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This was my first time to paddle a SOT, and I found it quite enjoyable during an afternoon’s paddle. While not tricked out like some of these can get, it seemed to have all the basics. The fold up seat back was quite comfortable - the back was narrow enough so as to not interfere with body movement, and it could hold a good upright paddling position. As much as I liked the seatback, it was also the source of my biggest complaint in that it can interfere with a wet re-entry. Guess you can’t have everything! Foot positions were likewise comfortable, but prospective purchasers with extra long legs may find them inadequate. The bow hatch cover was completely watertight, even when burying the nose.

On the move I found the Temptation both stable (I could stand up in it & paddle) and surprisingly maneuverable (I could even get a modest edge on it for peeling out of eddies). Since it is short, it's no speed racer if that is what you are after. Its weight is very reasonable for a SOT.

I could definitely see adding this to my fleet!

Had a chance to paddle this boat recently. Tracks reasonably well, is light weight and easy to carry, and stable on the water. It comes with a stern bulkhead and hatch, has a netting stowage pocket on either side of the cockpit, and an odd "glove compartment" under the deck just forward of the cockpit that is sized to hold a small dry box that comes with the boat. The cockpit is large enough without being overly huge. It has a somewhat unusual look in that the grab handles are molded-in plastic holes that protrude on the bow and stern.

While it was a fun boat to paddle about, I feel there are a few issues with the boat a prospective owner should be aware of:

• Stowage nets – while these are nice they don't really secure anything. If you flip, what's in them will likely come out.
• Dry box - its a nice touch, but there is no way to secure it in the space provided. Any webbing that may be used to secure it could present a potential entanglement hazard.
• Carry handles – these are comfortable but could be a safety hazard. If your hand is through the handle and the boat twists – whether from wind, current, or anything else, it could potentially injure your hand.
• Hatch covers – these are the two piece lid and inner neoprene cover type (I have one on another boat, and am not a fan of the style). The Advant-Edge has a flexible plastic outer lid held in place with two bungee loops. Don't count on the hatch being watertight - I continually found water in the stern compartment, whether from a leaky bulkhead or the hatch I could not tell…
• Bow flotation – typically a foam pillar on this level boat, there is none in the Advant-Edge. One needs to be careful when strapping the boat to a rack.
• Seat – while the padded, molded-in seat was comfortable to sit in, I found the angle of the back did not encourage good paddling posture and there was no way to adjust it adequately.

So there you have it – handles nicely on the water, easy to cart around, stable, but has what I feel are some issues. Depending on your price point, it would make a nice boat to toss into the pond on a warm summer day.

Touted as a "jack of all trades" foam paddle float, the Northwater 4-Play is a nylon covered foam "accordion" with several buckles & straps that allow for multiple configurations. And while I’m not one to rush out & buy the latest new gadget, I can say my Paddle Perks made me do it! Overall the product seems very well made with a certain amount of versatility. Here’s my take on the many uses it can be put to:

• Paddle Float - while I have not used other foam floats, this seems a little bulkier & heavier that those I have seen. I found it too bulky to fit nicely under the bungees on my Romany, but the multiple buckles provide a lot of options for fastening it to the deck. It has not impeded rolling in any way while fastened to the rear deck. On the front deck, it can interfere with paddling and requires more thought as to placement. In use, a closed double sleeve allows insertion from either side and keeps the paddle securely in place with one adjustable buckle and much less fuss than an inflatable float.
  I’d give it a grade of B+.
• Lounge chair - the float can be configured to serve as one of those folding foam "loungers" that are popular. For this use, the back does not really come up high enough to offer good support. It is serviceable as a lounger if you really tighten up the straps to the point where the back is actually leaning forward.
  Grade: C.
• Lounge pad - For just laying about on a pebbly beach, it will unfold to a full-length pad and is adequately comfortable for napping. However, assuming it was strapped to the deck it could be wet. But for napping in the sun I don’t think this would be an issue.
  For this use, I’d give it a B+.
• Sleeping pad - In camp it can be used as a sleeping pad and you can leave the thermarest at home. However, as with the lounge pad it could be wet, which would not be good inside a tent. Use as a pad under the tent would be possible, but only if you have a single tent or you have a paddle partner that has one too.
  Grade: C+.
• Car pad: Many folks like to protect the back of their vehicle in some way when loading a boat. Towels or carpet pads have a way of sliding off. The straps and length of the pad allow you to securely fasten it to a cross bar and drape over your vehicle.
  Grade: A.
• Bench seat: Folded up, its just high enough to make a low bench seat for sitting around a campfire (just watch for burning embers on the nylon!). More comfortable than a log.
  Grade: A-

Overall, its an interesting take on the paddle float.

I purchased two of these in glass - one for the lady. I have a rope skeg, she has the cable. Overall, we both love the fit (I'm 5-10, 180# w/size 11 feet, fwiw)& performance. While I wouldn't call myself an expert, I have been paddling over 30 years & find it handles superbly. For my wife, this is her first real touring boat after about 4 years paddling and, after some initial hesitation about stability, she is extremely comfortable in it.

Complaints / issues? Here's a few to be aware of:
My rope skeg leaked upon arrival. There was a dimple with a pinhole in the skeg box, which appears to be a mfg defect. Easily repaired with a dab of epoxy. The cable skeg, while operating smoothly, clanks in the skeg housing while paddling whether up or down. This was the reason I went with the rope skeg, having demo'd a boat with the cable skeg that did the same thing.

The skeg - at least the cable skeg - also slows the boat markedly (I also have a CD Scirocco in which the skeg produces little noticeable drag). The rope skeg extends much deeper in the water than the cable skeg; I should probably paddle my wife's to compare the two. This fact aside, I find I rarely use the skeg anyway, even under strong wind & current conditions when my Scirocco would practically demand it.

The seating also leave something to be desired (but then again most do). I will probably replace the backband or put in a foam back pillar at some point.