Trailblazer 100

Trailblazer 100 Description

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Pelican International
Trailblazer 100 Reviews

Read reviews for the Trailblazer 100 by Pelican International as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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5

Bought this at Dick's, along…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/23/2020

Bought this at Dick's, along with a more expensive kayak (Swifty). After a couple months of use, this one is my favorite of the two! It's very light, maneuverable, and tracks straighter than the other one. The material is durable. It has lots of grab points which is nice when you are loading it on the rack.

It is definitely a beginner boat with minimal features. Foot pegs have three fixed settings. Cockpit has little other than a cupholder. No dry storage. Still, for a beginner boat I think it is a great value, and I'm glad I bought it.

5

We LOVE these and own 5. They…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/27/2020
We LOVE these and own 5. They are very lightweight (I'm a female in my late 60's and can lift and manage easily). They drain easily and clean up well. We avoid shallow areas to protect the bottom, but super easy maneuvering. One of my son's is 200#+ and fits.
5

This kayak we bought on sale…

Submitted by: paddler812402 on 7/2/2020
This kayak we bought on sale during off season for $200. It was the best investment. I love this kayak so much, that whatever I tried after the purchase, I say: "My kayak is better!" We live in Colorado and love kayaking on alpine lakes. My Pelican was perfect on them.
5

My experience with this…

Submitted by: Fanilya on 5/24/2020
My experience with this product has been nothing but wonderful! It’s lightweight for me to pick up and put on my car by myself!! Its a sit in kayak and I t has lots of room for me and my dog. !!, it’s easy to maneuver, it’s easy to modify if you want to add things to it as I have done to go fishing. I travel with it all the time. !!
5

I recently purchased a…

Submitted by: paddler465288 on 9/11/2018

I recently purchased a Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT Kayak from Field & Stream seafoam/yellow 10'. I absolutely love it. I stay perfectly dry and never feel wobbly or unsafe. It doesn't have any kind of dry storage or fishing rod holders but it does have a storage net inside that will hold cell phone, binoculars, etc ... This kayak also has two spots to put a drink bottle. I did have to purchase a paddle as this kayak does not come with one.

5

Very satisfied with our…

Submitted by: bigschmidt on 9/11/2018

Very satisfied with our Pelican kayaks, they are easy to put in and out with being light weight. And very durable.

4

Just needed a cheap kayak to…

Submitted by: paddler464848 on 9/11/2018

Just needed a cheap kayak to get out on the water. Picked this up at a local sporting goods store for less that 200. For the price, it serves its purpose and is fun to paddle around the lake. Can get one for each of the kids without breaking the bank.

5

New to kayaking. Had myself…

Submitted by: paddler455934 on 7/25/2018

New to kayaking. Had myself and my small six year old daughter in the kayak, it went well. Easy to use, enough room for the two of us, despite being a single person kayak. Light enough for me to lift by myself. Looking forward to going out on it again soon. Would highly recommend it.

5

My wife and I each bought…

Submitted by: paddler450980 on 7/9/2018

My wife and I each bought one of these kayaks. We were pleasantly surprised with them. We were planning to use these till we could afford better. After using them several times, I am still shocked by how stable they are and how well they track. We have since bought a third one for our oldest son and recommended them to our other son and daughter in law. They are very light weight and are easy to carry.

4

Great kayak for my 11 yo. …

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/5/2018

Great kayak for my 11 yo.

But handle string popped off on 2nd kayak.

5

This kayak is priced at the…

Submitted by: paddler444028 on 6/18/2018

This kayak is priced at the low end of the spectrum, which makes it a perfect choice for a novice paddler. This kayak has a wide flat bottom for stability and had the structural integrity of a tank. This kayak will work great for those that like to run creeks with debris and other obstacles as you don't have to worry about hull damage. The boat will float if full of water and you have to really try to roll it over. We have a fleet of these for our college students learning to maneuver on moving water and in swift currents.

4

I love this kayak. It is a…

Submitted by: paddler442945 on 6/18/2018

I love this kayak. It is a 10ft sit in kayak with a small storage compartment on the back of it. The storage compartment is not waterproof so you will need a waterproof bag to store things in it. It is a almost flat bottomed boat so it is very hard to flip over. This is great because I use mine to fish in. I haven't used it in rivers but it is great for the lake. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is difficult to get water out of it if you sink it, which scouts are good at doing. All in all it is agreat kayak.

3

This is a great recreational…

Submitted by: paddler438037 on 6/7/2018

This is a great recreational kayak for those new to paddling. Works perfectly well and is quite stable on flatwater. Qaulity and value are well aligned.

3

A good intro kayak. Best…

Submitted by: paddler436226 on 5/31/2018

A good intro kayak. Best suited for calmer waters (ie. lakes and large slow moving rivers). Light enough for one adult to carry overhead. Easy to transport on any car with a rack.

4

We purchased two of theses…

Submitted by: paddler413770 on 3/14/2018

We purchased two of theses and have been very happy with them. Very stable and plenty of room for tackle, gear and a small cooler. A great choice for a beginner's yak. Perfect for lakes and slow water. Good platform for fishing and lounging. Handles class II well enough too but can hang up if your not careful.

5

I bought this kayak because…

Submitted by: paddler419313 on 2/22/2018

I bought this kayak because it was light weight and short. I live on the second floor of my apartment and I needed something light to carry up the stairs. I store it behind my sofa, which means that I can lift it up and over. Great kayak for women! Although everyone is saying this is a great "beginner" kayak to which I agree, it is also just an all around sturdy, practical boat. I have no intentions of upgrading anytime soon. I have taken this boat on a river with a pretty fast current and over some mild rapids. Although I don't recommend that, it held up and steered well even though I had to stop and drain my boat of excess water. Steers straight (unless its windy), not tippy, comfortable even on long rides, very easy to get in and out of! I recently bought a kayak cradle and roof rack for my Honda CRV, but before that it actually fit inside my Honda without any damage. In addition to being a reliable, safe, fun boat, it comes in amazing colors-mine is purple!! Have fun and enjoy the water.

4

We loved the Trailblazer for…

Submitted by: beerat29 on 2/12/2018

We loved the Trailblazer for what it was designed for, recreational paddling on calm flat water. It’s a great kayak to paddle around your favorite lake or pond, a slow smooth flowing creek. Though you can paddle it in choppy and windy conditions in our opinion it is not the best choice for that kind of venture. It was designed for the person who wants to get out on the water, have fun and not sink a ton of money into that endeavor while still getting a well made boat. It is a great entry level kayak that won’t break your bank account to get into and you won’t feel like you wasted your money as long as you understand it’s uses and limitations. Still like and use mine every summer.

5

Great Kayak for the pricce

Submitted by: Kim-Arcaro on 8/3/2017

We recently bought two of the Trailblazer 100 and one of the Vortex 80 from Dick's sporting goods.
So far we love them, we have had them on the lakes in northern Arizona and the Salt River on the south side of Arizona. I am 5'5 and 180 lbs and the Trailblazer 100 works excellent for me. I have no problem keeping it going straight with very little effort. I just keep my paddling side to side even and it's fine. My husband is 5'9 and 185 lbs and he hasn't had any issues either. The Vortex 80 belongs to our 14 year old son who is only 4' 2 and 76 lbs. He has absolutely no problem paddling it at all. I honestly expected some issues because of his size, but he figured it out in less than an hour.
I should mention this is the first time we have ever kayaked, so we are definitely beginners and still have had zero issue with these kayaks. For under 300$ these kayaks are proving to be well worth it to my family!!

5

cache la poudre white water

Submitted by: paddler375206 on 7/13/2017

I give this 5 stars because I guarantee this kayak has not been pushed to the limits like they were with me.. This is my first kayak i take it down 3-5 mile hr platte river in Missouri religiously with enough room for my tent sleeping bag fishing gear and a full cooler or a trip out with the dog.. That being said the room in this kayak if you weigh under 200lbs is ridiculous so on white water rapids staying above water and having a spray skirt are key unfortunately the cheap name brand spray skirt is more of a drip skirt.. I used a lot of velcro n super glue which works for a single run on white water but if you bail out you will have to re velcro.. I did class 3 falls first day easy 4 miles and one bail out on a class 4 fall this is where all that room and no floatation comes in when this kayak fills with water u have to be in great shape to recover on moving water but is possible i shoved pool noodles under seat for help on my class 4 rapids day.. A water fall ate me up and filled with water kayak took a 2 hr beating before getting winched out.. Took it to a lake after and baby still rocking

5

Fun kayaks

Submitted by: paddler370464 on 6/22/2017

We have 2 of the Pelican Trailblazers and we take them out about every weekend on the Little Miami River in Cincinnati. We bought them at Dick's and we could not be more pleased. Great price, great value, fun colors, easy to manage, carry and steer. My husband and I use them and so do our kids: 19, 17, 14.

5

Just what I needed. An entry level boat at an entry level price.

Submitted by: paddler369743 on 6/20/2017

I didn't expect much from a $200 kayak but I must say I'm very happy with it. My boys and I have put in several hours on the river in the 2 days since buying it and it's been great. No dry storage, but that was evident before I shelled out my cash so no worry there. No way to secure it if setting a shuttle (we drop bikes and bike back to the truck then come back for the boats) I solved that with a simple u-bolt secured thru the top......Yes, I bought a boat and promptly drilled 2 holes in it.

4

Great kayak for beginnings!…

Submitted by: Dchefsmith56 on 9/28/2016
Great kayak for beginnings! It's durable, easy to clean, it's got everything a beginner needs. Comes in cool colors. The price wasn't bad either!
5

Great affordable first kayaks…

Submitted by: paddler237078 on 8/31/2016
Great affordable first kayaks for the entire family! We never kayaked before, but spontaneously bought 4 Trailblazers for our family, ages ranging 13, 16, and 34. We were a little hesitant about hopping in for the first time but needless to say these kayaks are so easy to use, even my 13 yr old has no problems in his. Very impressed with how stable they feel. I've rocked back and forth intentionally trying to see if it would tip and I don't even come close. We've been on 3 different lakes and a river and haven't had a problem yet. Even bought a Sundolphin to compare, and ended up preferring the Trailblazer and selling the Sundolpin.

Lots of space to store fishing gear, coolers, dry bags, whatever you may require. The weight isn't bad at all, but only being only 5'3 it does require myself and one of the kids to lift onto top of SUV. We manage to squeeze all 4 on top. (I know, some people may cringe at the thought of fitting all 4 on top, but you do what you gotta do!)

Not the fanciest kayak but a great choice for first timers who don't want to spend a lot, or have to buy enough for the whole family!

5

I purchased the Pelican…

Submitted by: paddler237050 on 8/17/2016
I purchased the Pelican Trailblazer 100 about 3 months ago. I have had it out about 25 times already. I have read these other reviews and I'm not sure what people mean on the tracking. If you alternate your strokes and they are even mine goes exactly where I want it to go! It turns very easily when "dragging" your paddle. It is very roomy and comfortable. I can understand the seat thing a little but I adjusted mine almost straight up and use my shirt as a cover for the backrest and I'm fine for 2 or 3 hours. The ONLY thing I would have liked is if the bungeed compartment was deeper...BUT you can always cut out the bottom to make it so. You can also keep water out by adding a rubber weather strip around the rim. Personally I think it is great and deserves a 10...just wish it was easier to find covers and skirts for...LOVE the one I have!!!
4

Bought this at Dicks just…

Submitted by: bubbagates on 8/16/2016

Bought this at Dicks just like everyone else did. Took it out today for the first time and I'm reasonably impressed. Like most others, the back rest could be better. Tracking seemed good, but not like my Riot Eudoro 12, which is for a totally different purpose. I'm just over 200lbs at 5'11" and 56yrs old and I fit well into the cockpit

The rear storage is not even close to water tight and doesn't really hold much, but for a 4 hour trip, it works. With the max weight at 275lbs, it does sit a little low in the water, but with her in it and at 125lbs, it's a perfect kayak for my girlfriend. I was surprised just how much she loves it. She's a beginner and within an hour she was very comfortable paddling this around a very calm stream.

You can't beat this kayak when it comes to the price.

5

Purchased the Trailblazer at…

Submitted by: paddler237006 on 8/8/2016
Purchased the Trailblazer at Dick's in July for $199.00. This is my first kayak and I was impressed with all the positive reviews. I use the kayak on local lakes on Long Island, NY, almost exclusively for bass fishing. It is extremely comfortable for my 65 year old body and is easy to get in and out of. I added two rod holders, as well as equipping it with a lb. and a half anchor, zigzag cleat and paddle clip. I also padded the cockpit edged with armorflex pipe insulation, securing it with plastic car rivets. I found the my legs were uncomfortable resting against the plastic edge of the cockpit, which is the only drawback I encountered. The kayak tracks well and is extremely stable in the water. The trailblazer is also lightweight and easy for one person to handle. Overall I am very happy with the trailblazer and would recommend it if you don't want to spend a lot of money. A great bang for the buck!!
4

About me: Beginning paddler,…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/2/2016

About me: Beginning paddler, 6'2", 200 lbs., using kayak for 2 hrs at a time on area lakes in calm and windy conditions. I had some previous experience with an inflatable SeaEagle kayak, and purchased a Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 kayak recently.

Thoughts about Trailblazer 100:
Size - This kayak feels a little more narrow and a lot more shallow in comparison to my other kayaks, but I did not notice any difference in stability. This could be helpful if you have T-Rex arms! The huge cockpit opening makes it very easy to get in and out of, but I have not found a condition yet where water was entering the cockpit. The footpegs extend a couple inches beyond what I need, and I am 6'2". So I would think this kayak would be comfortable for someone up to 6'5".

Tracking - I have seen a few reviews claiming poor tracking with the Trailblazer (and other makes/models for that matter), but I saw no problem with tracking. It could be that my lack of experience means I don't know any better, but the kayak did seem to hold a line really well. I did expect it to perform better than the Aruba 10, since the Trailblazer has more of a arched hull, but I found there to be no noticeable difference between the two.

Extras - I do wish the Trailblazer had a paddle holder... The water bottle is great, I don't mind having the bottle between my legs. The storage compartment is ok. It's not water tight, but I have been able to throw some waters or beers in there with some ice to keep everything cold for a while. Otherwise you will need a dry bag or some Ziploc bags to keep everything dry.

Comfort - I have seen many complaints about the seat. Specifically the lower back support. I also experienced some discomfort in my lower back after being out on the water for an hour, so on a whim I undid the buckles on my life vest, pulled it up over the back rest, and was then very comfortable. The next time I went out I wore a different life vest and had no problems at all.

Summary - Great price, great performance. Personally I prefer the Aruba 10 (barely), due to the paddle holder, storage compartment, and the deeper feel of the Aruba 10. That said I am very happy with the purchase of the Trailblazer 100. Plus the Trailblazer looks cooler!

3

Just bought this for $200 at…

Submitted by: paddler236973 on 7/26/2016
Just bought this for $200 at Dick's for use at our camp/second home. Tested it this morning. I am not very impressed. It might be fine for a beginner, but if you've been in better quality kayaks (I have an Emotion, and my wife has a Wilderness Systems), this little yak just doesn't cut it. It doesn't glide well and it fishtails pretty badly. I have a 10 footer that doesn't fishtail like this. Too much effort to get the thing through water, and it's slow. Turns pretty well. I'm going to return it and keep looking. The Emotion Guster gets pretty good reviews and it's only $85 more at Cabella's. Think I'll give that a try.
4

Recently my girlfriend and I…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/18/2016

Recently my girlfriend and I purchased the Trailblazer 100 as our first kayaks. We had looked at $1k-ish models at first and after a financial review we knew that we had to settle for a cheaper starter kayak. We have used it a handful of times so I've broken down my review into a few important topics:

1. Price - Can't beat it. We found it for around $200 at Dicks.

2. Aesthetics - Not many colors to choose from, but the colors are bright. Kayaking on a lake you sometimes deal with boating yahoos and the bright colors help identify yourself as "Please dont run over me".

3. Design - Not to informed on "Kayak engineering" but the design seems "ok". The seat was simple yet surprisingly semi comfortable. We kayaked for better part of 3 hours for each of our trips and both of us didnt have too much of an issue. My back support needed a bit of adjustment after some time but it supported me well. I'm at 6', 220lb guy so the cockpit fitted me was great. My legs rested comfortably against the sides and didn't rub either. The handles held up great for transporting & the tie downs worked great for strapping down our dry bags. We managed to go up and into a few very shallow streams without issue so the bottom of the boat scrapped a few times but the bottom held up great, no scrapes. 3 Complaints though:

(A) I could not find a comfortable place to rest my feet. The Foot stops worked well but the bottom of the boat pushed up again my heels awkwardly and I couldn't get them to be comfortable. More experience time maybe? I'm not sure, but I'm leaning towards design issue.

(B) The water drain on the rear of the boat is about 4-5" from the tip of the boat so you cant completely drain the kayak of water. There is enough water in it to be problematic if you bring it in your house to store or if you leave it outside (mosquito breeding ground etc).

(C) Again, I'm not an expert, but this thing missed every lesson on "Kayaks and Tracking". We both spun during paddling and had to fight a bit it to stay straight. However, we did test in calm streams and in a choppy lake, both did maintained the same level of "tracking". Which says at at least it does track somewhat.

3. Weight - It's not light but it's easy to transport solo if you lift a few milk jugs daily. We have a car with a low roof and we both would not have an issue getting it on and off. However, we transport it on our Jeep Liberty with a higher roof where I would recommend 2 people loading and unloading.

All this said, we both couldn't be happier for our first kayak. The price was the biggest winner as we couldn't afford a high end recreational. The Trailblazer 100 is a a great starter for anyone.

4

Hard to beat sit-in kayak for the money. For…

Submitted by: Crockett on 7/11/2016

Hard to beat sit-in kayak for the money.
For under $300, I'd rate this a 9 out of 10.
I live on the Neshanock Creek, which is nearly a river, and I had to buy 4 kayaks for me and the kids.

The Trailblazer was our first kayak purchase, and I couldn't be more satisfied.
PROS: The Trailblazers handle and track very very well. They are very light, two 12 and 13 year-olds have no problem carrying 2 kayaks. The seats and storage are sufficient for 4-6 hours of yaking. A depression between your legs for a water bottle and a small catch-all tray at the forward end of the cockpit opening.

Because of Pelicans building process, they are able to install blocks of foam in the forward and aft sections of the kayak, I don't think you could sink this yak if you tried to. CONS: The seats are only sufficient. I had to add paddle keepers, and I saved $100 and added my own rod holders.

5

I've been searching for a…

Submitted by: Paddlekidd on 7/5/2016
I've been searching for a kayak of my own for the last year. I had only used the Bass Pro Ascend FS10 kayak and was determined to buy one. The expense was making it a long wait for me. I came across the Pelican Trailblazer 100 online at Dicks Sporting Goods. I will be honest it was the color choices that caught my attention at first.(It's a girl thing! LOL) At a $300 price mark it was almost half the Ascend price and became even more appealing, but the upgrades on the Ascend had me eyeing them again. When Dicks recently had their Summer Boat Sale and lowered the price of the Trailblazer to $179. I couldn't pass up giving it a shot. I have to say....I am not at all disappointed, the stability and tracking are great and I have money left in the budget to add rod holders and a few other things I think she needs. Beyond happy with my pretty coral trailblazer. She's lightweight and Im able to load it on top of my 4runner all by myself and Im 5'2" and 52years old. Great all around recreational kayak. Very happy!
5

I have had multiple kayaks…

Submitted by: paddler234551 on 7/5/2016
I have had multiple kayaks and canoes over the years and consider myself well seasoned. I can give you a pretty good analysis on this boat so listen up. I took this out yesterday after purchasing from Dick's the day before. The price was unbelievable and I was looking for a light weight boat to compliment my solo canoe. My expectations were far surpassed on handling in slow, rapid and choppy windy conditions. I had the pleasure of experiencing all these conditions on the Susquehanna yesterday. Most of my previous boats have been Old Towns so I have a good idea on how a boat should handle, no complaints here. It's stable, tracks very well and is relatively fast. In one foot chop and a persistent head wind I stayed dry as the bow raises up and cuts through with ease. The seat, well you can't have everything but by loosening the straps so the back support is laid back I added several camping pads and a foam pad and it was extremely comfortable. You have enough leg room in the cockpit to sit crossed legged if you choose which I do on occasion which was another added pleasure. I'm 61 years old in pretty good shape but a lighter boat is getting important these days and carrying this boat by myself was a pleasure. Last thing that I was worried about was how the material was going to hold up. The Susquehanna can be tough on a boat with rocks that will cut and gouge a boat in a hurry. When I got back to shore and took a look I was pleasantly surprised at how abrasion resistant the Ram-x is. Get it if you still can for the price, its a good boat. The one I got was the trailblazer. Don't forget to get some backrest pads you will need them. Happy paddling.
5

I bought the Trailbazer 100 2…

Submitted by: paddler236903 on 6/28/2016
I bought the Trailbazer 100 2 weeks ago from Dick's and got a great deal.
242.00 total for the kayak, paddle, iIl tax sticker,a can of bug spray and tax.
I am very happy.
I shopped several stores expecting to spend 400-500$
I am 6'5" and 220# and sat in about every 10' kayak under 500$ and none were comfortable.
This one is perfect. Easy to get in and out. Feels nice and stable. And nice and light enough to throw on the roof without assistance.
I had never been in a kayak and was nervous about getting something that would be uncomfortable after sitting in for more than a few second test in a store.
I have had it out 5x in the last 2 weeks for 3-4 hour trips and I couldn't be more thrilled.
I would definitely recommend for a beginner/low budget.
I'm already checking every kayak I see on and off the river to my next upgrade, but I'm good for at least a year or 2.
I still can't believe the cheapest one I found was the only 10' I fit in and is so comfortable.
5

My wife and I just purchased…

Submitted by: jvivenzo on 6/14/2016
My wife and I just purchased our Pelican 10' took it to the mangroves in the Fort Lauderdale Parks it was great; the GoPro mounted perfect; the entire experience was great. Scheduled to go to different parks twice a month. By the way, next year we turn 68 years and young.
4

Recently purchased a Pelican…

Submitted by: paddler236859 on 6/14/2016
Recently purchased a Pelican Trailblazer 1000 on sale from a corporate sporting goods store for less than $200.00. My wife and I are new to kayaks but have experience with canoes, and the opportunities in this region are for kayaks thus, the purchase. Black water rivers, some run faster than others, some are deeper, but there are many shallow areas and this kayak can handle the water, maneuvers well, going upstream and downstream too, stable, and tracks well, it seems a more expensive kayak moves with little effort compared to the Pelican but for the cost, this one performs when going over beaver dams, downed trees, and when ramming into submerged tree branches it holds up due to the ram-x hull, it feels thin but is comforatble without any cockpit mods for the short blackwater river trips of 3-4 hours in duration, easy to enter and exit, and light enough to pull over downed trees.

Some say, you get what you pay for and this is cheap thrill kayak and it does me well on the rivers here in North Carolina. It was the ram-x material that sold us on this kayak becasue we have a 17ft canoe that is close to 30 years old and it looks brand new yet. I would have gave it a 10 if it had thigh pads...but you get what you pay for and this one is good for what we use it for...traveling the black waters of NC.

4

For $200 this is a fantastic…

Submitted by: bobsoup on 5/9/2016
For $200 this is a fantastic little 10ft Kayak. What you're not going to get: Storage Space (you won't camp with it) Dry storage (you'll need a dry bag... The dry storage hatch is just a loose plastic piece held down by the bungees)

Cup holders (there is a groove in the seat you could place a bottle but it won't stay put in rough water).

There's no knee braces, no rod holder, no oar holder...

.. But it's a fun kayak nonetheless.

It tracks remarkably well for such a cheap 10ft Kayak. It also turns well, it's responsive to your lean and body control.

You won't win races with it but it's zippy enough. It seems fairly resistant to scratching, has great stability and an easy access cockpit.

I'm not sure about connecting a skirt to this kayak, I have no experience with them. The opening is huge... I stayed dry on flat water.

The foot braces are easy to adjust and have a wide variety of positions. The plastic looks rather fragile on them to me though.

For a cheap 2nd Kayak under $200 I'm very happy.

5

I bought the Pelican…

Submitted by: buddydog1999 on 5/4/2016
I bought the Pelican Trailblazer 100 at Dicks sporting goods 4-22-16. I payed 229.00 for it. I took it out to Lost Grove Lake (Iowa) that day. It seems to be well constructed and easy to get in and out of. Paddling and maneuvering this kayak was much easier then the inflatable I had been using. It tracked well and I felt it to be quit stable. It's not a fishing model but I was able to fish from it just fine. Its pretty basic but the amenities provided, such as the front and rear bungees, worked fine and are well placed. The adjustable foot pegs are easy to use. The adjustable seat back was nice but the seat pad was thin. I found this to be a good basic kayak at a good price.
4

Really enjoy this kayak! It…

Submitted by: jillypooh82 on 4/27/2016
Really enjoy this kayak! It is pretty basic and the material seems as though it might not hold up as well as others but a friend borrowed it and managed to sink it. It sat in the river for at least a month (maybe 2!) before the river went down and the farmer that owned the adjacent property pulled it out. It then sat outside on a hay wagon for another month and besides being a little dirty and having very minor rust on the rivets, it looks great! It is fairly light, which I was wanting and has all I need for day trips down the river with friends. The compartment on the back works decently as a cooler if you throw frozen water bottles or ice in but isn't very large. The front underbow is very roomy! I can throw my fishing bag, life vest, and a dry bag underneath and still have ample room. It is also open enough that I can slide my 4'6" pole in and not have any issues.
4

Great starter fishing kayak!…

Submitted by: MadHyzer on 10/4/2015
Great starter fishing kayak! It is lightweight and easy to transport. Maintains balance well but kind of light so you may spin while fishing. An anchor solves that though. I added modifications to mine and works like a charm. Great starter at a great price point!
4

Just because I'm making…

Submitted by: beckyblanton on 9/9/2015
Just because I'm making payments on a $2,000 ocean kayak that I won't finish paying on until Christmas doesn't mean I had to miss this year's paddling. So I bought two Trailblazer 100's, 10-foot length, in "yummy yellow," which I hear makes me shark bait if I venture out of the Chesapeake Bay or into the ocean. No matter. I spend most of my time on the James River here in Virginia. I'm LOVING my kayaks (I bought two so I could drag friends along to experience the joy of kayaking too.)

What I love about them:
The light weight. I'm old - 60 years old in October, and when I want to paddle on the man-made lake here in my retirement community, by myself, I can. I can easily load and unload these gems. And I'm not a secret body builder either.

I love the room. As anyone over the age of 55 knows, your hips and butt spread horizontally with age. The seat in this boat cradles my bum in perfect comfort! I don't feel like I have to shoehorn myself into the cockpit at all. VERY roomy for those of us who like to eat when we're not in the water. Leg room is great, very easy to get in and out of the boat too.

Tracks well! This is the most important thing with any kayak - how does it track? Well, considering its light weight and design, I was shocked at how well it tracks. VERY easy to keep in a straight line, to turn, to maneuver. Even the beginners who have borrowed it when we go out feel like they're pros after an hour, and are very comfortable controlling the boat.

Wide Beam. The wider the boat, the more stable it is. However, past a certain width you feel like you're having to drag yourself through the water. The Pelican Trailblazer is wide enough to be stable, but not so wide you feel like you're paddling a big box that drags in the water.

Bright color choices: Love the colors it comes in - all bright, easy to see on the water colors that will, hopefully, keep some powerboat from hitting me.

There is plastic construction, which is heavy and feels and moves like a heavy tank, then there's however Pelican constructs their boats - lightweight, tough, scuff and rock resistant.

CONS:
I gave this boat a 9 because, well, I'm picky. There aren't many serious cons to this at all, and some folks might not even consider them cons, especially considering the price (which is a plus!) but here goes: The wells, the place where you might want to stash lunch, or an extra shirt, suntan lotion etc., are
(1) tiny...and there's only one well. It's shallow and there's no gasket or anything that really keeps water out. It is too small to be of much use for anything over a half day trip. I use it for bug spray, lotion and an extra water bottle.
(2) The coaming (the part of the cockpit where you put a spray skirt) is not designed to be used with a spray skirt. I suppose with a very tight bungee cord you could hold a spray skirt on, but it is not meant for serious whitewater or any kind of water that breaks over the boat. However, it's nice to have something to keep drips, spray and sun out of the cockpit. 99% of people will never notice, want or use a spray skirt however, so it's just those who do, or want to, who will find it a negative.

Heat: I've noticed that sometimes heat will contort or alter the bottom of the front or back of the kayak, distorting the bottom until it hits cold water. It's annoying, but not a serious issue as it seems to pop out when it's needed.

SUMMARY: EXCELLENT boat for the price and well worth investing in one for every family member. Great ride, fun, lightweight, handles well in the bay, in a river, or in class 2 rapids or on quiet ponds. Draws almost no water, so even a one-foot deep stream can be navigated. I'd feel comfortable fishing out of this boat too.

4

Recently purchased kayak on…

Submitted by: paddler236506 on 9/8/2015
Recently purchased kayak on sale at Dicks. Quality seems good. Light enough for me to get on roof of SUV w/ small ladder. Adjustable foot pegs and seat added bonus. Bought purle and color is awesome.
5

My wife and I just sold a…

Submitted by: paddler236446 on 8/24/2015
My wife and I just sold a couple of Kayaks we were not using. One was a , Too Heavy. The other a great Eddyline Merlin XT, too hard to enter and exit, an early one with the small keyhole cockpit. We decided we wanted light, smaller, large cockpit, stiff hull, decent tracking, and super stability.

So we took a flyer on two yellow Penguin Trailblazer 100's. We live 4 blocks from Puget Sound and close to many lakes and rivers. I must say we were prepared to be very disappointed, as these should be quite a comedown, at $199.95 on sale at Dicks, but they are great, and exceeded every expectation we had. We are back into the sport and loving it

4

I got my Trailblazer from…

Submitted by: Willrwink on 8/19/2015
I got my Trailblazer from Dick's and have been out on 2 lakes and several miles of the Catawba River. It's been great! The hatch leaks so I added some stripping and learned to not hit rocks or branches too hard since the hull scratches fairly easily, but otherwise I love this boat!
5

Purchased form Dicks the…

Submitted by: 1234dallred on 8/18/2015
Purchased form Dicks the Trailblazer has a double arch hull and flat decking. I like the flat deck for ease of moving gear. Tracks rather good, very stable in the water, good sitting room, easy for one person to lift and load.
5

Bought 2 of these kayaks and…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/21/2015
Bought 2 of these kayaks and have used them in a lake and the ocean in Mass. No issues noticed other than compartment for storage is not water tight. Handled well during the 4 hour excursion paddling in the ocean. Very happy, never felt that I would tip either. Love my new kayak!
4

Recently purchased the the…

Submitted by: Bpeete0484 on 7/10/2015
Recently purchased the the Trailblazer 100 for the family. Nice kayak for beginners. Both my teenage daughter and wife find it easy to maneuver and it's light enough that they can unload from the car by themselves. Tracking leaves a little to be desired given the length. However with a little practice this is easily corrected. For under $180 on sale this is great for an afternoon of fun with the family. We've tried it on slow moving streams and flat lakes so far. Only complaint is that I didn't buy a second kayak while they were on sale.
4

I just bought a Pelican…

Submitted by: harriro58 on 7/8/2015
I just bought a Pelican Trailblazer and had a chance to try it out over the weekend. I bought two (one for my wife) fishing Kayaks. We did not have time to fish, but really put them through the motions on a local reservoir. That involved paddling upstream in a creek and across the current with other boats and jet skis in the area.

I will say that the Trailblazer is by far the best Kayak for the price I have ever used. It tracks so well you find yourself testing it without thinking. It is roomy and comfortable. The foot pegs are easy to use and the seat was comfortable for a three to four hour paddle. Could use some padding for the knees, but I am sure I can add that.

4

I bought my Pelican…

Submitted by: paddler236341 on 7/8/2015
I bought my Pelican Trailblazer 100 from Dicks Sporting Goods in May. I have used it on the James River near Buchanan, VA. I use it as a fishing kayak. I didn't get the angler model. I have added two flush mount holders and one upright holder to the console area. I have also added a anchor system.

For a 10 foot Kayak this is a great starter kayak. Very stable for a 265lb guy. The kayak tracks well. I have taken it through a couple class two rapids with no issue.

My only complaint is there is no dry storage. The seat is very comfortable, the back rest adjusts very well. the cargo area in the front works well and holds things well. The TST that the kayak is made out of is very durable. The cockpit is very big and is great. well built kayak great for floating rivers and lakes.

4

Good kayak for the price, I…

Submitted by: perezmerino on 7/1/2015
Good kayak for the price, I bought it for my 10 years old daughter and she loves it. It's spacious inside, she can go with her little sister and have a great time. I have used it too and track pretty well.
4

The Pelican Trailblazer 100…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/1/2015
The Pelican Trailblazer 100 sit-in solo kayak is a terrific entry-level kayak at a very affordable price. The Trailblazer weighs in at an easy-to-carry 37 lbs and has a generous weight limit of 275 lbs. Front and back deck rigging and a rear day hatch (not water-tight) provide multiple places to carry gear and the adjustable foot braces provide comfort for paddlers of different sizes.

The Trailblazer has good initial and secondary stability, tracks well and with the roomy cockpit (51.25"L x 23.5"W) there is plenty of leg room and is easy to get in and out of, even for larger paddlers. A convenient drain plug, adjustable backrest and surprisingly comfortable seat pad are some other features the Trailblazer offers paddlers. The molded poly Trailblazer comes with a manufacturer's limited lifetime warranty and is manufactured in Canada exclusively for Dick's Sporting Goods.

The Pelican Trailblazer 100 offers paddlers on a budget an affordable and comfortable kayak for quiet water paddling with many value-added features not seen in other budget recreational kayaks.

4

I just purchased the…

Submitted by: paddler236225 on 5/14/2015
I just purchased the Trailblazer 100 as my first kayak purchase. This is not my first rodeo in kayaks but it is my first purchase. The deciding factor was definitely the price and the light weight. Our other kayak is an Old Town and I can't pick the thing up.

The day I bought it I took it out on water and headed over to a little island we love. We went at high tide so we went right through the chop and my kayak didn't even pretend like it could flip. The wind did pull me around but I didn't expect anything less as the wind was really whipping and my kayak is so light. Not a bother for me. The storage is a little limited as we plan to make camping trips in our kayaks, but thank god for dry bags!

In the end, I am ecstatic with my purchase for the money I have spent!

4

Bought this kayak from the…

Submitted by: grvdgr77 on 9/17/2014
Bought this kayak from the Dick's near where I live. have rented different models before and really enjoyed it. Wanted one of my own and couldn't pass up the price.

I have been really surprised with the stability of this kayak! I think you would have to want to flip it. I have taken it everywhere from small creeks and lakes to larger rivers and open bays and had no issues. It is affected by the wind but put that down to it's light weight. look forward to many years on the water with it.

5

I bought my Pelican…

Submitted by: ronapurple on 9/6/2014
I bought my Pelican Trailblazer 100 a few months ago, and I absolutely love it! I am totally new to kayaking, and this boat is so stable, and easy to carry. I can even fit it into my Jeep Patriot! I have fallen in love with kayaking now, and I can't get enough! Plus, it is a beautiful blue color!!!
5

We are newbie kayakers and…

Submitted by: Popupkayakers on 9/2/2014
We are newbie kayakers and purchased two Pelican Trailblazer 100's. Our kayaks are the angler version. We have only seen them in beige and wish they made more colors available. These kayaks are great for kayaking the shallow, slow Kankakee River in Illinois. They are light weight and we can launch them right from the riverbank. They are also very stable and we never worry about capsizing. All in all, we have enjoyed our sturdy Pelican kayaks.
4

Really good kayak for the…

Submitted by: DrewM on 7/30/2014
Really good kayak for the price! After borrowing a friend's Clear Water Leisure Affinity 8.6 for my wife to see if she'd enjoy kayaking, I bought this for her and we took it out for the first time yesterday to Slatersville Reservoir. The first thing she said after paddling for about 5 seconds was "Wow, this thing can move!" Well coming from the borrowed yak, this was an obvious improvement.

Very stable, tracks decently for a 10 footer. It does get moved easily by the wind being as light as it is. It has a good amount of features for the price range, though it would have been nice to have the back end open for storage. It is closed off by foam behind the seat, and there is only a small "dry hatch" in the rear. I'm not sure how dry it will stay in rougher waters, but it stayed dry for us. it's definitely not sealed in any way. The seat looks good, though my wife complained that she would have liked it to be a it higher.

All said, a very good beginner kayak for $220. (Missed the $199 deal at Dick's)

5

This is a perfect starter…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/16/2014
This is a perfect starter kayak for kids. It is a great size for my 13 year old and 10 year. Storage space is limited in the hatches. It cuts well through the water and smaller rapids.
5

We purchased 6 Pelican…

Submitted by: sniderv1 on 7/15/2014
We purchased 6 Pelican Trailblazers for kayaking on the Toccoa River and the lake in Blue Ridge, GA. We are first time kayakers. The price was the deciding factor for us, since we wanted 6 kayaks! We love the stability of the Trailblazer and the storage opportunities it offers. The Trailblazer is made with Ram X material. So far they have held up well in the rocky river even when the water levels are low and we hit several rocks. We definitely would recommend this model to the first time buyer for recreational kayaking.
5

This is my first kayak. I…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/11/2014
This is my first kayak. I love it. It was a great price and I love the bright yellow color. It tracks in the water perfectly. For the price it is an awesome value. I would recommend
4

I purchased 2 of these…

Submitted by: huffman8695 on 7/9/2014
I purchased 2 of these trailblazers and are very impressed with them! My wife and I have taken them out each weekend for the last 2.5 months, what a blast we have been having getting into very shallow areas back in bays as well as many lakes around Oregon.

The stability of these kayaks are awesome considering they are only 28" wide. I would definitely recommend these to anyone looking to start kayaking or even for intermediate yakers. All I can say is THANK YOU Pelican for a quality built, Yet inexpensive kayak. See you on the water!!!

5

This kayak is great. I…

Submitted by: paddler235717 on 7/6/2014
This kayak is great. I recently just started kayaking and was able to find the Pelican Trailblazer at a local sporting store and I'm glad that I got it. For a 10 foot kayak it is extremely fast in the water.I went kayaking on a windy day last week and had a lot of chop and was able to do just fine. I highly recommend it anyone looking for a good beginner and intermediate kayak.
4

Purchased a couple of the…

Submitted by: abl on 7/2/2014
Purchased a couple of the Trailblazer's for family & friends to use on the lake. They are low cost and reasonably light weight kayaks. For the price, can't beat them. Would not want to take them on any rough waters.
5

Recently bought 2 of these…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/2/2014
Recently bought 2 of these kayaks for my wife and I. Used them this past weekend on a lake in Southern Oregon and had a great time with them. I like that the seat is elevated an inch or so off the bottom of the kayak and not on the bottom. Bought them on sale at Dicks sporting goods for $200 a piece. A great deal for getting out on the water.
4

New to kayaks and got the…

Submitted by: paddler235634 on 7/2/2014
New to kayaks and got the Trailblazer a few weeks ago. Just got another for my wife. Still don't know what makes this inexpensive kayak different than expensive ones but I love it. I'm 5'8" and 175 lbs.

Seat back is not great for someone with back problems. If you have back problems get a support or kayak with a high back.

I would only assume (after reading other reviews) than tracking could be a problem but I use it in the calm Charles River in MA and have no problem. I may have a different review if I were in rough water. I think for 180.00 this is one great kayak. NOW, let's see how well it holds up over time.

5

Great kayak for the beginner…

Submitted by: Tibbitts on 7/2/2014
Great kayak for the beginner "weekend warrior", who is just testing the water in the world of kayaking. Great on lakes outlets and creeks, this kayak handles well but is also very tough construction wise. You will have no fears scraping the bottom on rocks in low water because of its tough construction but also its reasonable price.

The only down side I have with this kayak is that its cargo compartment is not water tight. However a short trip to the hardware store and $5 will fix this issue. If you're looking into buying your first kayak or considering picking up kayaking recreationaly, this is the kayak for you. The Trailblazer 100 will give you years of enjoyment at a price you cant beat.

Details:
• 1-person sit-in kayak • Versatile • Designed for: recreation • Perfect for beginners • Built on an ultra-stable hull platform • Dashboard • Drain plug • Adjustable foot pegs • Seat pad • Adjustable padded backrest • Carrying handles • Storage hatch with bungee to secure items

Specifications:
Length: 10'
Width: 28"
Cockpit dimensions: 51.25"L x 23.5" W
Weight capacity: 275 lbs

4

I recently purchased two of…

Submitted by: Txyak33 on 5/27/2014
I recently purchased two of these kayaks. I have been very pleased with them. I already owned an Ascend FST12 and a Liquid Logic and added these to our family fleet. They are lightweight, very stable and very inexpensive boats, perfect for paddling lakes, gentle flowing streams and back bays. There are only two issues I have: 1) with a thin plastic hull I'd be afraid to do any aggressive rapids 2) No dry storage.
5

I purchased this kayak a few…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 5/19/2014
I purchased this kayak a few months ago from Dicks Sporting Goods. After several 4-5 hour excursions I am very pleased with the boat. It is very stable, paddles relatively straight and is surprisingly manueverable. I've accessorized it to suit my needs (rod holders, cleats, paddle clip and cupholder). Well worth the 200 dollar price tag to get out on the water with no hassles!