Vision 130

If you take the seat out of the equation, this is a great little kayak. It’s fast, maneuverable and lightweight. Though it has a rounded hull, it tracks surprisingly well. For four or five months I’ve paddled the creeks and rivers of Mississippi, and while it's been a lot of fun, the Vision 130 has suffered a lot of abuse from submerged logs and stumps. The carbon/Kevlar layup is not meant for such. I’m 5’10, 160 pounds and this boat is a perfect fit.

The outfitting in my boat is poorly configured: the ratcheting for the back band is in an awkward place, and unless it’s adjusted to certain setting, your leg rubs against it. The padding on the backrest is not secured well and detaches easily. Judging from the serial number, this boat was manufactured in 2013. Maybe CD has made improvements by now.

Have been kayaking since 2006 in the WS Pungo 120. Am trying to upgrade to a faster, lighter sea touring boat that can handle high winds on the I.C.W. in N.C. I tried the composite (fiberglass) version of the Vision 130 on Megunticook lake in Camden, ME, in 6 mph wind. The boat was light, which I appreciated & the seat was comfortable.

However, the boat pulled to the right going into the wind, across the wind, and downwind. It pulled to the right with the skeg up, down, or halfway, requiring sweeping, leaning, bracing to compensate. AND, it was as slow as my Pungo, requiring the same paddling effort.

The "customer service" manager at Maine Outdoor Outfitters (in Rockport, ME) said I might be "feathering". As I explained to her, my WS Pungo doesn't pull to the right, nor did the WS Tempest I used for a day on Lake Pemaquid in 20+ mph winds, nor did a neighbor's Old Town that I tried out on Megunticook. And, since then I have tried L.L. Bean's Perception Casco (a.k.a. Perception "Expression") 15.5', the WS Tsumami 140, as well as my neighbor's Lincoln Monhegan & none of these pulled to the right.

This & other comments/attitude by the manager have turned me completely off to Maine Outdoor Outfitters. Not to mention L.L. Bean offers a 100% complete customer satisfaction warranty.

The hardware on the Vision 130 & the 140 appeared a bit chintzy, which was confirmed when I, briefly, tried the Vision 140 & found the rudder difficult to raise/lower. My husband further confirmed my observations when the rudder cord broke out of its fitting during his test of the 140. This could just be that Maine Outdoor Outfitters doesn't keep their boats in a stellar state of repair - hard to say.