We originally went looking for a canoe, but saw this and it got our attention. We used it for 9 years until our second child was born. It's done the Potomac, Occoquan, and countless lakes around Northern Virginia.

To define this as a "kayak" is probably misleading. But it's also not a "canoe." We jokingly called it the "kayoo" because it has advantages of both.

We bought this boat because:
1. It was more stable than a canoe. We wanted something we could use even with our first child, or with the dog, who can't swim but loves to jump from side to side. (Beagles...) The fact that the kayak seats sit on the floor, rather than suspended up high like canoe seats puts the weight further down and gives you added stability. The very rigid hull helps too. The width of the boat crossed with the very low height made it completely untippable - even if you need to tip it because the dog messed in the boat! :(

2. The adjustable/removeable seats meant we could use it single, double, or double and a half. They slide down a track in the center of the boat. Each seat has a drink holder, except the half-seat. The seats are easily reversable, so you can get the romantic stroll on the lake if that's your wish.

3. Unlike canoe seats, which are more like benches, these seats have flexible backs that allow the paddler to lean back and relax a little. I call this the "lazy paddler" model. I once fell asleep while my wife was paddling. (Long, quiet drive home.)

4. The hull, although somewhat prone to scratches, is made from some type of very hard foam, so the boat has an extremely shallow draft. It's a textured surface on the boat, so the scratches tend to blend in, unlike on a nice, shiny canoe. Since it's a "solid surface" hull, you don't expose a white or fiberglass subsurface. It's the same color and same material all the way through the hull. The shallow draft allows you to get into more places than with a canoe. With one person, (180lbs) it had about a 2-3 inch draft. With two people (310lbs total) it had probably a 4 inch draft.

It handles well, and can pick up some nice speed but I wouldn't use this on serious whitewater. It's not as prone to spinning in circles, so new "kayooers" can get the hang of it quickly.

That being said, every boat has limitations.

1. No real cargo capacity. If you're camping or taking long trips with 2 or more people - this is not your boat. If you're day-tripping for a few hours, this is your boat.

2. It's heavier than a typical kayak. One person can get it on the car, but only if you're in good shape. With two, it's easier.

3. As with any kayak - keeping the interior clean is more challenging that with a canoe. A canoe can store outside nicely for a while, and you just hose it out. Kayaks are more prone to "creepy crawlys" nesting inside the tips, and more difficult to rinse out. Store this in a garage, off the ground, and rinse the interior before you head out. We found a black widow in ours once...

4. The black plastic trim on the interior can get really hot really quick. Take shoes no matter what. (Any good canoe/kayaker does anyway.)



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