I have only had a couple of kayaks previously, one being the lifetime tamarack the other an old town otter. . I was looking for a kayak that can do well in calm lakes and rivers, but also be versatile in the bay or large lakes on a more choppy day. If you are looking for a versatile kayak for a beginner to grow as a paddler, then this is the one. The 125 and 140 have front and rear bulkheads that have a decent amount of storage space for short overnight trips. The drop down skeg makes all the difference in tracking in windy conditions, even if it's only halfway down. The capability to fit a spray skirt and the cost being two thirds or less of the price of a wilderness systems tsunami were the big reasons I was so drawn to this kayak. Overall it has been fantastic for the 30+ miles that I've had it on the water. This boat really comes alive once you put it on that secondary edge and is super responsive. There is really no reason not to have this boat as a beginner who's looking to grow in paddling.
