Journey 10 SS

10'
Length
30"
Width (in)
44
Weight (lb)
discontinued

This Product Has Been Discontinued

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Journey 10 SS Description

The Journey 10 SS is great for lakes and rivers and to get to those excluded fishing spots and tracks and paddles with ease while offering maximum stability.

Journey 10 SS Specs and Features

  • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
  • Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
  • Seating Configuration: Solo
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Additional Attributes

  • Two Flush Mount Rod Holders Aft
  • One swivel rod holder
  • Hands-free electronics console (Bluetooth speaker and dry bag optional)
  • Shock cord deck rigging
  • Large open cockpit with adjustable padded seat

Sun Dolphin
Journey 10 SS Reviews

Read reviews for the Journey 10 SS by Sun Dolphin 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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4

I love this yak, have it for…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 3/10/2021
I love this yak, have it for 6 years now and handles great. Only complaint i have is the rear storage lid is a bear to get off. Have to eventually pry it out with a fkathead screwdriver.
3

We bought this product in…

Submitted by: paddler883935 on 10/4/2020
We bought this product in 2019 from a friend back home in Arizona whilew e were visiting family up in Utah. We had been kayaking with family using there kayaks, when we saw a friend of ours selling hers brand new never used $150.00, so we called her up and said hold it we want it when we get back. When we got back home to southern az, we bought another one identical to this one at tractor supply for a little over $200.00. So now me and my wife have matching fishing kayaks. We finally got them out summer of 2020. Ok as per other reviews Very unstable at first felt like we were going to tip it. We have rented ocean kayaks in Hawaii, and last year kayacked with family in northern Utah, and never felt this unstable, was weird. We spent around 6 hours out on the lake paddling and beaching them getting used to them. We also spent a few days up in the mountains north east of us having fun with them. i remember my wifes first time reaching for her beverage in front, she felt like she was going to tip. Positive thing is we have gotten used to them and never tipped, more use the better you can handle it. As many of the reviews ther tracking suck as well, like to turn left 360 degree. To wobble to reach behind in the dry storage compartment. Nope not going to happen. When me and my wife go out we paddle up to one another and reach over in the others kayak to open the dry compartment. So that's easy for us. One thing i did not notice in a review is the aft dry compartment cap is a mother to get off, especially on the new one, I have had to use a hammer to twist it off. I have lubed it up as well, but it can be tight to get off, so we don't tighten it all the way . Tes we get water on the seat no biggie, funny thing mine i bought from a friend has 4 scupper holes and my wifes has only 2 in the seat area on the new one. Not sure why. Not sure where to or if we need plugs, we are used to wet butts. We have not fished on theses or will attempt to, i cant imagine trying to unstable no way. Bottom line is with some practice and balance they are pretty easy now, tracking still sucks, but not end of world, We just cruise around the lake go beach it, hang out, get back on have a few beverages. PROS. Didn't cost an arm and leg less then 400 for both. Decent store room for whatever, we store water and beer, and use a dry bag up front for food, take a couple beverages and put them up front near ya before ya go. Practice makes it better keep getting used to them. CONS> Unstable from side to side at first. Has a mind of her own when wanting to do a 360 degree going left. Cant reach back compartment with out getting more unstable. Back compartment twist off is a pain to get off very tight. I cant imaging trying to fish in this . No plugs came with ours. We are keeping ours and so far have been a lot of fun , BTW they are not that light LOL, We pull our two in our ATV trailer easy peasy...
2

Very unstable, high center of…

Submitted by: paddler879801 on 9/24/2020
Very unstable, high center of gravity, tracks poorly. Not for adults. Best for kids playing on beach. Low price point but more a toy than a boat.
2

It’s not 10 foot. It’s 9 and…

Submitted by: paddler876420 on 9/17/2020

It’s not 10 foot. It’s 9 and a half.....

4

First off, I’m only rating it…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/24/2020
First off, I’m only rating it 4 stars because I have only had the kayak for 1 day. I bought mine from a coworker. This is my first kayak as I usually use canoes for my water activities. Upon first entering the kayak I noticed the scupper holes, the 2 scuppers on the seat made my shorts wet. The side to side stability was questionable at first but once I found my center in the craft it was pretty decent. Tracking was horrendous at first but once again as I adjusted to the boat it improved. Most of my issues with this kayak were resolved as I got used to it. I will say the paddle that comes with it is hot garbage, the blades are too flexible and don’t give you enough leverage to push off of say a boat ramp. Overall though launching, rowing and recovering were far easier then trying to do it by yourself with a canoe.
3

I have two Sun Dolphin Aruba…

Submitted by: paddler815853 on 7/7/2020
I have two Sun Dolphin Aruba 10's. Very nice Kayaks. I decided to get two sit on top models and I wanted to stay with Sun Dolphins so I purchased the Journey 10 SS. Tracking is awful. When you stop paddling it turns to the right everytime. Then it's a struggle to get going straight again. I'm exhausted after taking these out. The holes in the bottom I filled with a silicon caulk to keep water from getting in. The Aruba 10's go straight when you stop paddling. Just FYI
1

This kayak dumped me in the…

Submitted by: paddler793278 on 6/8/2020
This kayak dumped me in the middle of a large lake and I nearly drowned. A seam or something leaked and filled the shell of the kayak up with water. This made the boat's weight distribution uneven and waves in the lake from the wind dumped me. This was such a scary experience. Had this kayak for about 3 years and tracked horribly. This kayak is also quite unstable, reason for it dumping me. A bystander had to save me, I about drowned.
1

I purchased this kayak new as…

Submitted by: paddler773966 on 5/11/2020
I purchased this kayak new as I enjoy kayak fishing but my 8.5 foot kayaks were just a little to small for my gear. I have been in many different shapes, size, style kayaks never have i been in one where the tracking was so terrible and the stability side to side is horrendous. Do not waste your money on this kayak. The design is extremely underdeveloped and needs serious improvements. The kayak is not worth anything to sell and I am outside of a return time frame so this kayak will more than likely be given to someone else or trashed. Back to the drawing board.
5

Nice inexpensive Kayak,…

Submitted by: garyt27 on 5/3/2020
Nice inexpensive Kayak, Tracks ok, good stability. Shop around for best price as some colors or cheaper.
2

Bought two of these as a…

Submitted by: paddler770648 on 5/3/2020
Bought two of these as a black friday deal and finally got them out in the water today. The kayak itself is super comfortable, wide cockpit, adjustable leg room, and tons of storage compartments and fishing rod holders and such, but it is SO unstable! I've kayaked many times in my life and never experienced the side to side wobbliness that I did on a very flat, calm lake today. We planned on doing some fishing, especially since it's marketed as an angler kayak, but we weren't comfortable reaching behind us to grab our gear, let alone casting, reeling, and leaning over to get fish into the boat. Already started looking for my next kayak, unfortunately.
4

Love the Kayak. No problems…

Submitted by: paddler766233 on 4/28/2020
Love the Kayak. No problems with tracking. I found 2 issues that should be addressed... the seat is extremely uncomfortable... went in a 3 hour float and it was uncomfortable... and the foot peg things. I took them off and sitting was a little odd.
2

We purchased this kayak to…

Submitted by: Charwest on 1/30/2020

We purchased this kayak to replace and 8' Lifetime kayak that we had owned for 3 years. When examining it in the store we were impressed with the storage, adjustable footrests and the padded knee rests. Easily holds all the needed fishing gear.

My husband took it out first, and was not impressed with it at all. So, I decided I needed to take it out and give it a spin. After having the Lifetime, this one did not measure up, at all. First, when I sat on top of the kayak, I thought it was going to tip me into the water. Not good. Still determined, I took the paddle and went off with the rest of the group. I had a hard time keeping up as the kayak just would not track straight. Very uncomfortable with the stability. I knew right away, being in my 60's, that this was not the kayak for me. I finished out the day trip, then went home and sold it.

1

If I could give it negative…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 1/30/2020

If I could give it negative 5 stars I would. This is the worst tracking and by FAR THE LEAST STABLE yak I've ever been in and I won't even get into scupper and storage issues. Do yourself a favor and pay up for quality, you won't regret it.

5

many water miles and…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/5/2019

many water miles and recreation on several lakes handles tight in all situations, balanced to please and easy to load and unload

4

I use this Kayak on a…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/29/2019

I use this Kayak on a reservoir to fish for hours. Pretty stable and easy to paddle. I mounted three rod holders and 2 side mounted handles for convenience, (1 in the front and 2 in the rear). I made a small wheel cart to transport from car to water & return using old lawn mower wheels and a frame to a tub chair. I bungee cord the cart to the rear while I fish so I don't have to bring back and forth from the car. Rear compartment is adequate size for storing medical supplies and safety gear. I stuffed extra foam padding anywhere I could to maximize float-ability.

5

After 2 years of reading…

Submitted by: paddler524806 on 7/8/2019

After 2 years of reading reviews and looking around for a good deal, I finally decided to pull the trigger. TSC had a great deal on this yak. $229+tax. It came with a paddle, removable rod holder, seat cusions, and the big storage compartment. I'm a newbie still, but this thing goes straight if you paddle deliberately. If you aren't paying attention, you can make it veer off course easily, which I would think is true of most kayaks. Imo, most negatives about tracking and tipping are user error. It was a little shaky at first, but once I found my center, I had no issues. 6' 187lbs. The adjustable foot rests are great. It took a few adjustments to get it where I wanted them. The seat back is adjustable as well. I can't say that I'd want to hook into a big fish on it, but I guess that would depend on your ability to stay balanced. Overall, from a rookie, a good kayak.

4

It is amazing and it is easy…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 4/2/2019

It is amazing and it is easy to mount a fish finder on and a good way to start a kid on. Im 15 and I use it all the time to fish local bass fishing tournaments in Arkansas.

3

I give this a 3 because it…

Submitted by: dallanta on 1/7/2019

I give this a 3 because it is in the middle of the rating scheme. I got a Journey 10 SS for Christmas and have not actually had a chance to use it yet. That being said, Mine came with real nice scupper plugs and dual skegs, unlike what I have been reading about. My only complaint so far is length. It is advertised as a 10 ft kayak. Mine measures exactly 9 feet.

4

I bought this model kayak 2…

Submitted by: sjlasley on 11/30/2018

I bought this model kayak 2 years ago after I got my husband into kayaking and couldn't get him out of my Ascend. First 5 minutes on the water, I thought I'd hate it. But I had to get used to its difference in stability and tracking. Once I did, it was fine. I've used it a LOT! Great for the price! Haven't ever tipped. Have taken my dog out for rides in it, too. Couldn't find plugs to correctly fit the scupper holes, so I got a rubber seat cushion for about $6 that keeps my rear dry and also provides a little comfort.

5

Plug the scupper holes and…

Submitted by: paddler477697 on 11/27/2018

Plug the scupper holes and you won't get wet. Put a skeg on it and it'll track like an arrow. A set of home made outriggers will make it stable enough to stand up and fish.

3

Rookie here, I read reviews…

Submitted by: paddler472179 on 10/8/2018

Rookie here, I read reviews on this kayak before I bought it. I was on the fence. I had to find out for myself. I wanted to have fun, this kayak is unstable doesn't track very well. If you spend a little time in it you learn to control it and doesn't feel as tipsy. I made it work for me, but it took the fun out of the experience. It was too much work to have fun and I really never felt relaxed. I liked all the features it had. I never did feel confident enough to reach behind me. As far as getting wet, not a problem with that. I went in knowing that you get wet in a kayak. This is a lightweight easy to load and unload kayak . If you don't mind working for your fun this is the kayak for you. I know that it is a $300 kayak and one shouldn't expect perfection. There are better kayaks out there for $300. Pelican, Future Beach. Remember that they are $300 but not as much work for your fun.

4

I am very pleased with this…

Submitted by: paddler466278 on 9/10/2018

I am very pleased with this kayak. For it's price point it's a great value. I've read a lot about tracking issues but have not experienced any my self. My kayak is new purchased 8/2019. My hull has 2 skegs as part of the mold, a padded seat bottom and only 2 scupper hols near the seat. It also included scupper plugs & I've never had a wet butt. When I look up this model online it shows 6 scuppers, no seat pad and everyone complains about finding the plugs??? Has Sundolphin updated this model? The paddle is not very good, but at least you get something included where as most other fishing kayaks include nothing. The storage is great and so far mine has proven to 100% dry but I'm not banking on that. If you're on the fence, go for it. It's an inexpensive way to get off shore. For what it's worth, I am 6'1" and weigh 200lbs.

2

We purchased three of these…

Submitted by: paddler465288 on 9/10/2018

We purchased three of these Journey 10 SS sit-on 10' kayaks from Tractor Supply. We took them straight to the lake. Within 10 minutes my seat had an inch of water in it and I was soaked. My husband and son (who do weigh a little less) were only slightly wet in the seat area. My advice to you - if you will be using these in calm water - plug the scupper holes! I went to Field & Stream and bought a Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT sit-in 10' kayak. I stayed perfectly dry! It doesnt have all of the fancy compartments or rod holders but I love my Pelican.

5

This has been fun and…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/9/2018

This has been fun and frustrating at the same time. Although tippy at first, i realized it had everything to do with my confidence on the water in a new kayak. Track was not perfect but ot is a10 footer. I found super plus at big five. I modified them with a pair of scissor s cutting off the second plug. Fit its now snug.. like a glove. I got mine for a great price and i don't worry about breaking on rocks, gravel or sand. Drilling and doing modification is not scary. It isn't an expensive water craft. Get over and get out there...live

5

So far, I love my new…

Submitted by: paddler454232 on 7/18/2018

So far, I love my new baby!!! Took a little getting used to just cause I'm used to borrowing a "sit in" kayak. This is a sit on. But i can definitly fish from it. Now i just gotta name & chrissan her;)

1

Bought this kayak hoping to…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/16/2018

Bought this kayak hoping to get a decent angling sit on top kayak for a reasonable price. Well, I have bad news for you, these cheaper sit on top kayaks just aren't worth fooling with. This particular model, the Journey 10, is the tippiest boat I've ever been in. If you come anywhere near the capacity limit just forget it. My wife, who weighs 140 pounds less than the weight limit had tipping issues with it too, so I know it's not just my size. Not to mention this thing does the aquatic equivalent of a 360 donut once you stop paddling (terrible tracking). Lesson learned, if you want a decent sit on top, you're just gonna have to shuck out the extra dough. Don't waste your time with this thing. The fact it was selling at Walmart should've been a red flag.

4

Great kayak for bass fishing…

Submitted by: paddler444431 on 6/25/2018

Great kayak for bass fishing in lakes and rivers. Holds all of my gear and then some. Only negative is that it does not track the best.

4

It's been an awesome kayak.…

Submitted by: paddler430643 on 6/19/2018

It's been an awesome kayak. Great for beginners. Have been fishing on it a lot. Never tipped it, reeled in 39" carp on it. Doesn't track the greatest, and has no live well in the vessel. Needs a better paddle than what is provided. 4stars mainoy because of how the scupper holes are designed. It's very hard to find plugs that will fit if you like to plug the scuppers, they aren't completely cleared of plastic, so you have about a 3/4" hole then down about an inch and the hole shrinks to about 1/4 inch.

5

The journey 10 SS is…

Submitted by: Davek44379 on 5/30/2018

The journey 10 SS is incredibly fun to use. It is super light weight, and very easy to transport. It does a fantastic job on the water and is very comfortable. It has a lot of storage area and will suit all your needs. I would recommend and do recommend this kayak for everyone.

5

Bought it a week ago, have…

Submitted by: paddler430643 on 5/8/2018

Bought it a week ago, have been on it every day since. Clarion river, French Creek, pymatuming, Conneaut lake, and a few swamps and large ponds. Works slendidly, it's a 10 ft kayak with no skeg, no outriggers and..... It's 10ft. It's only gonna be so stable. If you can't handle it buy a sit in ya googan. Anchor trolley, skeg, good paddle, not the crap some retailers include with them. Take out the back storage and let it float behind you with a piece of 550 holding it on to the ring your seat is attached to. I'm going to attach my deck cleat on the right side so I can tie my anchor off, us let some 550 and deck eyes to make a trolley. Excellent kayak, super customizable, or good the way it is.

4

Ive owned this kayak for 2…

Submitted by: paddler429674 on 5/2/2018

Ive owned this kayak for 2 years now. I think all the negative talk from other reviews is unfair. Remember its a 10 ft kayak under $300. It doesnt track great, but when you only have a 10 ft kayak, only the more expensive ones really do. Its not made for standing, if you want to stand get a 12 or 14 foot yak. But to sit in, its more than stable enough. In two years ive probably been out 150+ times, never flipped or even came close to getting wet. I couldnt find the right scuppers for these holes, though i didnt look all that hard for them. I found some wine corks that fit perfect. I have never taken them out, they stay in all the time and my butt has never gotten wet. And i dont have a seat or any type of cushion. As long as your not an idiot splashing water all over yourself, you should have no problem staying dry. Its easy to modify and not a big deal to drill holes for accessories or whatever you want to do, as i imagine it would be scary with a $1000+ kayak for most people. People just always have to complain about something. Bottom line is, if youre a beginner, or even a veteran on a budget, or youre not sure if kayaking is for you, its a cheap way to try it out. Its more than suitable to fish with. Use it for a few years, then step up to something better if you find it lacking. I got mine from wal-mart and their return policy is excellent, should you have an issue with it. Basically you cant expect perfection from it, but if you have realistic expectations of how a $300 kayak should perform, then youre good. Btw I weigh about 225 and i carry a small anchor and a lot of gear, so if its stable for me it should be for most people. If youve never kayaked before it does feel a little tippy at first, but within an hour or so youll learn how to balance and move on it, and that sensation goes away very quickly. Give it a chance.

5

This is a great little…

Submitted by: paddler427172 on 5/1/2018

This is a great little kayak. Been using it on rivers and lakes with zero problems. Can access front and rear storage areas with ease. Sondolphin has scupper plugs that don't leak. Use those under the seat for a dry bottom and regular plugs up front for easy removal. I added a anchor trolley system and fishfinder. First thing I did was removed every screw and seal and added silicone. Has never got any water in the hull or storage areas. Stability is fine. Have run it sideways up on logs and stumps and it has yet to flip.

5

I picked up one on sale for…

Submitted by: paddler425331 on 4/10/2018

I picked up one on sale for $229. I consider myself an experienced paddler that has paddled both canoes and kayaks for over 25 yrs, so keep that in mind. I started out launching the Journey on a small river and paddled a half mile against the current with the wind in my face. For a 10 ft sit on top, it passed that test with no problems. When I turned around and paddled with the current I was smiling ear to ear. I was able to go super fast, stop and hold the kayak still and spin around at will. She went exactly where I wanted her to, all the while being extremely stable. I had no problems with tracking at all. Sure, my feet and butt were a little bit wet but that's to be expected when paddling. I haven't used it to fish yet so I can't comment on those features but the swivel rod holder is in a good spot and I like the fact that the rear storage compartment is easily removable. Great kayak for the money.

5

LOVE MY NEW KAYAK ! ! ! ! !

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 3/14/2018

LOVE MY NEW KAYAK ! ! ! ! !

5

This is my second year with…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 3/13/2018

This is my second year with my Sundolphin Journey 10 SS. It took a bit of getting use to but I love every butt soaking minute on the water.

5

Perfect kayak and great price.

Submitted by: paddler401416 on 10/13/2017

First, i would like to say that all kayaks smaller than 14 feet track weird and I say this because I got used to my brothers 14 ft kayak and then purchased a 10ft kayak. The 10ft kayak I got was lifetime angler it tracked differently than a 14ft kayak and once I figured it out I fell in love with it. I now have 10ft kayaks for my whole family plus I just got a Journey 10 ss that you ride on top of for free on a pallet I got from a wholesaler for 250 bucks. I have tested it out on the water and found no issues with it tracking left it goes where I want it to. the drain plugs don't let me get wet by allowing water in the kayak I, of course, don't excede the weight limits or even come close to it which may be the reason some of the reviewers are getting soaked. The tipping issue is a personal thing because I can freely move around on this with no concerns of tipping over. the dry storage it good for exactly that license and cell phones along with food and has easy access.

5

Great kayak

Submitted by: paddler379406 on 8/3/2017

Great kayak! I've only had I a few months but I haven't had any problems. I've turned it completely on its side and it righted itself without flipping me in the water. It does great in the river or lake. You can take motor boat wakes straight on or from the side without any issues. At first I had the problem of it pulling left with me then I read about how to control that by foot pressure. I'm still learning that technique but I'm doing much better. For the people that complain about getting wet...don't you intend to get wet when you get in the water? That's one the main reasons I go to the lake or river--cool off on a hot summer day. Seriously, after owning this kayak for a few months and just now reading some of these reviews, I must say I think some of these people writing reviews didn't know what to expect from a kayak. It's a great kayak! We've had tons of fun and plan to do more before winter hits. I do agree that the back compartment is hard to open and close but seals tight if it is closed correctly. That is the only negative to this kayak.

3

Bought kayak at Walmart in Burlington iowa.

Submitted by: paddler378624 on 8/3/2017

Kayak did not have plugs. Manager said it didn't need the. That there is a certain amount of water supposed to be in bottom of boat. Ha. I laughed at them. They said it was a self bailer. So now if have to find plugs. Going to bass pro shop.

3

If you make a few changes this is a great kayak

Submitted by: paddler375250 on 7/13/2017

When I first bought this kayak I was very disappointed. I use the dry well behind the seat to hold drinks while on the water and primarily fish while on the kayak. The problem I found was you instantly tip once you attempt to turn around and get into the dry well. I ended up buying some pvc and designed my own outrigger for under $30 and was done in less than an hour. It looks corny as hell but I can do whatever I want in it now...turn around, fish, or even stand up while casting. It now has incredible stability and is practically impossible to flip. I recommend to everyone who enjoys fishing without wanting to tip over to do the same. If your not willing to however this may not be the kayak for you when it comes to fishing...to tippy all by itself

2

It Floats......but thats about it

Submitted by: Fred-Norris on 5/26/2017

The price is right, it floats, but thats where it ends.

First of all, this thing does not track well at all. It keeps veering to the left. Pretty unstable too. Lastly, the self bailing scuppers are terrible. I went out over the weekend and my cheeks were soaking wet within the first noine minutes. Good luck finding scupper plugs that fit this thing.

Word of advice. If you are thinking about buying this kayak because of the price, save your money and hit em' with the hein with something better.

3

Good for beginer or float friendly waters

Submitted by: Tankdg on 4/30/2017

I bought two of these for my 14 and 11 year sons for $200 each from Home Depot, yes Home Depot. I will admit right off the slow speed tracking sucks but they handle like a go cart on the water. The youngest turns his on a dime and negotiates obstacles with ease on flat water, we have not tried any harder currents yet. I wish I would have bought a Journey 12 for the older boy, but he can live with this for a while since he is not as into it as me and youngest. We have built a skeg or sorts for his which made the boat go straight as an arrow but made it hard to turn, we are still working on a final design.

I am 47, 6'1" and 250lbs, I found the boats to be wobbly but they have great secondary stability and you have to work to flip. None of the dry storage is exactly watertight but with some silicone and thought about what you put in them they are pretty good. They are great platforms for modifications like anchor trolleys, LEDS and other accessories.

1

My wife purchased this kayak…

Submitted by: paddler237190 on 10/30/2016
My wife purchased this kayak for me and I was so excited as I live fishing and have always wanted a kayak. Upon getting good on the lake I quickly realized this kayak was not for me. It was extremely tippy especially considering I have pretty good balance. The rear storage is nice but practically unusable. If you reach back to try and grab anything you immediately feel like you are going overboard. The tracking is terrible. I had to paddle 3 times on the right you every one time on the left just to stay straight. All in all I was very disappointed in the journey 10ss.
4

I really don't get all the…

Submitted by: paddler237114 on 9/13/2016
I really don't get all the negative reviews on here. It's a 300 dollar fishing kayak and a small one at that. Sure it doesn't track well but once you get the hang of paddling it's not too bad if you don't get into high wind and rough current, even boat wakes aren't much of a problem once you get used to it.

It's plenty stable and has enough room in the cockpit that I can float fish live minnows with my spinning rod using the front rod holder to keep it in place and use my bait-caster for casting and retrieving artificials at the same time.

For the price it's a good and easily affordable kayak to start fishing with. Better to make mistakes that leave dinks, scratches and other beginner mistakes in a 300 dollar kayak than one three times as much or more

2

Updated review: BUYER BEWARE! After taking this kayak out and subsequently trying…

Submitted by: Andec03 on 8/25/2016
Updated review: BUYER BEWARE!
After taking this kayak out and subsequently trying out the neighbor's Future Beach 10ft kayak, I'd feel guilty if I left my previous review [2016-08-10] stand. I don't think the Sundolphin Journey 10 should be called a kayak any more than a 2x6 piece of lumber should be called a kayak. I assumed kayaks were tippy, and the dolphin is definitely that. But the FB was very stable and comfortable. I knew after about 2 paddle strokes in the neighbor's boat that I had a lemon. I was very excited to get out and fish when I bought it. But with the scupper holes allowing in so much water, it really isn't practical in Minnesota, where that water is very cold for more than half of the open water season. Plugging these holes means you eventually have a pool of accumulated splash water to sit in. I do read good things about the sit-in version of this kayak, however.

If you are looking for a fishing kayak, this isn't it. Had I taken the time to read others' reviews on the Sundolphin Journey I would have avoided it. There are more than a few quality alternatives from other manufacturers. Now I am stuck with this psuedo-kayak as even though the SunDolphin is in new condition, Dunham's sports store refused to simply exchange it for something usable. Dunhams headquarters has completely ignored my several attempts to contact them.

Don't be a fool like me. Do your research and don't rely on store employees for information unless its respectable/specialty shop.

2

Excited about the Sun Dolphin…

Submitted by: paddler237059 on 8/24/2016
Excited about the Sun Dolphin kayak, within 5 minutes my butt was soaking wet. Could not even move without feeling like I was going to flip over. Within 15 minutes I was out of the water and on my way to return it. Do not waste your time on this product. I know it was cheap $300, but sometimes cheap is not always good...
4

Beginner here. This thing…

Submitted by: Andec03 on 8/10/2016
Beginner here. This thing fits inside my older pathfinder, very nice to skip the roof hassle. Took it out in some wind today and it did fine. I didn't really notice that it was all that tippy, like some have said. I've only kayaked once before so maybe I just don't know any better- but it goes where I want it to go easily enough for me. I'm 6' and size was fine. The side paddle holders are cool. Like the rear storage. Low priced with lots of nice features. I have no complaints.
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I understand the complaints…

Submitted by: paddler236991 on 8/1/2016
I understand the complaints about the sun dolphin journey 10ss but who are you kidding. It's perhaps the cheapest of all sit-on kayaks out there. Stop and think how cheap and easy it is to upgrade with say an anchor trolley system, add stabilizer's, electronics with the money you save. I have one and one for my daughter. We enjoy them each time we go fishing or on a trip down the river. And pretty much all 10' kayaks are tricky to track but they are also easy to transport. All in all they are a lot of kayak for your money. I recommend it to all of my fishing buddies. Good luck and enjoy.
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This kayak is HORRIBLE!!! My…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/26/2016
This kayak is HORRIBLE!!! My husband and I both bought one for each of us. We couldn't paddle straight and the boat wouldn't stop wobbling. We took them back and got out money back. We rent kayaks where we go so we know how to kayak. We did not feel safe at all in these.
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I would have rated this kayak…

Submitted by: paddler236925 on 7/7/2016
I would have rated this kayak lower but it is comfortable. If all you want to do is fight with it the whole time you are out, this kayak is for you! Constantly wanted to spin to the left, had to use paddle as a rudder and then would lose all forward motion. TSC had an excellent return policy and took it back the next day. Bought a future beach and the difference was unbelievable.
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For a first kayak, the Sun…

Submitted by: rborzone on 6/30/2016
For a first kayak, the Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS fishing model, it is very good, but probably not for a large person. It is easy to maneuver and easy to fish from. Have only used it in a fairly calm lake.
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The Sun Dolphine Journey 10SS…

Submitted by: paddler236887 on 6/21/2016
The Sun Dolphine Journey 10SS is an Ok kayak for the price. The kayak doesn't track very well but it is comfortable. It has an awesome dry well that's removable and paddle indent ions with bungees to hold in place. It's not the best out there but for a price under $300 it's not bad.
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My dad purchased this kayak a…

Submitted by: imaangel2b on 6/20/2016
My dad purchased this kayak a couple months ago, in order to use it for fishing. With all the adjustments he's made, it turned out to be a pretty solid piece of equipment. It has a smooth ride that makes for easy handling on the river. And from what he's said it does really well on the lakes too.
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We were very excited to…

Submitted by: paddler236858 on 6/14/2016
We were very excited to purchase these at TS, at first... Very unstable in the water, very VERY unstable. I was actually afraid to catch anything because every time I turned my body, even slightly, I almost tipped right over. I'm 5'4" at 150. Hubby is about 240 and had the same issues so it's not based on weight, it's got to be the design. Thankfully we took them out in a small cove and not in the lake... Couldn't imagine trying to stay balanced with waves and wakes! Tracked decently in calm water once you got into a groove but there again you couldn't become unbalanced or you had to start over again, very frustrating. The paddle boarders were passing us at an alarming rate for crying out loud, lol... We ended up getting the Aruba 10. MUCH safer and overall better boat for slightly less and we have no issues fishing with them :)
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I bought the Sundolphin…

Submitted by: Naturboy on 6/6/2016
I bought the Sundolphin Excursion 10 SS as my first kayak and so far I'm happy with it. It's light enough to put on top of my van by myself and yet the material it's made out of is strong enough to attach different gear to it with screws. I'm not to worried at all about punching a hole in it with regular use.

My balance is not very good but I find this boat plenty stable. I use it for fishing small lakes and rivers.

I don't really care for the front rod holder because it doesn't fit tight in the socket, and it's a noisemaker. Also you can only point the spinning rod in a couple positions. I wouldn't trust it to hold my rod if a decent fish hit. That will be replaced.

For the price I feel it's a good buy, and would make the purchase again. It fits my needs and I've added a depth finder, an anchor trolley and a small battery box. At this price I don't feel bad about drilling holes (above the water line) to add fishing accessories.

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I bought the Kayak through…

Submitted by: aleman on 5/19/2016
I bought the Kayak through Amazon for $299, it was delivered quickly and without damage. I took it on its maiden voyage a couple of weeks ago and was please with the Kayak. It felt tippy when I first got in and started paddling, but as I got use to the kayak it did not seem tippy after all. I even leaned hard on the side to try and tip and it didn't, I was able to take side down to water level without tipping. It is a sit upon, center of gravity is higher than sit-in. As for tracking, wasn't expecting much so wasn't disappointed, it is 10 feet long and does not track like a 12 or 14 footer. It is light weight and I rigged out for a total cost of less than $400.
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I bought this kayak, and the…

Submitted by: paddler236707 on 4/26/2016
I bought this kayak, and the saying "you get what you pay for" is true with this. It was very very unstable. No way I would feel comfortable trying to fish from it. I have kayak before and never felt like I was going to tip over constantly until getting in this thing. Don't waste your money. I am taking it back tomorrow and spending a little more to get a Perception Pescador Angler 12'
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I got mine on craigslist for…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 2/24/2016
I got mine on craigslist for only $200, so my satisfaction is based partly on the fact that I spent so little on it. As for the kayak itself:

CONS:
-you need to plug the scupper holes or else you'll be wet.
-Doesn't track super well, but hey, we're kayak fishing, not navigating class 5 rapids.
- Paddle Sucks

PROS:
-Super light and easy to load. I've used this thing around 50 times and that's mostly due to the fact that I can use it easily and without hassle. The best kayak is the one you use.
-Inexpensive, even at full price its not a bad buy for a beginner.
- Good storage for its size. I like the large rear storage compartment. it fits a lifejacket, tackle bag and whatever other random crap I bring.

All in all, its a great starter fishing kayak for the money. You don't need to break the bank to catch fish. I routinely out-fish dudes on the flats who are sporting $3000 kayaks, while my grungy self is in the Sun Dolphin catching fish after fish.

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Nice inexpensive kayak for a…

Submitted by: frank7ptbk on 8/11/2015
Nice inexpensive kayak for a starter. Comes with a rod holder. The foot rests could be a bit longer, I am 5'11" and my legs are bent a bit more than I would like.
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I got this kayak as a gift…

Submitted by: mikezero56 on 9/1/2014
I got this kayak as a gift from my wife for the money she paid it's not a bad ride; it doesn't track well and I had to do some mods so I could add a fishfinder moved the rod holder out to the side and added a second one on the other side. You will get a wet backside and you will want a seat cushion. A standard crate doesn't fit the back storage area, but all in all this is a good starter yak