Kayaks for Rough Water

5 Jacquelyn S.
I practiced assembling the kayak twice in my apartment, then took it out to a lake for the real test. Still had to check my notes, so it took me 15- 20 minutes to assemble. Once I got it in the water, it was wonderful. There were strong gusts of wind, as well as a steady breeze, but had no trouble making a straight heading to wherever I wanted to go. Wish I had gotten one of these kayaks sooner.

5 Miriam A.
Took awhile to put together, let it sit for two days and putting it away today. Hope to get it on the River soon.

5 James T.
[ My first kayak and the first time ever in a kayak. Well I have a few years in my rowing shell. I learned balance in that using the oars but I knew it would be a bit different in a Kayak. I got this kayak for exercise and to get out a few times a week. He is my first time in the water. Early March in the Northeast. No wind. Calm water. Clear sky. 46 degrees. Put on dry suit because of thirty degree water just in case. This was a good time to go, because there are no boats in the water. I put the Bay ST together on a dock and since I did that a few times at home, it only took about ten to fifteen minutes. I used the inflatable floats that came with the Bay ST. I also got a paddle float and a bilge pump separately from Oru. I carried the Kayak to the edge of the dock with one hand, which I like, because my other hand is free, I found that getting into the kayak was a little tight, but I think that was because I adjusted the seat back too tight. Next time I know not to go too tight with the adjustment straps. I easily found the foot brace and got settled in. I ’ m 6 ’ 2 ” and 200 lbs and fit in there fine. Since it was my first time ever in a kayak, I sat at the dock with one hand on the dock until I felt relaxed and stable enough to push off. I found that relaxing the stomach muscles and not tensing up calms the boat down. I did some side paddles and backwards paddles near the dock. I went forward away from the dock and the Bay ST just took right off. I think I wasn ’ t exactly centered in the boat because it listed to the port side. That wasn ’ t enough to go back and get out, so I just went on. I paddled very slow getting used to the strokes and just quietly coasted past geese, ducks, and cormorant who didn ’ t really seem bothered by me going by. I went out for about an hour hooray I didn ’ t flip over. Getting back to the dock and out of the kayak was easy. I had my rowing shell boat slings there, so I just put the kayak on them so it was easy to wash down and dry. Disassembly fold up took only about five to ten minutes. I put the kayak pack over it and put the kayak in the back seat of my car. Easy, Fast. Done. I think the more times I go, the faster I will be able to assemble and disassemble this kayak. I don ’ t plan on skuffing onto any beaches or bumping rocks so hopefully this kayak will hold up for a few years. Thanks Oru for making a kayak I don ’ t have to pay to keep anywhere or have the need for clumsy and expensive car rook racks.

5 Damien F.
[ I 'm very impressed with my new Bay ST kayak. I 've been canoeing and kayaking all my live( I 'm 62) and have a good deal of experience in all types of paddle craft in all types of conditions. For its length and width, I 'd put the Bay ST in the top of its size category. The boat is surprisingly stiff and responsive, easy to paddle with high or low paddle angles, tracks well with moderate strokes, turns easily and tightly in a lean, and is very comfortable. All of this from a corrugated plastic folding boat that only weighs 26 pounds! Amazing. I 'm impressed with this little kayak and am eager to put it to the test in big water( with a spray skirt).

5 Richard D.
We took our Oru Kayaks out of the box on the shore of String Lake, Grand Teton NP, with directions in hand and gathering onlookers anticipating the final form of our clever unfolding. The first attempt was frustrating. I might have said a swear word or two. However, the second kayak emerged more easily and lacked the initial assembly drama. Those interested in our maiden voyage were delighted to see how light the boats were and how easily we launched them. After sliding into the water, my first stroke shot the boat forward and I knew I was in for a great day of paddling. My wife and I simultaneously commented about how easily the boats paddled and how responsive they were. As a side note, thank you very much for supplying a decent paddle in your package. It paddled as well as my trusty Werner paddle and broke down better. The first test came at the north end of String Lake where we had to portage the boats a quarter mile to Leigh Lake. At 26 pounds apiece, we easily carried both Oru boats together. On a previous trip to this same destination, we carried 65 pound plastic kayaks individually over the portage, which means we walked a mile with more weight, instead of a quarter mile with lighter Oru boats. Paddling Leigh Lake was a dream. Even in light chop from an afternoon gust, the Oru Kayaks paddled great! Our heavier, plastic ocean kayaks totally out perform the Oru kayaks on our home waters of Monterey Bay, but they don ’ t come close to the convenience, compact storage, and light weight we need for packing in our trailer and heading out to lakes in the northwest. The best part: I didn ’ t buy have to buy a kayak rack for the cab of my truck, which my wife isn ’ t tall enough to reach anyway, for two folding kayaks that fit snugly in the truck bed. Thank you for a pair of really fun kayaks. More adventures to follow…