Profile

Name: meganccarroll

Most Recent Reviews

Ok. So this is kind of an update to review below. I went…

Ok. So this is kind of an update to review below.
I went out on my Gemini solo with the seat in the middle and really enjoyed the ride! It is worth noting that this is the highest and driest seat so even on a cool spring day you won't get too wet in this spot with calm water.

Something else I didn't address in earlier review is tracking. For the record, I as an amateur have no frustration keeping this kayak on track for a target so although I thought I might buy the feelfree skeg now I am sure I won't.

Another thing absolutely worth mentioning is the side handles on the Feelfree Kayaks are true handles and very much appreciated. Compared to the wimpy grips I have seen on other kayaks that are really just frustrating, the feelfree has handles you can totally wrap your hand around. This means a lot to me as I handle, load and unload this kayak all by myself. I don't need frustrating loss of grip on wet plastic trying to turn my kayak over or guide it onto or off the car. I kn ow that as long as I position myself to be able to reach the handle, I will be able to control the kayak.

I was worried when I first bought this kayak that it would be too difficult for me to car top and unload alone! Glad I didn't let that stop me! It takes a little practice and determination to learn but now it is a mostly smooth process for me. I put it up on a kia soul with a roof rack, upside down so there are four points of contact instead of just two, no problem. I use four cheapie foam blocks, the type that wrap around the roofrack bars and straps every trip. Bow and stern lines if I am going on the highway or far. Again, the feelfree handles truly help for fLipping the kayak before putting it up aND for controlling it as I guide it up or down.

So I have upgraded the rating from 8 to 9 out of ten because of these features. Bottom line, I am happy with my purchase but a tiny bit bummed it handles so tippy with 430# or more of weight while capacity is 550. Luckily, I wasn't counting on this being for two large adults most of the time! Mainly just me and my daughter or me alone while kiddo paddles a youth kayak.

This was my first kayak purchase ever. I chose it for its features and weight capacity I felt sure would meet our needs. I have taken it out on a calm lake with my daughter and we did great, other than having paddles a bit too short for comfort given the width of the boat. I have to recommend 250-260 length paddles so you don't scrape your knuckles and just splash and slap at the water. I did not have scupper plugs in and although my daughter weighs significantly less than me more water came into the front of the boat than the back, which was unpleasant for her. After that trip I purchased the square throwable pfds that we have added on top of the factory seats to keep rear ends out of water. I might as well add here that the factory seats are surprisingly comfortable with great back support and easy to adjust. Before picking up the kayak I thought I would probably buy an upgraded seat but I am actually perfectly happy with those provided.

All that said, I think it is a great little boat for me and my daughter especially once I get longer paddles and scupper plugs. The downside of the boat came today when my father and I decided to take a tour of a nearby large pond with lots of marshy areas, beaver lodges and fun places to explore. We both got seated in the boat, my father in front, and though we are both full size adults, we were still over 100 pounds under the weight capacity. There was no trouble with the boat floating but it was super sensitive and tippy feeling to the point my father was not comfortable leaving shore, and he is an experienced boater, mainly in canoes, which also require balance. I admit, it really did feel like it would be easy to capsize when the two of us were in it and it surprised me. Needless to say, he got out of the kayak to fish from shore and I paddled around a bit solo. That extreme tippiness was gone with only me in the back of the kayak. Soooo, if you are looking for a boat for two large adults, around 200 lbeach, my only warning is it turns this boat into a supersensitive balancing act. Would it be different with scupper plugs in place? Very possibly and I will try with this variation. I do love it for kayaking me and my daughter or me myself. I look forward to trying it solo with the seat in the middle position and see how that goes.