Best Sit on Top Kayaks

Top 10 Buying Guide

Best Sit on Top Kayaks

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Best Sit on Top Kayaks
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How to Choose a Sit on Top Kayak

Choosing the best sit on top kayak can be overwhelming – there are so many great ones out there! There are solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, and even inflatable models to choose from! Kayaks can also be a bit of an investment, so it’s important to find one that will last for years to come. Since there are so many different options out there, let’s go over some things you should consider before buying a new kayak for yourself or your family!

Best Sit on Top Kayaks

Capacity: Single rower kayaks are best for individual users because they are smaller, more lightweight kayaks for solo trips. Tandem kayaks can fit two or more people, or fit one person who needs to carry extra fishing, camping, or hiking equipment.

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Paddle: Some kayaks come with paddles while others require you to buy them separately. Keep this in mind if you’re on a budget! If a kayak doesn’t come with paddles, or only comes with one, that could be an added expense!

How to Choose a Sit on Top Kayak

Weight Capacity: When determining the right weight capacity for your needs, consider everything you will possibly put into the boat! Tally up the weight of any people, including their clothing, lifejackets, paddles, and any extra equipment you plan to take with you.

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Warranty: A properly cared for kayak should last you for several years without issue. However, we know things happen! Choose a company with a warranty you like, and feel confident that they will help if anything goes wrong with your kayak.

Best Sit on Top Kayaks

Size: The size of your boat is an important consideration, especially when you consider transporting or storing it! Make sure it will fit on your car or in your garage, and whether you can handle carrying it alone or with help.

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Kayak Weight: Weight is important, especially if you plan to kayak alone or with children. Buy a kayak you can comfortably lift and move on your own, or if you grab a tandem kayak, one you can lift with a little help!

Top 10 Products

Now that know the size or type of kayak you need, and ideas on your budget, let’s get into the reviews! We researched several kayak brands and found 10 that we think work for just about any budget or personal preference. If you don’t have time to read about all 10 kayaks, that’s fine! We started with our Top Pick and Budget Pick first, so you can read about those now and come back later to learn about the rest!

Ocean Malibu Tandem Kayak

Ocean Malibu Tandem Kayak
Our top pick is our favorite for the best sit on top tandem kayak, made by Ocean Kayak! We put this one at the top of our list because it is a high-quality and versatile kayak. You have three options for seating: one person, two people, or two people with a small child or pet! The kayak has 3 seating wells (bow, stern, or middle) with plenty of foot grips, so you can sit wherever you’re most comfortable. It holds a whopping 425 pounds, which is great for two people and some extra equipment if needed! We also like that this kayak is relatively light for a tandem version. At only 62 pounds, a solo kayaker could handle it – or two can carry it using the convenient side handles. These also stack up neatly, so you can easily store them without wasting extra space! We think this is the perfect kayak for a solo kayaker or an adventurous duo!
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Sun Dolphin Journey Kayak

Sun Dolphin Journey Kayak
Our pick for the best cheap kayak is also our favorite for the best sit on top fishing kayak! This model from Sun Dolphin is a high-quality solo fishing kayak with plenty of storage for fishing equipment or your latest catch! It also comes with three fishing rod holders (1 swivel, 2 flush-mount) to give you options for putting your rod and other equipment where you’re most comfortable. It also has comfy thigh pads and an adjustable padded seat backing to make even long fishing trips easy to handle! We like that this kayak comes with options for storage. It has a removable airtight container that fits snugly into the back of the kayak, and comes with extra cording to tie down more containers if needed! At only 41 pounds, this is lightweight and easy for one person to carry, transport, and store! We think that for the price, this is the best kayak for your next fishing trip!
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Vibe Kayaks Skipjack

Vibe Kayaks Skipjack
If you’re looking for a kayak with a serious amount of storage space, consider checking out this one from Vibe Kayaks! This kayak comes with 2 sealed compartments with bag inserts to keep your equipment safe and dry. It also has a deep well in the back to add a small cooler or container, along with a canvas bag on the back of the cushioned seat. You can stock up this kayak for a long fishing trip, camping, or daylong journey! This kayak also comes with everything you need to get started, including a paddle and 4 flush mount fishing rod holders! It’s only 41 pounds, which is easy for most people to handle, and it can carry up to 280 pounds! Given this kayak allows for so much storage, we’re happy to see it can handle the extra weight as well! If you want the best sit on kayak with the most storage, we highly recommend this one!
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Perception Kayak Tribe

Perception Kayak Tribe
Looking for the best sit on kayak for beginners? Definitely, give this one from Perception a try! It’s only 46 pounds and comes with 2 easy to grip handles, which is perfect for a beginner to move around. The seating is padded an adjustable, so you can feel comfortable and stable while learning to kayak. It also comes with plenty of storage for one person, including two wells with cords to attach containers and one inner compartment with a bag to keep delicate equipment like your phone or keys dry! The polymer body is abrasion-resistant, which is great for beginners who may accidentally drag the bottom on rocks or debris. We also like that this small, lightweight kayak can hold up to 300 pounds, making it great for bringing along any extra fishing or camping equipment! For both beginners and advanced kayakers alike, we think this a low-maintenance and sturdy kayak to take on any shallow or slow water adventures!
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Ocean Kayak Scrambler

Ocean Kayak Scrambler
When looking for the best sit on top kayak seat, we came across this model from the same company that makes our Top Pick – Ocean Kayak! The padded seat that comes with this kayak adjusts in 4 places, giving you the ability to control your comfort throughout the day. It also easily folds down to allow stacking kayaks for transport or storage! In addition to the adjustable seat, this kayak also comes with overlapping foot supports so you can place your feet where you need them. This is perfect for kayakers who are on the overly short or tall side! Just like our top pick, this kayak is durable, reliable, and easy to lug around. It comes with two wells to store containers, and inner compartment with an airtight bag and even cup holder to keep your drink from rolling around! For a solo kayaker, this is a great, customizable kayak that is both versatile and a lot of fun!
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Brooklyn Kayak Company Tandem

Brooklyn Kayak Company Tandem
In addition to 1 and 2-seat models, we also wanted to include a 3-seat option in our kayak buying guide. This model from Brooklyn Kayak Company can comfortably seat 3, with 2 seats being comfortably padded for extra support. It is only 70 pounds, which is light enough for a couple of people to carry easily. It can hold up to 440 pounds too, making it perfect for 2 adults and a child, or 2 adults with some extra equipment! The storage on this boat is great, too! It has two watertight storage compartments and one large well to add a cooler or tackle box in the back. We also like that this kayak comes with 6 fishing rod mounts (4 flush mounts, 2 adjustable) to hook up multiple lines for better results! We think this kayak is a large, heavy-duty kayak with tons of storage that is perfect for a couple on a river camping adventure or day trip!
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Sevylor Sit-On-Top Kayak

Sevylor Sit-On-Top Kayak
Are you short on space? If you have absolutely no room for a large, cumbersome kayak in your car or apartment, consider an inflatable kayak! This sit on kayak from Sevylor is perfect for taking on a short trip or storing in your car or at home. It’s small enough to fold into a backpack-style rig that you can easily unroll and inflate in about 5 minutes! We like that this kit comes with everything you need to get out on the water, including a collapsible paddle and air pump! For an inflatable kayak, this one is sturdy enough to hold up to 400 pounds without stretching or popping! The kayak has a small well in the front for storing a small container or tackle box, which is nice for an inflatable kayak. It’s also lightweight! At only just over 22 pounds, you can easily roll this up into a backpack and take with you wherever you want to go!
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Lifetime Beacon Kayak

Lifetime Beacon Kayak
In our hunt for the best kayak for sale, we went in search of a kayak that could handle some serious weight – and found a great one! This tandem kayak can hold a massive 500 pounds, which is great for 2 adults and a boatload of extra equipment (pun intended)! This simple design comes with 2 padded seats, a storage compartment with waterproof bag, a small well in the front for extra equipment, and a larger well with a mesh top in the back for carrying your tackle box or a cooler. This kayak is a heavy-duty beast, and at 91 pounds can be a bit cumbersome. No worries, though! It comes with 4 handles and a skeg wheel on the bottom, so you can easily roll your kayak out to the water instead of lugging it around! We like the simple, sleek design that allows you to pack this kayak with whatever you need for your next fishing trip!
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Riot Kayaks Escape

Our final one-person kayak comes to us from Riot Kayaks, and it is a great model for advanced kayakers. It is a sleek, durable kayak that comes with a small rudder for extra control and stability. We also like the amount of storage available on this kayak! There is a large well in the back with shock cord to tie down large containers, a small waterproof compartment behind the seat, a removable compartment in the front, and even a drink holder! This is perfect for one rower because it is only 55 pounds, which is easy enough to maneuver, and it holds up to 300 pounds. The seat is cushioned and fully adjustable to keep your legs and back comfortable all day long! Another feature we really like is the adjustable, locking foot braces. You can customize them to whatever length you need, which is perfect for people who are often too tall or short for regular kayak foot holds!
Our final one-person kayak comes to us from Riot Kayaks, and it is a great model for advanced kayakers. It is a sleek, durable kayak that comes with a small rudder for extra control and stability. We also like the amount of storage available on this kayak! There is a large well in the back with shock cord to tie down large containers, a small waterproof compartment behind the seat, a removable compartment in the front, and even a drink holder! This is perfect for one rower because it is only 55 pounds, which is easy enough to maneuver, and it holds up to 300 pounds. The seat is cushioned and fully adjustable to keep your legs and back comfortable all day long! Another feature we really like is the adjustable, locking foot braces. You can customize them to whatever length you need, which is perfect for people who are often too tall or short for regular kayak foot holds!
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Nixie Sports Kayak

We end our kayak reviews today with a tandem fishing boat that’s built for comfort! This kayak fits 2 people comfortably, with deep seats and high-back cushioned chairs. Both people have ample legroom to keep them comfortable on long fishing trips. The amount of storage space on here is fantastic, and allows you to bring along plenty of equipment without sacrificing any of that precious legroom! It has a deep well in the back for large equipment, and each seat has its own waterproof compartment for equipment like your phone or GPS. Each person also gets his or her own cup holder, which is a nice touch! It comes with 4 fishing rod mounts and paddle clips to keep things out of your way. Speaking of paddles – this boat comes with two that attach onto the sides of the kayak for transport or to prevent going overboard! This is a great luxury kayak to take on your next fishing excursion!
We end our kayak reviews today with a tandem fishing boat that’s built for comfort! This kayak fits 2 people comfortably, with deep seats and high-back cushioned chairs. Both people have ample legroom to keep them comfortable on long fishing trips. The amount of storage space on here is fantastic, and allows you to bring along plenty of equipment without sacrificing any of that precious legroom! It has a deep well in the back for large equipment, and each seat has its own waterproof compartment for equipment like your phone or GPS. Each person also gets his or her own cup holder, which is a nice touch! It comes with 4 fishing rod mounts and paddle clips to keep things out of your way. Speaking of paddles – this boat comes with two that attach onto the sides of the kayak for transport or to prevent going overboard! This is a great luxury kayak to take on your next fishing excursion!
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About the Author

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Heather Patton

Expert Researcher and Writer

Heather Patton is a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped. She has been creating high-quality content for over a decade and covers home, lifestyle, beauty, fashion products and more.

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Article last updated on:

September 30, 2019

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TOP PICK

Ocean Malibu Tandem Kayak

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Disclosure: When readers buy the independently chosen products on this site, we earn a commission.