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I have this kayak over 2 years now, I have surfed it and flat water close coastal. My usage would be up until now about 70%-30% to Surfing.

I find this kayak to be without a doubt the best SOT kayak on the market.. I have owned 4 SOT over a period of about 9 years but this one is the one that is certainly the only one that you could really surf and carve through the waves... Others I owned were RTM Loko.. (not bad surfer) - Feelfree Nomad (not a good surfer) - Ocean Kayak Mysto (not a brilliant surfer considering its marketed as a surfer))... I was advised to go for the 85. Which is brilliant as its more agile and lighter than other comparable kayaks. Tootega are very approachable and I have called them on a few occasions for advice and opinion.

Apart from the surf this boat can cruise along close coastal very comfortably. I love the deep seat position as you don't need padded seat at all. This kayak can surf incredibly well. Run along the face or carve up and down the face or rebound off the lip. It's a dream to surf, I love it.

I would highly recommend this boat for people living or using it near the coast.. Also if you like to surf this is the only boat out there......

The only downside is after over 2 years the hatch failed , but not expensive to replace. I actually replaced it with one with a rubber seal under great seal. Having to replace these every few years is par the course when using it solely at beaches. The build quality of the kayak itself is incredibly strong.
Highly recommend.

I like the high back seat position. You don't need a backrest at all. I never lean back at all so its not a problem, you're supposed to lean forward when punching through a wave throwing your weight forward. If you lean when trying to get past waves your like to tip the kayak. When surfing a wave this kayak likes to run along and carve up and down the face of a wave, so no need to lean back either.
Read more: http://www.sitons.com/kayaks/pulse-85/#ixzz3faPm4uQx