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Name: Staida

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Great for flat water or surf

I've had the opportunity to own several quite excellent sit-on-top kayaks including the Tarpon 12 and 14 models and the Freedom 15 Greenland model. The Necky Dolphin is, as well, an excellent kayak for many reasons but the most compelling is that it's at home on the surf as it is in flat water - perhaps more so. On flat water it can actually be deceptively comfortable when it is actually fairly tippy with a low chine secondary great for cutting through waves.

Hatches stay dry until the neoprene no longer fits and that will be the case when you find one as this is an older kayak. Most will have a rudder and you can expect to pay about 500.00 for one in good shape. The dolphin is nothing like as fast or true tracking as a Freedom but it is easy to turn and easier to capsize so no one over 200 lbs should make the attempt.

If this suits you, however, it could be the perfect boat so don't shy away from one if you find it at a good price

Great SOT Kayak, handles all seas, meant to be a dive boat I believe with tank storage in rear but I find it to be a bit unstable for this use. Not easy to re-enter from the water. Hull speed is definitely faster than play-boats or fishing boats such as the Tarpon WS Series but it is not as great a touring boat as the truly fast SOT's like the WS Freedom or Royak. It's also fairly heavy and difficult to transport solo. All that said, it has plenty of storage and two waterproof hatches, it surfs well and handles waves well and I think a lot of paddlers would be very happy with it. If you find one used for a good price it's hard to pass up as a second boat for taking friends out.