Zen and the art of sit on top kayaking: Kayaking Loch Voil 

Thanks Niall. It's a Tootega Kinetic 100 Hydrolite. I've been impressed with it. It tracks well at all points of wind (and has a retractable skeg if you need help with that), is stable and for a SOT, not too slow.

Is this your first kayak? I'm looking purchasing one of these but wondering what it's like for stability and weather it would be too much for a novice. Thanks.@@beardypete

@@iansimpson8309 I've done a fair bit of canoeing and some kayaking in "proper" sea kayaks before. The reason I chose a sit on top is mainly safety and stability for paddling alone... not something I'd consider in a sea kayak for example! I'd say this or similar is very well suited to beginner paddlers, probably more than the inflatables a lot of people seem tk choose. It's very stable (I can stand up in it on calm water without too much fear of toppling), it doen't fill with water if you do somehow go over or if waves come over the deck, it tracks well at all points (dire tions) of the wind so is less chance of being blown out to sea by offshore winds like in some inflatables and its fairly easy to paddle in a steaight line for a beginner. Main downsides are its a bit slower than a sea kayak and you're more exposed to the elements... you will get some water on you, even on calm days so have to dress for that. That's especially important if you go out in winter, which I love doing as you get more calm days and the lochs are quieter. A friend just bought a Kinetic Pulse 95 (this is a kinetic 100) and alo seems impressed with it.

Thanks very much for the comprehensive and useful reply. That is reassuring to hear. I was worried spending a not inconsiderable amount of money (for me) on something that would be tippy and not confidence inspiring and then end up being afraid to use it. I currently have a x100 Itiwit Kayak which is fine for short paddles. The problem is it's a chore going on longer paddles solo. I tend to go upstream initially and then go with the flow of the current on the way back. Going upstream in the Itiwit is difficult as it has the flat hull and also gets caught easily in the wind. My hope is moving to a more sleeker hardshell kayak will help with this, but not be too unstable at the same time. Basically I want to have my cake and eat it! At the minute I'm looking for something that can do longer day paddles on inland rivers with the possibility of camping in the future so with decent luggage space. Interesting to hear that you friend rates the pulse 95. I had looked at it but then wasn't sure if the Kinetic would be more suited for longer paddles. Decisions, decisions!@@beardypete

@@iansimpson8309 you won't go wrong with either but if you plan to camp, the kinetics forward hatch is going to help. I've only done day trips on mine but plan to get out camping with it next year. It's plenty comfortable for a whole day's paddling.