If you happen to be one of those guys who like to spend countless hours on kayaks in cold water hoping to catch a fish or two, Sit-In Kayak is just the perfect companion that you need for such excursions. Sit-In Kayaks help you protect the lower part of your body from the cold wind and thus giving you all the warmth and the comfort that you will need in wintery days.
Best 7 Sit-In Kayaks
1. Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak
Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak is a beginner’s friendly kayak but that does not mean it will offer below-par performance. Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak is well known for its speed and agility without making any kind of sacrifice on the stability front. Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak cam help paddle smoothly in choppy water. To allow you to track better in choppy water, Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak comes equipped with a foot pedal rudder.
The cockpit is spacious and that means getting in and out of this Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak would be a problem for most paddles. The ergonomic design of the seat makes it super comfortable to paddle for long hours without hurting your back or without feeling numbness in your legs. If you like to stay dry while paddling, you should put on a spray skirt.
Driftsun Sculpin 12.5-Foot-Long Rotomolded Sit-in Kayak weighs just around 25 kg and that means, you would hardly feel any strain while carrying it around. It has got a V hull that adds to its incredible level of performance and adds to its impressive responsiveness on the water. At the rear, a large dry compartment is available where you can store all your kayaking equipment. If you are looking for a standard Sit-In Kayak that can deliver a decent level of performance, you should look no farther.
2. Perception Expression 11.5 Sit Inside Kayak
Perception Expression 11.5 Sit Inside Kayak is a pure beast. It offers both unmatchable stability and a remarkable level of speed and agility on the water and thus making it one of the finest sit-in touring kayaks available in the market at this price point. It has got a nice and specious dry storage where you can put all the important accessories that you can’t live without.
Perception Expression 11.5 Sit Inside Kayak is a versatile kayak in every sense of the term and you can take it for multi-day tours as it got ample space in its storage. Perception Expression 11.5 Sit Inside Kayak has got a low-key design and does not need much maintenance. It is both UV resistant and can easily deal with a lot of abuse. The cockpit is compatible with almost all spray skirts that are available in the market under the sun. Entering the kayak is easy since the cockpit is spacious.
The seat of Perception Expression 11.5 Sit Inside Kayak is ergonomic in design and comes with adjustable backrest that makes it super comfy. Padded thigh braces can be adjusted easily to increase the level of comfort and the inclusion of TruTrak Skeg makes it super easy for the kayakers to have full control over the movement of the kayak. Perception Expression 11.5 Sit Inside Kayak tracks straight and it does not take a lot of doing to paddle and thus making it ideal for beginners and seasoned paddlers.
3. Wilderness Systems Pungo 125 Sit Inside Recreational Kayak
Wilderness Systems Pungo 125 Sit Inside Recreational Kayak is a highly stable sit-in kayak that can be maneuvered easily and, effortlessly. Wilderness Systems Pungo 125 Sit Inside Recreational Kayak has a huge storage space and is quite nimble on the water. To make it even more comfortable to paddle for long hours, adjustable thig pads are included in the design. Phase 3 Air Pro seat protects your back from getting hurt and to allow you to stay cool, honeycomb-vented foam is used in it.
Wilderness Systems Pungo 125 Sit Inside Recreational Kayak promises to offer ultimate comfort on the water and spectacular performance without paying heavily for that. Its graceful design and its rugged structure make a formidable contender in the Sit-inside kayak market.
4. Perception Carolina 12 Sit Inside Touring Kayak
Perception Carolina 12 Sit Inside Touring Kayak is designed specifically for nighttime and daytime paddling. It is a premium versatile sit-inside kayak which is just perfect for beginners who just want to get the hang of it before spending top dollars on another kayak. Lightweight and stable, Perception Carolina 12 Sit Inside Touring Kayak is ideal for use in inland waterways and rivers.
Perception Carolina 12 Sit Inside Touring Kayak has got an ergonomic seat that is highly adjustable. The cockpit is spacious in design and thus boarding the kayak is not that difficult. The footrest can also be adjusted while seated. One-piece roto-molded construction that adds to its impressive strength and durability.
5. Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak
If you are looking for a Sit-In Kayak with comfy seat, you need to check out Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak. Most of the customers are giving it 5 star ratings for its amazing features and durability.
The length of this Kayak is 10 feet. Easy to maneuver, Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak is ideal for first time buyers. Its paddles are very comfortable and have good grip. They would not make you feel tired even if you row for hours. Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak is well known for its stability and is great for fishing and hunting.
Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak is made from High Density Polyethylene that gives it all the strength that it needs to ensure smooth sailing. Carrying handles are attached to this Sit-In Kayak and it makes it easier for the Kayaker to carry it around.
Features
- Easy to move around
- Comfortable seat
- Made from High Density Polyethylene
- Ample Space for storing gear
- Adjustable padded seat
- Adjustable foot braces
- Water Bottle Holder
6. Sun Dolphin Excursion 12-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak
Sun Dolphin Excursion 12-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak is extremely easy to use and probably this is the reason why this particular Sit-In Kayak is so much popular among beginners. It is known for its stability and therefore, it would get capsized that easily. Even if you try, it will be very hard to turn it upside down.
2 drain ports are included in this Sit-In Kayak and they can easy to drain the water out. One drain port sits at the back of the Kayak whereas the 2nd one sits at the front. We suggest you not to drag it on graveled pavement because that it might cause the Kayak develop scratches and you definitely don’t want to see that.
Pros
- The price is not over the top and that makes it affordable for almost all kayakers regardless of their budget.
- The design looks great and this Sit-In Kayak is made from high quality materials that add to its longevity.
- Watertight storage compartment is there to keep your gears safe and dry.
- Initially tracking might seem a bit awkward but over times, you will get the hang of it.
Cons
- It is tough it to load and unload this Kayak because it does not have the required number of handles that you will need to move it around.
- Sun Dolphin Bali SS 10-Foot Sit-on top Kayak is not ideal for large people and some may feel a bit stuffy at times.
Features
- Large compartment for keeping things dry
- It is easy to enter and exit from this Kayak.
- Paddle holder
- Adjustable foot braces
- Protective thigh pads
- Large cockpit area
7. Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak
Ideal for fishing and other similar activities, Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak is a neat kayak and it has all the features that a casual kayaker need to enjoy a day out in the open. This Sit-In Kayak is ideal for rivers, lakes or pond. Since Sun Dolphin Excursion Sit-in Fishing Kayak is extremely lightweight, you don’t have to struggle to load and unload from a truck. Paddling this kayak is a piece of cake and since this Sit-in Fishing Kayak offers high level of stability, beginner kayakers should not face any trouble while paddling it on open water.
Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak is made from Fortiflex High Density Polyethylene that makes it strong and therefore, can withstand impacts of waves or other underwater objects.
Features –
- Adjustable padded seat
- Shock cord deck rigging
- Water bottle holder
- Protective thigh pads
- Storage compartment
- Swivel rod holder
- Large cockpit
Your Guide To Sit-In Kayak
However, there are certain things that you need to aware of while purchasing a Sit-In Kayak and that is – getting in and out of a Sit-In Kayak could prove to be a real struggle for the beginner. In some unlikely event, if the Sit-In Kayak gets capsized, getting it back to its former position could be a hard nut to crack. Since the Kayak is most likely to get filled with water, just flipping the capsized boat would not solve the problem at all. You will have to drain the water out of the Kayak before you can hop in it again.
But there are some definite advantages of having a Sit-In Kayak and that is – these Sit-In Kayaks are extremely stable in nature and therefore, it is very unlikely that the boat will get capsized easily. Sit-In Kayaks are also easy to use and this is the reason why they are predominantly used for different recreational purposes.
Compared to Sit-On-Top Kayaks, Sit-In Kayaks are specious. You don’t feel claustrophobic at all while paddling this Kayak. The good thing about these Sit-Inside kayaks is that they are very lightweight and therefore, carrying them around would not require extra hands. You can move a Sit-In kayak all by yourself. Don’t get overly concerned about things like tipping over because Sit-In Top kayaks are remarkably stable on water. The seats are really comfy and therefore, you can spend hours on a Sit-In Top kayak without feeling queasy. Sit-In Top kayaks are great for paddling on Stillwater; you and your kids are definitely going to have great fun together if you decide to opt for a good quality Sit-In kayak.
Types of Sit-In Kayaks
Sit-in Kayaks are also available in shapes and sizes and thereby making it all the more difficult for the buyers to make the right decisions. To help you out, here we have listed some popular types of Sit-In Kayaks available in the market and also on Amazon store –
1. Recreational Sit-in Kayak
Recreational Sit-in Kayaks are best-suited for the beginners and also for the professionals from these following fields – photography, fish catching etc. If you are thinking of taking these Kayaks in open sea, you are certainly making a big mistake because Recreational Sit-in Kayaks have not been designed to deal with strong currents or fast wind. Recreational Sit-in Kayaks are ideal for use in lakes, pond or calm rivers.
Designed for shorter trips, these Recreational Sit-in Kayaks don’t have large bulkheads. But they do have large cockpits that make it easier for both newbie and pro Kayakers to get in and out of the Kayak easily. These recreational sit-in kayaks tend to have large width because they are mostly known for offering great stability. Skegs are conspicuously absent on these recreational kayaks and most of these kayaks are made from polyethylene that makes them extremely lightweight.
2. Ocean Sit-In Kayak
As the name suggest, Ocean Sit-In Kayaks are designed for paddling in ocean. Length of an Ocean Sit-In Kayak can be anywhere between 15 to 18 feet and most of them have multiple hatches included because you will need more supplies if you are planning to paddle for days. To deal with the challenges of unpredictable waves or strong wind, skegs are attached to the Kayaks and it had added to the mobility and flexibility of these Ocean Sit-In Kayaks. Some Ocean Sit-In Kayaks sometimes have some cool accessories attached to them like deck mounted pumps for draining out water and a compass to help the Kayaker to track the direction.
Ocean Sit-In Kayaks have a robust structure and they rarely get capsized unless the weather is too turbulent. They track straight on water and its large and bulky design adds to its stability which you will need sorely when you will be kayaking on seas. Ocean Sit-In Kayaks can be made from any of these following materials – Carbon-Kevlar, Fiberglass or plastic.
3. Day Tour Sit-In Kayaks
Known for its resourcefulness, Day Tour Sit-In Kayak is a top choice for beginners. Compared to other types of Sit-In Kayaks, Day Tour Sit-In Kayaks are a bit longer and they have ample storage space to keep your gears safe and away from the water. The large storage space may come handy for those kayakers who like to go for day long trip. Though ideal for Stillwater, Day Tour Sit-In Kayak can also be used for coaster water given the fact that the weather is calm and there is no strong wind. They tend to be 12 to 16 feet long in size. Skeg is usually available in most of these Day Tour Sit-In Kayaks and that means, you can change its position on the water without much struggle. To enhance the paddling efficiency, the cockpits have been redesigned. The cockpit is not that comfortable as it is not designed for comfort rather it is designed to improve paddling efficiency as we have just explained.
Sit-In Kayak Buying Guide
As we have already discussed above, Sit-In Kayaks are available in different shapes and sizes and thus it makes it all the more confusing for the prospective buyer who have no idea what factors he/she needs to check before making the final call. To help you out, we have prepared this small but useful Sit-In Kayak buying guide –
1. Your Weight
Before you even start scouting for the perfect Sit-In Kayak for yourself, you need to take a hard look at yourself. I mean, you need to know your height and weight otherwise you will end up buying the wrong kayak. If you are a big and muscular guy, you need to go for a large Kayak; maybe 15 feet in length and make sure to check out its weight capacity because you would definitely don’t want to see crack developing on the surface because of your weight. Choose open cockpit if you are a lanky guy because that will give you enough legroom to rest and stretch while paddling.
2. Color of the Kayak
Well, this factor gets widely ignored by almost all kayakers but choosing the wrong color can prove life threatening at times. If you choose a Sky Color Kayak and get into some trouble, the rescuers will have a hard time to spot you. Choose a contrasting color that can be spotted easily from far. You can also try fluorescent colors because these colors grab the attention of the onlookers easily.
3. What is the Purpose
You need to first figure out the how you are going to use this Kayak. Are you planning to use it on Stillwater or you are planning to use it on sea? It all boils down to the answer. If you are heading for an Ocean, you will have to choose an Ocean Sit-In Kayak; yes it is that simple. However, if you are planning to use it on some lakes or ponds, a recreational kayak will be more than enough for that purpose.
Storage is another vital aspect that should not be ignored. If the Sit-In Kayak is too small and has little or no room for storing your gears, maybe it is not a good idea to go for a day-long trip with a recreational Sit-In Kayak.
4. Your Skill Levels
If you are a pro kayaker, a slim and sleek Sit-In Kayak would serve your needs but if you are looking for more stability on open water, you should be looking for a heavier one. But remember one thing that large and heavy Kayaks are difficult to paddle and they are also difficult to transport. Keep all these factors in mind while making the final decision.