Sprinter

I’d spearfished off my scupper-pro for 10+ yrs then thought I’d try the Ocean kayak Sprinter, for extra range, about a year ago. Sooooo glad I did - yeah it feels a bit tippy but have not fallen off yet. I’m 90kg (on a good day) and 6ft and I load up my Freediving gear and weight belt and all in the back hatch, which is a good big space. I bought another cover and cut into the front hatch (was formed but not cut), and have managed to get my full overnight camping gear in there - It’s heavy like that but ok. For balance, swing your legs out when resting and it’s just as stable as the scupper pro. Getting back in is more tippy but it’s quite ok. Now I get much more speed, and often just take it for a nice fun paddle. I’m yet to deal with really rough conditions in it- even in a short chop it gets turned sideways a bit and feels quite tippy requiring concentration. Also it’s great for my kids (9 & 11) - with their lower centre of gravity they don’t fall out often (!) but can keep up with me on my other kayaks

Its speed makes it a really enjoyable boat to paddle. On the first decent fishing trip I fished 30km of coastline, if I was in my Cabo or Scupper, my shoulders would have been drooping at the end of the 5 hour trip. I've had it out in 30knot wind and short steep chop and was impressed by its stability (especially secondary). When I am stationary fishing over reef offshore I have a small telescopic outrigger system which makes stability bombproof. If you have been kayak fishing for a while and want to step up the speed of your craft a few notches this is the kayak for you.

I have paddled this yak 20 miles in one day (out to the Content Keys and back) and it was effortless. I wish it had a tank well for storage of cooler and fishing equipment. I always use this yak for distance paddling.

It is easy to car top as it is so long it loads (one end first) like a sea kayak. The rudder and peddles work very well and are super fast to adjust. Upwind and downwind it is superb. Cross wind and cross waves I am still a bit nervous in it but I already feel my core muscles and balance improving so this is probably a problem with me and not the boats stability.

It has quite a reassuring secondary stability that I didn't think was there but found when I messed up. The two times I have nearly tipped have laughably been when gliding and not paddling. The boat is so low to the water that when you balance the paddle across the gunwales it is common for one blade to catch the water and give you a surprise. I started using my wooden Greenland style paddle and this cured the problem. Very long slim blades. It also slowed me down to sub-divorce speeds when paddling with the family.

The only real negative is that at 15stone I am constantly sitting in a few inches of water. I have not tried scupper plugs but will update if they help. I kayak in a light wetsuit or cycling tights which dry quickly so no real problem. Might think differently in the middle of winter?

All in all a great boat. Will buy another if I manage to kill this one. (Unless I try a cobra eliminator and love it more.)

Fast, incredibly stable under way and seaworthy. Turns on a dime with rudder and lean action. Initial stability may be somewhat of an issue on the very first time the boat is used, after a couple of times on the boat, it's easy to handle. Secondary stability is amazing for a boat this narrow

We use a low back rest to reinforce correct posture. We paddle in flat water and open ocean, handling up to 4 foot swells in any direction, surfs swell without burying the nose while shifting weight. We don't surf breaking waves.

Windy days are no problem, the Sprinter tracks well with the rudder system provided. The adjustable foot rests allow for applying forward paddling technique and rotation. The rudder can be set in two ways, depending on the desired sensitivity to foot pressure. The boat's handling without rudder is tricky but possible, due to the rocker line which enables turning and surfing, but also makes the rudderless boat sensible to side shifting of bodyweight.

Forward and back hatches are appropriate in size and the rubber covers provide an hermetic seal. The day hatch right between the legs is very accessible for hydration and light food, I just fitted it with a mesh bag attached to the hatch cover.

I have to give the Sprinter a 10, because, for a plastic sit on top kayak, it does extremely well for the way we like to paddle and it adjusted very well to our different body sizes and weights. After Sprinter, a glass surfski!!!