Solo

I learned a long time ago that just about every model kayak is a good one for the angler who says it's a great boat. The Dimension Solo graced the cover of Pacific Fisherman magazine with the first kayak fishing article ever published in major media in February 1995. It featured my cousin who still fishes the boat. It's worn through and been repaired several times. It isn't self bailing but it is long proven seaworthy on the Pacific. Self rescue...or just going for a swim and getting back in...is easy. The boat's never seen fresh water. Like any new model, or model new to you, try before you buy.

It looks like Dimension Kayaks is done, maybe the molds will emerge with another company. But they wear out too.

Craptacular! I bought a pair of these for $175 bucks on a whim. Having been used to real kayaks they were a disappointment. Luckily I passed them on really quick. They don't track straight AT ALL. The bow buries itself down into every upcoming wave. The cockpit is way too short for anyone over 5'8" or so. That flotation bag inside is pointless and impossible to get back in once taken out. On the plus side....stable as hell, look kind of cool w/ that molded in high seat back, cheap (at least they better be), built in paddle holder is handy. Buy one for floating around a pond or lagoon, but if you plan on paddling more than a mile forget it. If you pay over $200 for one in PERFECT shape you’re getting hosed.

I just had a Dimension Solo given to me a few months ago. We've actually had alot of fun with it as long as Lake Superior and the weather stay warm. We call it our playboat. The paddler gets very wet, especially in any kind of chop. Because the hull is cut to a point and has no upswept bow it punches through the waves, thus all over the paddler who sits in a constant pool of water. In chop the bow actually sinks below the waterline with each paddle stroke, making for harder, slower paddling. The rear hatch is almost totally useless.....very small opening which a hand can bearly get through. I'm not sure what Dimension intended it to be good for. The shell is hollow from front to back so anything put in the hatch could roll from one end to the other and even get stuck. It does not have good secondary stability as I learned when I was reaching towards another paddler but initial stability is excellent. It turns on a dime and is extremely manueverable. It would be a fun boat to keep at a cabin/home on a calm inland lake. I would never buy one and would look for a different SOT if I were to buy one, which for this area is not a practical style. However, as I got it free, we are having alot of fun with it, myself and guests alike, and it has come in handy substituting for a extra kayak right now in the warm days of summer.

Old Town Canoe Dimension Solo. An inexpensive boat that is very comfortable. Great for trips on rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Not for whitewater or choppy conditions. This boat is a sit-on-top with no scupper holes (dry), tracks well, is light, not too long, and is very stable. This K-1 is over 13' long and is under $500. It has one hatch and enough storage for most trips. The only thing I dislike about this boat is the hatch is fairly small in diameter.