Best kayak on Reddit
153 reviews from r/Kayaking, r/kayakfishing, r/whitewater and 5 more subreddits
153 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Old Town
4.4
(16)
"Old Town, Bonafide, Nucanoe, and Kaku are great kayaks for your needs."
"Ended up purchasing an Old Town Sportsman 120 PD, found a nice deal on this website if anyone else is interested."
"I have an oldtown salty (rolled back into the ocean kayaks malibu line) and a predator (Renamed to bigwater 132). They're both amazing kayaks."
"Super stable and not too heavy if you take the pedal drive out."
"Personally, I would aim for a pedal kayak. You get the options of going hands free to focus on fishing."
"I fish off an oldtown 120pdl. feels super stable to me."
"Old town PDL is the way🤝"
"On slow rivers, I'm really happy with the comfort and handling of the Old Town Loon 126."
"Old town otter."
"Then of course there’s the Hobie PA12/14, oldtown big water and Jackson Knarr for your 'handle it all' kayak but are pretty expensive."
#2
Hobie
4.4
(12)
"Stable enough to fish anything from calm offshore winds to a healthy chop and swell."
"Definitely see if you can get a second hand hobie. They’re tanks and pedaling and rudder control makes fishing so much easier."
"I have a hobie pa14 and love it. I can stand and move around in it without fear of tipping."
"I now use a hobie pa14. So much space and comfort."
"Hobie pa14 is very stable."
"Depends on your budget but at my heaviest 6'2 350lb the hobie pa14 is super sturdy that I can stand up and fish."
"Hobie Outback is kinda in a similar position but is better suited for people that take a lot of gear."
"I got a Hobie Outback. I like it. Very stable."
"I have a mirage compass which is a good kayak for inshore and lakes."
"Hobie are amazing but really expensive."
#3
Wilderness Systems
4.5
(11)
"We did our homework and purchased 12FT Pungo 120s Wilderness. You may be able to find them on sale (slightly used) we have had ours for 8yrs and they look like new."
"Definitely a pungo120! They are always ranked the best recreational kayak year in and year out."
"Buying a Pungo 120 or 125 will ensure a satisfying kayaking experience."
"If your friend can afford the Pungo 120, it will be much better to paddle than the 105."
"I have a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145 and it has dry storage bulkheads front and rear of the cockpit."
"Try a tsunami 145"
"Even though they don't make them anymore, look at the wilderness systems commander."
"Facebook marketplace for a wilderness tarpon 120 or a ocean kayak prowler 13."
"I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 sit on, I use it on lakes and rivers."
"I noticed tonight Wilderness Systems Targa 100 a 10’ sit on is on sale in your price range."
#4
Perception
4.5
(11)
"I really love my Perception Hangtime! Triple bow so it’s like a tank in the water, but still not super heavy."
"This is an excellent suggestion. Perception is top notch."
"User friendly, stable, and offers enough glide for basic cruising."
"Check out Perception kayaks - they have decades of boat design and manufacture experience."
"My opinion is to buy a rigid kayak."
"Perception. one you'll want to keep."
"Good options include Perception Rambler or Tribe, Wilderness Systems Tarpon, Jackson Bite Rec, and Feelfree Juntos."
"I would suggest something from either Perception/Wilderness Systems or Old Town."
"Check out the Tribe and the Rambler."
"Perception makes a couple of good sit-on-tops that you can likely find used in your area."
#5
Crescent
4.5
(11)
"Crescent crew, crescent lite tackle 2."
"It tracks well but still has plenty of maneuverability. It’s extremely comfy as well."
"Seat is excellent and has a high setting you can move it to."
"Highly recommend the crew, it’s extremely versatile and paddles really well."
"I’d go crescent crew and add a motor."
"I bought a crescent ultralite because I just love to be on the water."
"I personally paddle a crescent Ultralite, but they also make one called the Primo that is $699 and I've been hearing it's slightly more stable than the Ultralite."
"Slightly out of budget but if you can find a crescent primo, she would probably love it."
"I have a crescent Ultralite, the primo is similar but slightly heavier."
"I’d recommend looking at Crescent kayaks, if you haven’t already."
#6
Bonafide
5.0
(7)
"I'm pretty heavy and I'm very happy with my Bonafide SS127."
"I highly suggest looking there for a good deal."
"But I love the tracking on my Bonafide EX123. It's a very stable sit-in."
"The Bonafide EX123 is supposed to be extremely difficult to capsize."
"I wanted a Bonafide SS127 and found one in excellent shape for less than half the price of a new one."
"I cannot recommend the bonafide ss127 enough."
"I’m saving up for a Bonefide SS127."
#7
Pelican
3.9
(7)
"I have a pelican kayak if you’re gonna kayak fish I recommend a peddle kayak."
"Get a used Pelican off of Facebook marketplace and paddle it for awhile."
"Pelicans are light, and cheap, and available on the used kayak market."
"If you are only looking to cross the river and not do any serious paddling I would look on market place for a used pelican or lifetime."
"Most basic Pelican/Lifetime ones are around 1-200$."
"Pelican makes great entry level boats."
"Generally speaking: pelican<old Town << wilderness system (stability and durability) = dagger (speed/agility) << Delta = eddyline."
#8
Jackson
4.3
(4)
"I started with a Jackson Riviera sit on top. It's a fucking tank of a kayak in a great way!"
"I know some Jackson sit on top kayaks have a seat that sits up off the deck."
"Jackson bite FD is a minimalist kayak that can handle some chop."
"Jackson bite FD is slightly above that range, but god the pedal drive is so nice."
#9
Pakayak
3.8
(4)
"Pakayak occupies a relatively small footprint when nested and stored, but turns into a (IMO) decent 14' hardshell when assembled."
"I liked it a lot, and would have bought one if I was slightly smaller."
"Pakayak, think Russian doll style nesting components."
"I stuck with my Pakayak."
#10
Sea Eagle
4.7
(3)
"Canoe style kayak with great storage and awesome tracking."
"For a thousand dollars, you can have a SeaEagle RazorLite."
"A good drop stitch inflatable kayak, like a Sea Eagle Explorer, will be very stable."
#11
Werner
4.7
(3)
"My favorite paddle by far"
"Thrillseeker is an awesome boat!"
"Its still really solid"
#12
Lifetime
4.3
(3)
"I'd highly recommend getting a lifetime Tamarack."
"Check out the Lifetime Tamarack Pro, with the stadium seat, includes a cheap paddle, and a rod holder."
"I have a Tamarack and it is a great kayak."
#13
Aquaglide
5.0
(2)
"I've been very happy with it."
"I ended up going with an Aquaglide Chelan 140. They are on sale right now for $500 and well worth the extra cost."
#14
Loon 126
5.0
(2)
"Love my Loon 126."
"The Loon seat is the most comfortable I’ve used."
#15
Intex
3.0
(3)
"I got my Feelfree second hand for 600 but really enjoyed the ability to fish from the water with great portability that I got from the Intex Excursion."
"They're sometimes not the most maneuverable."
"The vast majority of products are cheap crap."
#16
Ascend
4.0
(2)
"For those wondering: $850 at https://www.ascendkayaks.com/hybrid/h12.html"
"$850 at https://www.ascendkayaks.com/hybrid/h12.html"
#17
Pungo
4.0
(2)
"Take a look at the Pungo. Massive cockpit and easy in/out."
"Get a used Pongo."
#18
Dagger Mamba
4.0
(2)
"Dagger Mamba."
"If you liked the Code, look for a used one and maybe check with local kayak schools."
#19
Oru
4.0
(2)
"Depending on how far you are hiking... a foldable kayak might be a good option."
"Oru kayak is foldable and great for calm waters."
#20
Wilderness
4.0
(2)
"I have a sit in Wilderness Pungo 120. Sits low to the water."
"I have a tsunami 125. Much safe than my dicks sporting good life time kayaks."
#21
Prijon
5.0
(1)
"I’d have a look at this Prijon: https://en.prijon.com/custom-line-cl-370-2.html."
#22
Abu Garcia
5.0
(1)
"Casts buttery smooth with even the lightest baits."
#23
P&H
5.0
(1)
"I love P&H Scorpio. It is stable, goes quite straight, easy to maneuver and strong."
#24
Innova
5.0
(1)
"She has felt much more secure in the inflatables, particularly the Innova."
#25
Perception Prodigy XS
5.0
(1)
"Perception Prodigy XS is great for smaller children."
#26
Riot
5.0
(1)
"Riot Bayside 12 solo. Fits me and a 70lb labrador."
#27
Advanced Elements
5.0
(1)
"Amazon has an old Advanced Elements Advanced Frame kayak for about $275 right now."
#28
QCC
5.0
(1)
"If you’re shopping widely and can find a QCC 500x they are great."
#29
Perception Pescador Pro 10
5.0
(1)
"Used Perception Pescador Pro 10 for your son and 12 for you would be great fishing kayaks that you should be able to find in that price range!"
#30
Local Shops
5.0
(1)
"Since you live near prime fishing areas, always recommend seeking local shops."
#31
Inflatable Ducky
5.0
(1)
"Get an inflatable ducky! Those are great for beginners. Nice and stable, easy to pack."
#32
Honor
5.0
(1)
"All work fine for shorter people or kids."
#33
Pungo 120
5.0
(1)
"Pungo 120 or 125 for larger folk."
#34
Seaward Ascente
5.0
(1)
"I fit in it great! Lots of adjustments that can be made."
#35
Oru Bay ST
5.0
(1)
"We have had our Oru kayaks for more than a couple of years, and continue to love them."
#36
Hobie Mirage Sport
5.0
(1)
"This one was perfect for her."
#37
Dagger
5.0
(1)
"I love my dagger boats good plastic, comfy outfitting and top notch designs!"
#38
Crescent Crew
5.0
(1)
"I’d go crescent crew and add a motor."
#39
Hoodoo Voyager 100P
5.0
(1)
"I bought a hoodoo voyager 100p for 1600 after a cart tax and shipping and honestly don't regret a thing about it."
#40
Dagger Supernova
5.0
(1)
"The Supernova is the most fun boat I have paddled, hands down."
#41
Hobie Pedal Kayaks
5.0
(1)
"Love out hobie pedal kayaks."
#42
Wilderness Systems Piccolo
5.0
(1)
"My small 7 year old started using a 13' WS Piccolo this year."
#43
Jackson Bite
5.0
(1)
"I have both a true SOT (Jackson Bite) and a hybrid SOT."
#44
Bonafide SS127
5.0
(1)
"I wanted a Bonafide SS127 and found one in excellent shape for less than half the price of a new one."
#45
Nucanoe
4.0
(1)
"I bought a nucanoe unlimited. Very stable."
#46
Point65
4.0
(1)
"Recently upgraded to a Point65 KingFisher. Works awesome on the water."
#47
Pakboats
4.0
(1)
"How about Pakboats folding kayaks or a decent dropstitch kayak like Sea Eagle or Itiwit X500?"
#48
Canoe
4.0
(1)
"Honestly, a canoe is better than any kayak I can think of if going with your dog is your intent."
#49
Liquid Logic
4.0
(1)
"I used a jefe boss made by liquid logic. I’ve done three day paddles down the American river with no problem."
#50
Viking
4.0
(1)
"I have a basic Viking kayak (not a fishing yak, though I fish out of it) and the one good thing about it is it’s light."
#51
Used Kayak
4.0
(1)
"I’d go used. Far less financial risk if the hobby doesn’t take."
#52
Stratos 12.5L
4.0
(1)
"6'6" 220, stratos 12.5L fits great with extra leg room and does everything a recreational kayak does but better and more."
#53
Baidarka Explorer
4.0
(1)
"Tip: the kayaking clubs around town often have second hands that people try to sell."
#54
Slayer Propel
4.0
(1)
"I know it's not the same kayak, but in the Slayer Propel I have my seat back where it's comfortable to fish."
#55
Lynx
4.0
(1)
"Lynx will be your best bet. It's going to be way faster and more nimble."
#56
Yakima
4.0
(1)
"I am partial to Yakima, but any good rack system will offer accessories like kayak bars to carry them."
#57
Tarpon
4.0
(1)
"A friend of mine and her big energetic 70lb mutt have fun in her Tarpon 105."
#58
Native
4.0
(1)
"Instead, I would go with the native titan x. It's big, sturdy."
#59
Soul Bigfoot
4.0
(1)
"Soul Bigfoot."
#60
Recon
4.0
(1)
"Recon 120 has a sliding seat."
#61
Chesapeake Light Craft
4.0
(1)
"Take a look at Chesapeake light craft."
#62
Old Town Heron Jr.
4.0
(1)
"My son cut his teeth on an Old Town Heron Jr."
#63
Pelican 10’ Sit-in
4.0
(1)
"I picked up a 10’ Pelican sit-in for $90."
#64
Seatream
4.0
(1)
"You can get a seatream openwater 12' on clearance at sierra for 349+75 shipping."
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