In the market for a new kayak? Then you might have taken a look at the Sun Dolphin Boss SS model fishing kayak. This kayak is a 12.3 feet boat that has a dual-position fold-down seat and paddle holders that will make your kayaking experience a lot easier.
Things To Consider Before Buying a New Kayak
When you are in the market for a new kayak, you want to make sure that you get an option that works for the kind of trips that you will be going on. Whether you are a simply paddling to a destination or fishing, you want to get a kayak that works for you. So, here are a few things that you should consider before buying a new kayak.
Weight Capacity and Storage
When you are getting ready to buy a new kayak, you need to make sure that all the equipment that you will take with you is going to fit on your boat. Getting a kayak that has a high weight capacity and storage space will allow you to take everything you need with you without worrying about having to leave anything behind.
Whether you are paddling or fishing, you will always end up bringing some items with you for the trip, so having waterproof storage areas that will protect important items will help keep your stuff dry even if the kayak gets splashed with a lot of water from waves.
Sit-In or Sit-on-Top
Purchasing a kayak with a seat that is comfortable for you is an important factor in your decision. Whether you are paddling for the entire trip, or you are taking your kayak out to fish, you will need the seat that fits for you. The two options available are the sit-in or sit-on-top seats. The sit-in seat is made for paddling so that you are lower to the water and doesn’t use as much energy to paddle.
The sit-on-top seats are meant for fishing because of the higher seat position. With the added height, you can cast on the water and see further away. This is good for fishing because you are able to see where fish are swimming, and it is more comfortable for many people to fish for a longer time when sitting in the higher seat position.
However, if you find that you like the sit-in seat better for fishing, then you can always get that option if it works for you. As long as you get an option that allows you to be comfortable for the entirety of the trip, then it is right for you.
Hull Shape
The shape of the hull is one feature that can greatly affect your fishing and kayaking experience, so it is an important factor to consider when purchasing a new kayak model. The hull is the shape of the bottom of the kayak. This can help increase or decrease speed, and allow for better navigating or paddling.
There are different hull shapes that include V-shaped, flat, pontoon, rounded, and chine. The V-shaped hulls are better used by more seasoned kayakers because they offer an increased speed by cutting through water easily and are often used for straight line paddling. The flat hulls are often more popular among newer kayakers because they are easy to navigate with and don’t offer too much speed. The rounded hulls also work better for more avid users because they can reach higher speeds.
The pontoon hulls are known for their great stability, which is great for fishing, but they don’t reach higher speeds. The chine hulls come in several varieties as the angle of the bottom can differ between each kayak model. Some are harsher and offer higher speeds, and others are rounder and decrease the speed for beginners.
The Product
Sun Dolphin Boss
The Sun Dolphin Boss SS model is a kayak that is budget-friendly for those who don’t have the money to spend on a premium-priced product. With a price of under $600, you can get a flat stable platform, catamaran hull design, and carry handles for easy transport.
The hull design makes the kayak stable when out on the water so that you can maneuver the boat easily without worrying about tipping over. There are also extra storage areas in the front and rear of the kayak so that you can safely secure all of the items that you decide to bring with you. The storage areas are large enough for a milk crate so they will hold everything that you need.
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Features and Benefits
Catamaran Hull Design
This Sun Dolphin Boss kayak comes with a catamaran hull design which is a multi-hulled design that features two parallel hulls on either side. This hull design allows for better stability and derives it from the wide beam instead of a ballasted keel like with a monohull sailboat. This design is significantly more stable than other options and is great for both beginners and avid kayakers.
A catamaran hull offers better movement, stability, and allows for a much smoother ride because of it. I think that this design makes a great choice for those who have not had much experience with kayaking so that they don’t have to worry about keeping themselves stable since the boat will do the work for them.
Flat Stable Platform
This kayak model also comes with a flat stable platform that allows you to walk on the boat without feeling like it will flip over or slide out from under you. This platform keeps the boat stable while you shift your weight onto different areas of the boat, like to get items from the rear storage area, so that you don’t feel unstable while you move.
This is a great feature for those who can’t handle too much movement while kayaking, and whose stomachs don’t do well in bumpy waters. This feature will allow them to move around the kayak without feeling like they are moving too much on the water so they won’t start to feel sick.
Extra Storage
This kayak model is equipped with two storage areas, one at the front of the boat and one at the rear so that you can have enough storage to bring along all the items you need for your trip. The cargo areas are large enough for a milk crate, so you will have the necessary space that you need for all your items, and possibly room to spare.
These cargo areas are a great feature that allows you to bring everything you need for your trip, and it also works as a way to keep important items from getting wet, and staying safe and on the boat at all times. I like to keep my phone, wallet, and a light jacket for when it gets cold at night so that they stay dry while on the water.
Non-Slip Pads
This boat model comes with added non-slip pads on the floor of the kayak so that you won’t slide when moving around. These pads are placed under the foot area of the seat so that even when you are sitting down, your shoes won’t be sliding around on the floor of the kayak when it gets wet.
This is a good feature to have and it can be especially helpful when you are in a bumpy area where you may get splashed more than usual. These pads will help prevent the water in the bottom of the kayak from making your feet slide, and make it harder for you to get in and out of the boat without slipping.
Dual-Position Fold-Down Seat
The Sun Dolphin kayak comes with a seat that offers two different positions to sit in so that you can pick the one that feels most comfortable for you. This allows you to switch the position while you are on the water so that you can be out for a longer time without getting fatigued from sitting in an uncomfortable position.
You can also fold down the seat so that it is easier to transport in the car or store in your home so that you don’t have to find an area that will accommodate the seat upright. The storage is a huge plus for this kayak because of the fold-down seat, which can easily fit in your garage or storage unit.
Social Proof
With so many products being purchased online nowadays, you can easily find customer reviews from previous buyers about any product you are thinking of buying. With this in mind, I scoured the internet to find out what customers have been saying about this kayak to get an idea of the average response. Luckily, there have been many positive reviews from buyers. So, here are a few comments that previous buyers left. CLICK HERE!
Alternatives
If you like the Sun Dolphin, but you are looking for something that is a bit different, then you need an alternative option that will be of the same quality but with the specifications that you need. So, I have taken a look at a few great options and put a list of the best choices together so that you can get a kayak that you need with the quality that matches the Sun Dolphin.
Emotion Stealth Pro Angler 118 Fishing Kayak
This Emotion Stealth Pro kayak is an alternative that is great for those looking for a premium option. With a rise in price point, this choice is not for the budget buyers, but it comes with many great features that make it worth the money. With the adjustable framed seating system with three available settings, you can find the setting that is most comfortable for you during your trip.
The combination hull design cuts through water easily so that you get a fast pace and better maneuverability. This kayak comes with adjustable foot braces as well as a high-stability hull that allows for standing to cast when fishing.
- Has a premium price point
- Comes with adjustable framed seating system
- Three seating settings available
- Combination hull
- Allows for standing casting
If you would like to find out more information about this alternative then please visit this website to learn more about this product.
Vanhunks Voyager Deluxe Kayak 12ft
This Vanhunks Voyager Deluxe kayak model is a 12-foot boat that makes a great option for those who want something that is slightly smaller than the Sun Dolphin kayak. With a high weight capacity of up to 551 pounds, this kayak can hold a lot of cargo. The X2 paddles come with three different position adjustments to choose from and there are extra storage areas that have X2 storage hatches for security.
This kayak is backed by a factory warranty for 12 months of protection of all parts. This kayak also comes with enough room for two adults so you can use this for a couple’s trips. This alternative is made with the highest quality materials so that it is UV and impact resistant.
- 12-foot kayak
- Weight capacity of up to 551 pounds
- Has X2 paddles with three positions
- Extra storage areas
- Comes with 12-month factory warranty
If you would like to find out more information about this kayak alternative then feel free to visit this website to learn more.
Emotion Stealth Angler Fishing Kayak, Sandstone, 11′
This Emotion Stealth Angler Kayak is a great choice for those who want a smaller option than the Sun Dolphin. With an 11-foot length, this kayak has 2 flush mounts and a deck mount rod holder. This kayak also has an adjustable padded seat and seat pad for comfort.
This kayak’s hull design allows for better stability and great tracking ability. The solace hatch is added for extra storage and is located beneath the deck. There are also four comfortable carrying handles to make transportation easier.
- 11-foot length
- 2 flush mounts
- Has a deck mount rod holder
- Adjustable padded seat and pad
- Hull design for better stability
If you would like to find out more information about this alternative kayak option then please visit this website to find out more.
Conclusion
If you have been looking for a new kayak, then the Sun Dolphin may just be the right fit for you. With the fold-down seat for easy storage and transport and the flat stable platform for better movement, you can find everything that you want in one compact package with this kayak.
