8'
Length
31.5"
Width (in)
39
Weight (lb)
MSRP

Spitfire 8 Description

Built in CRS Padded Backrest + Molded-In Seat

Rear Tankwell with Bungee Lacing for Storage

Front and Rear Handles for Easy Transport

Spitfire 8 Specs and Features

  • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
  • Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
  • Seating Configuration: Solo
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child, Average Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child, Average Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Emotion Kayaks, Inc.
Spitfire 8 Reviews

Read reviews for the Spitfire 8 by Emotion Kayaks, Inc. as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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4

I wanted a kayak and this…

Submitted by: Davevanb on 9/11/2018

I wanted a kayak and this was the right price and being a sit on top appealed to me. First time out easy to paddle but goes off course whenever I stopped paddling. The seat is wet. I tried scupper plugs but bottom holes too small -- I enlarged the holes but couldn't get them perfectly round, I ended up using waterproof caulk and glued scupper plugs in, just in the seat area, now a dry seat. I bought and installed handles midship both sides for loading on top of car. Good points-- great price $260.35, durable, able to paddle straight. Not so good -- wet seat, lettering is coming off, had to tape on launch permit stickers, a bear to handle loading on car without adding handles! A good little boat for the price, my wife loves it!

5

I bought this kayak for the…

Submitted by: Pinkkayak56 on 8/3/2016
I bought this kayak for the price and also it was pink which didnt have anything to do with the handling, which was great, no problem with the tracking,very stable would definitely recommend to anyone starting out. My boyfriend has a,sit-in kayak where mine is the sit-on, he wantedto try mine to see if he could see a difference in the handling, he liked the way mine handled way more better than his. He also weighs around the 240 mark and felt safe on the water. I love my kayak and very happy and satisfied with its performance. We go to the lake 3-4 times a week. I am 60yrs old the boyfriend is 63, wish we would have discovered kayaking sooner, dont hesitant you wont be disappointed in these kayaks.
4

What can I say? A basic sit…

Submitted by: micmor on 7/7/2016
What can I say? A basic sit on top. It holds my 225lb body out of the water. It tracks as well as an 8 foot boat will, which isn't great, but it gets you there. So far, we have only taken it out on flatwater, but there is a river nearby that I want to give it a shot. I may consider thigh straps, but for the most part, this is an easy boat to just play around on.
4

We got this kayak because the…

Submitted by: fleatx on 9/12/2015
We got this kayak because the price was right and we wanted a spare kayak for friends and family. It is perfect for that purpose. It is light and easy to manage and short enough to fit in the back of my pickup truck. It does not track as well as my other kayaks and it is not the most comfortable ride but I still think it is worth the price we paid. Newbies like it because it is very wide and stable so it is easy to get on and off and there is not a lot of rocking in the water. Overall a good kayak if you are just looking for a spare or if you are only planning on short trips on calm water. I would buy it again for the same purpose.
4

This kayak is a lot of fun…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/1/2015
This kayak is a lot of fun for a little price. At 8 feet it doesn't track well at all but it can turn on a dime and fit through tiny openings between rocks in a river and runs very shallow. The weight capacity is pretty firm. After you get past about 200 lbs it can get a little tippy which (depending on how experienced you are) can either be a lot of fun or a little annoying.

The seat is fairly comfy and actually gives pretty decent back support (you may want to add a butt pad if you have a more sensitive rear end). I had an absolute blast a couple days ago running down a river in this and going through some class 2's. The maneuverability made it incredibly easy to change the route I wanted to take mid rapid and the extra tippiness made it more challenging and a little extra fun.

I'm not who this boat was designed for. We got it for my little brother about 5 years ago and have put it through some tests. We take it to the beach with us whenever we can as it is an absolute blast to play with in the surf and easy to get on/off when you bail out. It's also pretty durable despite being so cheap. The plastic doesn't feel cheap like a lot of pelicans/sundolphins do. It actually fell off the roof of my car (suburban, so it fell a good distance) at a stop sign probably 3 years ago, nice little dent in the bow but there's no cracks and no leaks and it didn't really effect anything. Durable cheap play boat I'd recommend for younger/smaller paddlers or someone looking for a cheap way to have a little fun on the water.

One last thing, if you have a mid size suv and can fold down your back row this boat can easily fit inside the vehicle making it one of the easiest boats I've ever owned to transport.

5

My husband and I bought two…

Submitted by: paddler236475 on 8/31/2015
My husband and I bought two sit in kayaks from Costco. We liked the idea of a dry storage, however they both filled with water first time out. Also, the were very long and heavy which made getting them from garage to water very difficult. We were very unhappy with our purchase so we returned them. However, we got immediately hooked with kayaking! So we decided to go smaller and lighter and purchased the spitfire 8. This kayak is so much more versatile and fun. I am a 54yr old woman and can load and carry this kayak to the water by myself....I love it!
5

LOVE this kayak! I'm a…

Submitted by: paddler236148 on 2/25/2015
LOVE this kayak! I'm a beginner and this kayak has been PERFECT for me! I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about a sit on top!
1

I purchased the Spitfire…

Submitted by: paddler235969 on 9/9/2014
I purchased the Spitfire Kayak by Emotion because it seemed like a nice, smaller, recreational kayak to use on lakes and light flowing rivers. The kayak lasted a total of 3 trips-- the first 2 were on a lake and the 3rd was on a river. Midway through the float trip, the kayak had to be removed from the water, drained, and carried/dragged back to the vehicle rather than continuing down the river (effectively ruining the day).

Since Emotion Kayaks has a 5 year warranty I contacted them regarding the matter. Their customer service replied promptly and informed me that "the damage is not consistent with a manufacturing defect" and they will not offer any warranty services. I am very disappointed that normal light use can cause this type of catastrophic failure. I will be shopping for a suitable replacement form Ocean Kayak, Perception, Wilderness System, Etc and urge all fellow kaykers to do the same!!

4

The Emotion Spitfire 8 is a…

Submitted by: roddyferrell on 9/3/2014
The Emotion Spitfire 8 is a very nice sit on top kayak for the cost. While it is not the most stable nor the best tracking kayak out there is provides plenty of storage for a slow down on the water.
5

I'm a sixty nine year old…

Submitted by: paddler235895 on 8/28/2014
I'm a sixty nine year old woman. This is my first kayak, and I love it. I know it's a bit slow, and I also know it doesn't track very well, but guess what? IT FITS INSIDE MY HONDA FIT WITH ALL THE DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED. I'm pretty small, 5'1", 110 lb., and I did not want to have to struggle a kayak onto the car roof.

I've had this little boat for two seasons, and have used it quite frequently. I may eventually want something more technical, but for now my Spitfire is just fine. While my friends are doing cooking classes and book clubs, I'm out in the fresh air having a wonderful time.

4

My 11 year old son uses this…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/27/2014
My 11 year old son uses this kayak. He loves the size and weight of this kayak. It is easy for him to manage and very stable. He jumps off of it into the water and climbs back in easily. I love it because it fits me comfortably too, and I grab it for myself when heading for a paddle in the swimming hole. The seat is comfortable for a child or adult. My only complaint is that it has very poor tracking.
5

We bought the Emotion…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/21/2014
We bought the Emotion Spitfire 8's for the kids and small adults in our family to use. The kids (9-14) seem to think that they are super easy to handle and lightweight making them easier to carry than the bigger kayaks. We would definitely recommend these.
2

This kayak is all that others…

Submitted by: paddler235661 on 7/3/2014
This kayak is all that others have reported. Great price, lousy tracking, and very easy to tip. I have a different problem. I am 6' 297lbs. The boat leaks from the front scuppers directly into the boat via the 2 ports in front of the seat. I can paddle for about an hour and have to empty the boat. It gets very unstable with water inside. I bought this Spitfire because of its guaranteed weight limit of 350lbs and price. This is my replacement boat. First one did same.
5

I absolutely love my Spitfire…

Submitted by: paddler235637 on 7/2/2014
I absolutely love my Spitfire 8. I'm in my mid 40's and weigh 120 lbs. I was a little nervous at first, but after having it a few weeks now, I'm very confident on it and am actually fishing on it as well. It's a lot of fun. I have since gone back and purchased 3 more for my children ages, 9, 14 and 17 and they too are having a wonderful time on theirs. My 17 year old has his all rigged up for fishing. He caught his first bass last week.

This is a great boat for beginners as well as older people who just want to row around for a few hours. The turning capabilities are not great, but are good for just spending good, quality time with my family. I highly recommend this kayak.

4

The Good: Easy to load/unload and transport. With your dry bag plenty of aft…

Submitted by: Acewray on 6/10/2014
The Good:
Easy to load/unload and transport.
With your dry bag plenty of aft storage beneath the bungee netting.
Turns on a dime so great for rivers and surf - can move in and out and dart about wherever you want to go - easy to maneuver river strainers.
Wide and stable, so tip friendly - easy to remount when swept off.
Appears thick and well built, so should be long lived.
Slightly heavy with a natural friction to the water surface, so resists wind drift and wave push.
Good bang for your buck.

The Bad:
No good for lakes and slow moving rivers - with ZERO tracking it requires constant attention to stay straight.
Only family friendly for those who know how to control direction via hip and paddle, otherwise there will be cursing and lots of circles.
I mentioned a friction above - no matter how hard you paddle it is going one max speed and on flat water it tends to plow in lieu of plane.
Watch out for big ocean waves as you will ride up them and then flip instead of through to the other side - not a problem with other equal ocean kayaks.

The Other:
For cheap thrills on active water this is a fun little boat well within the most modest of budgets.

4

This is a nice overall kayak.…

Submitted by: paddler235537 on 5/11/2014
This is a nice overall kayak. I've used it on a small lake, larger lake and a creek.
Overall It is a stable, light weight boat that can handle a variety of situations. For $199 it was a great price. I would recommend using scupper plugs and a seat cushion on the seat area if you want a dry butt. Also a better paddle holder is needed which can be purchased for $10.
3

This sit-in kayak does not…

Submitted by: paddler235534 on 5/9/2014
This sit-in kayak does not track well. Bow swing is excessive. If you keep it, you should purchase a skeg kit that will reduce the bow swing and make it easier to handle in higher velocity tidal waters.
5

As a newbie to kayaking, I…

Submitted by: karentgreene1 on 10/7/2013
As a newbie to kayaking, I enjoy my Spitfire. The storage seal leaks and it is difficult to drain water from the storage area!
5

Based on the reviews on this…

Submitted by: paddler235217 on 7/29/2013
Based on the reviews on this page, I ordered a Spitfire 8 yesterday. Turns out the shipping warehouse was nearby. So, they allowed me to pick it up. I just had to take it out for a test spin and brought my fishing equipment with me.

Perfect. The little kayak performed much better than I thought it would. It is extremely stable (good for anyone not used to a kayak), easy to car top, and responds well to light paddle strokes. It tracks decently for a small boat, just about as good (or terribly) as other small, wide, plastic, recreational kayaks.

I purchased it as a family boat for playing at the beach or cottage, fishing on small lakes, drifting slow rivers, and playing in waves on the Great Lakes. I didn't get to wave-test it, but I think it's perfect for these uses. It is a very good fishing platform. I could easily reach my cargo items (the included bungee net is a great thing) and although I was out there only an hour, the seat arrangement is super comfortable!

I think it is a wonderful kayak, especially for the price. I'm giving it a 10/10 because I think it may be the best of the bunch in terms of very small, portable, stable, versatile, fun, and decently performing sit-on-top recreational kayaks. I may install some hip braces when it we use it as a wave surfer. Also, lime green is a great kayak colour!

5

This is a great entry level…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/29/2013
This is a great entry level Kayak. I have the 8 foot sit on top and I love it! It is very easy to paddle, easy to transport and it looks great. It is well designed,some important features of it are it has two carrying toggles on either end, the rungs to put your feet in while paddling are deep enough to put your feet in comfortably, the bottom is well designed to make it easy to paddle and it comes in fun colors. I would recommend this Kayak to anyone. Plus the price is right!
5

We own two Spitfire 8's, and…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/19/2013
We own two Spitfire 8's, and one 9'. I think Emotion makes a really good product. As others have said, the 8' does not track well. But compared to boats in the same price range it is a good boat. The 9' tracks much better and holds about 100 more pounds, but the storage hatch leaks a little. Look up zoffinger on youtube. He has done some awesome things to his Spitfire 8.
5

I use this boat for surf…

Submitted by: paddler235035 on 6/5/2013
I use this boat for surf kayaking and it is a blast. The tracking is pretty bad, but alternatively, it turns on a dime. It is great in the surf with a couple of leg straps to help stabilize. Have surfed up to 6ft waves no problem, lots of fun. I am 6'2", 220 lb and the boat handles the weight just fine. Not my choice for flatwater, bad tracking and loses all momentum as soon as you stop paddling.
5

Just bought 2 Spitfire kayaks…

Submitted by: paddler234615 on 6/25/2012
Just bought 2 Spitfire kayaks for my 11 and 14 yr olds today. They are a perfect starter kayak for preteens and my husband and I both tried them out and had a blast. Perfect for our tranquil bay off of Cape Cod. Great kayak for the price.
4

This is an excellent beginner…

Submitted by: paddler234591 on 6/15/2012
This is an excellent beginner boat. For the price, you get more than any other beginners boat. This kayak is roomy, light weight and it can hold heavy weight. The only two problems with this boat: no chair and no room to mount fishing rods in the front. The tracking is ok but my son needs to improve his paddling skills. I would use this boat for a buddy wanting to kayak and for kids. With some modifications, this boat can be a gem.
4

This is a great starter kayak…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/21/2011
This is a great starter kayak for a newbie, and I think it will make a good surf kayak for any ability level. I am a 6'2" 230 lb guy, and an active watersports fan (surfing and windsurfing mostly). This kayak will easily float me, and is quite stable even in 2' chop. I took this out on Lake Tahoe CA paddling and had a blast with it. As long as you manage your paddling to maintain balance, it rides easily through and over waves.

It is easy to load on a car roof or in the back of a truck. The construction is good, it is pretty solid and made here on the USA.
Recommended!

4

I have had this kayak for one…

Submitted by: paddler234126 on 7/11/2011
I have had this kayak for one season now. It is something that you can get in and paddle. For the price, that alone is enough. I used to have a top notch Necky, and I used to have an innertube. This is about in the middle. The tracking is not even comparable to a 13 ft kayak, but far preferable to an innertube. It has many more uses than a tube also. It is easy to load, and goes faster than an tube. It is easy to fish off of and does lakes, rivers,creeks, and the ocean. I don't believe it will pop either. As far as comparing it to a 13 ft Necky, it is 1/4 the price.
2

My family and I have owned 4…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/30/2010
My family and I have owned 4 Emotion kayaks within the past 5 years and have enjoyed them very much. Emotion kayaks are made to accommodate the beginner paddler, and if you're new to paddling and don't know how often you'll go out and paddle around, then this boat is for you. But, if you have even the slightest amount of paddling experience do NOT buy this boat. The Spitfires are very very short, resulting in the worst tracking I've ever experienced. I've paddled other kayaks in it's price range and ALL of them are better at tracking. Each stroke sends you spinning and if you don't have a good technique some paddlers may be overwhelmed. This just about renders it impossible to get up to speed. The yak also has a high center of gravity causing it to be too tippy for a beginner boat. The ONLY advantage I've witnessed with this boat, over other kayaks in it's price range, is it's size. I have paddled the Charger, the next size up in Emotion's lineup, for about 4 years and it puts the Spitfire to shame in ALL aspects of performance, and it's only 15 inches longer. If you have the money, get the Charger. The Spitfire just isn't worth it in my opinion.
4

Family owns 3 Spitfires &…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/27/2010
Family owns 3 Spitfires & ocean paddle along New England rocky coastline & barrier beaches. Spitfire's great boat for getting into coves & tight/low tide spots. Very stable for its size. Carries a lot of gear; must pack wisely. Needs bungees in bow for add'l storage. Molded handles are too shallow to comfortably carry kayak any distance from my PU to launch pt;needs webbed handles.

Biggest problem has been if plastic seatback is set BEYOND absolute vertical upright position, run risk of popping a cleat out of kayak. Neighbor did that by accident when he joined us for an ocean paddle trip recently. Family loves this kayak!

2

I bought this kayak to let…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/24/2010
I bought this kayak to let guests use. It is great for the price but it's like paddling a square. Fun for the kids and in the light waves at the beach.
4

Purchased my Spitfire just a…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/18/2010
Purchased my Spitfire just a week ago and have gone out on the LI Sound twice. It easy to maneuver and felt stable -- much fun, especially in the choppy swells. It is a wet ride. I found myself shifting my rear just to drain the splashy kickbacks. It's light,and posed no problem to tie it alone to my roof-rack. As a beginner, I've been pleased with it. Great price, as has been mentioned.
5

Just returned from a camping…

Submitted by: paddler233747 on 8/9/2010
Just returned from a camping trip in which we used our new Spitfire kayaks for the first time. Awesome fun is the main comment I have. My hubby and I just love them and look forward to going again.--in fact are planning on another outing over Labor day.

Interesting note: hubby is 72 years old and I am 70 and just tried a kayak for the first time over the 4th of July week end. Soooo glad we did. I feel safe and secure in my little Spitfire !!

5

This kayak is awesome. Got…

Submitted by: paddler233444 on 12/2/2009
This kayak is awesome. Got the motor mount from key west paddle sports. Rigged it for fishing and this boat rocks!!!! It flies with an 18lb thrust trolling motor an with a paddle. Stable, fast, cheap, perfect. Caught many fish from this kayak in the lake, river, and my favorite - ocean!!! Overall best kayak in its class.
5

This kayak is perfect for the…

Submitted by: paddler233300 on 8/10/2009
This kayak is perfect for the beginner. At about 225 bucks with tax from Dick's you can't go wrong. I bought one of these for my wife and she loves the boat. I added some carry handles over the "handles" that are molded in and a paddle bungee on the side. The only thing this boat lacks would be some dry storage. This is the best boat in the under $400 class in my opinion.
5

The Spitfire is an awesome…

Submitted by: paddler233267 on 7/29/2009
The Spitfire is an awesome boat for beginners. For the price, you can't go wrong. If you are interested in owning a kayak but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, the Spitfire is the perfect way to go. Kids love it, and for the price, I got each of my kids their own. What more can you ask from a kayak that costs under $300? I think it was a great deal and would definitely recommend to any of my friends looking for a fun beginner boat at a great price.
4

I think for the cost and what…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/8/2009
I think for the cost and what you get this kayak is fantastic. It's perfect for beginners, or solo paddlers because its light weight, easy to handle and very very very stable. I've taught several people who are afraid to kayaking to do so with my Spitfire and they feel confident almost immediately.

I find it tracks very well. The only reason its a 9 and not 10 is that the "hand moldings" are not very deep so its awkward to carry sometimes -- and the "paddle indentions" are nowhere near deep enough to actually put a paddle in - but they do add to the contour of the boat.

It's stable, fun, safe and a great ride for flatwater, Class I rivers, and light surf.

3

Background: I grew up…

Submitted by: paddler233175 on 6/15/2009
Background: I grew up kayaking some and am by no means an expert, but have a pretty good idea what makes for a good kayak. I was looking for something affordable to take down to our river house that was easy to swim off of and durable enough for the kids to take out and play around on.

I took the kayak out for a decent ride this weekend and I'll give it a 5 out of 10. It's definitely nothing fancy, but it was comfortable to ride in and was very stable to swim off of. The tracking was not very good, but for what I'm looking for it was good enough.

Overall, if you're looking for something cheap to just have fun in then this isn't a bad option based on the price, but if you're looking to go for long rides then you'd be better off with a nicer kayak.