My 10 Best Kayaks for Lakes (Comparison & Buying Guide)

MY BEST KAYAKS FOR LAKES COMPARISON:

MY BEST KAYAKS FOR LAKES REVIEWS:

SEA EAGLE RAZORLITE 393

• Length: 12.8-ft
• Width: 22 inches
• Type: Inflatable sit-On-Top
• Kayak weight: 35lbs
• Load capacity: 500
• Features: 100 deniers reinforced PVC – 500 lbs weight capacity – Quick inflation and deflation – Adjustable leg and backrest – Front and rear spray skirts – Four-part paddle – Very comfortable and adjustable seat- Removable skeg
• Pros:  Convenient to transport and store – Lightweight – Tracks so well – Comfortable and adjustable seat – Excellent construction – Legroom is fine – More stable than a conventional round bottom kayak – Very fast – Feels durable – Too tall seat backrest – Easy setup – Reasonable price- does a great job with wind – Easy packing
• Cons: Pricey than most inflatable kayaks – Packing it after use requires being dry – Seems a bit unstable when you first sit in it – Deck cover can be longer – The included plastic paddle is too heavy and cannot be adjusted –

HOBIE MIRAGE PASSPORT

• Length: 10.6 ft
• Width: 34 inches
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 65 lbs
• Load capacity: 325 lbs
• Features: Pedal propulsions system – Large and spacious cockpit – Rear and front cargo areas – Removable mesh seat – Rod holders – Mounting tracks for accessories
• Pros: Hand-free operation – Comfortable – Roomy cockpit for all sizes – Lot of storage space – Stability is great – Great price point – Smooth and efficient kayaking
• Cons: Fins are sold separately – Aluminum paddle may be heavy for some – No transducer mount – Lower front is too close to the water and let splash to get to you

PELICAN SPRINT 120XR

• Length: 12 ft
• Width: 28 in
• Type: Rigid sit-in recreational kayak
• Kayak weight: 51 lbs
• Load capacity: 325 lbs
• Features: Deep V hull – Hull design helps with stability in choppy water – Ergoflex G2 seating system – Adjustable footrests – Drain plug – Bottle holder – Rear quick lock hatch – Knee pads – Hatch – Carrying handles –
• Pros: Extra back support – Very stable – Responds quickly – Tracks well for a kayak in this category – Comfortable seat – Back support – Very wide cockpit makes getting in and out easier – Durable – Convenient frontal drink holder – Fairly priced – Very easy to use – Made of strong polyester – Big rear gear compartment
• Cons: Felt plasticky by a user – Two users complained about the drain plug not being functional – Not very light but light enough to handle – Kayakers with tall knees may have to squeeze them due to its shape

PELICAN GETAWAY 100 HDII

• Length: 10 ft. 5 in.
• Width: 33 in
• Type: Rigid sit-on-top recreational kayak
• Kayak weight: 59 lbs
• Load capacity: 300 lbs
• Features: Made with Polyethylene – Pedal system – Tunnel hull – ERGOCAST XP™ seating system – Removable seat – Stern storage platform with bungee cord – 2 bottle holders –
• Pros: Ability to ride the kayak with pedaling – Quick – Agile – Rigid – Fairly priced compared to other pedal style kayaks –
• Cons: Assembling it frustrated one buyer – Rigid kayaks requires enough storage space – Transport it in your vehicle may needs additional tools to buy

TAHE OUASSOU

• Length: 8 ft. 6 in.
• Width: 31 in
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 39 lbs
• Load capacity: 242 lbs
• Features: Lots of carrying handles – Slight keel – Lateral rail – Resistant to knocks and scratching – Made from thermoformed polyethylene sheets – Anti-UV protection –
• Pros: Easy transportation – Customer focused company – Very stable – Easy to get on if you fall from it – Tracks very well for a short kayak – Very easy to handle due to its short size – Well built – Let you surf with it easily – Easy get in after – Fairly priced
• Cons: Slow in flat water due to the flat bottom – Hard to paddle it for long distance or in wind –

OCEAN KAYAK VENUS 11

• Length: 10ft. 8in.
• Width: 28.5 in.
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 44 lbs.
• Load capacity: 200-225 lbs.
• Features: Deck area mount for MP3 player – 6″ Cam Lock Hatch – Cup holder – Paddle holder – Rigid center handle – Bow/stern toggle handles – Quick seal hatch
• Pros: Stable – Tracks well – Pretty comfortable – Great non-cumbersome storage areas – Carrying handles at the right places – Easy to adjust and very comfortable seat – Tracks great – Very responsive – Easy to see around you iwth its high sitting position – Easy to flip back over and get back on, even for a small woman of retirement age – Seat designed to accommodate  female center of gravity – Low deck profile is perfect for women – A donation to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners is made with every purchase of this boat
• Cons: Non-removable seat makes it hard to clean or dry – One buyer complained about the loose carry handles screws – Little harder to paddle straight in higher winds – No adjustable foot rest

OCEAN KAYAK MALIBU 2XL TANDEM

• Length: 13ft. 4in.
• Width: 34 in.
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 68 lbs.
• Load capacity: 450-500 lbs.
• Features: Seatbacks – Molded-in seat wells – Front and rear bungee areas – Paddle holders – Drain plug – Bow and stern carry handles – Polyethylene construction – Deep keel – Hull skid plate that protects it from wear and tear – Eyelets
• Pros: Seats are positioned further apart to let tall paddlers ride with ease – Comfortable – Let you have a dog in the middle – Tracks better than the Pelican – Stable even when your dog wiggle – Very sturdy – Well constructed – Easy to get in and out of for quick swims
• Cons: A little heavy but manageable – One user found, that in small waves or chop water, the self-bailing holes act as blowholes that shoot up water and makes her pants wet – Not suitable for paddling in cold lakes in cold weather because you easily get wet – Rigid kayaks takes more storage space and need buying additional carrying tools – Its weight requires two strong adults to load/unload off the roof rack

OLD TOWN LOON 106

• Length: 10ft. 6in.
• Width: 31 in.
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-in
• Kayak weight: 53 lbs.
• Load capacity: 325 lbs.
• Features: Removable work deck with USB port – Click Seal Hatch – Front and rear carry handles – Front and rear deck bungees – Drain plug – Paddle holder – Sharp Keel Line – Rear seal hatch – Knees pads – Adjustable footholds – Bottle holder
• Pros: Stable – Multi-adjustable seat while you’re sitting on it – Remarkably comfortable seat – Adjustable foot pedals – Smooth over the water – Tracks great – Made of quality materials – Quiet in the water – Plenty of room for long legs –
• Cons: Heavyweight makes it harder to get it on your car –

BONAFIDE KAYAKS RS117

• Length: 11ft. 7in.
• Width: 33.5in.
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 77 lbs
• Load capacity: 425 lbs
• Features: Paddle pocket in the front to secure it when not in use – Side paddle holder – Two replaceable skid plates protect the bottom – Multi rod holders – Ergonomic carrying handles – Multiple storage areas – Cupholder – Adjustable seat
• Pros: Lightweight for its category – Very well built – Easy to handle and load – Flat bottom makes vehicle tranport less of a struggle – Very stable to stand and fish –
• Cons: Sways sometimes in a little wind or when you stop – Sensitive to weight distribution – Rigid kayaks takes more storage space –

NATIVE WATERCRAFT FALCON 11

• Length: 11ft.
• Width: 33 in
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 50 lbs
• Load capacity: 320 lbs
• Features: Dual rod holders – Five scupper plugs – Two anti-slip pads for standing-up – Bow hatch – One paddles holders – Carry handles – Large rear bungees storage room – Well positioned cup holder – Low and high position seat – Skid plate that protect the bottom –
• Pros: Affordable price – Lightweight – Versatile – Center console can be used as an easy access storage room and can mount a transducer with a monitor – Side handles helps throw the kayak onto your vehicle – Easy one-man carrying using the rear end wheel –
• Cons: Rigid kayaks requires storage space – Transport is not easy as an inflatable

HURRICANE PRIMA 125

• Length: 12.5 ft
• Width: 29 in
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-in
• Kayak weight: 45 lbs
• Load capacity: 375 lbs
• Features: Padded removable frame seat – Large versatile stern hatch – Front and rear grip handles – Bow & stern deck bungee – Forward and aft adjustable seat – Thermoform ABS plastic – Bulkheads – Bottle holder – Paddle Holder – Fore and aft ABS bulkheads
• Pros: Lightweight – Roomy cockpit – Easy to put on the top of your car – Smooth in little choppy water – Low profile makes it less affected by wind – Easy to get in and out –
• Cons: Rigid takes more transport and storage space compared to inflatable kayaks – A little bit pricey

FEELFREE BIG FISH 103

• Length: 10 ft 3 in
• Width: 35 in
• Type: Rigid recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 110 lb
• Load capacity: 397 lb
• Features: Pedal Drive system – Ball steering system – Bow, stern and side carry handles – Bow storage console – Rod Holders – Rod tip protectors on the front of the kayak – Transducer mount on the front hatch – Paddle keeper – Side truck rails to mount a variety of accessories – Bungee battle holder – Drain plug
• Pros: Very stable – Hands-free paddling – Multiple sitting and standing configurations (high, low, recline and flip away) – Stern bungee storage – Tracks well – Handles large wakes like a champ – Very stable – Let you stand up easily – Pre-set up to be able to run a fish finder or some electronics – Seat are less sweaty sitting in it with its aerated fabric
• Cons: Very heavy weight makes it need a cart to move it – Do not accelerate well due to its weight – Jumping out of it and trying to get back is not easy but manageable – May be pricey for some

BOTE DEUS AERO

• Length: 11 ft
• Width: 33 in
• Type: Inflatable recreational sit-on-top
• Kayak weight: 41 lbs
• Load capacity: 300 lbs
• Features: Military-grade PVC construction – Back tie-down straps for a small cooler – Self-draining cockpit – Cup holder receivers – Grab handles – Front bungee storage area – Compatible with a removable foot bar – Back cooler tie-downs – Removable seat back – D-rings – Textured deck pad – Keel guard
• Pros: Changing to stand up paddleboard mode is a breeze – Easy transport and storage – Very stable even with a bit of chop – Solid – Goes perfectly through light chop – Roomy – Long manufacturer warranty
• Cons: One kayaked said that it moves to the right and left as he paddle – Requires inflation effort and time before using it (solved with an electric pump) – Requires folding and packing after use – Requires letting it dry before packing – Two users said that it’s very difficult to fit into the bag – The seat gets uncomfortable after about two hours – Gets affected by wind

ADVANCED ELEMENTS LAGOON 1

• Length: 8ft 4in
• Width: 34 in
• Type: Recreational inflatable sit-in
• Kayak weight: 23 lbs
• Load capacity: 250 lbs
• Features: Multi chambers – Rubber molded handle and bungee lacing at the front – Paddle holder – Accessible mesh pocket – Rip-stop fabric
• Pros: Extremely lightweight – Extremely responsive – Very easy turning making it good to maneuver lakes with obstacles – Easy to set up – Easy to pack – Pack down really small – Easy transport –
• Cons: Limited storage space – Require inflation time – Staying on track is a bit tricky

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR LAKE KAYAK:

There are a number of things you need to be on the lookout for if you want to get the best lake kayak in the market. The market is packed and if you really don’t know what you need, there is no way you are going to find a perfect lake kayak for your next trip.

Here are some of the things you need to consider when buying a lake kayak:

STYLE

We have these main popular styles; sit on or sit on top kayaks. We have also seen hybrid kayak comes into the market. Although most of the time, it is a matter of preference, it is important you consider where you are going to kayak before you can settle on any of these two styles. Let’s take a quick look at each one of them to give you a clear idea of what each style is all about.

• SIT ON TOP:

One main advantage of sit on top kayaks are that you can enter or exit the kayak with so much ease. It is also one of the best for beginners as they offer perfect stability and can be paddle with so much ease. However, they come with one issue. They offer less protection when it comes to wind and water. Additionally with sit on kayak, you also get less storage space. So if you know you are going to carry a lot of gear, this style might disappoint you.

• SIT-IN :

If you are looking for a decent boat that can handle a wide range of conditions, then a sit in kayak is what you need. This type of boat is incredibly stable and can handle flat water to windy weather conditions; And it comes with excellent protection from the elements.

Additionally, if there is another reason why you need a sit in is that they come with spray skirts. With this, you get adequate protection from outside elements. However, they come with one major issue; getting in or out of the kayak is an uphill task. This can be really dangerous if your kayak capsize because of bad weather and you find you are not able to exit the kayak in time.

• HYBRID KAYAK:

This is somehow a middle ground between a sit-in and sit-on-top kayak. Normally, they have been designed to allow you to get in and out of the kayak with so much ease. These hybrid boat offer extra protection for water and with them, you will experience no or less water splashing. Additionally, depending largely on the design, you will find some of them are compatible with spray skirts.

SIZE

Normally, when we talk of the size of your boat, you should actually start with the number of people that boat can accommodate without any problem. For example, if you know you are going to paddle with another person, obviously, you will need to invest your money in a tandem kayak.

In other case, if you are going to kayak solo, you need to be aware that extra length directly translates to more stability and more speed to travel a longer distance. On the other hand, if you are looking at achieving great maneuverability, a shorter kayak will make a lot of sense. Overall, if you are looking for top speed and you are going to travel alone, a longer and skinner kayak will make a lot of sense.

FEATURES YOU NEED TO CONSIDER

Kayaks come with a wide range of features and you might want to consider the amount of features you are getting. After all, the more features you get, the more enjoyable and safe that ride is going to be. Here are some top features you might want to factor in at all times.

• BOW: This located at the front part of your kayak. It often comes attached to a handle and you can actually use it to pull your kayak down into the water.
• STERN: This are found at the rear part of your kayak. This feature is another kind of handle and allows you to pull the kayak over to the beach.
• COCKPIT: This is where you sit and you might want to ensure you get the highest level of comfort as possible. If you can get a larger cockpit, that will  be more practical. You need a place you can freely move your legs without any problem.
• SKEG: If you want your boat to track so well for longer distances, you need to ensure it comes equipped with a skeg. This is a plastic fin normally located right at the bottom of your boat and can help your boat track in a straight line when you are paddling. This feature comes truly in handy if you are going to kayak on a windy day.

STORAGE COMPARTMENTS:

You can’t even stray to imagine what you can net from these compartments. They offer a dry place when you can store your gear and other essentials you don’t want coming in contact with water. However, before you could actually start using it, first try testing it with water. You want to be sure about its water-tightness before you can store your valuables in there.

Updated on July 1, 2021 by Ben