Solara 120 R

Zero support from Current Designs for warranty work. No support from dealer (The backpackers Shop) where I purchased the Solara 120 less than a year ago. The kayaks forward and aft compacts leaked from the first time I used it. Called the Backpackers Shop and they said, we don’t fix kayaks here. I called Current Designs and they recommended that I reseal the hatches, gave me the brand of “glue” they use, so I had to remove the hatches and reseal them myself. Seemed okay after the reseal. I kayaked over 400 miles in the kayak spending 3 - 4 nights out on the River. I found the bulkheads were leaking after 1 month of use. Not good to be out in the wilderness with wet food, clothes and bedding. I contacted Current Designs again and said that this is not acceptable and was told to take the kayak to the dealer. I asked them if I could use the kayak the rest of season, didn’t want to loose a whole season. The company said that would be fine to bring it back at the end of the season and they would have it shipped back to the factory for repair. I took the kayak in November to the dealer 7 months after purchase. I live in Florida during the winter. Received a call from the Backpackers Shop that Current Designs would NOT and DOES NOT repair bulkheads and they considered the used and would not cover any warranty work. DO NOT BUY A CURRENT DESIGNS KAYAK THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR WRITTEN WARRANTY AND LIE TO YOU. BUY A WILDERNESS SYSTEMS KAYAK!!!
The Solara 120. Does not track at all. Very difficult to control in Class 1 - 2 whitewater. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CURRENT DESIGNS.

This was my first kayak purchase and it's worked out very well for me. I was looking for something that would track reasonably well but mostly be maneuverable for the small-medium rivers I prefer. This does that. It's definitely not as fast and straight as something longer and narrower, and I wore myself out trying to keep up with my buddy in his 16.5 sea kayak on bigger water. But it has enough speed for me and tracks pretty well at speed, although it really wants to pull to one side when I let it slow to a stop. It's very roomy and comfortable to sit in and has plenty of space for my long legs and size 12 feet, which ruled out some other boats I'd liked to have had. I also like the dry storage in the bow which is fairly rare in a 12 footer. There's lots of storage space for as much gear as I'll ever carry, and the lever locks are the way to go with hatch covers. I got the console with it, which is great for the small dry hatch (perfect for keys and quick access to my phone) but the cup holders are pretty much worthless for me. A drink in that area gets in the way of my paddling. I'd like to rig a bottle holder underneath it somehow and think CD would have done better to do something like that. Overall, a very good boat at a reasonable price that does what I need it to.