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

The post Hurricane Osprey 120 Kayak Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Special thanks to PaddleWays for their support and for providing excellent resources for paddlers. Check out their app to help locate and plan for your next river adventure.

Why Choosing the Right Kayak Matters

Selecting the wrong kayak can lead to unsafe, uncomfortable, or just plain unfun experiences on the water. The right kayak, however, can open up a world of enjoyable paddling adventures. So, let’s break down the key factors you need to consider.

Types of Kayaks

First, let’s look at the various types of kayaks available:

Sit-on-top Kayaks

Great for stability and ease of re-entry. Ideal for warm climates and calm waters. Check out the Perception Hangtime 11 Review.

Sit-inside Kayaks

Better for colder environments and rougher waters, offering more control and protection from the elements. Check out the Advanced Elements Expedition Elite Kayak Review.

Recreational Kayaks

Best for casual paddling on flat water. Check out the Native Watercraft Falcon 11 Kayak review.

Touring/Sea Kayaks

Designed for longer distances and open water. Read this article about sea kayaking in Ireland using the P&H Scorpio sea kayak.

Whitewater Kayaks

Built for navigating rapids or having fun. Check out the review of the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V.

Portable Kayaks

Includes folding, inflatable, and modular kayaks, perfect for those with limited storage or transportation options. Check out the review of the Pakayak Bluefin 142.

Fishing Kayaks

Equipped with features specific to angling. Check out this review of the Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Fishing Kayak.

Tandem Kayaks

For paddling with a partner. Check out these Tandem Kayak Tips to stay together in the same boat!

Pedal Kayaks

Allow for hands-free movement, popular among anglers and photographers. Check out the review of the Perception Showdown 11.5 pedal fishing kayak.

Composite and Plastic Kayaks

Varying in weight, durability, and cost. Check out the P&H Volan 160 review, this sea kayak is make with carbon and kevlar.

Key Considerations

• Type of Paddling
  The first question to ask yourself is what type of paddling you plan to do. For flat water like ponds or small lakes, any kayak will suffice. However, if you plan to paddle in more challenging conditions like rivers with currents or open water with waves, you’ll need a kayak suited to those environments.
• Water Conditions
  For use on flat water, any kayak will do. If you're paddling in water that is rough, or can get rough if the wind picks up, you need a kayak that can handle rough water. Sit-on-top kayaks are excellent for mild rough water since they can’t swamp, and if flipped, are easy to re-enter. Sit-inside kayaks need to be able to accept a skirt and they need to have bulkheads to handle rougher waters and provide safety and stability. Bulkheads are walls inside the kayak that separate the boat into separate compartments, so that the entire kayak won't get swamped with water in the case of a capsize.
• Portability
  If storage and transport are issues, a portable kayak might be for you. These come in several forms, including inflatables and folding kayaks, which are great for travel but may sacrifice some performance and durability.
• Material and Weight
  The material of the kayak affects both weight and durability. Plastic kayaks, especially rotomolded ones, are incredibly durable but heavier. Thermoformed plastic kayaks are lighter and stiffer but less durable. Composite kayaks, like those made from fiberglass, kevlar, and carbon fiber, offer the best performance and the lightest weight options, but at a higher cost. They also need to be treated with more care than rotomolded plastic kayaks.

Kayak Preferences:

Stability vs. Speed

• Length: Longer kayaks are faster, while shorter ones are more maneuverable.
• Width: Wider kayaks are more stable but slower.
• Rocker: More rocker means better maneuverability, less rocker means better tracking.
• Hull Design: Impacts both stability and speed, with different designs better suited for different paddling styles.

Sit-on-Top vs. Sit-Inside Kayaks

• Sit-on-Top: More stable and accessible, but slower and you’ll likely get wet.
• Sit-Inside: Faster and better control, offers protection from the elements, but harder to re-enter if flipped.

Tandem vs. Single Kayaks

• Tandem Kayaks: Faster with two paddlers and great for shared experiences, but less maneuverable and you need to coordinate well with your partner.
• Single Kayaks: Offer more freedom and maneuverability, perfect for solo adventures.

Pedal vs. Paddle Kayaks

• Pedal Kayaks: Faster and hands-free, great for fishing and photography, but pricier, heavier, and not suitable for very shallow waters.
• Paddle Kayaks: More traditional and versatile, lighter, and less expensive.

Additional Considerations

Think about whether you plan to go camping, bring your dog, or need extra storage space. Hybrid boats like packboats and packrafts offer unique benefits for specific needs, blending features of kayaks, canoes, and rafts.

Final Advice

Visit a specialty paddle sports retailer to ask questions and test out kayaks. Your perfect kayak awaits, and getting it right will ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable paddling experience.

Special thanks to PaddleWays for their support and for providing excellent resources for paddlers. Check out their app to help locate and plan for your next river adventure.

Stay tuned for more paddling tips, gear reviews, and adventures. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss out on any future content.

Happy paddling!

Ken Whiting

For more about my paddling adventures and tips, visit my blog articles on Hazeadventure, watch me on Facing Waves TV episodes, or subscribe to my YouTube Channel PaddleTV.

The post Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Kayak appeared first on Hazeadventure.

As a whitewater kayaker, I’m used to spending most of my time in hard-shell kayaks. But my family also spends quite a bit of time angling from hard platform boats. As the NRS Kuda is an inflatable platform that is made for angling and getting out with your family, I was really curious to test it out and see how it compares. 

Today, I am going to review the NRS Kuda kayak / SUP and give you my honest opinion about its features, design, and whether it would be suitable for your next family outing. 

Stability

The first thing I wanted to test out was stability. My kids are used to jumping on the NRS inflatable SUP board, and the Kuda is a similar platform. The stability definitely passed the test. And I was able to stand up and fish while having my kid on board. 

For me, fishing with kids in tow is a good test of stability as you’re moving around, and your kids aren’t keeping still. In fact, I actually had my daughter paddling me around while I cast. So it definitely has a high level of stability.

Mounting Points

Fishing kayaks often come with a lot of mounting points, and I was curious about the Kuda’s. And what I didn’t realize is the Kuda actually has five different yak attack mounting points. 

For me, mounting points are really important because if I decide to make the Kuda my angling platform while traveling on the road, I need to know that I can attach rod holders and other attachments that will make my fishing experience better. 

Another cool feature of the kayak alongside the mounts is that NRS has actually printed a 24-inch measuring board directly onto the deck. I do often like to measure my fish. But I’ve never really invested in a catch board as it's another piece of equipment I have to take with me. So I was pretty excited to see that the Kuda has its own one built in. 

Removable Seat

Paddling around while standing up is really fun. But one of my favorite things about the Kuda is the seat that you can actually strap onto the deck. The seat makes the kayak feel a little bit more like a traditional fishing kayak, as it has an aluminum frame. 

In my opinion, the seat is incredibly easy to take on and off. Plus, when you’re out with the family on the water, you can simply pull over to the side, take the chair off, and use it on the land. 

Tracking

I found the Kuda tracked really well, especially thanks to the skeg plate that allows you to change out different fins depending on what you’re using it for. 

I personally used the kayak on the Ottawa River, where I knew there were going to be some currents. As a whitewater paddler, the currents didn’t intimidate me. But I was actually quite impressed with the amount of stability and traction that the Kuda had while crossing those eddy lines.

While kayaking, you need to be able to maneuver your kayak and have it respond to proper technique. And I found the Kuda to be very responsive and professional.

Transportation

For me, the biggest separation between a traditional fishing kayak and the Kuda was the fact that I was able to take the Kuda with me during my travels. The Kuda comes in an NRS bag with carry straps, which overall acts very much like a backpack. 

The kayak wasn’t too heavy, and I could easily strap the bag onto my back, walk down to the river, and pump it up in little to no time at all.

Weight Limit

And the final cool feature about the NRS Kuda is the fact that it can hold up to 300 pounds, meaning that myself, both kids, and some equipment can go out and enjoy the water together. 

The whole setup of the Kuda weighs just 31 pounds. And although NRS says it's a one-person platform, your kids can easily tag along and turn it into a multi-person platform. 

Kayak: NRS Kuda

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Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Great Family Adventure, and keep an eye out for more awesome videos we’ll be publishing shortly.

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more family adventure tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Great Family Adventure YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter.

The post NRS Kuda Kayak / SUP Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Emotion Cabrio Specifications

Price: $650 (USD)
Length: 11’
Width: 30”
Weight: 69 LBS (31 kg)
Capacity: 250 LBS (114 kg)
Best use: Sheltered water

Its key features include:

• Grab handles at either end
• A paddle holder on the side of the kayak
• Bungees for strapping down gear on the bow and stern
• A padded seat with back support
• Footwells 
• Most uniquely, a removable deck that lets you convert the kayak from a sit-in kayak to a sit-on-top kayak. 

Sit-on-Top Vs Sit-Inside Kayak

There are pros and cons with both sit-inside and sit-on-top kayaks. Sit-inside kayaks are generally higher-performance kayaks. They can be narrower and, because you sit inside the kayak, cause your center of gravity to be lower. Due to this, they are often faster. Sit-on-top kayaks, on the other hand, are wider and slower. 

Generally speaking, sit-on-top kayaks are primarily designed for stability, and performance comes second. A benefit of the sit-on-top kayak is how accessible they are. They are much easier to get in and out of.  

Another benefit of the sit-on-top kayak is that you cannot swamp them. The kayak is full of a layer of air, so even if it is upside down, the kayak will easily float. And, on the off chance that water does get on top of the kayak, they also often have drainage holes.

Sit-on-top kayaks are great for warm weather because you can easily slide in and out of the water to cool off. However, in a sit-inside kayak, your body is much more protected from the wind, splashes, and other weather conditions (including the sun). 

But the question remains, how well does the Emotion Cabrio work as both a sit-inside and sit-on-top kayak?

Performance and Stability

The Emotion Cabrio kayak is a comprimise. It is a lot narrower than a typical 11′ sit-on-top kayak. That is because it is not designed for stability. It is, however, still a super stable kayak. 

On the other hand, the Emotion Cabrio has a higher performance value than most sit-on-top kayaks in this class. It travels decently through the water and tracks well. This is due to the V-shaped hull that creates less drag than the hull of a standard 11′ sit-on-top kayak. 

The Emotion Cabrio is a stable kayak. It is also a slow kayak. But it does offer a nice compromise between these two things. 

Comfort

The Emotion Cabrio is decently, but not exceptionally, comfortable. It has foot wells, as opposed to foot pegs. These provide a platform to rest your feet on at 6” intervals, which means that inevitably, it will not fit your leg length perfectly. Footwells also do not give you support on the correct part of your foot. The second I started taking wide sweep strokes, my foot came off the well. 

The seat in the Emotion Cabrio is very basic. It has a small pad on the butt and a back band that provides reasonable support. One thing to note is that the seat naturally falls over. This means that it is easy to accidentally sit on the wrong part of the seat when you get in. It is annoying but not a big deal. 

As a 6’ 2” man, I have quite a bit of space in the Emotion Cabrio. If you are much bigger than that, you might notice that the kayak feels cramped or less stable. 

Accessibility and Safety

When it comes to accessibility, the Emotion Cabrio offers all the accessibility benefits of a sit-on-top kayak if you choose to use it as one. It is much easier to get on and off the kayak. 

In terms of safety, as a sit-on-top kayak, it has a large pocket of air in the kayak that will stop it from swamping if you do capsize. You can simply roll it back up and the water will drain through the scupper holes. 

Value

The Emotion Cabrio works as both a sit-on-top and sit-inside kayak. It does exactly what it says it will do. With that said, it is a compromise. It is not a great sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak. So is it worth it?

Well, the Emotion Cabrio retails at $650 (USD) but you can, right now, get it for under $500. Given how rapidly the price of everything, from groceries to kayaks, has increased recently, that is a great value deal. 

Who is the Emotion Cabrio kayak for?

So the bigger question is, is the Emotion Cabrio the right kayak for you? There are a couple of considerations when thinking about this. The Cabrio weighs 70 LBS which is heavy for an 11’ kayak. You can get sit-inside kayaks of the same length for under 50 LBS, which is significantly lighter. The Emotion Cabrio is difficult to move around by yourself, so it might require two people to move it to the water. 

The other consideration is that, as a sit-inside kayak, it doesn’t paddle very well. It works fine, but you can get an 11 or 12’ sit-inside kayak that does paddle much better than the Cabrio. So, if you are looking for a performance kayak, you might want to look elsewhere. 

Many people only need one type of kayak, so the benefits of the Cabrio won't be realized. These people would be better off finding something more tailor-made for their type of paddling. 

If, however, you value the ability to use a kayak as both a sit-inside or sit-on-top, then this is the kayak for you. Some people do many different types of kayaking in different weather conditions and love the flexibility of a transforming kayak. If this is you, you might find it beneficial to have the Emotion Cabrio. And, for such a low price, you really can’t go wrong! 

For the right person, this is a great kayak, but it is not for everyone! 

More Reading Material

If you are at the point where you are deciding whether or not to sit-in-side a kayak or sit-on-top a kayak, you may also be debating pedal vs paddle. If so, I have the article for you! Check out this post I did earlier this year: Pedal Kayaks Vs Paddle Kayaks: Which Should You Choose?

Kayak: Emotion Cabrio
Paddle:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Shirt:  NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts:  NRS Benny Board Shorts

The post Emotion Cabrio Review – A Convertible Kayak appeared first on Hazeadventure.

When I saw this new model, I was excited to test it out. It looked different from other sit-on-tops that I've tried. This kayak is geared towards higher performance. It still maintains the usual advantages of the open-cockpit concept. The only way to find out for sure is to get it out on the water for a thorough paddle. I tested the Scupper kayak in high water-levels and a range of conditions, not just flat water. Here's what I can tell you.

ABOUT THE SCUPPER 14 KAYAK

Price: $1,249 (USD)

Length: 14′ 1″

Width: 25.5″

Weight: 64 LBS (29 KG)

Capacity: 390 LBS (177 KG)

The Scupper 14 has a padded, adjustable seat, a paddle-holder, 4 grab-handles (one at each end and side). The kayak has a large tank well in the back with a recess for a scuba tank, scupper valves, YakAttack MightyMount gear tracks in both the stern and bow for attaching accessories, a water bottle holder, an oval day-hatch, adjustable foot pegs, and a large bow hatch. 

Quick Safety Shout-out!

Maybe heard me talk about the free online safety course offered by the American Canoe Association and the U.S. Coast Guard? If you like to canoe, kayak or rock a SUP, then I highly recommend you set aside a bit of time to brush up on these valuable safety tips (how about right after this review!?). Paddling is generally a very safe activity, but that might leave you feeling a bit overconfident. Things can still go wrong, and on open-water, that means a potentially disastrous situation. Often, a bit of knowledge can be the difference maker. So don't pass on this class. 

How portable is the Swell Scupper 14?

The Scupper 14 kayak is over 14-feet-long. It's important to realize that the longer a boat is, the less portable it becomes. This is true of any type of kayak, except, of course, for portable kayaks (i.e. ones that inflate or assemble). 14-feet is a lot of boat to put on your vehicle and to carry around. It is possible to carry this thing by yourself, but I would generally consider this a two-person job. There is a replaceable skid pad on the stern so that you can drag it. I wouldn't recommend dragging it for long distances or over any kind of rough terrain. There are those side-handles on the Scupper kayak, which can theoretically be used to carry it suitcase-style, but I found those to be sub-optimal and a bit “pinchy”. This is an end-carry boat. 

Even though this is a 14-foot, sit-on-top kayak, the Scupper 14 is only 64 pounds. Relatively speaking, 64 pounds is pretty awesome for this category of craft. These days, it's not uncommon to see sit-on-tops in excess of 100 pounds. Swell Watercraft was able to achieve a nice balance by utilizing lightweight, yet strong, rotomolded technology for the frame. The Scupper 14 kayak is built with a polyethylene outer layer and a layer of foam on the inside for stiffness and to reduce the weight. So even though the nature of this boat makes it trickier to handle, high marks for portability nonetheless. 

Is the Swell Scupper 14 kayak safe?

I think when people ask about a kayak's safety they're mostly referring to its stability. In the case of inflatables, perhaps the durability. In terms of stability, one of the ways in which Swell Watercraft was able to enhance the Scupper 14's performance was to strategically detract from its stability.

For instance, the Scupper 14 isn't nearly as wide as many other sit-on-top kayaks. It's 25.5 inches, and exactly as stable as a boat of that width should be. The primary stability (i.e. how it feels when you're sitting flat), is perfectly adequate. It's not a floating dock but I also didn't feel wobbly. The same thing goes for its stability while on edge (secondary stability). It didn't lock in as well as some other kayaks. It was still easy enough to edge when I wanted to. Overall, I would say the Scupper 14 had comparable stability to 25-inch-wide touring kayaks that I've paddled. 

Is the Scupper 14 kayak fast or slow?

Speaking of 25-inch-wide touring kayaks, not only is the Scupper 14's stability comparable, but so is its performance. It is surprisingly fast, it tracks really well, cuts through the water, and accelerates beautifully. I liked how the big bow made water shed right off as I was boogying at higher speeds and through choppy waters. This boat only turns moderately well, but that is what I expected from a 14-foot kayak. A little detail that I loved was the cut-aways on the front half of both sides of the kayak. This allowed me to paddle in a tighter, more performance-oriented style without clipping the frame. 

The only critique I had was in regards to the lack of hip pads and thigh braces. You will typically see these in a comparable touring-kayak. I felt like I was being held back a bit without them because I couldn't dig in. My weight was shifting about more than I'd like when I tried to put the Scupper 14 on edge. So these features would be a wonderful upgrade to see in future iterations. This kayak was clearly designed with performance in mind, and that showed in most regards. I was impressed with the Scupper 14 kayak. 

Is the Swell Scupper 14 comfortable? 

Comfort has become the most important for me when I review a kayak. A kayak can have all the gadgets and performance in the world, but if it isn't comfortable then I'm won't use it. So is the Scupper 14 a comfortable kayak? Simply put, yes. It doesn't take the crown, but it is very comfortable. For starters, I loved how my feet rested below the waterline. My feet were below my hips, which is naturally a much more comfortable and sustainable paddling position.

Sit-on-top kayaks

Typically in a sit-on-top kayak, everything is above the waterline, but Swell Watercraft cut the cockpit down super low. The Scupper 14 is like a sit-inside kayak, except your legs aren't covered. You get the comfort, low center-of-gravity, and performance profile of a classic kayak, but with more freedom to move around. 

The Scupper kayak seat has good padding, but my butt was still starting to get sore by the end of the test/video shoot. I'm a sucker for a framed-seat with a mesh suspension because it contours to whoever plunks down in it. But in terms of a generic padded seat, Swell Watercraft did a nice job working within those limitations. I should also note that the high-back seat offered solid support. I should have worn a lifejacket with a high flotation to match the seat better. The foam on foam created a bit of a disconnect and probably contributed to some of my later stage discomfort. That's on me. 

Good for taller people

I'm 6-foot-2, long in the legs, and was comfortable with the foot pegs. The foot pegs were set to their furthest limit. So anyone of similar or smaller dimensions will be right at home in the Scupper 14. If you're taller, you'll probably want to scout some more options. 

How are features in the Scupper 14 kayak?

There are lots of great features to talk about when it comes to the Scupper 14. For starters, I thought the scupper plugs, or rather scupper valves, were really innovative. The inside of the cockpit is below the waterline, and would cause the water to rush into the kayak, rather than flow out as intended.

Valve System on the Scupper 14 kayak

Instead, Swell Watercraft came up with a valve system that seals closed when they are pulled up. It works the usual charm when pushed down (but only when the kayak is going at a decent speed). This system didn't drain as fast as a standard sit-on-top kayak with a bunch of scupper plugs, but it worked pretty darn well. The idea is to provide relief when a random wave swamps the boat. Rather than acting in an on-going fashion throughout your journey. Two thumbs up for this tech. 

Big hatch and big cover get a thumbs up

The next bomber feature of the Scupper 14 kayak was the big hatch at the front of the boat AND an equally big cover to boot. I can't stand it when a kayak offers a hatch that is technically big enough for an overnight trip, but then the opening is way too small. This ruins the practicality. It's not everyday you see a sit-on-top kayak with this kind of storage. The Scupper 14 kayak hatch/cover combo is a thing of beauty. Speaking of kayak storage, once you max out the bow hatch, there's still a ton of space in the rear tank well for strapping down dry bags. Finally, the small day-hatch between your legs is exactly what you need for small, quick-access items.

Gear tracks for mounting accessories

The gear tracks are also worth mentioning. I thought the front track was perfect for mounting an action camera. There is another the track in the back to mount another camera and some extra rod-holders (in addition to the ones that are already built in). 

Is the Scupper 14 kayak worth the price?

Any high-end kayak is a significant investment for most people. And in the case of the Scupper 14, $1,249 (USD) is a solid chunk of change. But in terms of value, for such a high-performance, feature-rich, sit-on-top kayak, this thing is exceptional. If I had gone in blind for this test, I would have guessed a higher price point. Swell Watercraft does offer additional upgrades for this kayak. It can certainly take things to the next level, but as is, this is a great base price/model. 

Who is the Scupper 14 kayak for?

Swell Watercraft has done an excellent job making a kayak for just about anyone. The Scupper 14 kayak is stable enough for beginners (provided they have a flexible mindset). Experts can still have a lot of fun because of the performance capabilities. This kayak can handle lakes, rivers, oceans, and as long as you're comfortable with your re-entry technique, open-water, far from shore. This is a self-bailing boat but it isn't flip-proof. The right considerations need to be made before approaching less forgiving conditions. And finally, the Scupper 14 is nice to zip around on for an afternoon, for fishing, or to load up for a full-blown camping trip. 

So there you have it, the Swell Watercraft Scupper 14 is swell indeed! I hope this breakdown struck a chord for any of you. Perhaps you may not have given the sit-on-top class enough consideration. This one is a game-changer, for sure. If you enjoyed this article then head on over to PaddleTV for more reviews, tips, and the latest paddling adventures.

The post Swell Scupper 14 Kayak Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.