Get What You Pay For? 12 Foot Kayak Materials Shoot Out!

Today we're breaking down the performance difference in materials by comparing the Feelfree Aventura, Eddyline Skylark, and Stellar S12.

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[docmanh]

Buy once, cry once. I've had my fill of the cheaper kayaks and they're good for what they are, but once you try out one of these big dogs in the video it's game over. It's like upgrading from a steel framed walmart bike to an carbon fiber electric bike. The difference in weight, comfort, speed, style (you'll get compiments) is outstanding. Spend your money where you spend your time, if you love the water then you won't regret it. :)

[georgelaroche]

Thank you, you convinced me not to invest in a Stellar. The seat is poor for a kayak at that price, and other reviewers confirm that it lacks maneuverability. I'm glad you spent some time comparing the hull shapes. One important difference that you didn't mention is the depth and volume throughout the bow, middle, and stern and how that might affect stability in rough water. Eddyline sterns are so low that they're almost submerged, as can be seen in the video. In my experience, Eddylines takes advanced paddling skills in waves and wind---they are not inherently stable in those conditions. Two very stable hull designs in this approximate length category are the Delta 12.10 and the Hurricane Sojourn 135. Both are superior to the Eddyline in stability, they're lightweight, and you can save some money with the Hurricane Sojourn. Both have ample hatches for camping gear. The very large bow and stern volume of the Deltas and Hurricane Sojourns create inherent stability in rough water, requiring only beginner to intermediate paddling skills. Another comparison not mentioned is the thickness and flex of the bottom. Eddylines, Deltas, and Hurricanes all have rigid decks, but the bottoms are surprisingly thin and flexible. The theory is that the pressure of the water against the bottom supplies rigidity, but there are stories about cracking ABS plastic kayaks on rocks and submerged tree stumps. Finally, perhaps most important of all, I would love to see kayak demonstrations performed in wind and waves so we can get a real sense of their safety and paddling skill needed. Any of these boats will be fine in benign conditions, but there are major differences between them when the wind and waves kick up. My top choice among all of these short kayaks: the Delta 12.10. It's only fault is a slightly short cockpit as Delta uses the same 17" x 32" cockpit on the 12.10 as on the longer sea kayaks, which is sort of odd.

[krisl]

My husband and I bought 2 Aventura 125s during the pandemic. I'm not sure what the situation was like in the US but in Canada, supply issues meant it was nearly impossible to find kayaks in stock (and nobody was selling their used ones). I had created a list of "smart buys" based on your reviews and the Aventuras were the first kayaks we were able to find. Yes, it's a bit heavier than we'd prefer but if we were to go up in price, we would not have been able to afford the hobby and we tend to stick to bodies of water that are easy to carry them to. Thank you for all your informative videos, I love watching them because I always learn something new.

[TheWhiskeyCowboyLife]

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you live on a lake/pond you can get away with a heavier boat since you will not be car topping it. And whether you like open water or "exploring" where you may be bumping or rubbing the layup will really matter. All great boats though... I love the idea of a kayak but am a canoe man; but the issues involved are quite similar. Great video.

[RussellBanks-ubub]

Great Report. Very informative I agree with all your facts.I have been paddling since 1972.

[barryfish]

I have a red skylark for lake paddling and love it, even though lime green was my first choice but that color seems to sell out first. That Stellar is impressive, I guess some folks might stray away from that because it’s made in China, but the factory and designs do have good international collaboration from several sources. I also heard the seat in the Stellar kayaks isn’t very comfortable next to some other brands but that’s always a personal preference. Thanks for the great review, I think more videos with these comparisons are needed for sure, it would be nice to see one with the 14 footers since that seems to be a popular length for transitional light touring boats. You could do Equinox, Delta 14, Perception Carolina, WS Tsunami, Swift Kiwassa 14, and many others to choose from in that size.

[gmuz]

Dan, I found your YT channel this past summer and became a happy subscriber. It’s so very informative and insightful. I purchased an Adventura 140 this past August based on your response to a larger-sized viewer’s inquiry about options in one of your earlier videos. I’m 6’3” at 260 lbs and find the 140 to be a great kayak for its price-point, a real treat to paddle around. I picked up a Crescent LT on clearance as well that month and it’s superb, as you had stated in several videos; a super thank you for the terrific opinions and guidance you provide!

[ruofhatem]

Aloha! Always great effort in providing info and details on those interested getting into the sport. Props to the videographer also.

[voyeurbobb]

Thank you for all the educational videos you do. I love them and bought my starter kayak based on one of them a few years ago. I would come try out more but Georgia is a long way from you 😔. Thanks again.

[ronaldruntenelli]

Da. Love your videos. So informative and you are so personable. I feel like I know you. I have a Necky Manitou13 and I would like to upgrade to an Eddyline kayak.The skylark most probably. My question is about stability in wind and waves. One of the comments mentioned
that one has to be an advanced paddler to paddle in wind and waves because of how low the kayak sits in the water. I paddled Lake Tahoe on a windy and very wavey day in my Manitou and felt relativey stable. Maybe i was just lucky that day. I guess I don't consider myself an advanced paddler, probably intermediate paddler. I did take a kayak course from California Canoe and Kayak a few years back. thanks for your

[donkeyavenger]

The adventura is always my go to for people looking to step up from a box store boat if they don't want to buy an eddyline

[alangross]

Great review! I have wondered about the difference as far as paddlebility of the Aventura VS the Eddyline; in my mind there doesn't appear to be $1, 000.00 in difference, for that much money I'll muscle around the 15 pounds, it's good exercise! I'm 5'-7", a young 68 years old and in decent shape; I have the Lime Green Aventura 125 and my wife has the Cobalt Blue 125. For the money, there is nothing close to it. I've had it on Lake Tahoe and it just blew me away on that lake, it feels amazing on Lake Tahoe. It's like it was designed for that type of big water. I really want to paddle around the perimeter of Pyramid Lake, but that would be a real adventure and take 4-5 days to accomplish without killing myself. Depending on how far I'm traveling, I put it either up on my truck rack or in the bed of my 4 x 4 F150 without any issues. When putting it up on the rack, it's definitely nice to have a second person. Everywhere I've had my Aventura, people stop and ask me about it...it really is a great looking, well equipped little boat. The only way I would spend more money is if I was paddling more distance than the 8 -10 miles per day, that we usually end up paddling, and needed to make better time.

[benny]

A great topic for many people out there that are taking up kayaking, and are actively shopping. You address several points, and I am glad that you are also demo-piloting them in this vid. A nice little selection from three different manufacturers. Thank you Dan!

[adrianschuurmans]

I am 68 years old, and have 2 12'

I have 2 12'kayaks similar to these reviewed. A 50lb rotomolded Pelican 120XR and a 41lb Delta 12.10. I can put either of them onto the J racks on my SUV. Careful what you say about "you know if your in your 60's" LOL
LOVE your channel.

[mikecoglione]

I had an S12 for a while and it was a wonderful boat. Already with that one I couldn't go with other recreational paddlers because I would leave them behind with like 3 strokes. Fast and responsive for its time but the S14 (G2) is both faster and more stable especially in rough waters making the more "recreational" S12 obsolete. Stellar boats have categorically terrible seats. You'd want those boats to do long paddles but you can't because they kill your butt and back. It doesn't help to get extra support or thicker pillows because that makes you a lot higher and excessively tippy!

I have owned a few Stellars and they all tend to be more maneuverable at speed, getting going helps them want to just turn on edge. The other higher end layups in this shorter, more recreational boat won't make much of a difference but the fragility, and cost of repair jump tremendously. Unless you go surfski Advantage hits the best price/value point for most.

[emmettthomas]

Great Review! #TeamFeelfree
I purchased the Aventura based on your Stellar review 24 months ago. It rests atop my lifted SUV. Getting it up there is easy with the lift assist T bar. Raising the Feelfree Moken on the 4Runner roof does however require more effort. That purchase was also based on your Stellar review. Wink-Wink! 😁 I'm pro Feelfree because of your honest and accurate reviews. Keep them coming!

[Hvn]

This is a really great review. I own a super light boat (12' Slipstream St. Regis canoe.) I love it dearly, but I can attest that it is hard to baby it, and it scratches easily. I've been looking for something a little more robust that I can really knock around. The Aventura looks like it fits that bill. HOWEVER 🙂... I am 66, quite fit, and I drive an SUV! I have no worries about lifting a 50lb boat onto the roof. Just sayin'. Love your channel. Keep it up.

[LJ-jqog]

Dan: Great topic... Excellent review... Thx !

[BobBohner]

A REALLY FANTASTIC AND USEFUL REVIEW. THE BEST I’VE SEEN IN YEARS

[brianfraker]

Thx for the vids! Bought a Walmart $240 and went down the Umpqua River. Got pretty lucky nothing went wrong. Time to learn.