Manta Ray 10

This kayak can do it all. I don't even want to hear anyone complain about it otherwise because I have taken this thing through so much. I ocean kayak with it daily and it handles even the largest waves and stormy waters just fine. Anyone can flip any boat, especially in the ocean like I do but that's not usually the boat's fault, it's the kayaker's fault. And if you know how to get back into a kayak properly after flipping it while in water that's over your head, then it's actually not a problem. Anyone who states otherwise with this boat hasn't been properly taught the right maneuvering. I fish in this kayak, go in rivers, the ocean, the Pamilico Sound, I've gone in it with a little over 300 pounds of weight while paddlin against the tide in the Pamilico Sound in 40 mph winds and paddling into the wind. I've owned this kayak for 7 years and it has seen more crap than any other kayak I've ever owned. This is by far the best kayak for beginners through professionals as well as survivalists, in fact, especially for survivalists. I get annoyed with people saying it flips easily because it doesn't. Like I said, any fool can flip a kayak if they're foolish enough to do so and at that, trust me, this thing takes a lot to flip it, I would know

I have owned it for two years. Enjoyed it as my first kayak but I find it difficult in wind - turning and tracking with wind is a problem. It is a great starter. I did flip it by accident - a rather comical swan incident - but it was impossible for me to climb back in with a life jacket. I do recommend it for still water and learning. Dog loved it!!

For a general purpose kayak primarily used for fishing and exploring areas like the Intercoastal Waterway tributaries in Florida this boat is about the best I could find. I'm 5'9" and 165# so a larger person would probably be better served with a 12 foot or longer model.

The boat is stable both for climb-in and while fishing. It also does remarkably well in whitewater given that it isn't really designed for that. I took it down a river in east Tennessee and it managed all of the class I and II rapids easily and even made it through a couple of class IIIs, although it really isn't agile enough for IIIs and above if there are a lot of rocks and I wouldn't try them again.

Follow-up to original review.
Used a base camp, so no need to pack everything on the boat. Boat did very well. Tied a rock to a rope to drag the bottom, help slow the drift in the river. Boat handled the rapids well (class 1 & 2), easy to turn. So far I'm still liking the boat and no problems with the quality.