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I never really thought I would own a kayak, but after a couple short runs in an inexpensive inflatable I decided to do way too much research and purchase a high quality kayak for myself. This kayak is the winning result of that research. I wanted a kayak that could handle rivers and mild rapid conditions, be comfortable on a flat lake, and at the same time be capable of packing away a lot of gear for extended camping away from everything.

This is an exceptionally stable and practical kayak. The boat handles well in rough class 1 or 2 rapid water with a beginner paddler. It's wide and stable, and more than capable of carrying extra large loads for extended camping trips, or just large paddlers. The spring loaded drop skeg is good for extra straight tracking on the small 10.5 foot hull, and can be raised for those times when extra maneuverability is nice. The replaceable plastic skid plate is a convenient feature, allowing the kayak to be dragged some distance without endangering or permanently damaging the hull.

Overall I couldn't be happier with this boat. It has now given me several great adventures and I look forward to many, many more to come.

Pros: Great beginner boat, could last a lifetime. Great camping boat. Very stable in rough water. HUGE cargo capacity (400 pound recommended weight limit). Replaceable rear drag plate. Retractable skeg.

Con: Dragging the kayak on the skid plate tends to get small rocks and debris stuck in the skeg slot, causing it to not deploy without some manual help at the back of the boat. Make sure to inspect at the shore before launch!