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Taking your kayak on a fishing trip can be a struggle if you have a heavy vessel and you’re on your own. But the Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS is designed to make your fishing trip all the more comfortable.
Not only is it lightweight and compact but it has a bunch of features that are designed to help you when you’re out on the water.
- Length: 10 feet
- Width: 30 inches
- Depth: 11 inches
- Weight: 44 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Considerations Before Buying A SOT Kayak
Before you dive straight into buying a SOT kayak there are a few things you should think about. Will you be planning to paddle in cold weather? Because a sit-on-top yak may not be the best choice, as you are likely to get wet when you’re paddling a SOT.
You should also consider whether or not you’re planning to use it for multi-day trips or for spending hours at a time on the water, as you’ll want one that’s as comfortable as possible.
Another thing to think about is the type of water you plan on paddling in, as there will be different hull shapes that will be better suited to choppier water if you’re planning on using it in the sea.
However, with a SOT you’re free to jump in and out whenever you like because of the more open design. You don’t have the same restrictions that you would have in a sit-inside, nor do you have to learn wet exits and Eskimo rolls, so a SOT can be a great yak for beginners or less experienced paddlers.
That doesn’t mean a sit-on-top has less features or capabilities than a traditional sit-inside. There are SOTs that are designed for various activities, such as fishing, touring, surfing and even scuba diving, not to mention the recreational ones.
Top Features Of The Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS
Who Is It For?
The Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS is a 10 foot sit-on-top fishing kayak aimed at those who want to enjoy some time on the water fishing in their favorite, hard to access spots without bringing along too much gear.
Its short length and lower weight capacity, of just 250 pounds for you and all your gear, means it’s not really suitable if you’re planning on going on a multi-day fishing adventure with camping equipment.
There are other Sun Dolphin kayaks that might take your fancy.
Storage
For being such a compact yak, there are still a lot of storage options. Behind the seat there is a large dry storage hatch for keeping your gear safe, as well as a storage compartment at the bow. Both the bow and stern storage areas have bungee cord rigging.
There are three rod holders; two that are flush mounted and one that can swivel. On top of that there is even a place to store your paddle, on either side of the yak, for when you’ve got your hands tied up dealing with your rods.
In addition to this there is a cup holder conveniently located in front of the seat, as well as another small dry hatch for your phone and keys and a small molded compartment with bungee cords, for a water bottle.
Portability
Weighing 44 pounds and being just 10 feet long, this is a pretty portable vessel, so it could be a good choice if you’re heading out on your own and need a yak that you can easily transport by yourself.
This one has easy-to-use retractable carrying handles and its short length means it can fit into the bed of most pickup trucks with the tailgate down.
Stability
Being 10 feet long and 30 inches wide means it’s going to be a lot more stable than a longer, narrower yak. Designed for lakes and slow-moving rivers, it should be able to handle moderate current without tipping over.
Comfort
The Journey 10 SS is designed more for its fishing features and portability rather than comfort. With no padded seat, you might find that spending long periods of time sitting in this yak may not be the most comfortable. However, there is a padded seat back, which boosts the comfort a little.
The molded seat is not raised off the floor, so you may also find you get a little more wet than you would on a raised seat. However, the seating area is quite large, so you could find you’ve got more room to shift and get comfy.
The yak benefits from having adjustable foot braces, so you can move them for a more comfortable foot position. It also has padded sides for your thighs, giving you a little extra comfort while you stabilize.
Journey 10 Alternatives
Old Town Vapor 10 Angler
This sit-inside fishing kayak is the same length as the Journey 10 SS but is a little narrower, at just 28.5 inches, making it more streamline. It also has a greater load capacity of up to 325 pounds.
Its SIK (sit-in) design means you won’t get as wet, which could be beneficial if you plan to paddle in colder climates.
Lifetime Sport Fisher
This sit-on-top is also 10 feet long, but with a wider 36 inch hull, making it more stable and you can even stand up on it. It features 3 molded seats, so you can bring others along for the trip and the seats are raised so you’re not sitting on the wet floor.
It also has a capacity of up to 500 pounds but there’s not as much dry storage.
Sun Dolphin Excursion 10
This is almost a sit-inside version of the Journey 10, with similar fishing features and dry storage hatches. It’s more lightweight, weighing just 41 pounds but is the same length and width as the journey 10, with the same weight capacity.
With this one, you’ll stay a little drier inside the large cockpit.
Conclusion: Is The Journey SS 10 Good?
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry
- Stable
- Fishing features
Cons
- Low load capacity
- Not speedy
- Not ideal for extended trips
If you’re heading out fishing, this kayak can definitely come in handy. Compared to a recreational kayak, this one is rigged for fishing with the benefit of rod holders being pre-installed.
It can be a good choice if you’re looking for a vessel that you can easily transport in your truck and take out on the water on your own, as it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
Why not check it out for yourself and don’t forget to comment and share if you’ve found this article useful.
I would like to know if there are any other seats that fit this kayak like a stadium seat that is either made for this kayak or fits it