Ocean Kayak Big Yak Kayak - Sit-on-Top, 9'8"

These Big Yaks are affordable enough for my wife and I to each have our own kayak for our early morning float on the lake. While we had easy paddling on "smooth water" and stayed completely dry, I also took it out on a couple of windy days and it handled great. The only difference was that I got a bit wet from waves coming over the sides. It is easy to launch as it is lightweight and very stable, so stable in fact that I can stand up on it while adrift. And if you do go into the drink it is easy to pull yourself back aboard. Only drawbacks, if you can call them that, are less than perfect tracking and its width. As seems typical for sit-on-top kayaks, there is some "fish tailing", especially if you are paddling hard and fast. You may also want to use a longer paddle due to its width. I found a 240cm paddle worked better than my old 220 cm paddle did. Overall, I don't think that you will find a more fun SOT kayak for the money.