Hula

I've been surfing on sit on tops for 4 years and bought the Islander Hula for use in surf.

What is good: The quality of the finish is high. The kayak is pretty well bullet proof and the plastic is soft and comfortable on the bum and feet.

What is not so good: The design is dated. It is heavy for its size (20 kilos). It tracks badly on flat water and the bulbous nose ploughs into the surf when descending a wave making it difficult to turn.

Summary: There are more modern, lighter designs out there and the model is well past its sell by date.

Really fun little boat, manverable, catches waves well, and flat enough for me to nap on comfortably, my favorite up in the mangroves, easy to get on and off of with no scrapes. water bottle holder is right where you need it, could use a small storage area for a six pack though. I'm 5'8" 160lbs and have stood on it like a surfboard in small waves. affordable, well built, sturdy product for surfing and relaxing.

This is a fun boat but I wouldn't recommend it for big paddlers. I had great fun with it on the beach - what I bought it for - playing in the waves in Pensacola. My teenage daughter totally loves it. She thinks it is her boat now. She used it on the Hiwassee (Class II) and on the Okatoma (Class I). It is very maneuverable, turns on a dime, so doesn't really track great. It is light, easy to cartop and carry and easy to store. For the price it is a great boat. We used it more this summer than any of my 4 other boats!!

I purchased two Islander Hulas this Spring as Great Lakes surf kayaks and fun play boats for my kids (two are teenagers) and as a no wind alternative to my windsurfing addiction. The kids have used the boats a lot and even my eight year old loves it. She can handle it on flat water with no problem. Yesterday was our first chance to use them in 3-4 ft. Lake Huron waves. What a blast. I’ve used a Wilderness System Kaos and a Perception Torrent for surf kayaking at Cape Hatteras and the Hulas compare very well. I’m 6 ft., 180 lbs and, even though the boat is small, I had no problem catching the waves. The Hula felt more stable on the wave than either the Torrent or Kaos although it also seemed far more directional and I had trouble initiating a carve on the wave. The Hulas also seemed less prone to pearling when catching the wave or when trying to bust through them on the way out than the Kaos. The somewhat bulbous nose is probably the reason.The Hula also has a ‘softer’ design than either the Kaos or Torrent meaning I have far fewer bruises today. The Kaos was especially hard on the ankles as the foot braces were molded as hard edges. My 13 year old son (5’4”, 100 lbs) also used the boat and had a great time. He didn’t feel like he was being overwhelmed like he’s had on the Torrent because the Hula is smaller.I wondered about the durability of the plastic fittings but after some great wipe outs, lots of pressure on the thigh straps and the paddle leash being attched to one fitting, there were no problems. There was some water in the hull after our four hours of playing but no more than I’ve had with the Kaos or Torrent and certainly not enough to affect performance. Summary: The Hula is a great recreational surf kayak and play boat with a price that’s hard to beat. I highly recommend it for small to moderate surf. Final comment- wear a helmet on even the small days. I lost count of the number of times the boat grazed my helmeted head during wipe outs.

I chose the Hula for several reasons: Budget, I wasn't experienced in closed cockpit, versatility. I use the Hula on Class II and III whitewater, and boy is it fun. I like getting splashed and being right there, so its okay for me. A little tippy at times, mostly because it is narrow and I am a big guy (6'2'', 220lbs.) It also can carve a nice edge. For a beginner with no roll to speak of, and one staying on II and III, this is a great boat.