After much research on kayaks online, I found this wonderful little gem. It had all the features that I wanted and as a beginner, it seemed to be a good fit. I was also interested in this particular kayak because the cockpit is large enough to accommodate me AND my dog! How cool is that!!?
I took it out for it's maiden voyage with my dog along for the ride. I had never before been in a kayak and was very impressed with how well this boat handled. It was easy to steer, especially in the calm water of the lake coves, and I was amazed at how fast it zipped along with very little effort from me. It is buoyant in less than a foot of water, so you can go anywhere you want in it.
The seat is incredibly comfortable even though I suffer from back and leg pain. I was not in pain at all during my several hours out on the water.
I am a professional wildlife artist and photographer. I am delighted to say that this boat is stable enough in the water to take my good SLR camera out with me and not worry that it is going to end up at the bottom of the lake! Birds seem unafraid of the boat even though I ordered the brightest color, the yellow-red.
I just can't say enough positive things about this kayak. At only 40 pounds, this boat is easy for this 40 + year old paddler to carry without any problem. We did end up buying a canoe car-top loader to save my back, but once on the ground, maneuvering this boat is a piece of cake!
I would highly recommend this kayak to anyone who wants to spend peaceful time out on the water. You won't regret this purchase!
This is my first year kayaking. I live on Long Island Sound in a somewhat protected area. I've had my kayak out many times and wonder now why it took me so long to purchase one. I'm having a ball! The Manatee Deluxe is lightweight enough for me to handle alone. It maneuvers extremely well on days when the Sound is rough and choppy. I can't wait to try it on a lake, too. Everyone should have one of these!
The Manatee is a very comfortable and easy to handle kayak. It is my first adventure in kayaking, and I'm very pleased with the boat. I use it on a nearby creek and river. I hope to add lakes in the near future. This kayak is also light and easy to handle both on land and water.
We have had our kayaks for several months now, and have had them out way more than we ever did our canoe. They maneuver very well. We have really enjoyed them alot, as have our young adult daughters. We have used them in the bayous, river and creeks.
