Polarity 16.5

16' 6"
Length
25.6"
Width (in)
90
Weight (lb)
$1,699.99
MSRP

Polarity 16.5 Description

The fastest rotomolded tandem and amongst the shortest and easiest to handle, the Polarity has this distinctive catamaran hull that makes it quick, stable and durable all at once. Plenty of room for storage in the front and rear compartments, a full lifeline and lots of deck rigging complement this fun boat with a touch of safety and convenience.

Polarity 16.5 Specs and Features

  • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
  • Cockpit Type: Sit Inside
  • Seating Configuration: Tandem
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Additional Attributes

  • Pilot rudder system
  • THERMOLITE HATCH COVER
  • EASY-TO-TRACK TUNNEL HULL
  • ADVANCED CONTOUR-FIT OUTFITTING
  • SAFETY STRAPS

Where to Buy the Polarity 16.5

Riot Kayaks
Polarity 16.5 Reviews

Read reviews for the Polarity 16.5 by Riot Kayaks as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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3

Too small for a tandem.…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 4/12/2021
Too small for a tandem. Boxes not waterproof. Not stable in big waves. I changed to a Boréal Esperanto.
4

Just a nice safe family…

Submitted by: osopolar on 7/13/2016
Just a nice safe family kayak, but seats are still a challenge and are too close for comfort and paddling!
Overall a little heavy to load and unload to top of vehicles so you better have a trailer.
5

This is a great boat. I own a…

Submitted by: paddler236220 on 5/11/2015
This is a great boat. I own a 18.5 Delta expedition and this boat is almost as fast. It is more stable than any kayak I have ever paddled. Its rotomolded polyethylene construction makes it nice to be able to beach it anywhere without much concern about scratching it. I purchased this boat to spend more time with my wife who is not a water person. Second time out, we were caught in a windstorm on Lake Mead and had to paddle though 2.5 foot waves for over 2 miles.

This boat was more stable than I would have ever believed. I figured my wife's kayaking days were over after that trip but she said that she was never scared and actually had fun. Cannot get much better than that.

4

I am an outfitter, and had 2…

Submitted by: novashores on 12/7/2007
I am an outfitter, and had 2 of these boats this summer, and overall, was very pleased with them. I had them out in quite rough water, paddling in it myself with my nephew, and it was a blast. Think I scared the nephew a bit as I really put the boat through the motions in and around the rocks. Very good maneuverability for a double.

The one area that I had a bit of trouble with is that the seats are closer together than some doubles. This really puts the onus on paddlers being in sync with one another. If you can do this, then you will be fine. Could be more of a challenge with taller paddlers, well, paddlers with longer arms. This is going to be a negative with a double that comes in at 16'6".

The other alternative, to allow more paddling arm room is the Carolina Perception Tandem, but then the stern seat is so far back, it rides with the bow way up with different weight paddlers.

The Polarity also shines as a kayak for you and your child! It is very easy to control and paddle the boat from the stern seat no matter what the bow paddler is doing. This, combined with the weight savings of a shorter tandem, make this boat very easy to handle. I can lug it around by myself without too much problem (sure, I do this for a living, but you get the point. There aren't many other doubles that you can put up on a roof rack by yourself if you know what you are doing).

My rating of an 8 is really an average rating for the boat. The rating moves up if you are buying the boat for the right proposes... and down if you know you and your partner cannot paddle in sync! Thought we were going to have one divorce out on the ocean over that one time too!

4

Have owned a polarity now for…

Submitted by: jaws on 10/10/2006
Have owned a polarity now for almost a year. This is a tandem kayak. Poly 16ft. 6in. long 26in. width. This is the most fun tandem you will ever paddle. With my 4yr. old grand daughter in the front cockpit my son in a sirocco can't keep up. It handles like a single. Put on edge and it will turn inside most singles. But the main thing is its just plain fun to paddle.Will put a smile on your face every time you take it out. Try one!