Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 Sun Dolphin Excursion 10

Heck of a qualifier - for the money. At KMart these are $199 with free store pickup and you can just about always find a $25 off code for purchases of that amount at KMart. So this is a $175 + tax boat. It is 30" wide; very stable. Really wide opening cockpit so it is easy to get into and out of and having gear in a bag between your knees is convenient. A huge cockpit also means a fishing rod in your lap can lean out at a reasonable angle. They do plow through the water a bit, but due to the lower amount of wetted surface area, going 3-4 mph (what most paddling groups do) is not that harder and is actually easier than some of the larger SOTs. It cannot go as fast as a longer boat on paper (hull speed), but in the water with other actual boaters it does okay. I pushe the limits a bit with mine. I cut holes behind the back pad so I could shove a pool noodle back there and add a recess rod holder. I added a strap between the footpeg rails at the very front so I could shove a partially inflated yoga ball up there. I got a Lavika large universal skirt with the zipper so you can leave it on the boat. It stays upright and level fully swamped. I can handle a bit rougher water that way, including a little class III and surf launches. Surf launches ?!?! I am not suggesting anyone go way off shore in this boat, but to get just beyond the breakers, it is fine. Little 10' boats are actually easy to push through the surf in; they don't get slapped sideways much. Also keep in mind I have a skirt.

If your looking for a stable inexpensive fishing Kayak I think the Sun Dolphin Excursion is great. I'm a first time Kayak Angler and I love fishing out of mine.