Estuary / Sea
There are literally hundreds of models of ESTUARY, SEA and EXPEDITION KAYAKS on the market and it can get very confusing trying to figure out which craft is best for you. Following is a small selection of our favourites that either offer great value for money or are just so darned good we couldn't leave them out.
Dagger Coorong
Length: 467cms
Width: 58cms
Weight: 24kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 150kgs
Features: Multi-chine hull, foot operated flip-over rudder, adjustable thigh brace, front and rear flush-mount storage hatches with bulkheads, full deck rigging.
Safari H2O Abel Explorer
Length: 520cms
Width: 58cms
Weight: 25kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 150kgs
Features: Foot operated flip-over rudder, adjustable thigh brace, adjustable seat, front and rear storage hatches with bulkheads, rear day hatch, deck lines.
Safari H2O Breakwater
Length: 472cms
Width: 58cms
Weight: 26.5kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 140kgs
Features: Foot operated flip-over rudder, adjustable thigh brace, comfortable seat with adjustable lumbar height, front and rear flush-mount storage hatches with bulkheads, full deck rigging.
Prijon Millenium
Length: 505cms
Width: 59cms
Weight: 21kgs
The fibreglass Millenium is based on the now famous Prijon Seayak and although not as fast as its hype might suggest, it is nonetheless no slouch through the water. With a slight rocker for agility and trihedral hull for good secondary stability, the versatile Millenium is more playful sport boat than long distance tourer. It is a well made and elegant craft with all the comfort features of the plastic sea kayak range to allow for all-day paddling.
Necky Amaruk
Length: 540cms
Width: 73cms
Weight: 43kgs
The polyethylene Amaruk has been around for a number of years and has proven expedition performance in moderate sea conditions. With a soft chined hull this craft tracks well and has good stability levels. Although plastic tandems are not noted for their speed, this craft is relatively quick for its length. It has roomy cockpits and comfortable seats that provide the all-day comfort that is so necessary on those extended touring trips. Fore and aft storage hatches keep your gear dry while the flip-over rudder system will help to keep you going in a straight line.
Mission Contour 450
Length: 450cms
Width: 62cms
Weight: 26kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 180kgs
Features: Stable hull with twin tracking channels, foot operated flip-over rudder with front-deck lifter controls, moulded seat with adjustable ergonomic back rest, front and rear storage hatches with bulkheads (front = 50 litres, rear = 75 litres), bungy deck rigging.
Mission Contour 480
Length: 480cms
Width: 62cms
Weight: 27kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 200kgs
Features: Stable hull with twin tracking channels, foot operated flip-over rudder with front-deck lifter controls, moulded seat with adjustable ergonomic back rest, front and rear storage hatches with bulkheads (front = 50 litres, rear = 75 litres), bungy deck rigging.
Mission Contour 490 tandem
Length: 487cms
Width: 80cms
Weight: 35kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 230kgs
Features: Stable tandem kayak with twin tracking hull channels, foot operated flip-over rudder with front-deck lifter controls, moulded seat with adjustable ergonomic back rest, front and rear storage hatches with bulkheads (front = 50 litres, rear = 85 litres), bungy deck rigging.
Mission Eco Bezhig 540
Length: 540cms
Width: 59cms
Weight: 27kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 200kgs
Features: Long waterline length with soft-chined shallow arch hull for fast ocean touring, foot operated flip-over rudder with front-deck lifter controls, unique foam seat/bulkhead with moulded thigh-brace and lumbar support, front and rear foam hatch covers (front hatch = 71 litre + 4 litre glovebox; rear = 80 litre + 50 litre day hatch), moulded rear deck paddle rescue system, bungy deck rigging and front perimeter line.
Mission Eco Niizh 565 XLT
Length: 565cms
Width: 77cms
Weight: 45kgs
Max. Load Capacity: 250kgs
Features: Super stable hull for open water touring, foot operated flip-over rudder with rear paddler deck-mounted lift controls, unique foam seats/bulkheads with lumbar support, large front (45 litre), middle (96 litre) and rear (60 litre) hatches, bungy deck rigging.
Australis Komodo
Length: 585cms (single)
Length: 740cms (double)
Width: 62cms
Weight: 40kgs (single)
Weight: 55kgs (double)
This modular plastic sea kayak has a unique design that allows for relatively simple single/tandem conversions. Purchase a double Komodo and you get two kayaks for the price of one - you also get a single for those solo outings. This boat is stable, has good water speed and tracks well. It has a massive 300litre dry storage and the separately moulded pods mean no more leaky bulkheads. Although probably not suitable for really rough open water, this versatile craft is ideal for expedition touring in moderate water conditions. Storage and transport problems are a thing of the past with the Komodo.