Buying a fishing kayak can be a hassle, especially if you are new to it. Don’t you agree? Since you are going to use it for a while and will be spending a decent amount of money the decision should be well thought.
However, we have a solution for you. Our team studied many kayaks and concluded that Sun Dolphin Journey SS is a no brainer and is the perfect kayak for beginners.
This sit-on-top craft is the one for you if you are just starting kayaking. IT offers great value for its price, is very durable and is especially fashioned to fulfil the needs of a fishing kayak.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS is an affordable hard-shell kayak with strong tough built. Its construction material is UV stabilized Fortiflex Polyethylene, which makes it very durable.
It is 10 ft long and 30 inches wide, which makes it a perfect choice for beginners in terms of stability and maneuverability. It offers moderate room to store your gear and belongings. A dry storage hatch is located at the back of the seat and another at the now. Both storage units are easily approachable even during fishing.
Moreover, multiple types of rod holders, a drink holder, and paddle holder make your ride on the kayak very comfortable. The adjustable seat and movable footrests provide the additional comfort you need to set your posture for fishing and kayaking.
Features and Benefits
1. Make and Type
This kayak is made from UV stabilized Fortiflex high-density polyethylene which makes it super tough.
The rugged material makes sure that the craft will withstand the load when ready to launch and will stand up to scrapes and bumps while fishing.
2. Feasibility
The lightweight construction material makes its transport feasible. It is only 10 ft long and weighs 44 lbs. With the retractable carry handles, launching the kayak into water and taking it out is hassle-free.
3. Design
This kayak is designed to provide you a fun experience when it comes to fishing. Since it is a SOT kayak, it does not constrict you. This allows for maximum movement and saves you from the hassle of getting in and out.
The design of the kayak determines its stability, speed and maneuverability. So here is the deal:
The 30 inch beam of the Journey SS is perfect for stability. While 28 inch may be too unstable for a beginner, and 32 inch can compromise on the speed.
4. Space
This kayak comes with ample space to store your gear and be comfortable in the kayak.
The storage hatch is perfect to store your personal belongings and snacks for the trip on water. It is located behind the seat to keep your things safe and dry.
Other than that there is a storage unit at the bow, to store any gear. All the storage units are easily approachable that make your ride comfortable.
In addition to this, there is also a shock cord bungee ringing on both ends.
5. Comfort
Sun Dolphin Journey SS is the most comfortable fishing kayak for beginners. It is very spacious, and being a SOT kayak makes it even more roomy. Getting on and off is a piece of cake in this craft, even for beginners.
In addition, it has adjustable seats and footrest. It also includes protective thigh pads, to keep your legs from bumping in the craft’s walls.
6. Mounts for Fishing Gear
This kayak is especially optimized for fishing, however it can also be used as a recreational kayak. It has two flush mount fishing rod holders and one 360-degree swivel rod holder.
With this, it also features a cup holder for your morning coffee and paddle holder for when you will be fishing.
Pros and Cons
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Social Proof
While we researched about Sun Dolphin Journey SS, we found these positive reviews on Amazon.com:
More Recommendations!
#1: Most Durable Kayak – Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 Review
Another great product from Sun Dolphin is Excursion 10. This durable kayak is great for lakes and rivers with its UV stabilized fortified high density polyethylene.
In addition to this, it is fashioned to support fishermen with three fishing rods and storage compartment. Not only this, it is very easy to maneuver and offers immense stability. This makes it perfect for newbies, as they prefer stability and control over speed.
Features of Sun Dolphin Excursion 10
- Construction material is UV stabilized high density polyethylene
- Three rod holders: Two flush mounted and one swivel rod holder
- Open cockpit with padded thigh braces, adjustable seat and foot braces
- Paddle holder and drink holder
- Storage compartment, shock deck rigging area and Portable Accessory Carrier
- Carrying handles
- 115 x 29 inches with weight capacity of 250 lbs
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If you are someone who is in the learning phase and wants to get their hand on an affordable fishing kayak then this craft is for you. It is specially designed to meet the needs of a fisherman with ample storage capacity. Moreover, its stability and tracking ability makes it perfect for beginners.
Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 Review
The most durable kayak is Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 Kayak because of its very last longing construction material which is also UV Stabilized.
#2: Best Fishing Kayak – Sun Dolphin Excursion SS 10 Review
Excursion 10 SS is a slightly bigger version of Excursion 10. It is one of the most stable and easy to maneuver fishing crafts.
Its longer length makes it a somewhat speedy kayak to reach those fishing spots quickly. Like other Sun Dolphin crafts, it also has a storage unit, shock deck rigging area and Portable Accessory Carrier.
With this, the two flush mount and one swivel rod holder makes it a perfect choice for your fishing adventures.
Features of Sun Dolphin Excursion SS 10
- UV stabilized polyethylene as construction material
- Two flush mounted rod holders and one 360-degree rotating rod holder
- Paddle and drink holder
- Adjustable seat and footrest and thigh pads for comfort
- Open cockpit hull with carry handles
- Length: 10 ft, Width: 30 inches, Weight capacity: 280 lbs
- Storage hath, shock deck rigging area and PAC
- Hands free electronic console
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This kayak is for you if you are an experienced kayaker. It makes one of the best fishing kayaks because of multiple types of mounts that facilitate the sport.
Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 SS Review
The best fishing kayak is Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 SS because of its multiple features that make fishing easy. It is super comfortable, which makes sitting in one spot a lesser fatigue. Not only this, the different mounts help you fish at ease.
Guide to Buy
1. Who should buy sun dolphin journey 10 ss?
If you fall in any of the following categories, you should get this kayak:
- A beginner
This kayak is ideal for beginners. Its perfect length to width ratio makes it fast and stable enough for someone who is in their learning phase.
Moreover, being a sit-on-top kayak makes it easier for learners to get on and off. Other features such as rod and paddle holders, assist in the process of learning how to kayak and fish.
The most important thing is that it is a safe kayak at an affordable price. As a beginner you would not want to spend a lot of money on your first craft.
These qualities make this kayak an excellent choice to polish your skills.
- Someone with a tight budget
As mentioned earlier, this craft offers very good value for its cost. Even if you are somewhat an experienced kayaker, this kayak can be a very good choice. It does not cost a lot and provides great experience on lakes and calm rivers.
2. What makes sun dolphin journey 10 ss one of the best fishing kayaks?
Its length and width make it stable and fast enough to reach those tough fishing spots. In addition a variety of mounts and the paddle holder make the fishing experience even more comfortable.
In addition, soft adjustable seating and movable foot braces adjust to your size on the craft, making it super comfortable. Comfort is especially important because fishing requires you to sit in one spot for longer periods of time.
3. Does sun dolphin journey 10 ss come with scupper?
Yes, Journey 10 SS comes with scuppers, since it is a sit-on-top kayak. Scuppers are holes that drain water out that may come into the kayak through rain or water splashes. Scuppers are what make kayak self-bailing.
FAQs
1. Are Sun Dolphin Kayaks good?
Yes. Sun Dolphin has come up with durable kayaks to withstand water, rain and heat. Its UV stabilized high density polyethylene hull makes it durable and lasts many years.
2. What is a scupper plug?
Scupper plugs are used to block scupper holes. Scupper holes are usually found in sit-on-top kayaks to drain water splashes that may form puddles in the craft.
3. Which type of kayak offers more stability? Sit in or Sit on?
A sit-in kayak seems to offer more stability due to its lower centre of gravity. However, sit-on-top kayaks offer more stability since they are wider. Width of a kayak is directly related to its stability.
4. How much weight can a Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS carry?
Sun Dolphin Journey SS can carry 250 lbs of weight.
5. How can I avoid getting wet while kayaking in the cold?
You can follow the following tips to avoid getting wet:
- Wear proper clothing: Try to choose water-resistant clothes and wear layers. You can also pack an extra set of clothes for emergency purposes.
- Use a sit-in kayak instead of a SOT kayak. Wear a kayaking skirt that will protect your lower body from getting wet.
- Try not to get your legs and hands wet. Make sure that your paddles sure are not soaking wet. Optimize your technique for minimum water splash.
- Do not forget to bring an emergency kit. Include a fire starter and first aid kit, a signal kit, light, blander, extra water bottles and paddle float.
Wrapping Things Up…
Our team does not recommend cheap kayaks, but Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS is a no brainer. It has proved to be one of the best kayaks in the market for the price it comes in. It facilities fishermen and any rider very well with its spacious seating, storage compartments and gear holders.