We ordered two of these. One for the wife and one for husband. The reviews were extremely helpful. We are delighted with these kayaks. The weight of just 40 lbs each was a deciding factor. We were lucky with fast shipping as we ordered them on a Sunday, they arrived Friday morning and we had them out for a test run the same day on a local lake. Next stop will be the Peace River in Florida. Many thanks LL Bean for your continued quality products, reasonable pricing, fantastic customer service, and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
I purchased the angler kayak package by Manatee thru the Freeport, ME store. I went to the warehouse to pick up the kayak. When I got the kayak home, I found that I did not have the cover for the cockpit. My loss and LL Beans gain. I plan to purchase the cover this year. I have used the kayaki on several lakes and ponds in the past year and find it to be very stable and manuverable. I like How ligtht this is compared to my husband's kayak. I do have trouble loading it onto my truck but that is because I am only 5 feet tall. I love my kayak and would not trade it for anything.
Excellent kayak for a beginner: easy to get in & out, stable, light for carrying, easy to turn -- it has it all. Also, the seats are very comfortable (first thing my 15-yr-old daughter said).
Customer service was six stars excellent, if that's possible: helped me pick the right kayak for the right person in the right place, and all for a very reasonable price.
Bought a Manatee 2 years ago for my wife, who is athletically challenged. She has taken to it very well managing to navigate even rougher water. I am 6'4" and 210lbs and have found the kayak quite responsive, tracks well and very stable, and the large cockpit provides easy access, though I prefer my Pungo 120. Unfortunately, the Manatee lacks a bulkhead creating a dry storage compartment in the stern under the hatch. Too bad.
