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Sometimes it can be a good idea to stick to a budget and with the Pelican Summit 100x kayak you can do just that and still get to enjoy your favorite hobby.
Whether you’re looking for a vessel that can handle weekend wear and tear or you just want a simple yak that can let you have fun on the water, this yak might be ideal. We’ve checked it out to see if it’ll make a good recreational yak for your next paddling trip.
- Length: 10 foot
- Width: 28 inches
- Depth: 14 inches
- Weight: 34.8 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 275 pounds
Is The Summit Kayak Right For Me?
Buying any kayak can be an important decision but finding the right one for you can be even more important. So before you dive right in, there are a few things you might want to think about.
The Pelican Summit is a sit-inside yak, which means you could potentially use it all year long because you could stay covered within the cockpit. With a sit-inside your legs stay within the hull, helping to keep you warm and dry during colder weather paddling.
Video: Pelican Summit 100x Kayak Overview
This is something you don’t get with a sit-on-top, so the Pelican Summit could be a good choice if you like to paddle no matter what the season. However, if you’re more of a jump-on-and-off-for-a-swim type of person, you may be better off with a sit-on-top, as it can allow for easier re-entry.
The Summit could be a good choice if you’re after a budget recreational vessel that’s compact and lightweight. If you’re looking for something with plenty of features, this probably isn’t the right yak for you. However, with its lower price, you could always customize it to your requirements, such as rigging it for fishing.
Top Features Of The Pelican Summit 100x
The Pelican Summit 100x is a 10 foot sit-inside kayak that’s designed to offer stability and performance whether you’re a beginner or you have a little more experience.
A Hull Shaped For Stability
The Summit has a shallow V shaped hull, which is designed to offer both primary and secondary stability. The shallow V aspect is what should help it feel a little more stable for beginners. The V shape features two channels on either side, which can help with tracking and speed.
Because of the 10 foot hull length, this yak is designed to be easy to maneuver on the water, whether you’re trying to perform tricks or simply getting the hang of paddling.
With its stable hull, it may even be possible to rig it for fishing, giving you a lightweight alternative to a fishing yak.
Comfortable Cockpit
The cockpit on the Summit is just over 23 inches wide and 51 inches long, so it’s relatively large for the size of the vessel. This means it can be easier to get in and out of, and can feel less confining for beginners.
The cockpit features a padded seat with seat back which benefits from straps that let you adjust the fit to suit your body size and shape. Another handy feature is the adjustable foot pegs. These can slide back and forth so it’s easy to adjust for paddlers of different sizes.
Storage Options
With a generous capacity of 275 pounds, you can accommodate plenty of gear for a day trip. There are bungee cords at the bow and stern to let you secure gear on top of the deck.
At the rear there’s a covered storage hatch for smaller items. However, this is not a watertight hatch, so it might be a good idea to store your items in a dry bag before you put them in the hatch.
Having a place to hold a water bottle can be essential on a day trip and with the Summit there are two places you can store a water bottle. There’s a cup holder molded into the table area in front of the cockpit and to keep your beverage even closer, there’s another bottle holder inside the cockpit.
Lightweight And Durable
Weighing just under 35 pounds, this yak can be easy to lift and carry, even on your own. Its lightweight design, combined with its compact hull, makes it a portable vessel that can fit into the bed of a truck and should be easier to store than a larger yak.
It’s crafted from durable UV resistant polyethylene with Pelican’s Ram-X technology that boosts its impact resistance, so it can be a good choice if you’re not quite yet skilled in avoiding rocks.
Pelican Summit Alternatives
Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 SS
The Aruba SS is a similar style, being a 10 foot sit-inside. But it’s 2 inches wider, which could make it more stable and a bit roomier. It could be a good alternative if you’d prefer extra storage, as it has a sealed container that sits in the cargo well at the back but can also be removed to be towed separately.
Lifetime Payette 116
The Payette is a little shorter at 9 foot 8 inches and wider at 30 inches, so could be ideal for beginners looking for stability. It has a large cockpit for comfortable paddling and a handy storage hatch in the rear. It has a 25 pound lower capacity than the Summit and is also a little heavier, weighing 44 pounds.
Intex Challenger K2
If you think you might prefer paddling with a partner but still want something compact for storage and transportation, the Challenger could be a good alternative. It’s inflatable so easy to take from A to B. It has two seats and comes with two paddles, plus there’s a storage net at the bow and a weight capacity of 400 pounds.
This is very “budget”, so don’t expect too much with the Challenger K2.
Questions And Answers
Does It Come With Paddles?
No, paddles are sold separately.
Can Your Stuff Be Stored Behind The Seat?
Yes, there’s a hatch and bungee rigging behind the seat.
Finishing Off…
Pros
- Compact design
- Lightweight
- Stable
- Good value
Cons
- Can’t attach a standard spray skirt
- No dry storage
The Pelican Summit 100x can offer you fantastic value, durability and performance. Its sit-inside design means you can paddle in any season as long as you have the right gear, and its large cockpit can help you feel more comfortable on the water.
Now that you know the Pelican Summit is the right yak for you, check it out here. But don’t forget to let us know how you get on after your first trip. We’d love to hear about it. And remember to inspire your fellow kayakers by sharing this review.
Great Review – Thanks
I like it. My only real complaint is you can’t use a spray skirt with it.