Trophy 144 (12FT)

I have owned this kayak since about 2010 and love it. It is very, very stable. It has no problem meeting large wakes from passing boats. I sometimes let them come side-on, and sometimes nose into them, depending on the size. I am outfitting it with a trolling motor currently. Oh, oh, I can hear the purists groan but I have shoulder injuries so need a little assistance. Besides I want to use it for fishing and trolling makes sense. It is one of the easiest kayaks to add a trolling motor to because of the two fishing rod holders. I changed the rod holders so they point outward so I can attach my cross piece level for attaching the motor. Love it and can't wait to try it out.

I'll follow up on previous reviews. Some say speed is slow on the dihydral hull boat. I disagree, I ran this yak going all out and reached a gps top speed sustained of 6 mph. Not bad for an old geezer. I then tried the same gps clocking on an 8' smaller yak and sustained a 6mph speed on that. Bottom line this big ole sit in yak will go just as fast as a smaller one using the proper sized paddle.
I agree the seating is pretty uncomfortable, but with additional padding is ok. Also To give your back a break you can stand up a sit your butt on the back hull in calmer waters. Good position to sit while fishing too.
I've had no leaks in 2 years. However the first time I used this Kayak a foot rest broke. Dunhams sports took care of the problem by replacing the whole kayak with a new one. No problem since then.
Bottom line.....great kayak for the price!

When it gets closer to summer I plan on taking it out for a camping trip - I have simulated a camping load already and it easily fits a Coleman 4-man sundome tent with tons of storage room to spare for other gear. I'll need space for food, as catching it might be a challenge for me.

If you are looking at getting out on the water instead of fishing by land, and/or getting some exercise this is a very good kayak to start with. I have never used a $500+ model bit for $350 at west marine I feel I got an excellent deal for something that gets me out of the house and a few hours a week away from children and the office.

I'm sure the more expensive models track 10% or 15% better and have more gadgets but if you are a once a week social kayaker - this is the best!!!

I'm 6 ft, weigh 180 lbs can carry it around without breaking my back (though it is 58lbs) and cannot see myself breaking any part of this kayak unless I take an axe to it.

The bad:
Weak handles, over 60 lbs.,

Overall:
I got this boat at Dicks for 300 dollars. There is no better SOT fishing yack for 300 dollars. I have taken this boat over 100 miles and there are no flaws in it. The front well is big, and can hold a lot. I think it holds over 400 pounds... that's a lot.
I am very happy that I bought it.

The performance of this kayak is great. Their brochure talks about a dihedral hull that helps with stability and performance and from what I can see they are exactly right. I'm a big guy, 6'0" and 220 pounds and the Trophy 144 is comfortable and stable and paddles great. It's not the lightest or fastest kayak I have ever owned, but I'm fishing not racing and this kayak fits my needs exactly.

I saw a Trophy 126 at Dick's and might pick up this kayak for my 12 year old son. He fishes with me out of a boat, but never out of a kayak. I'd feel good about him fishing out of a Trophy because of the stability and solid construction.

I noticed the boat was VERY stable. I could aid my steering by leaning which was nice. However I was frequently struggling to keep up with the pack, because this thing is SLOW. A friend had the shorter 126 which seemed much faster. I noticed that the drain seal had cracked (cheap plastic) and was mildly upset about that but not enough to return it. For $350 I had something that I enjoyed kayaking in, so I felt that was reasonable and the cracked drain really didn't inhibit its function.

While paddling hard downstream one of the foot pegs snapped off. That was it. The final straw, paddling 5 miles home with only one foot peg, I knew I was taking it back. When I returned it the store manager said that every one he had sold came back because the rear hatch seal was broke. He said that the company was in Canada and that they were aware of the issue and weren't willing to do anything about it. The store manager was completely pleasant and willing to take it back.

So now I'm shopping again and leaning toward a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140...more money, but reliability is worth something, especially when on the water or in the wild.