Odyessy

I just got a new Odyessy and am very pleased with its handling. I read some of the other reviews. One guy complained about his back hurting. That is typical of out-of-shape people sitting in any kayak. You need to do some sit-ups and maybe even stretch once or twice a week ;-)

I took the Odyessy out in some 3 - 4 foot wind chop along with 6 foot of swell. Stayed on track, very stable, and surfed some small waves. What a great little kayak.

I don't know of a kayak that I would keep 'stock.' I always make some adjustments. On this one I put some padding in to make a better knee/thigh brace. I took the seat back out and replaced with a back band. I may change the footpegs with another system, just checking on what would fit the best.

If you have some boat handling skills (know how to edge) then this 13'2" kayak loves to spin around on a dime. It tracks well in almost any conditions, and have some great secondary stability.

This is a sports car of a kayak, not to be confused with a recreational kayak. You need some boat skills, bracing, have good strokes, and be in reasonable shape to appreciate this kayak.

My wife got sick of borrowing her neighbors kayak so I bought her one for her birthday. I spent a lot of time reviewing them and talking to different store owners (EMS, L.L Bean, All outdoors) and I got a lot of good reviews about this kayak. I gave it to my wife and she spent three days with and gave me the great smile of approval. She said she loves it and that it beats all the other ones shes tried. It is a little more tough to get into then some kayaks, but then again this kayak was built for touring and not recreation. I too tried it and was impressed by how well it cut through the water compared to some of the others we had rented before. The cockpit was comfortable and didn't make my legs fall asleep like some do. No regrets with this kayak, only smile in the sun. I think you'll be impressed.

I bought the Odyessy last spring and only used it two times and sold it.Every time used it my back would hurt and I would lose feeling in my legs.The same thing happed to my son.A good kayak with a bad seat.I see this year the seats are differt.

My 11 year old daughter just got one of these. It was $575 with rudder, which was a deal, and her favorite of 6 or 7 she tried at a demo days and elsewhere. It's got a very flat bottom, and she is so light (maybe 100 lbs) that she can actually climb into it from the side after a swim. I tried it, and got water over the cockpit lip the first time I leaned hard and a torrent followed by a capsize the second. It seemed to happen in a big hurry. I'm too big for the boat; still, I wonder how stable this boat is once it starts leaning. She really liked the flatter feeling boats, having capsized in a Umiak her first time out. We tend to stay out of waves, so this may be the perfect boat for her. It's light, and really looks great on the water. Quality is unknown. The tape at the deck-hull joint is already coming off, and the seal around the rear bulkhead has obvious voids already.