Enduro 12.5

Lots of reviews say the back band is a torture device, but I have spent up to 11 hours or so in this kayak in one day without any problems as long as everything is adjusted well. I think it could be better, but it never was a huge concern.

I found the kayak rolls well enough, I learned to roll in it. It turns on a dime, however it doesn't track very well. I've run class 3 whitewater in it, and though it is too large to really play in the rapids, it handled them well.

Bottom line is it's a fast and maneuverable boat that will handle virtually anything you could expect to put a recreational kayak through.

I really liked the boat for that river, as it was mostly flat, with only a few moments of exitement. The skeg thing made a difference for me, I found it helpful for tracking in a straight line, and with it up, it was more squirly, which allowed for faster turning. I found myself pulling up the skeg now and then when I knew I would be manuvering around some strainers/low branches through fast current.

I found it to roll easily. It is a bit of a tank compared to a white water kayak, which is what I am used to, but is pretty fast for a shorter flatwater boat.

The only down side is the backrest, which was killing me the first two days until I figured out how to lock the height adjustment down, and the pain went away. I can see why others didn't like it though, as it was never very comfortable.

The little storage area in the back is nice, but small. Had enough room between three of us for just the necessities and nothing more (except maybe a bottle of jack and a pack of cards). Wish they had designed it better to make full use of the behind the seat area.

Not a 10? Yeah, I have to agree with the back brace sucking, and after 4 hours in the boat my legs were pretty numb, need a seat cushion.

As told by the instructor though, NEVER get rid of this boat. It will last me forever, and has its necessity in weekend river running for bigger rivers, where that cargo space will be a big plus, and can handle flatwater with ease.

I also checked out a Blackwater 11.5 the same day - it would have been $400 cheaper (it was on clearance - last years model), but the salesman told me - and he seemed pretty honest about most of the stuff, and it made sense, the cockpit on the Blackwater is bigger - making it harder to "wear". In other words harder to roll, and I wanted a boat I could roll. Also - I sat in both, and the Enduro is more like a sports car, the Blackwater feeling more like a pickup truck - BTW - I drive a pickup truck, so nothing wrong with them, but I wouldn't take it to a road course for a race. The Blackwater also has less rocker, and though shorter I was told would be less maneuverable - and since the Enduro has more of a pointed hull, even without the skeg down (which I agree, don't use it - learn how to paddle without it), it will track better than the Blackwater too. This boat does track very well.

I purchased a Wenger Whitewater length paddle with it also, and it works perfect for open or quick water.

The Exolar plastic is light and stiff, the skeg seems pointless for me, but might be a nice option for long stretches of flat water, very stable yet turns quickly and easily , cockpit is very comfortable for me 5'10" 170lbs, thighbraces are exactly where they should be, can paddle for hours with no stiffness, numbness, or cramping, backband is second-rate, will need to retrofit with hip pads and maybe a seat pad, TONS of storage, actually surfs the holes fairly well, the whitewater-sized cockpit (34x19) is PERFECT...easy in, easy out, I'm anxious to get back out in it next weekend...