Prosa terrific bargain, easy to maneuver, excellent design, very well built
When I researched the market last year to find really a well-designed, well-built, easy-to-maneuver kayak for casual recreational use for my husband and me (one that was also economical), this was the one I chose. It was the best I found for our needs, hands down. And it did not disappoint.
We have used our Manatees for the past year and couldn't be more pleased with them. They have truly exceeded our expectations and given us hours of delight and great exercise. They are perfect for us (we are in our sixties), and we find them very easy to handle. They are ideal for day excursions, or quick sunset trips after dinner. . . in all conditions, whether calm or windy. We actually love going out before sunrise, too, and enjoying the beauty of the early morning. The adjustable seats are very comfortable, and the adjustable foot rests are a terrific feature.
I found comparable ones elsewhere, but they were much more expensive. The Manatee seemed to have the same features, but at an amazing price. None of the others could possibly be any better than the Manatee.
Our grown kids were giving one to their dad for Christmas last year, but when I found this one for his "surprise," I just HAD to order one for myself, too. So I ordered two, and they have been fantastic. They DO track well, just as L.L. Bean describes. My husband's "Christmas surprise" turned out to be one of our favorite things to do together.
We also ordered the mesh-back kayak PFD's from L.L. Bean, and they are wonderful. They "fit" the kayak seats perfectly and make for a comfortable paddling experience.
We absolutely would recommend the Manatee without reservation. We bought the 10-foot package, so it was a real bargain. Excellent design.
I went kayaking for the first time this past summer while on vacation and enjoyed it so much that I decided to purchase a kayak for local use. I needed something fairly lightweight and stable. This one fit the bill. It tracks very well, is easy to get in and out of the water, and has a comfortable seat. I considered another model that had a separate waterproof storage compartment, but that feature adds about 8 more pounds. I just use a waterproof river bag. The paddle that comes with the package is very light weight and effective.
I used the kayak today for the first time on a 12-mile paddle on the Rio Grande. The kayak tracked well and was comfortable. It is easy to load on my car single-handed. A water-tight storage locker would be nice but for the price I don't think you can beat this kayak.
Good basic flat water kayak for beginners like me and my wife. Easy to launch from shore and is very stable. Tracks well. Comfortable seating. Paddled for 1.5+ hours the first 4 times we used them. Foot pegs are easy to adjust for use by other paddlers. Would highly recommend. Quick delivery was nice too.
