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Wow, I just got caught out in a sudden storm that went from calm to 4 foot seas in about 2 minutes, and this little boat performed like a trooper. I do not recommend trying this at home! This boat was not made to do this. But, when I went out this afternoon expecting calm weather, I chose this boat over my 16 footer, and in the end I was glad I did.

I was out with 4 other people, all of us in similar length boats, there may have been a 12, but the rest of them were 14s, and all more expensive boats, and this boat performed as well as, or better than, any of the others. It tracked and drove through 3-4 waves and 20+ mph winds, that I would have never expected it to handle. I was the only one of us who chose not to wear their spray skirt. I got lucky, but diving into these waves, I unbelievably took on almost no water.

This is the beginning of my third year paddling this boat (along with others). It is still my favorite. I have used it on creeks, and in bays, and close to shore on Lake Michigan. My wife has one too, and we have used them multiple times for short-distance kayak camping. I have paddled it through ice, and in 70 degree waters. And now this! I’m impressed.

This boat is not built like a tank, but if it keeps being this dependable, who needs one.

The only time I wished I was paddling a different boat was once when I was paddling in about 15 mph winds. We were coming back from a camping trip, and it was overloaded with gear. I experienced severe weathercocking. But I suspect all that gear had put the boat completely out of trim, and while I have experienced mild weathercocking before, it’s been rare, and less than expected for a boat this short, and this stable. Maybe I just got lucky, but in today’s heavy seas it tracked surprisingly well.