Profile

Name: sdkayaker

Most Recent Reviews

I moved up to a second-hand Carolina 14.5 Airalite from an Old Town Loon 111 about 18 months ago. I'm 6'5" and wasn't sure about getting in and out of a kayak with a smaller cockpit and I didn't want to sink too much money in something I wasn't sure I was going to like and be able to use. I reversed the footbrace tracks to add support to the far end of the brace and added extensions to the rudder cables.

I've been very happy with it, although it doesn't track worth a darn - but that isn't news. I paddle in Mission Bay and some of the larger wakes throw it off course. The rudder makes a huge difference. I've put around 2000 miles on it and it's starting to have some problems so I'll be upgrading again soon. But I'll be sorry to see it go...

I paddled by Old Town Loon 111 on Mission Bay several days a week for over two years and other than snapping off the footbraces I never had any problems with it.

I'm 6'5" and it was easy to get into and tracked very well. It wasn't the fastest or sleekest kayak but it was a great first kayak.
I upgraded to Carolina 14.5 Airalite but I can't bear to part with the Loon.