Sun Dolphin Journey 12 SS Sit On Top Kayak is a slightly larger version of the Journey 10 SS fishing kayak. In addition to being a slightly longer fishing kayak at 12 ‘, the Journey 12 SS also loses a half-centimeter width by 29 1/2 “compared to 30’ ‘ by the 10 SS kayak. It’s only 4 lbs heavier at 48 lbs, but increases capacity from 250 lbs to 395 lbs. Thus, if you are looking for extra capacity and extra legroom, then Journey 12 SS is definitely worth the upgrade compared to the 10 SS kayak.
Apart from weight and size, the Sun Dolphin Journey 12 SS is practically identical to the 10 SS, with the same pros and cons. Because it is a little longer, it provides better tracking, but stability is still an issue. It is a decent kayak for beginners who want to fish in lakes or ponds and could even cope with calm rivers.
For comfort, the Journey 12 SS has adjustable leg straps, thigh pads, and a padded seat that provides decent back support. The chair is obviously not the most comfortable on the market, so some adjustments may be needed if you plan to spend hours fishing. This particular fishing kayak has a decent amount of front and rear storage space, and the portable accessory stand can be used for extra storage if you really need to bring extra equipment. The retractable carrying handles on this kayak are useful, but it’s a good thing that it’s not that heavy because there are no side-carrying handles.
As the Journey 12 SS is a fishing kayak, it has two mandatory rod mounts mounted on the back of the seat and swivel support for the front fishing rod. A convenient paddle stand takes care of your paddle while you operate the rods and using it requires only one hand, which is also nice. This particular kayak is by no means perfect and there are a lot of things about it that could have been improved, but it is still a good choice for first-time buyers on a tight budget. It will take you out on the water and fishing until you are ready to give extra money for an upgrade. We recommend you buy it online from amazon.com
Many kayaks that are available at low and intermediate prices are pretty much simple vessels, which lack the features that most modern fishermen want. They rarely provide enough storage space, are generally quite heavy for their size, and are usually designed for general use – the manufacturer will simply throw away a few “fishing” accessories to make it suitable for fishermen. However, Sun Dolphin Journey 12 SS supports this trend and offers fishermen looking for an affordable kayak with a capable and ready-to-fish option.
Pros
- Lots of storage space for equipment and gear
- The seat backrest and adjustable straps allow you to customize your boat according to your body
- Remarkable stability for its size and price
- Easy and convenient kayak to transport to and from water
Cons
- No skid plate is included to protect the hull from stones and gravel
- The plastic can soften and deform at very high temperatures
- No rudder or cloth is included to improve tracking ability
Build quality
Like most other Sun Dolphin models, the Journey 12 SS fishing kayak is made in the US from UV-stabilized high-density polypropylene. This ensures the desired durability in a kayak, without causing the ship to weigh more than necessary. However, a skid plate is missing, so you will be wise to launch and land carefully. Unfortunately, some fishermen reported that the ship’s walls would soften in warm weather, which allowed the rivets on the seat back to slide freely off the cabin walls.
Storage capacity
Journey 12 SS provides enough storage space to accommodate a reasonable amount of equipment and gear. Two recessed mounting rod supports are located at the rear of the cab, while a pivot-style support is positioned in front of the seat.
It has a fairly spacious loading area at the front of the boat, which includes bungee cords to keep your equipment safe. More so, like many of the best and well known Sun Dolphin kayaks, the Journey 12 SS comes with a Personal Accessory Carrier – a removable floating compartment that can be towed alongside the ship.
Comfort
Like most other sit-on-top kayaks, the Journey 12 SS offers plenty of room for most anglers. Both the leg straps and the padded seat are also adjustable, allowing you to customize the craft to fit your body. Thigh pads are mounted on both sides of the seating area to protect your feet, and storage areas are all conveniently located.
Stability
Despite being only 29.5 inches wide, the Journey 12 SS is stable enough that you can throw and pick up or access the various storage compartments without any fear of tipping over. Very few fishermen have reported that they are confident enough to stand up while fishing, but brave souls may try to do so. This kayak has a listed capacity of 395 pounds, which will help keep even large fishermen afloat in the water.
Maneuverability
Most fishermen reported that Journey 12 SS did surprisingly well in the water. More so, it tracks better than most other fishing kayaks at this price range. Most kayakers found that it was easy to paddle in Journey 12 SS and that reasonable speeds could be reached. And because it weighs only 48 kilograms and comes equipped with retractable bow and stern transport handles, most fishermen found it easy to transport Journey 12 SS to and from the water.
Summary
The Sun Dolphin Journey 12 SS is obviously not suitable for those who want state-of-the-art features such as pedal-operated or transducer-compatible sweeper systems, but it is a great choice for anglers looking for a functional and fishing-friendly vessel. It offers a very generous amount of storage space, including the patented Sun Dolphin accessory portable stand, which you can pull out and pull alongside the ship. It is light in size, so it is easy to launch and land and offers a surprising amount of stability for such an accessible and narrow kayak.
- Brand: Sun Dolphin
- Model: Journey 12 SS
- Type: Sit-On-Top
- Color (s): Sand, olive
- Length: (ft / cm) 12 ‘/ 366cm
- Width: (in / cm) 29 1/2 “/ 75cm
- Height: (in / cm) 14 “/ 36cm
- Weight capacity: (lbs / kg) 395 lbs. / 179 kg
- Cabin size: (in / cm) N / A
- Hull Material Polyethylene
- Number of people: 1
- Inflatable: No
- Saltwater friendly: No.
- Adjustable chair: Yes
- Rod holders: 3
- Adjustable leg straps: Yes
- Paddles included: No
- Other items included: None
Customers Questions and Answers
Question: Would this be a good kayak for a beginner?
Answer: While this kayak might be ideal for a beginner, you will need to consider how it will be used. For a fisherman, it would be a great boat for beginners/intermediates. But it is not very wide and stands a little high, so it is not as stable as others. But for flat water and/or for users who are okay with a little lower stability, it is a very good choice.
Question: Does the kayak come with a seat cushion as shown in the pictures?
Answer: Yes, it comes with a thin seat cushion and adjustable backrest.
Question: Is this a two-piece hull or a mono hull?
Answer: one-piece mono hull
Question: Is it made in the USA?
Answer: Yes, it is made in the USA
