The Best Sit On Top Kayak This 2022

Do you dream of finding yourself in beautiful watery spectacles? If so, then you should get the best sit on top kayak.

Well, there are a lot of ways to enjoy the seas, lakes, and rivers. The barest form, of course, is swimming and diving right through them. But there are cases where people just don't want to get wet. Some would prefer to experience the leisure of being seated on a comfortable boat while basking in the warmth of the day.

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Sit-on-top kayaks are among the best options for recreational watercraft. They are not that expensive, but they possess the essential ergonomics that provides support, convenience, and safety to the paddler. Take note that some models of SOT kayaks are used for fishing and hunting.

I have been a huge fan of both sit-on-top and sit-in kayaks. But this time, I will just highlight some of the exceptional choices for SOT kayaks and where you can get them. My selection has been based on my experiences with various kayaks. Among all the sit-on-top kayaks that I have tried, these are the ones that made an impression.

Perception Pescador Pro Sit On Top Kayak for Fishing - 12.0

The Perception Pescador Pro is something that you should choose if you are a serious kayaker. Without being too pricey, this kayak can already give you excellent stability and performance in the water. It gives you a convenient way to traverse streams and lakes without compromising your ability to move around. It is also a good choice for anglers due to the presence of numerous rod mounts and compartments for fishing gears.

Sitting on this kayak should never give you an awful experience. The height of the seat is adjustable and comes with padded back support. You will remain comfortable with this boat, regardless of how long you are seated here. Overall, the speed and balance of the boat are quite impressive. It would really be good if you invest in this kayak.

Pros

  • Provides secure and accessible storages for your gears and items
  • Exudes a balance between speed and stability
  • The removable seat comes with a breathable mesh and padding
  • Works well with lakes, streams, and slow-moving waters
  • Can be maneuvered easily.

Cons

  • No known issues.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Angler Kayak

Another sit-on-top kayak that I want to recommend is the Wilderness Systems Tarpon. Now, for those who know a thing or two about kayaks, the brand Wilderness Systems should already ring a bell. They are high-quality makers of kayaks and watercraft. Therefore, it is not surprising anymore if one of their sit-on-top kayaks have made a mark on the kayaking world.

The Tarpon is a unique take to SOT kayaks. Right from the start, this boat is rugged and durable. It features an industrial-grade polyethylene construction that surpasses what other conventional kayaks can offer. It also has a manageable size. The hull is compact and wide, which also ensures its stability on the water. Spacious compartments for fishing gears are also embedded in the construction of this boat.

Pros

  • Highly stable on the water
  • Easy to transport due to its compact design
  • Provides multiple compartments for all your essential items
  • Extremely durable built
  • The seat is made to be comfortable for all day use.

Cons

  • Tracking is not its best point
  • Foot braces may not suit the preferences of some paddlers.
Riot Kayks Escape 12 Sit-On-Top Flatwater Recreational Kayak (White/Blue, 12-Feet)

Of course, not all sit-on-top kayaks should be far from the reach of standard hobbyists. If you want a kayak that provides decent performance without being too pricey, I do suggest that you should check out the Riot Kayaks Escape. It is a recreational kayak that features ergonomics that can make your every ride comfortable and smooth. The seat provides a convenient adjustment capability so that it can accommodate your preferences.

It also has excellent stability due to its wide hull design. It can float and cruise on difficult turns easily, thanks to its maneuverability. Furthermore, this vessel has the necessary parts that give anglers the freedom to store and organize their gears. It is fitted with rod mounts and dry compartments. There are also drain plugs installed on the boat to prevent water from coming in.

Pros

  • Manageable weight and easy to transport
  • Comfortable and adjustable foot braces
  • Provides all the essential ergonomics for both hobbyists and anglers
  • Decent maneuverability
  • Features a customizable seat.

Cons

  • Some parts are not that sturdy.
Eddyline C-135 Stratofisher Kayak Silver over White

Now, I know that not all of you are familiar with the brand Eddyline. I do admit that it is not as popular as other brands. However, this doesn't automatically indicate that their kayaks are bad or run-of-the-mill. A good proof of this is their Eddyline C-135 Stratofisher Kayak. The latter is a testament about the finesse of the manufacturer. It is one of the best SOT kayaks that I have tried. Even if I did only ride this vessel once, it was still really unforgettable.

Let me tell you that the durability of the Eddyline C-135 Stratofisher Kayak is on point. In fact, I can claim that this one of the most sturdy polyethylene kayaks that are available in the market today. Transporting this rig is not a problem either as it is surprisingly manageable. The ergonomics of this boat are also excellent for any kayakers. Whether you want to tour or fish, this sit-on-top kayak can save you.

Pros

  • Extremely rugged construction
  • Can be transported without any fuss
  • Complete with the necessary storage and mounting systems for fishing gears
  • Comfortable and ergonomic seat
  • Ensures stability all the time.

Cons

  • No known issues.
Bonafide SS127 Ultimate Sit on Top Fishing Kayak With Built in Storage , HiRise Seat , Hybrid Cat Hull Design For Maximum Stability

For those who want to use a sit-on-top kayak for full-time fishing, I do suggest that you get the Bonafide SS127 Ultimate. This one is built to cater to the needs of every angler out there. It has a stable design and ensures that you can focus on fishing. It has multiple compartments for your fishing essentials. It can every carry a cooler thanks to its impressive weight capacity.

Fishing while sitting is not a problem with this kayak. Unlike other kayaks, the seat of this boat is distinctly elevated from the hull. Such a design ensures that you can have better control and hold whenever you are trying to retrieve a large target. Of course, the speed and maneuverability of this vessel are more than decent. It is quite surprising that for a heavy kayak, this one can swerve through routes smoothly.

Pros

  • Fully loaded with features that are necessary for anglers
  • Extremely rugged and durable
  • Provides exceptional convenience
  • Can be paddled with efficiency
  • Spacious boat for various gears and kayaking amenities.

Cons

  • It is a heavy kayak
  • Difficult to transport.

The Best Sit On Top Kayak Buying Guide

The Best Sit On Top Kayak Buying Guide

When it comes to sit-on-top kayaks, your options are pretty limitless. Virtually, many variants of sit-on-top kayaks are designed for different types of applications. For instance, I have seen multiple tandem kayaks that have a sit-on-top mechanism. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration when I say that the kayaking community widely embraces this particular kayak design.

But of course, there are specific guidelines that you have to adhere whenever you want to shop for a sit-on-top kayak. Just like I said, this particular kayak is quite varied in nature. Not all sit-on-top kayaks have been made to tackle all types of water terrains. Let me show you some examples.

Choosing Sit-On-Top Kayaks Based On Use

The very first thing that you need to do before you shop is to ask yourself what purposes you have in mind for the kayak.

If you want to cruise the ocean, I do suggest that you go with surf sit-on-top kayaks. These kayaks are noticeably shorter than their conventional counterparts. They are great on traversing waves, but on flat waters, they do come slow.

For those who want to have a sit-on-top kayak for fishing, stable kayaks should be the right choice. Fortunately, most kayaks today have been designed to support the needs of every angler. But if I were you, I would go for those sit-on-top pedal kayaks. They are the ones that have been outfitted with the right storage systems for your various fishing gears. They have mounts for rods as well as installation ports for fish finders.

For touring purposes, one should pick sit-on-top kayaks that are long and narrow. They are the ones that can help you cover the distance with ease. You don't have to exert too much effort in paddling because the kayak has been designed to move fast. Of course, you should also pay attention to the weight and storage capacity of the touring kayak. You don't want to run out of amenities while you are still on the boat.


Kayak Hull and Shape

Another important aspect of choosing kayaks is the hull. You see, the design of its hull can dictate its overall stability. Specifically, the latter is the bottom structure of the boat. Depending on its shape, the performance and control of the boat can really be affected.

Before we go further, allow me to discuss the different types of boat stability.

The first one is the primary stability. This one refers to the balance of the kayak once you have set foot into it. If the boat has excellent primary stability, there's a lesser chance for you to be toppled over. Kayaks like this are best suited for amateurs who are still not used in standing or sitting on a boat.

Secondary stability, on the other hand, indicates how reliable the boat is while you are paddling on it. With this feature, your boat is not susceptible to being capsized. But of course, there's nothing wrong if you are going to learn the art of surviving a sinking kayak.

Now, let's discuss the different types of hulls in a sit-on-top kayak.

  • Flat Hull - The flat hull is the most adored design by novice kayakers. Since they are flat, their stability is unquestionable. They can also offer impressive maneuverability. Right from the get-go, the primary stability of kayaks that have flat hulls is already great. Hence, they are a good choice for leisure and practice.
  • V-Shaped Hull - There's a good chance that you have seen boats that have this kind of hull. The design allows a sit-on-top kayak to move fast in the water. Because of the V-shaped hull, cutting through the water is pretty easy. When you are just traversing on a straight direction, the speed of a boat with narrow hull will be felt. This kind of design is a perfect choice for touring, long-distance trips, and recreational paddling. But because of the shape, the stability of the boat has been drastically compromised. You need to learn how to balance on it.
  • Round Hull - The speed of rounded hulls is way better than flat hulls. However, I do believe that V-shaped hulls are still faster than a rounded hull. The good news is that this design has excellent secondary stability. Once you are already on the water, you will never have to worry that the boat will wobble uncontrollably. Maneuverability is also one of its strong points.
  • Pontoon - It is said that pontoons have exceptional primary and secondary stability. They run slow on the water, but when it comes to balance and buoyancy, you will never have a problem with them. The pontoon, by the way, is the combination of flat and rounded hulls.

Width and Length

In choosing the best sit on top kayak, a person has to be aware of the size of the watercraft. When it comes to boat sizes, there are two aspects that you should be keen about: the width and length.

Kayaks that have narrow and long built are great for those who prioritize speed more than anything. They can cruise smoothly as their construction can push through the water effortlessly. You can see its best performance once you paddle it in a straight direction. But the drawback is that it has lost its stability. The narrower and longer the boat, the more difficult it is to balance.

On the other hand, wide and short kayaks are great for amateurs. They have excellent balance. You don't need to be cautious when you are riding on them. They stay afloat without trying to capsize you. But definitely, their speed is not something that you should expect. Because of their wide hull, they tend to push large volumes of water. It causes them to slow down.

Recreational sit-on-top kayaks, for instance, have a length around 8 feet to 14 feet. They are designed to tackle rivers, lakes, and other still waters. They can do well on navigating inlets that prove to be narrow and small. Touring kayaks, on the flipside, are quite long. Their length ranges from 14 feet to 20 feet. They are great in dealing with currents and waves.

You also need to pay attention to your frame as well whenever you are choosing a sit-on-top kayak. Aside from the weight capacity, your body built also determines the comfort you are going to feel while you are in the kayak. For instance, if you have a height of 6 feet and a weight of around 230 pounds, it is fairly reasonable that you go over 13 to 14-foot boats.

The footrest of the kayak has to be adjustable as well. In this way, you can have a comfortable time even on extended usages.


Weight Capacity

Lastly, I really urge first-time kayakers to inspect the weight capacity of the boat. In the simplest terms, the weight capacity refers to the limit of the load that a boat can handle. This should involve the user and the gears that he/ she has brought.

If you ignore the weight capacity of the boat, you are jeopardizing yourself. There's nothing worse than seeing the boat sink because you have overloaded it. Anglers usually bring a lot of stuff that can burden conventional kayaks. They are recommended to use pedal kayaks because of their great stability, storage space, and weight capacity.

Conclusion

It is not enough that you pick ordinary kayaks. As much as possible, you should get a high-quality vessel so that your safety and comfort will be guaranteed. Interestingly, a sit-on-top kayak is the perfect candidate that can meet such requirements.

Getting the best sit on top kayak is also a sound investment. If you can acquire a rugged and ergonomic unit right from the start, you will no longer have to think about replacements. That alone saves you a lot of time and money.

That's it for now. For your questions or suggestions regarding kayaking, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.

Now that you have acquired a piece of new knowledge about kayaking, I hope that you can do more in the water. Of course, let me emphasize that the right kayak will be able to change the way you can traverse the water and enjoy your time there. If you want to know the beginner's kayak, kayak for kids, lake kayaks, river kayaks, ocean kayaks, touring kayaks, recreational kayaks, kayak for dogs, inflatable kayaks, tandem kayaks, pedal kayaks, and cost-efficient kayaks, I have them listed in this blog. Check out all the types of kayaks here and see what the market can offer to you.

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