Ocean Kayaks - A Leader In Sit-on-top Kayak Design

Ocean Kayaks is a leading manufacturer of sit-on-top kayaks. These type of kayaks are great for beginners just learning to paddle (there's no fear of capsizing and not being able to wet exit), and they also make terrific platforms for fishing, scuba diving, photography, surfing, touring, and all around recreational use. They're also easy to get in and out of, even in fairly rough and choppy water. In simple terms, the learning curve on a sit-on-top kayak is much shorter than with conventional boats.

If you're not familiar with sit-on-top kayaks, they have a farily conventional hull shape, but the paddler sits on top of the boat rather than inside the hull. Most of these boats are rotomolded plastic, which makes them relatively inexpensive (and of course heavier than kevlar and other, more expensive hull materials).

Paddlers who own Ocean Kayaks are a very devoted bunch overall, and many we talk to have owned several O.K. boats over the years. The Ocean Kayaks sit-on-tops tend to be very stable, forgiving even in adverse conditions, and have plenty of storage space for all kinds of gear. They're also comfortable and very durable even under the harshest conditions.

There are a few negatives with these boats, of course, as there are with all kayaks, but unhappy O.K. owners tend to be in the minority.

Ocean Kayaks - The company

Ocean Kayaks has been making sit-on-top kayaks since 1971, and quickly made a name for itself as a leader in the industry. Ocean Kayak is a division of Old Town Canoe Company, which is part of the large Johnson Outdoors, Inc. family of companies. Johnson Outdoors is a global company that designs and manufacters a wide range of outdoor recreation products, including Old Town Canoes and Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Necky Kayak, Dimension Kayaks, and more.

Ocean Kayaks - the boats

The Ocean Kayak sit-on-top kayaks are split into three major lines -- the Classic line, the Sports line, and the Angler Editions (intended primarily for fishing.

The Classic line includes the Kea, Yak Board, Frenzy, Scrambler, and Scupper Pro TX. These are some of O.K.s most popular boats, and they come with all the “classic” features like molded in seat wells and foot wells.

The Sports line, which includes the Sports Singles - Big Yak, Venus 10, Venus 11, Scrambler XL, Caper, Drifter, Prowler 13, and the Prowler 15. And the Sports Tandems - Malibu Two XL, Zest Two EXP, and Sidekick. These boats tend to be faster, more maneuverable, and they come with seat backs and side-mounted carrying handles along with many standard Ocean Kayak features

And finally the Anger Editions, which include the Caper angler, Drifter angler, Scrambler XT angler, and Prowler 15 Angler. These kayaks are designed for fishing, and come with special features including angler graphics, and flush mounted rod holders and plenty of storage space for all your angling gear. These tend to be very stable boats, great for casting, even standing up.

Pros And Cons

As with any brand of kayak, there are strong points and not so strong points with Ocean kayaks. But keep in mind that what may be a strength to one paddler, could be a weakness to another.

On the positive side, Ocean Kayak owners report that their boats are faster than expected, track well, and are very stable (you really have to work to capsize one of these boats). They also have tons of deck space, which make them great for camping or scuba diving, and the angling models are well equipped for fishing. The rotomold hulls, while a little on the heavy side, are very rugged and hold up for years under very heavy use (a lot of outfitters use these boats as rentals, and they get used almost on a daily basis).

The negatives we've heard are the usual complaints about "oil canning" of the hulls when loaded on and off car carriers. Some paddlers also found the O.K. boats a little hard to paddle in wind and chop. There were also a few complaints about comfortable footing in the models that have molded-in foot braces.

These complaints aside, the Ocean Kayak owners we've heard from are a generally satisfied bunch. If you're looking for a fishing or general recreational kayak that's easy on beginners and has lots of storage space, it's hard to go wrong with an O.K. sit-on-top boat.

Fish Ignoring You?

If so, maybe those rusty old lures or tattered flies need a little updating. There's nothing worse that being out in a great fishing spot, on a perfect day, and trying to catch fish with old or worn out gear. If your tackle box needs updating, maybe it's time to shop around for some new equipment.

While the retail sporting goods stores are great, most only carry a limited selection of fishing supplies, and usually only in season. And expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, offer a wide selection of fishing supplies and equipment--year round--and at discounted prices. And online shopping offers a convenient, comfortable alternative to driving all over town looking for that hard to find item.

Our featured merchants are all well-established companies that have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world.

For some great deals on new fishing gear, click on one of the following links:

eAngler.com - Fishing Gear and Accessories
Check out eAngler.com for a large selection of fishing supplies and accessories

Tips & Tricks

Emergency stove

It's a good idea to have an emergency stove along on your trip in addition to your primary stove. An
emergency backup stove can be as simple as a section of rolled up cardboard inside a tuna fish can. Stuff the cardboard (corrugated works better) into the can and then fill the can with melted candle wax. Before you leave home, light the stove once so that the wax
saturates the cardboard. This will make the stove easier to light in the field.