The Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100 is named after the Pamlico sounds which are located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Pamlico 100 is designed for beginners or children and features an ultra stable design that makes this yak perfect for fishing, families or photography. The kayak features a shallow V hull design that makes it ideal for lakes and streams but is versatile enough to handle Class II rivers or gentle surf. This kayak is built from Wilderness System's Gen2 high-density polyethylene which is both rugged and durable. Phase3 Lite Seating is very comfortable and adjustable, making this kayak small enough for small adults or large children but still able to accommodate full size adults. Two hatches give you space to store cameras, snacks or whatever else you need to keep dry.

Our reviewers first comment on these yaks was how easy they are to enter and exit. This was also a complaint from a couple reviewers who wished the cockpit was a bit more enclosed but this is a family kayak and large open cockpits are the norm. Several reviewers commented on how comfortable this kayak is, saying that several times their paddling partner's butt would be numb while they were fine to keep going for another hour or more. Some of our reviewers were first time paddlers and found the boat extremely stable. Other more advanced reviewers told us the tracking on this yak is good, not great. Almost everyone commented on how awesome the dry area is on this yak. There is a good amount of storage area that is easy to access and will stay completely dry unless you flip the boat. We even had one reviewer who said he flipped the boat in calm water and his phone still stayed bone dry. All our reviewers agreed that for the price (MSRP $539), you are getting a lot of boat for money.

Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100 Specs

Best use: Flatwater kayaking
Material: Polyethylene
Hull Construction: Plastic
Length: 10 feet
Width: 30 inches
Depth: 14 inches
Weight: 42 pounds
Cockpit: 47.5 x 22 inches
Seat type: Padded / foam
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Tracking System: None

The Elie Strait 140 XE is the 2011 winner of Outdoor Magazine's "Gear of the Year" award. This day touring kayak is made of lightweight Poly-XR, a thermoformed polyethylene material. Poly-XR is 30% more rigid than standard polyethylene. The Strait 140 XE also features the Ergoflex seating system which features an adjustable height backrest and EVA padded seat to reduce hot spots. A Fluid Steering System rudder keeps you tracking straight even with strong crosswinds thanks for a stiff composite material construction. A quick lock day hatch on both the bow and stern gives you plenty of storage space for cameras, food or other essentials. The Elie Strait 140 XE is currently available in red, yellow (pictured) and white color schemes.

Our reviewers love this kayak. They tell us that the Poly-XR material makes this kayak as stiff as a composite kayak but at half the price! In addition, 3 of our reviewers told us this is hands down the most comfortable seat they have ever had on a yak. Stability and tracking were also very good. The cockpit is roomy, most of our reviewers were under 6' tall though. Finally, this yak looks great! Several reviewers said they had received comments from others on the Strait 140 XE. The only concern on this yak were the seams in the hatches. We had one reviewer tell us he was having issues with the rear hatch leaking in heavy rain. Another reviewer told us he rolled his and only found 3 drops of water so it could be an isolated incident. Overall, our reviewers were very pleased with this yak and said it easily stacks up with similar kayaks that cost $500-600 more.

Elie Straight 140 XE Specs

Length: 14 ft / 427 cm
Beam: 24.25" / 62 cm
Depth: 15.75" / 40 cm
Cockpit Width: 19.25" / 49 cm
Cockpit Length: 35.75" / 91 cm
Weight: 53 lbs / 24 kg
Max. Capacity: 300 lbs / 136 kg

• Overall Rating: 8.0

The Delta 16 is a touring kayak with a huge dry hatch for day trips. The sixteen is for intermediate to advanced paddlers who are small to medium sized. The 16 features 2 large hatches and 1 day hatch. The day hatch is a solid pod that is perfect for cameras or other electronics that you need to keep away from waves or paddle mishaps. The Delta 16 is at home in waves and surf but is also extremely solid on calmer water. The sixteen's 22" wide profile makes it great for accelerating to catch a wave. At the same time, the craft has excellent stability. This kayak features a skeg, which is cockpit deployable for extra stability in rough waters.

Our reviewers really like the Delta 16. We had reviewers who use the kayak in the ocean, great lakes and rivers. One reviewer noted you will not want to purchase this kayak if you are over 6' tall, as his legs barely fit. Still, he found the kayak very comfortable, which was something all our reviewers said about this kayak. Other pros included this kayaks light weight, adjustable seat and finish (check out the picture above, it's a beautiful boat). The only negative comment we heard from our reviewers was an isolated incident of a hatch knob breaking off.

Delta 16 Specs

Length: 16'
Width: 22"
Depth: 12"
Weight: 50 lbs / 22.6 kg
Cockpit: 16" x 32.5"
Cockpit Volume: 42.5 Gal / 161 L
Bow Dry Storage: 20.8 Gal / 78.6 L
Day Hatch: 3 Gal / 11.5 L
Stern Dry Storage: 31.7 Gal / 120 L
Total Volume: 98 Gal / 371.1 L

The Ocean Kayak Frenzy is a sit on top kayak designed for moderate surf that can also flat water or slow moving rivers well. The Frenzy features a large molded in well seat with adjustable padded cover that is comfortable enough for a few hour in the boat. A molded tank well and additional cup holder give you plenty of storage room for gear and a cold drink for those hot days on the water. A unique hull design allows you to stack these up to 3 high for easy storage or transport. The Ocean Kayak Frenzy is available in two color choices: sunset orange (pictured) and yellow.

Kayakers give the Frenzy very positive reviews. Beginning kayakers like the Ocean Kayak Frenzy because it is comfortable, easy to handle and light to transport. One older gentleman (60s) said he and his wife originally bought a double kayak but returned it and bought two of these because the double was hard to carry and difficult to maneuver in the water. Even though it's made by Ocean Kayak, we have plenty of reviewers who use it exclusively in lakes or rivers, so don't let the name make you think it's only meant for surf. Ocean Kayak's customer service was also praised by one reviewer who was sent at repair piece for his kayak for no charge, even though he had caused the damage. The size and stability of the kayak were often praised by reviewers, some who had tested the Frenzy in moderate surf or other reviewers who had used it on lakes with a lot of boat wakes. Both groups said it is small enough to be easy to transport solo but large enough to be stable and not feel cramped in it. The bright colors of the kayak also make it easy to spot for other boats, which is nice for safety.

Ocean Kayak Frenzy Specs

LENGTH 9' 0" / 2.7 m
WIDTH 31" / 78.7 cm
SEAT WIDTH 18" / 45.7 cm
WEIGHT 43 lbs / 19.5 kg
MAX CAPACITY 275-325 lbs /
124.7 - 147.7 kg
SUGGESTED RETAIL $429 USD

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is a sit on top style kayak that is extremely versatile and can be used on ponds and lakes but is also well suited for surf. The Tarpon 100 features a Gen2 polyurethane hull that is durable but also tracks well. A Phase 3 SOT seat features an adjustable backrest, good leg support and improved air circulation over previous models. This kayak is great for the casual paddler and has an extra wide tankwell for storing gear. The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is available in 10 colors including: sand, camo, orange (pictured), red, mango, yellow, spruce, light lime, light blue and blue.

Paddlers give the Tarpon 100 high marks, especially for recreational or novice paddlers. The boat is comfortable, compact and easy to paddle. The seat received many glowing reviews. Reviewers said the adjustable footrests make a huge difference compared to the standard molded footrests on most sit-on-tops. Besides the seat being comfortable and cool, there is also a small well under the seat so you aren't sitting in a puddle if water gets in the boat, a great feature. A couple paddlers said the tankwell in the rear is large enough for their full size dogs, which is nice if your dog will sit still for a ride. Another big plus for this boat is transportation. Both a middle aged female and a shorter male (5'6") both said they were able to get this on and off their vehicles by themselves. At the same time, the boat is also sturdy enough for a larger paddler. We had a 6'2" 255 pound male say he uses this boat with no issues.

Wildness Systems Tarpon 100 Specs

Length: 10' / 305 cm
Width: 30.5" / 77 cm
Max Capacity: 325 lbs. / 147 kg
Deck Height: 15.25" / 39 cm
Weight: 55 lbs. / 25 kg
Cockpit Length: 52" / 132 cm
Cockpit Width: 20" / 51 cm

Emotions Kayaks Spitfire is a sit-on-top solo kayak. The Spitfire features a shallow V hull and was designed for stability, performance and fun. The kayak's small size (8' long and 38 pounds) allows it to be transported by a solo paddler. It's small shape also make it highly maneuverable in the water. A foldable seat back increases comfort but folds down for easy transport and storage. A molded cup holder and an aft storage tank with bungee cords gives plenty of space for your gear. The Spitfire is available in blue, red (pictured) and yellow colors.

Paddlers say the Emotion Kayaks Spitfire is great for the casual or weekend kayaker. The Spitfire is also great for kids, as it small size is easier for them to handle on their own. Transporting these is also very easy, one reviewer said he is able to stack two on top of each other on his roof rack. Everyone praised the affordability of this kayak. You can easily find them online for under $250 which is a great value. Two cons on this kayak is that it doesn't track the best, which isn't surprising from a budget kayak. We also had a couple reports that the carry straps and bungee cords are cheaply made and have broken on a couple of the reviewers. One said he contacted Emotion Kayaks directly and was sent a replacement kit, free of charge.

Bottom line, if you are searching for an affordable kayak for casual or weekend use, the Emotion Kayaks Spitfire should be on your short list.

Emotion Kayak Spitfire Specs

Material: Polyethylene
Hull construction: Plastic
Weight capacity (lbs): 225 - 240 pounds
Length: 8 feet
Width: 30 inches
Weight: 38 pounds

The Liquidlogic Manta Ray Kayak is a serious boat for beginner and advanced kayakers. Perfect for fishing or trolling along in rivers and on lakes, the deployable rudder means smooth tracking for novices. A 31-inch cockpit width lends stability while overnighters and nature-lovers can pack supplies in two accessible hatches. A convenient cup holder and comfortable, adjustable seating makes the Manta Ray a great choice for recreational kayakers. Shark-in-the-water styling helps this kayak – and its paddler – stand out from the crowd while aggressive kayakers will appreciate its easy handling in rapids. As Liquidlogic’s first sit-on-top boat, it is yet another adventure from that industrious company’s commitment to building kayaks to fit specific needs – in this case, fishing.

Boaters love this craft’s stability and usability on short trips from base camp. Sit-on-top style allows full-range movement for riders who want to sight-see while bungees secure maps and other supplies. Riders say the intuitive design puts everything right at your fingertips – it’s where you want it, when you want it. Maneuverability gets high ratings in both calm and white waters. Others like the numerous rigging for fishing and other activities. Anglers appreciate the Manta Ray’s stability and say that it lets them make a splash with their catch instead of themselves. This boat’s versatility wins over both the recreational and turn-and-burn crowds! With easy-to-reach compartments and excellent speed, this craft gets a solid rating from kayakers who like to explore shorelines or just relax in the tide.

• Overall Rating: 10.0

Boaters love the Looksha’s ability and responsiveness in hull-crashing waves and say the craft’s strengths are flat-water speed and choppy-water control. Smaller paddlers say the boat has excellent responsiveness even in rough, choppy water and are surprised at the boat’s overall maneuverability. Others day its roomy cockpit makes shifting and manipulating the boat a breeze. The kayak turns on a dime and is well-suited for the fearless kayaker who likes to take a few ‘breaks’ along the way and has been described as a one-size-fits-all type of boat.

Parents say this lightweight kayak is sturdy enough for them and a great trainer for the kids’ first paddling experiences. They love its speed and say that great tracking makes it easier to learn the finer nuances of kayaking. Bigger paddlers say the roomy cockpit comfortably accommodates sizes of 230 pounds plus. Padded thigh braces add to the Carolina’s comfort while a unique perimeter deck provides additional storage and recreation options. Riders are also impressed with the strength of late model Perceptions. A roomy cockpit and responsive action only add to the playful fun the Perception Carolina brings.

Kayakers say the Tributary Strike is a blast to ride and enjoy its comfortable seat and contemporary styling. Hard-core kayakers love the boat’s versatility when taking long kayaking trips and say it’s a comfortable ride when paddling open waters and a wave-popping machine in rapids. A sensible, contemporary design includes floor panel drains and bow and stern covers to help keep you dry when out on water-bound runs. Constructed for fun, its five-year durability rating also makes the Tributary Strike Inflatable a valuable investment for the long haul.