From 4LPH41337.com

Reviewing the Walden Naturalist 10' kayak

Contents 1 Specs: 2 Standard Features: 3 Jack's Take 3.1 Pros: 3.2 Cons: 3.3 Summary: 3.4 Update:

Specs:

• Cost: Retailed for ~$299. I got this one for $150 (second hand, which included nice low angle wooden kayak paddle)
• SPECS:
• LENGTH 10'/ 305 cm
• WIDTH 27" / 69 cm
• WEIGHT 37 lbs / 17 kg
• COCKPIT 35" L X 18" W / 89 cm L x 46 cm W
• MAX LOAD 220 lbs. / 100 kg

Standard Features:

• Comes with the long-track footbrace system for adjusting from a sitting position, and with foam insulation that promotes flotation and stiffness.

Jack's Take

• I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get another kayak for < $200... (purchased second hand)
• Just after I bought it, we did a 7 hr paddle on the Etowah River (Georgia). I used this kayak, and my son (12 yrs old) used the Perception Swifty kayak. After 7 hrs of paddling, the hard plastic bucket seat made a nice sore spot on my spine (the seat was horrible).

Pros:

1. Good secondary stability (holds on a lean)
2. Maneuverable
3. Not too heavy
4. Large cockpit makes it easy to get in and out of
5. Faster than the Perception Swifty kayak (still need to clock it on flat water)

Cons:

1. Low initial stability (wabbly at first)
2. Seat is a hard plastic bucket seat, which is hard on the lower back on long paddles

Summary:

Good beginner kayak (and my second kayak). It is good for both river and lake, so I like that flexibility. I'm still looking for a longer/faster kayak for the lake (maybe 12' to 13' will be perfect for Chattahoochee River below the Buford Dam and the lake).

Update:

• 1/11/2009
• Replaced the seat with a new aftermarket version (see pictures above). It took about 30 minutes and was really easy. I still need to get it out on the water, but just sitting in it in the garage, it's WAY better. I used "the Sonic" backrest/backband from "Surf to Summit" and the matching "Mild Hot Seat" for the bottom. Tom from Top Kayaker was great. He answered all my questions and made suggestions on how I could fix the hard seat problem. The replacement parts came with easy to follow instructions. Although it's a little unnerving drilling holes in your boat, after you got over that, it was pretty easy. I do recommend using the "anti-walk" type bits, as my slots that I drilled out were a little crooked. The slots still worked just fine (used for attaching the backrest to the back of the cockpit), but they were not as straight as I would have liked.
• 5/2/2009 The new seat is awesome. Highly recommend it, if you have an older boat with a hard plastic seat (or one with no backrest).

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