Osprey

The Heritage Osprey is awesome! I bought one brand new, pretty sure it was in early 2000. So, around 20 years ago, the first time I put it in a lake, I had to straddle over it to sit down into it. Once I put the end of the paddle onto the sandy bottom and pushed off, it seemed a bit tippy as I was paddling. But, I got to the point where I started feeling more confident paddling it, being the greenhorn I was, on my first kayak ride! About a half hour into my first paddling episode, I figured out that the kayak just seemed to maybe be riding a bit too high in the water. So, I pulled it out of the water and on to a sandbar. I got out and looked for a couple good sized rocks about the same size and set one in the front and one in the back holes and put lids back on. After adding some weight, it tracked great, turned great, was fast and most importantly, very stable! I have used the kayak on huge lakes to small rivers. I have loaded it up with 7 to 8 days worth of clothes, food, water, sleep mat, a tent and some goodies, to travel down rivers and sleep overnight on sandbars. This kayak can hold more inside and on top than any other kayak, its same size. I found it could hold more weight than the original weight that the Heritage company said it should! I added some extra cordage, going across the top of the front to hold some extra lighter things. The shell is very thick and very durable. I'll bet you cannot find an all around better, brand new tripper type of kayak, for less than $1,200 that would be any better than my 20 yr old Osprey! Seriously. I am now in my mid 60's and will keep this Osprey until I get to where I cannot physically take it out any more! I have not replaced anything on it, so far. I own a couple canoes and I am buying a new Cresent Crew tandem kayak tomorrow! Another product I am sure, I will also be totally happy to own! If you see a Heritage Osprey for cheap, jump on it! ✌

Still have two of these plastic rec boats for friends - after all these years. My first boat when I got into kayaking and I believe its versatility is the reason that I continued with the sport. Certainly a sea worthy SOT. I go into detail in order to fully acknowledge this boat.

Great for a day boat on lake, slow river, close to shore ocean; more than enough room for camping or filling a compartment with ice and fresh sea food for a killer BBQ, First surf boat (side surfing). Strongly suggest you get knee supports and a small back band and "clamp: yourself into this boat to get the most out of this boat.

This is not your typical barge-like sit on top.
With the back band and knee supports, combined with the rectangular well that you sit inside, you can practice all of the classic sea kayak skills. Edging on turns, sweep strokes, draw sweeps, backwards paddling (aggressively if you like; up and over incoming waves). It's really a sit-in, sit-on-top and feels more like a traditional kayak because you are not up on top of the water line.

This SOT boat is a bit tippy (initially) for beginners but the tri-hedral hull creates mini-outriggers up and out from the main section of the kayak hull. This boat therefore is extremely stable (secondary stability) in bumpy water. The secondary stability is so good you can tilt the boat at a 75% angle and sit in it sideways. (This is a good skill to play with to fully understand how stable this boat is in bumpy water, especially once you learn the value and safety of loose hips. I believe my confidence in paddling over or through waves is due to this hull shape.

I had a great time once in a Pacific Ocean bay during a storm when the only things on the water was sea foam and gnarly sail boarders. And I felt very comfy bobbing around and keeping out of the way of the sail boarders.

When paddling on flat water, with a minimum of balance consciousness you can keep the mini-outriggers out of the water, thus reducing the hull width which in turn increases speed. This has got to be the fastest SOT for the length. Don't think you will keep up with friends in sea kayaks but you can keep them in sight. The hull is shaped with a permanent skeg which makes paddling straight a breeze and the bow is shaped to slice through the water.

Cons: The tippy initial stability makes it difficult to get in from the water from the side so the "cowboy straddle" from the stern is the only practical way to climb back in. (However, now that I think of it, I've never tried to tilt the yak and haul myself in from the side with my back to the kayak. I and gymnasts should try this.)

Because of the initial "tippy' stability, this is not a great boat to fish out of but you can if you are cautious when turning around for gear. My supervisor/friend kept the boats for years for fishing exclusively. Also not great for hauling up crab nets. He is quoted in saying, "Those boats! They're fast. I couldn't get my wife off the lake on our vacation."

Has one hole for drainage which means it takes time for the water to drain. If a venturi type system like those on surf skis was added it would help with the speed of drainage. If you're paddling a SOT and don't want your butt wet, stay in the harbor when the wind doesn't blow.

Don't ever try to eskimo roll this thing. But SOT paddlers never want to do this anyway.

If you find a Heritage Osprey on Craig's List, you've been educated.

I've had my Osprey for 3 years now and I think it is a great boat. People who are not used to a sit on top or are just trying the boat out for the first time tend to label it "tippy". I find this to be untrue once you've been inside it for a good paddle. I have never capsized my Osprey and I can comfortably fish and move around in the boat. My only complaints would be the seat is not terribly comfortable but I think most of that problem lies in my choice of PFD and not the seat itself. Also, the track that secures the foot pegs has sharp edges, watch your calves. If you are looking into one of these boats I highly reccomend it. My only suggestion would be to spend the extra money on a good PFD designed for kayaking and also pick up a set of the Ocean Kayak paddle clips (they cost $12 and give you a very convenient place to stick your paddle).

I have had this kayak for the longest of any of the 6 that we own right now, and paddle it the most of any of them. I am 6'2" and have to pull outht e footpegs, but it is just right then, tracks good, stable enough to fish, easy to paddle moderate (4-5 miles) distances. Love it for the salt ponds in Rhode island that we paddle in.

Nicely designed for an "all round " rec kayak. However, a short test paddle convinced me that this was not the boat for my needs. Initial stability was lacking due to it's 24" waterline beam. 29" overall beam did stop the boat once it leaned. Still, it felt very "tippy" for this WS Pungo and Loon 138 owner. The Osprey is not idealy suited to a novice wanting it primarily as a fishing yak IMHO. I'd give it an 8 as an allround boat ( hatches leaked a bit and it did catch some wind)but a 6 as a fishing yak for the initial stability issue. Not sure I could ever get "comfortable" enough to concentrate on fishing out of it for long.