry interior. That is the big difference between splash wear and dry wear.

Dry suits, or dry tops, are the most protective gear. Dry tops have latex gaskets around the neck and at the wrists. Whereas a dry suit is a full-body suit that you zip yourself into and are fully protected. You’ve got latex gaskets at the neck, wrists, and feet. You are going to stay bone dry.

If it isn’t that cold, you might go for a paddling top that doesn’t have gaskets around the neck and wrists, just neoprene. This isn’t going to be as waterproof. But for a full day of paddling it will be more comfortable and it is certainly less expensive.

For even warmer temperatures, you can use even more simple paddling tops or splash tops. Even a simple raincoat might do the job, depending on the conditions.

The Layers Underneath

What matters just as much as the shell you are wearing, is what you are wearing on the inside. This is where layers make a really big difference. Instead of wearing one big layer that cannot be adjusted, I would highly recommend wearing a variety of layers.

The Base Layer

I use a silk-weight top whether it is warm or cold, as a base layer. That is because it wicks moisture and sweat very well. But I also have a microfleece one suit that works amazingly under a dry suit. It is a bit more of an insulating layer but can be worn as a base layer, or over the top of another base layer.

There is no right or wrong number of layers to wear. The key thing is that you want your base layer to wick moisture away from your body. Even if you wear a dry suit you will still be sweating, so you want this moisture to be pulled away from the body to keep you warm.

The Second and Third Layers for Cold Water Kayaking Gear

The second layer has to be to provide more insulation and more warmth. You may need a third layer if it is too cold. I find two layers are typically enough for kayaking, keep you warm, and don’t reduce your mobility.

If you do not have a dry suit, which is very expensive, a wetsuit is another option. You can get wetsuits that are quite thick and will keep you warm in really cold water. They do it by insulating you when you are wet. The key is to get a fully form-fitting wetsuit so that there isn’t space between the material and your body.

I personally don’t like using thick wetsuit tops as much because they reduce your mobility up top. Down below, where you need less mobility, they make a lot more sense. By combining a dry top and wetsuit bottoms you can get cold water protection in a more affordable way.

Otherwise, on the bottom half, you can use the same idea as with the tops. You need a moisture-wicking base layer and then an insulating layer topped off with an outer shell.

What about the exposed parts of your body?

Foot Protection

Your best option for cold water kayaking gear is neoprene boots or booties because they insulate when wet.

I have been using the NRS Boundary boot for a couple of decades now in really cold conditions. This is fully waterproof as well as insulating. For the coldest trips, you can even wear a neoprene sock inside of these.

When things aren’t as cold, a simple neoprene bootie will do the trick. You can choose from high cut, low cut, and everything in between. They might not be the best-looking shoes, but they certainly do the job.

Hand Protection

There are a few options for hands. What I use the most are pogies. These wrap around your paddle, and then you put your hand inside. That means you can easily take your hand out. Pogies keep the wind and splash off, and are insulating, but do not keep your hand dry.

Although they aren’t nearly as warm as a glove or a mitt, I really like pogies because your hand stays on the paddle. You get to keep a lot more paddle dexterity and control – ideal for someone who loves paddling in rough waters like me.

If you don’t need that same level of control, you might want to get some handwear that provides an extra level of warmth. And that is where paddling gloves come in handy. Something like the NRS Hydroskin gloves provides a great layer of insulation when you are paddling. These are not thick so you still have a similar feel when you are paddling, but it is not the same as having your hand directly on the paddle though.

For a little more insulation, you can get thicker wetsuit gloves that provide more and more protection. Some of these have great design features like slits in the finger which allow you to pop your fingers out to maintain contact with the paddle at least with your fingers. It also allows you to do things like use your phone or fish.

Head Protection

We’ve all heard that you lose a lot of your heat through your head. And so it makes sense to wear something. For most people, a tuque (a beanie) is the best protection. If you want a bit more protection you can get a paddling top with a hood.

But if you are paddling in rough conditions and need something a little warmer, there is neoprene headwear that is form-fitting and tight to your head. It can even almost be like a balaclava. For white water paddlers, the helmet can also provide some warmth too.

As a final note

I’ve talked here about what to wear whilst out on the water. But very briefly, let's end with what not to wear. And that is cotton. Cotton does not insulate at all when it is wet. In fact, it tends to do the opposite and suck heat from your body. So if you are wearing paddling tops, do not wear cotton underneath.

In warm conditions, cotton might keep you cool, but when it is wet it tends to cling to you. So you might be cool, but you won’t be comfortable!

Watercraft: Sea Eagle 300,
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid,
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec), NRS Chinook (fishing), NRS Zen (Whitewater),
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt, NRS Axiom Dry Suit, NRS Riptide Splash Jacket,
Helmet: WRSI Current Helmet,
Footwear: NRS Kicker Remix Shoe, NRS Boundary Boot,
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Warm and Cold Water Kayaking Gear 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.

Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Angler (FTA) Specifications

Price: $1199 (USD) with the deluxe seat. Upgrade options are available!
Length: 12’ 6”
Width: 36”
Weight: 44 LBS (20 KG)
Capacity: 635 LBS (290 KG)
Best Use: Kayak Fishing

The 385 FastTrack Angler is made of a more durable and 29% thicker hull material than the non-angler version of the 385. It has:

• Customized front and rear spray skirts with built-in rod tool hooks and lure holders
• Non-slip EVA padding built into the floor for added protection
• A fish ruler
• Four carry handles
• Two drain valves
• A drop stitch floor for rigidity
• A large removable fin
• A drop stitch keel for tracking purposes.
• 18 D rings to secure seats and gear.

The 385 FTA comes with a nylon carry bag, a repair kit, and seats and paddles depending on the package you purchase.

Portability

This is a 44 LBS kayak, which is a little heavier than other inflatable kayaks, but much lighter than the vast majority of fishing kayaks. Some fishing kayaks even weigh as much as 140 LBS and require trailers. So, for a fishing kayak, this gets top marks.

When folded into the bag it is substantial. You cannot carry this a long way alone, but it is fairly easy to carry a short distance by yourself. One of the great things about the bag is that it has a lot of extra space and folds around the kayak. That means you can easily get the kayak back into the bag without doing a perfect folding job.

Comfort

The side tubes are not drop stitch, so only pump up to around 3 psi, making them feel soft and comfortable. There is a nice EVA deck pad on the floor which adds comfort too.

I used the deluxe seat that comes with it. This is a raised platform that keeps your butt off the ground and nice and dry. It is also nicely cushioned and was comfortable to sit on for the entire five or six hours of fishing I did when testing the kayak.

The only drawback to the 385 FTA is that it doesn’t have any sort of foot pegs or footrest system, so when you are doing a lot of paddling it is less comfortable. But this is designed to be used for fishing and not paddling so it isn’t too much of a problem.

The Sea Eagle 385 FTA comes with a range of different options. You can choose to order a 360 swivel seat. This is a $200 (USD) upgrade and provides a comfortable, padded swivel seat that sits much higher out of the water. It also comes with rod mount holders that let you hold your rods right beside you. The swivel seat puts you in a better fishing position, but the deluxe seat is a better paddling seat.

Stability

Stability is a key characteristic of a fishing kayak. Feeling unstable can be a real problem when fishing. And, more importantly, if you were to flip a fishing kayak you could potentially lose a lot of expensive fishing gear. So fishing kayaks are designed to be as stable as possible.

The Sea Eagle 385 Fast Track Angler is very stable. It is 36” wide which is fairly wide, so this boat is as stable as you would imagine it. You are more likely to fall off the kayak than to actually flip it!

The 385 FTA is stable enough to stand and fish in too. Standing is a great position for fishing. The only downside is that due to the size of the inflatable tubes, you only have a narrow space to stand in so your feet need to be fairly close together. The closer your feet together the less stable you are. So it can feel less stable to stand in than an equivalent hard-shell fishing kayak.

Performance

Performance is where the Sea Eagle 385 FTA gets interesting. It is a 36” wide and 12’ 6” wide kayak, so it is not designed for speed. It is designed for stability.

The bottom of the 385 FTA is flat which makes it harder for the kayak to track in the water, and much easier for the kayak to spin. But to combat this problem Sea Eagle has done two things. The first is that they added the fin at the stern as this helps the kayak to go straight. They have also created an inflatable bow keel to turn the flat inflatable hull into a carving and tracking hull. And this has a significant impact on the paddling performance, helping it track better than an equivalent inflatable kayak.

So whilst it may not be a high performance kayak, the Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Angler is definitely a significant upgrade from other, equivalent, inflatable kayaks without the inflatable keel.

Features

Fishing kayaks are often rich in features. But the biggest feature that they often have is the ability to customize and add whatever features you want. And the Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Angler is designed to do that quite well.

It has unique, integrated rod holders. They are not as quick or convenient as other rod holders I have tried, but they still work well. There are cutouts for lures and bungees on the bow and stern to attach gear.

The EVA pad on the floor is a nice touch for comfort, but also to protect the kayak against hooks. I didn’t have any concerns about having lures hanging about in the kayak, despite it being an inflatable kayak. The different options for seats, for example, the swivel seat, are really nice features that allow you to choose the level to which you want the seat to be set up for fishing.

The number of D rings, handles, and attachment points is very useful. You might not use all the D rings but it lets you attach and customize the kayak to make it suit your needs completely.

Value

Is the Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Angler worth it? Well, this kayak retails for about $1200 (USD) in a set that comes with everything you need to hit the water including the kayak, a deluxe seat, a repair kit, a carry bag, a paddle, and a pump. That is a good deal.

You can get cheaper fishing kayaks. But are fishing kayaks this portable and durable? I don’t know of one. The 385 FTA is designed for fishing. It is reinforced, super durable, and very portable. You are unlikely to find something of this quality or caliber as cheap as this.

So the question really comes down to you. Is a portable fishing kayak of this quality something that you really want?

Who is The Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Angler for?

There is a slightly cheaper Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack inflatable kayak that is not designed for fishing which is slightly cheaper. It is something I would still fish from but would have to be more careful.

But, if you are an angler, having rod holders, extra durable side tubes, extra expanse, and weight is definitely a worthwhile upgrade. So this kayak is specifically for anglers. If you are not an angler, you would be better off going for the non-angler version. But this inflatable fishing kayak is an excellent deal for any anglers out there who want an inflatable kayak that is portable and easy to store.

I recently took this kayak for an adventure as well. Check out Kayak Fishing on Watts Bar Lake.

Kayak: Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Inflatable Fishing Kayak appeared first on Hazeadventure.

On my trip fishing on Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee, I was to try something new. It wasn’t a new fishing style, or type of fish that I was targeting. I was going on my first real kayak fishing trip in an inflatable kayak!

Fishing on Watts Bar Lake: About the Lake

Watts Bar Lake is a reservoir on the Tennessee River that is created by Watts Bar Dam.  Like many of the reservoirs along the Tennessee River, Watts Bar is considered a World class fishing lake.  It was only 45 minutes from where I was staying in Knoxville. It was a no-brainer that I was going to chase some bass on the Lake at some point.  

I hooked up with Mike Daugherty of the Watts Bar Kayak Fishermen at the beautiful Arrow Head Resort. Despite some strong winds and cooler temperatures, I was on a mission to catch one of the big bass that the lake was known for. 

I decided to use this opportunity to test the Sea Eagle 385 Fast Track Angler kayak – an inflatable kayak designed for fishing. Now, the idea of doing an activity that involves throwing sharp objects around from an inflatable craft might not seem very smart on the surface.

Choosing a Kayak – The Sea Eagle 385fta

One of the biggest challenges that has come with kayak fishing is the weight and size of the specialized kayaks.  For example, the Hobie Pro Angler that Mike was using on this day weighs well over 100 pounds. In order to get it around, a dedicated kayak trailer is the best option, and in many cases the only option.  I was very happy to test a fishing kayak that was under 50 pounds and that fits in the trunk of a car with ease.

I will be posting a full review of the Sea Eagle 385fta very soon and the video review is below, but here’s what I can tell you at a base level.  The kayak was great to paddle and fish from, but unfortunately it didn’t make me a better angler.   

My best catch of the day was a gnarly root ball that put up a pretty good fight!  I did find some peace knowing that Mike struggled as well – although he did manage to land several fish over the course of the day.  As anglers love to say, “that’s why they call it fishing and not catching”. 

Kayak: Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack
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 Fishing on Watts Bar Lake appeared first on Hazeadventure.