Bandit

I have only been paddling for about a year and had a Kiwi to start out. The Bandit is AWESOME in comparison. I have taken it on everything from lakes to rivers to Class II+ rapids and this thing is unstoppable. My friends with more experience than I were very impressed when we shot the rapids on the upper Russian River. Yee Haw! Great boat, great price!

I bought the Bandit in January and have used it for lake paddling. This boat fits my needs perfectly. The Phase 3 seat (standard equipment) is adjustable for backrest height and thigh support (I often get envious comments from other kayakers). Compared to my sit-on-top, this boat is a breeze to carry and load - two longitudinal channels on the hull are for tracking but also provide a great handhold for carrying. I can easily carry the boat the two blocks from my cabin to the lake.

If you want a fast boat, get one that is longer and narrower than the Bandit. If you want a small boat that tracks pretty well and provides a comfortable way to get some exercise and scenery on the lake, this is a great choice.

After buying a popular sit-on-top kayak, I promptly took it back after one time out and exchanged it for a Bandit (Wilderness Systems). The Rascal is considered their better "small" kayak, but I opted for the Bandit due to its open cockpit (which allows you to put your knees up, and put a tackle box between your legs), and its hull design (while the Rascal has a more keel-like design, which is better for paddling down the rivers, the Bandit has a flat bottom with two channels that help it track, and allow it to clear in 3 inches of water). It tracks well for a kayak under 10 feet, is quite stable, is faster than the sit-on-top models I tried, and it even fits in my 2-door Explorer (without any passengers :)

Great little boat! It can do more than the brochure for it says it can. I'm 5' 9" 225 pounds and I was surfing class 2 waves in the Mohawk River with it! Right along side my 2 partners Dagger WW boats .The brochure said its for lakes and flat river paddling . Only my 3rd time in a kayak, this boat is extremely stable. Handled those class 2 rapids with no problem. I'm sure it could handle bigger water! Was gonna get a white water boat in the spring but now I'm not so sure I think this boat is all I'm gonna need. Did a 15 mile paddle on the Schroon River and it wasn't too taxing a boat to paddle.

I Purchased the 'Bandit' after quite a bit of research but, because it was a new model and I had to order it without actually seeing it, did not paddle it before I took delivery. I was sold on it just by studying catalogs from 5 different boat manufacturers. I figured at 9'4" and with a paddler weight rating of 250 pounds, I could fit my 6'0" 220 pound frame into it. WRONG! I absolutely loved the boat. I took it on the water for about 20 to 30 minutes and found that it was unbelievably stable, tracked great, had good speed, awesome maneuverability, was good looking, and an all around great boat. But defintely NOT for paddlers my size. There was no way I could spend a whole day crammed into that boat. But, it truly broke my heart to have to return it. I was lucky that I went through a great outfitter who gave me a full store credit and allowed me to trade up to a bigger boat. Larger paddlers should look elsewhere, but for smaller paddlers I heartily endorse and highly recommed the 'Bandit'.