Santee 126 Sport

Nice boat...tracks well, turns Great for a 12.5 footer, edges well. The seat is OK...not as supportive as a Pungo seat. I have to sit way back in the seat to get the full back support, but then my hips are on the plastic cup holders...very uncomfortable. Can’t see paddling a long time in this boat if I can’t get the seat right. The cup/gear holders in the side are kind of worthless.

Having enjoyed paddling a Hurricane Skimmer 140 and finding that paddling lighter weight kayaks enhances ones paddling experience. On recent paddles my spouse struggled to keep up with me on the Skimmer 140 paddling her rotomolded hybrid SUP/kayak. She decided it was time to experience paddling a traditional kayak. Her being claustrophobic, she was always apprehensive of small enclosed cockpits. Down to our local Hurricane dealer we went. We viewed the Santee line of kayaks and at the recommendation of the sales associate decided to demo a Santee 126 Sport. The sport is a traditional sit in kayak with a 55” x 24” cockpit. The added openness of the cockpit allayed any fears of claustrophobia. We loaded up a red Santee 126 Sport and off we went to a local creek with our Skimmer 140 in tow. We took turns paddling both kayaks, vastly different yet both were easily paddled, had great glide and were comfortable for I being 6’5” and my spouse 5’6”. The Santee 126 sport weighing in at 39lbs is easily handled by my wife, she’s able to load and unload the Santee herself. Her confidence with paddling with others is vastly improved as she’s able to keep up with the longer touring boats, something she wasn’t able to do with her rotomolded hybrid. Now our paddling adventures are a toss up of who wants to paddle the Santee or the Skimmer. Both Hurricane kayaks are great performers, depending on your preference for a SIK or a SOT. We are pleased with our kayaks, my spouse laying claim to ‘her’ Santee 126 Sport and my choice of the Skimmer 140. If you’re new to the sport or looking to upgrade to a lightweight kayak, we strongly encourage you to demo a Santee 126 Sport or any of the Hurricane Aquasports kayaks. We have been nothing but pleased with our Hurricane kayaks.

This kayak has allowed me to go when other kayaks wouldn’t. Light weight enough for a “senior” to load on her own. Been paddling my Hurricane for over 6 years. Since then friends have purchased Hurricanes and love them too! You will never regret going lighter, especially as you get older. Well worth the $

For a small and large cockpit kayak this is a great product. The hull design makes it almost as fast as a kayak at least 2 feet longer. Its beamy enough so that it rides waves well, yet low enough to the water so as not to get caught up in the wind. Turns well and with little effort. Secondary stability is amazing. If going out in chop you should have a half cockpit cover to keep some of the water out.

I would highly recommend this kayak to anyone who wants light, strong and quick as a primary or secondary boat.

I purchased a Santee 126 Sport brand new in 2016. I selected this model for the wide open cockpit it offers and the lightweight construction. Purchased the optional Sport Console for keeping additional items and handy water bottle holder. Like the Gear Trac that came with it where I mounted a Yak Attack paddle holder when I need to put it away to take a quick photo.

The only 2 negatives I have is the sides flex too much when gripping making an exit. Improvement is need there for reinforcement. The other is the seat back which should of be higher for better support. The later models now have a seat back to my understanding.

Nicely balanced and never felt it would tip over on me. Love the Mango color.

Have had this yak for a month and put many miles on it. Overall it is one of the nicest light-weight boats (39 lbs.) I have ever paddled. It is very stable. My 16-foot kayak is only a little bit faster than this boat. Fit and finish are second to none.The larger cockpit makes for easy entry/exits as well as having items readily at hand. Setting foot pegs is so easy, I often adjust while paddling to give my back and seat a rest. Seat is contoured and has several adjustments for bottom and back. Be nice to have a cockpit specific cover as the seal 7.0 is a bit too big and therefore does not sit very well and hook is on wrong end. This is a superior product and easy to put on car. Great price for a great kayak!

Love it, especially the comfy seat, I have a back problem but was able to get the seat fully adjusted while under way in one trip instead of having to land for every adjustment, due to easily accessible adjusters. At 28" beam, the 126 paddled easier and tracked straighter than the similar 28" beam 116, due to the extra length of the 126. (personal preference).

Now, I won't say "you get what you pay for", or the hull material is "flimsy", this is a nice boat but also a "delicate" boat.....I saw one that had a long crack along the cockpit cowling perhaps from someone putting all their weight on it getting in or out, (I heard the company has taken steps to address this issue though, and not a good idea to sit on a boat made of thin material anyway).

Bottom line this is a really nice light weight and economically priced boat that should last a good many years if you handle it with care...maybe don't sit on the cockpit flaring full weight to get in or out for example, I've seen other boats too that would not stand up to that, to be fair.

I plan on doing some ocean paddling , and if water comes in the bow as some mentioned, will get a "half" skirt, and "presto", a sea kayak.....what the heck, before the kayak boom, people would be out there in open canoes. Oh, love the padded carrying handles, easy on the palms.

So, the only "con" is I'd like the material to be stiffer, but that would also mean a stiffer price, and there are enough things to like about the boat to make me happy with my purchase.

Purchased two of the Santee 126 Sport Kayaks in September of 2014. Have been out 5 times last season and 4 times so far in 2015. We love the kayaks. They glide easily on the water. Seats are comfortable. Foot pedals are easy to adjust with wands on each side! We have used these on lakes in rough and calm waters. We transport with J-bars on a trailblazer. They are lite weight about 42 lbs and easy to load!

Very happy with this kayak, We use it on rivers, lakes, and gulf flats. It is easy to paddle, turn, and glides well. The kayak is easy to carry and getting in and out of is a pleasure. We go about 8 miles on a normal paddle and the seat is comfortable.

Is the kayak perfect, well no. If you are in large waves the large cockpit will take some water on. I have other kayaks for large waves and believe the Santee is a good rec kayak.