Having enjoyed paddling a Hurricane Skimmer 140 and finding that paddling lighter weight kayaks enhances ones paddling experience.
On recent paddles my spouse struggled to keep up with me on the Skimmer 140 paddling her rotomolded hybrid SUP/kayak. She decided it was time to experience paddling a traditional kayak. Her being claustrophobic, she was always apprehensive of small enclosed cockpits.
Down to our local Hurricane dealer we went. We viewed the Santee line of kayaks and at the recommendation of the sales associate decided to demo a Santee 126 Sport. The sport is a traditional sit in kayak with a 55” x 24” cockpit. The added openness of the cockpit allayed any fears of claustrophobia.
We loaded up a red Santee 126 Sport and off we went to a local creek with our Skimmer 140 in tow.
We took turns paddling both kayaks, vastly different yet both were easily paddled, had great glide and were comfortable for I being 6’5” and my spouse 5’6”.
The Santee 126 sport weighing in at 39lbs is easily handled by my wife, she’s able to load and unload the Santee herself. Her confidence with paddling with others is vastly improved as she’s able to keep up with the longer touring boats, something she wasn’t able to do with her rotomolded hybrid.
Now our paddling adventures are a toss up of who wants to paddle the Santee or the Skimmer. Both Hurricane kayaks are great performers, depending on your preference for a SIK or a SOT. We are pleased with our kayaks, my spouse laying claim to ‘her’ Santee 126 Sport and my choice of the Skimmer 140.
If you’re new to the sport or looking to upgrade to a lightweight kayak, we strongly encourage you to demo a Santee 126 Sport or any of the Hurricane Aquasports kayaks. We have been nothing but pleased with our Hurricane kayaks.
