Okay, so I finally got my hands on the Pelican Classic 100. I’ve been eyeing this kayak for a while, and I decided to just go for it. Let me tell you about the whole experience, from picking it up to getting it on the water.
Getting Started
First things first, I grabbed the kayak from the store. It’s a pretty manageable size, so I was able to strap it onto the roof rack of my car without too much trouble. I wouldn’t say it was easy, but it wasn’t a nightmare either. Definitely doable for one person, especially if you’ve got some decent straps.
First Impressions
Once I got it home, I took a closer look. The plastic seems pretty sturdy. I poked and prodded at it, and it felt solid enough. I wouldn’t go throwing it off a cliff, but it seems like it can handle some bumps and scrapes.
The seat looked, okay, a little basic, you know. I was thinking I might need to add some extra padding later on, especially for longer trips. But for a first test run, it seemed alright.
Hitting the Water
I took the Pelican down to a nearby lake. Nothing fancy, just calm water to get a feel for it. Getting in was pretty straightforward. It’s stable enough that I didn’t feel like I was going to tip over immediately, which is always a good start.
I started paddling around, and honestly, it moved pretty well. It’s not a speed demon or anything, but it tracked straight and was easy to maneuver. I spent a good hour just cruising around, getting used to how it handled.
My Thoughts, So Far…
- Stability: Felt good! I didn’t feel like I was about to take an unexpected swim.
- Tracking: Pretty decent. It went where I wanted it to go without too much effort.
- Comfort: The seat is okay for short trips. I’ll probably look into upgrading it for longer paddles.
- Durability Seem pretty sturdy for me, I didn’t hard test this one.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the Pelican Classic 100 so far. It’s exactly what I was looking for: a basic, no-frills kayak to get me out on the water. It’s not the fanciest thing out there, but it gets the job done, and it didn’t break the bank. I’m already planning my next trip!
