For those of you who enjoy freedom and comfort while paddling, sitting on top kayak models are hard to beat. Many of the best sit on top kayaks in 2021 are also great for fishing or only to share a nice ride with a friend.
Whether you need a real sit on top touring kayak or something smaller to paddle on your local pond, our product reviews will guide you through the selection process and help you choose. And, if you are interested in what makes kayaking great, the buying guide below will give you the answers to all your questions.
A nice sit on top kayak offers an accessible kayak experience for kayakers of any age or level of experience and are absolutely perfect as family kayaks or for kayakers who just want to challenge their skills. These kayaks are good for light touring rides, fishing, fitness or just to go out on the water and meditate.
Best sit on top kayaks in 2021
- Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ’Sit On Top Kayak
- Pelican Sentinel 9’5 ”Sit On Top Kayak
- Emotion Spitfire 9 ‘Sit On Top Kayak
- Lifetime Triton 10 ’Sit On Top Kayak
- Perception Tribe 11’5 ”Sit On Top Kayak
- Lifetime Lotus 8 ’Sit On Top Kayak
Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ’Sit On Top Kayak
This sit-on-top recreational kayak model is great for kayakers looking for a comfortable, lightweight, and spacious kayak. Sun Dolphin Bali is very affordable and is a fantastic option for beginners who want an easy-to-use and affordable kayak for weekend adventures.
Where to buy:
Amazon with worldwide delivery
Specifications and features:
- Type: Sit On Top
- Person capacity: 1
- Material: Fortiflex polyethylene
- Weight capacity: 395 lbs.
- Weight: 44 lbs.
What we like:
- The seating area of this kayak is large and comfortable and has a nice adjustable padded seat.
- It’s lightweight, which makes the kayak suitable for travel.
What we don’t like:
- The kayak tracking can be unsafe, making it difficult to navigate in potential harsh conditions.
Designed for small bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, the Sun Dolphin Bali is a stable and comfortable kayak. It is easy to paddle in this kayak, regardless of your skill level and is equipped with a comfortable and plush chair. The seating area includes adjustable straps for extra support. The open tank expands for extra storage if you are planning a long trip. There are also handles for convenient transport. Finally, the Sun Dolphin Bali is an easy-to-use and comfortable kayak specially for kayakers who are new to the sport.
Pelican Sentinel 9’5 ”Sit On Top Kayak
The Pelican Sentinel is a perfect model for cruising around lakes and rivers. This kayak is designed for comfort and stability and is suitable for kayakers who want a kayak that can provide a little more bang for their dollar.
Where to buy:
Amazon with worldwide delivery
Specifications and features:
- Type: Sit On Top
- Person capacity: 1
- Material: RAM-X with UV finish
- Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
- Weight: 44 lbs.
What we like:
- The seating area is large and comfortable
- Convenient handles for transport.
What we don’t like:
- It doesn’t come with a paddle.
The perfect kayak to enjoy a relaxing day at the lake or beach, the Pelican Sentinel offers a well-built seating area with an incredibly comfortable chair. The kayak also has a large storage area with easy access, with a secure bungee system to bring gear and supplies.
The Sentinel is also one of the fastest models on this list and is suitable for experienced kayakers.The kayak is also beautifully built using RAM-X, a patented UV-resistant Pelican material that is extremely durable. Pelican Sentinel is a recreational kayak for kayakers who want a better than average sit on top kayak.
Emotion Spitfire 9 ‘Sit On Top Kayak
One of the best and most affordable sit on top flatwater kayak models on the market, the Emotion Spitfire 9 is great for the whole family.
Where to buy:
Amazon with worldwide delivery
Specifications and features:
- Type: Sit On Top
- Person capacity: 1
- Material: Blow molded polyethylene
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
- Weight: 45 lbs.
What we like:
- Very stable and secure.
- Lots of storage space
- Lightweight and has handles for portability.
What we don’t like:
- The kayak’s tracking is limited.
Emotion Spitfire is designed to glide effortlessly on flatwater, while giving kayakers a comfortable and spacious kayak to navigate. This sit on top has a slight tilting that increases maneuverability and a defined keel that keeps the kayak limited tracking.
The blow-molded polyethylene construction creates a strong hull that can withstand bumps. In addition, Spitfire offers much more storage space than your conventional kayak, with two open storage areas at the nose and tail of the kayak and even a storage hatch right under the seat for convenient access. In short, the Emotion Spitfire is the perfect kayak for kayakers looking for an affordable kayak with some unique features and a reliable hull.
Lifetime Triton 10 ’Sit On Top Kayak
The Lifetime Triton kayak is extremely durable and offers a remarkable balance of maneuverability and stability. This sit on top recreational kayak model offers a superior level of performance.
Where to buy:
Amazon with worldwide delivery
Specifications and features:
- Type: Sit On Top
- Person capacity: 1
- Material: high density polyethylene
- Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
- Weight: 48 lbs.
What we like:
- It offers an excellent level of stability and performance.
- Integrated skeg for great tracking.
What we don’t like:
- There is a limited storage space compared to other kayaks in this category
This sit on top is suitable for all kinds of activities, from exploring and adventuring in the coastal bays to fishing in the lakes. Additional features include very nice molded footrests, bungee storage straps, a comfortable adjustable seat pad and even a bottle holder.
Triton boasts with the integrated skeg that allows an improved maneuvering for a sit on top kayak. This recreational kayak is well equipped with all the essentials needed to have a comfortable, stable and steady journey, while providing a remarkable level of control. Finally, the Lifetime Triton is ideal for kayakers looking for a premium level of comfort and a high level of maneuverability and control while on the water.
Perception Tribe 11’5 ”Sit On Top Kayak
Perception Tribe 11’5 ”Top Kayak Perception It is the most popular sit on top kayak, Tribe, is an all-time favorite for kayakers and is great for beginners and also advanced kayakers.
Where to buy:
Amazon with worldwide delivery
Specifications and features:
- Type: Sit On Top
- Person capacity: 1
- Material: polyethylene
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
- Weight: 52 lbs.
What we like:
- Large storage space and large capacity to bring equipment and supplies.
- The seating area is spacious and comfortable and has an adjustable upholstered chair.
- Provides excellent tracking
What we don’t like:
- A bit too heavy
- It doesn’t come with plugs.
Perception Tribe is an extremely versatile recreational kayak that is comfortable and stable. It also provides a substantial level of maneuverability and control, which is even considered to be suitable for turbulent coastal conditions.
Tribe has molded footrests, comfortable padded seats, nose and tail handles, as well as front and rear switches. This kayak is robust and durable and, with proper maintenance and storage, will last you a long time. Finally, the Perception Tribe is a unique recreational kayak, which is best suited for kayakers who have some experience and are accustomed to kayaking.
Lifetime Lotus 8 ’Sit On Top Kayak
This recreational sit on top kayak model is very light and ideal for travelers. It has a unique dynamic shape, which makes it fast and maneuverable.
Where to buy:
Amazon with worldwide delivery
Specifications and features:
- Type: Sit On Top
- Person capacity: 1
- Material: high density polyethylene
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
- Weight: 36.5 lbs.
What we like:
- It is very lightweight, making the kayak suitable for travel.
- Stable and comfortable.
What we don’t like:
- The kayak has a very low maximum weight capacity.
- No handles for transport.
Lifetime Lotus is the lightest and smallest kayak on this list and one of the most portable sit on the top kayaks you can find. That being said, it may be more suitable for smaller and lighter kayakers, as the maximum weight capacity is 250 lbs. It also has a unique design that offers increased speed, maneuverability and control.
This kayak has a huge bungee storage area and a dry storage area integrated under the seat. In addition, it has molded footrests and paddle holders integrated in the nose and behind the seat. Finally, the Lifetime Lotus is a fantastic recreational kayak that is extremely portable.
How to find the best sit on top kayak
Sit on the top kayaks are perfect for recreational kayaking as well as for kayaking sports beginners. Kayaking has been practiced for about 4,000 years and is one of the most popular outdoor water sports. It allows you to go out on lakes, rivers, and coastal areas to explore and adventure in the heart of nature. That being said, here are the main factors to consider when purchasing a sit-on-top kayak.
Safety
Unless you’ve tried kayaking before, you’ll need to take something simple to maximize your fun while minimizing potential inconveniences that can happen. Start by having a life jacket. Kayak life jackets tend to be smaller so as not to impede your paddling movements.
Stay away from motor boats and generally outside the typical crossing points for other ships. At the beginning of your kayaking experience, it makes sense to stay close to the shoreline. Consider a VHF radio if you go far. In case of emergency – even if it is not yours – it makes sense to be able to receive assistance from other navigators or the coast guard. Bring something to drink and remember sun protection!
Material
The materials used in the construction of the sit on top kayaks have an impact on the performance and durability of the kayaks. In general, the materials used to build these kayaks are polyethylene and ABS.
Polyethylene is the most commonly used material for a sit on top kayak and is a favorite of many for a number of good reasons. It is flexible, relatively abrasion resistant and affordable. That being said, this material is susceptible to UV damage, which means you need to store it in a dark space with a minimum amount of sunlight. The stronger kayaks are made of either high density polyethylene, double layer polyethylene or blow molded polyethylene.
ABS or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a thermoplastic polymer that is an upgrade from polyethylene in terms of UV protection and has a slightly better longevity. It is also lighter and, as expected, more expensive.
Length
Kayaks longer than 10′ are most efficient when kayaking for speed, while those shorter than 10′ are the easiest to handle and transport in and out of the water.
- For more speed = Kayaks over 10 meters long
- For more maneuverability = Kayaks less than 10 meters long
Weight capacity
When choosing what sit on top kayak model to invest in, consider the amount of weight it can withstand. This is especially important if you plan to bring a lot of gear on board.
It is recommended to choose a kayak with a higher weight capacity, so that you do not end up sinking the kayak when it is full of equipment. There should be little room left for the boat to function properly without being overloaded, which means it must weigh at least 20-40 pounds.
Storage
Recreational kayaks require space for equipment, gear and, of course, comfort. It is best if your kayak has a dry storage space under the seat for easy access to essentials such as valuables, water and snacks. String systems are also a great option to bring extra equipment by attaching it to the body of the kayak.
Budget
In terms of price, some sit on top kayaks will cost more because of the material from which they are built, while others will be more affordable due to the small storage space they offer. You need to decide what features are important to you and what features you can do without. Sit on top kayaks can be as cheap as $ 300 and as expensive as $ 1,500. Keep in mind that you generally get what you pay for when it comes to kayaks.
