My LL Bean Manatee Deluxe arrived this week, just one week after being ordered. It came with a paddle and hatch cover for the low low price of $399 and $35 shipping. I am a 56 year old female and I can easily lift the 38 lb. yak. It fits into the back of my 1999 Honda CRV (I plan to invest in a roof mount, but this is great for short trips to Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Petersburg, FL where I live.) My new yak handled well and tracked fairly easily. I am a beginner and I had no trouble. What a great way to explore the Florida waterways... and maybe a few other states as my skill and confidence increase. I researched and looked at a lot of boats before I decided on this recreational boat and I am very happy with my decision.
I just got my kayak. She's beautiful! I cannot believe the quality not only of the kayak, but the cover and paddle as well! I cannot wait to get her out on the water! From reading the other reviews, I was not disappointed when the seat adjustment ratchet didn't hold. We discovered that it was an easy fix, however!!! We took it off the boat and merely slid the ratchet bar (the thing that looks like a black tongue depressor with teeth along it) out of the yellow part and turned it around so the teeth would grab and reinstalled it on the kayak. It works perfectly!!!!!
After a wait of about 6 weeks my two boats arrived. A trip down the Androscoggin river made me happy that I purchased them. My wife and I are beginners and these worked great. Light ripps and smooth water on the river they were stable and on South pond they tracked well even with a stiff breeze. These boats made my weekend.
