i just bought this at Wallmart for $357.00. It has been listed as high as $823 on Ebay. This is a non name brand kayak that is distributed by Sun Dolphin. Lets face it, Sun Dolphin and Lifetime ( its like asking which is better chiroractor of oteopath? answer Osteopath because they keep their clothes on during the exam) )is the low end of Kayaks, But this Third Coast entry into the upper eschelon of water craft is a clear exception to the Wallmart/Dicks Sporting Good variety. I'll explain why. First most of those Lifetime and Sun Dolphin products do not track well in the water. It is surprising since they make so many of them you would think that they would invest in a good design. However the Third Coast Arbor 10 and 12 have a pronounced Keel aft that acts like a rudder complimented by a complex hard chine design that demands minimal effort to keep it straight allowing the paddler to invest more of his or her energy in propulsion. This helps make up for its slower speed as it is not a fast boat due the width 30 inches, weight 50lbs and length 10 feet( the arbor 12 is faster but more cumbersome, NOTE: be careful some states now require any water vessel longer than 10 feet to be registered yearly.) This is a worthy trade off in exchange for some key features like stability and safety. Some Kayaks at Wallmart like the Aruba by Sun Dolphin have a poorly designed hatch system. The hatch is not water proof and many people in order to get more room in the hatch will cut out the tub at the risk of sinking if water is taken on. The Third Coast distinguishes itself form the LIfetime/ Sun Dolphin throng by offering two truly water proof hatches. They even have removable "Red Magic Bags" ( magic because they look like those bags that magicians use) that help you hold gear. The hatches really close tight with levers that clamp shut the hatches onto "o" rings rendering the compartments airtight. They are not secured by bungees,but bungees are included around them for extra stowage. The forward hatch has a well which I strongly recommend you keep in tact, while the rear hatch opens to the interior but Third Coast, with a look toward superior design even invested the time and effort to install a water tight bulkhead separating the fuselage from the rear hatch compartment. This nice touch, not obvious to the average Wallmart/Dicks Shopper, is a great feature because if water gets in one compartment it will not migrate to the other. Not to be out done, they even installed two drain plugs topside, one for the rear hatch and one for the forward section which can be used to drain water in the fuselage all while not getting the forward hatch wet. The bulkhead does add some weight, but added comfort is worth it. Owners of the Lifetime Lancer will learn fast enough the discomfort of not having a water proof hatch that allows water to enter and slosh back and forth through the vessel completely negaties the benefit of a "sit in" as opposed to a "sit on top" which are extremely wet. The generous hatch area is further augmented by bungee straps that make this a suitable expedition kayak. Not only is it good for open water like lakes, it may be used in up to class three rapids. Heck I bet I can even surf this in the ocean. So while all your friends are stuck in the raft on a white water rafting trip with the guide who constantly tries to hit on everyone's wife. You can have the freedom of a Corvette running the rapids and not have to indulge in those silly high five paddle rituals.
If that is not enough, they also installed 2 yak attack rails forward the cockpit recessed into the topside so that you can add accessories like a fishfinder or a rod holder in the future. They also included 4 padded carrying handles port, starboard, bow and stern. The port and starboard handles may be excessive since I find it easy enough, at fifty pounds, to port it sherpa style over my head with the skirt lip resting on my shoulders. The skirt area is extremely oversized for ease of entry and exit. This may be a slight nuisance in rough seas as it my take on water although this can easily be remedied with a 5.2 size skirt. They also provide bungee straps to secure a extra paddle on the port side.
The seat is a very comfortable and will fold down, not the cheesy ones you get with many kayaks. They also have two flat areas aft the cockpit that can be fitted with fishing rod holders. The boat can easily be fitted as a passable dry sit in fishing kayak. This is the only boat I could honestly recommend at Wallmart in the "sit in" genre. The material on the arbor 10 is clearly superior more like what you would find on a Dagger or Emotion brand, even with exotic coloring. This kayak reminds me of the beautiful blonde cousin Marilyn on The Munsters, sitting next to all those degenerate kayaks that quickly find their way on Craigslist after summers end.
The only other kayak I can recommend is the LIfetime Tamarac Angler although that is a wet sit on top variety. I am angling to buy that as well, but waiting to get it down to about $150. How is that done you may ask at Wallmart? Remember to try to do business with the store manager only. And if they won't budge try calling after hours for another one on night duty whose only desire in life is to go home and get drunk and play Grand Theft Auto. Wallmart makes money by moving garbage not by holding it in inventory. Anything the size of a Kayak is expensive to hold in inventory taking up precious space. They are almost always damaged because they get scratched from dropping and getting blown around the parking lot in the summer. The manager will ask you if it is damaged as he or she will probably deal with you through the clerk via phone in sporting or gardening. Make sure you make friends with the clerk so that they are not working against you with the store manager in tandem. ( not difficult since the corporate structure does not favor camaraderie between the ranks.) Lie to the manager on the phone, tell them that it is really badly damaged "not sure it will even float", while winking at the clueless clerk. Managers have wide powers to reduce product prices which they are lead to believe are damaged. I bought a canoe for half price because I told them on the phone that " I think it has a leak but that's okay I am using it as a planter." Tell them they can keep the paddle which is useless anyway.
There is one bad thing about this Kayak: The name Arbor, Arbor is a tree reference. They should have called it Marilyn.
