This is my first Kayak and I am more than pleased with it. It arrived days before it was expected and I have taken it out twice already. Roomy, comfortable, plenty of accessories, a great deal all around.
this is a great kayak. really light, easy to portage... if you can paddle it you can carry it. the seat is comfortable, easy to adjust. the paddle and foot pegs have yet to present any major problems. only thing that Im not thrilled about it the back "compartment". its just a sealed hole into the kayak. there is no separate compartment to store items. wish it came with a water tight fitted compartment. it didnt advertise incorrectly, I just didnt look into that before I bought it. overall, its an awesome kayak.
I purchased the Manatee three months ago and have used it every week since, paddling on the Wekiwa River and from Merritt Island, Florida. It is everything I hoped for - stable, easy to maneuver, and plenty of room for storage. I shopped around and can confirm that, for under $500, you're not going to find a better kayak.
My wife and I purchased our first kayak - Manatee Deluxe package- in November and were so pleased with the quality and value, we purchased our second one. You can't beat this value price anywhere. All products are excellent quality. Don't waste your time checking other vendors.