Best Sit on Top Kayaks: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Perception Hi Life Kayak

Lifetime Tamarack Angler Sit-On-Top Kayak

Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Sit On Top Fishing Kayak

Wilderness Systems Atak 120 Sit on Top Fishing Kayak

Sit on Top Kayak Reviews

1. Pelican Sentinel 100x Exo Sit on Top Kayak

Pelican International is a Canadian company that designs and manufactures affordable recreational, angler, or fishing kayaks for more than five decades.

Review

The compact Sentinel 100X Exo is part of the Recreational Collection from Pelican, measuring nine feet and six inches and an overall weight of 40 pounds.

The kayak’s length and weight make it easy to store and transport.

This kayak boasts a 300-pound capacity, allowing you to bring some gear, along with your stuff, and enjoy a short and quick camping excursion.

It comes with a removable 13-liter storage compartment called ExoShell with bungee cords for securing oversized items.

There’s a smaller space at the kayak’s bow where you can keep dry goods or small items you'll bring along.

You can put your water bottle in the molded cup holder placed in front of your seat for convenience.

The molded footrests allow you to find a comfortable and stable seating position while paddling.

It also comes with carrying handles and paddle-tie downs.

The Sentinel 100X Exo’s stable hull, made from two deep channels found on each boat’s bottom side, keeps the kayak steady, especially on flat water.

With this twin-arched multi-chine hull design, it will be easier for new paddlers to enter and exit the kayak without the vessel tipping over.

This sit on top kayak is the perfect vessel during warm weather since it splashes water on you and into the boat and straight out again through the scupper holes.

The Sentinel’s ErgoLounge Seating System has an adjustable high and wide backrest and extra-thick cushioning.

PROS

Excellent quality
Convenient molded handles
Anti-slip mat
Comfortable seat
Stable

CONS

Not suitable for fishing
No paddles included

2. Perception HI Life 11

Have fun on the water with the HI Life 11 kayak from Perception.

It has unique features that you won't find in other brands.

Review

Enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding from this two-in-one watercraft, proudly made in the USA from Perception.

This versatile kayak or paddleboard won the International Design Excellence Award in 2018 under sports leisure and recreation class.

It’s an 11-foot and 55 pounds kayak that offers smooth tracking and excellent stability, allowing you to stand up and use it as a paddleboard.

This sit-on-top kayak comes with a rigid shell structure with a maximum capacity of 280 pounds. It’s designed for calm and slow-moving waters, making it perfect for day trips with your kids or furkids.

The unique swim deck platforms on the kayak’s front and rear come with hand grabs and low sides, making it easy to go on and off the boat.

It has a supportive and elevated seat with thick deck cushioning and a fold-down backrest.

You will also find a built-in cooler under it with a drain outlet.

There’s a tank well at the back that you can also use as additional storage for other things that you brought along for the adventure.

Experience maximum control with its flexible and detachable fin, ensuring smooth and straight tracking.

You can easily accessorize the kayak using the built-in gear track so that you can mount your camera, phone, speakers, or even fishing gear.

There is a cup holder in front of your seat for added convenience, ensuring that your drink will not spill over.

Transporting the kayak is made easy through the carry handles placed at its center, front, and rear.

PROS

Well-balanced
Stable
Safe
Durable
Versatile

CONS

Heavy
Screws won’t hold the fin

3. Lifetime Tamarack Angler Kayak

The Lifetime Tamarack Angler Kayak is a sturdy vessel with a substantial weight capacity that you can rely on as you enjoy your time on the water.

Review

The Lifetime Tamarack is a fishing sit-on-top kayak with a padded seat and backrest that you can easily adjust for added comfort.

It’s made of high-density UV-protected polyethylene that can handle all kinds of weather conditions, ensuring that the kayak retains its shape and durability for a long time.

This kayak comes with three fishing rod holders; two are flush-mounted while the other is top-mounted.

There are multiple footrest positions to accommodate paddlers and anglers of different sizes.

Its flat bottom design also ensures stability while on the water.

You will find shock cord straps on both the front and rear of the deck, keeping all your loads safe and secure without the need to use intricate knots.

The kayak comes with two six-inch storage areas: one in the rear and another in front of the seat, where you will also find the built-in drink holder.

The two paddle cradles also come with shock cords to keep it safe and secured, while the T-handles placed on the front and rear of the kayak make it easy to transport.

The Lifetime Tamarack’s overall weight is 52 pounds at ten feet long with a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds.

The kayak comes with excellent features resulting in its superb performance.

The sharp bow provides optimum speed and smooth tracking.

It has deep hull channels for smooth and straight tracking plus chine rails to ensure the fishing kayak’s water stability.

There’s also a tracking skeg that offers straight paddling.

This Lifetime Tamarack angler kayak comes with a five-year limited warranty.

PROS

Excellent legroom
Quality-made
Not too heavy
Great maneuverability
Durable

CONS

Thin seat cushioning
Oars not included

4. Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Angler

As one of the best kayaks where you can sit on top, the Sea Ghost 13-foot angler from Vibe Kayaks is a power-packed fishing machine that can get you farther faster.

Review

The Sea Ghost’s sleek hull’s creation focuses on merging the effects of speed and stability to create a perfectly-balanced kayak.

This combination allows the anglers to reach their destinations with less effort while enjoying the journey.

Its slip-resistant deck platform will keep you stable while fishing, whether you are sitting or standing.

It’s a single-person sit-on-top angling kayak with a length of 13 feet and weighing 75 pounds with a loading capacity of 550 pounds, which means they can fill it up with their catch.

The kayak can accommodate anglers of different sizes with its adjustable foot braces.

The overall design of the boat provides easy access to everything you need during the expedition.

It comes with the Vibe Hero breathable seat adjustable into two different positions for added comfort and support when you are out of the water for long periods.

It’s also fitted with four comfortable Vibe Phantom-Grip carrying handles.

Experience maximum control with its toe-controlled rudder system.

It allows you to save on precious energy as you paddle against strong currents and windy days.

You can choose from the multiple storage options placed in strategic parts of the kayak:

Dual-hinge Vibe Versa console with watertight cargo bags and magnetic tackle tray
Sealed eight-inch V-wave deck plate including waterproof cargo bags
Two tackle tray holders
Large front cargo storage
Flex-top gear covered tank well
Substantial rear storage area with bungee cords
Tackle toss tray

Anglers love its customizable work deck since it comes with multiple mounts for all your accessories, which includes the following:

One universal mount for a rectangular-based accessory or fishfinder transducer
Two fishing rod holders, flush-mounted
Two side bungee paddle parks
Six top-loading gear tracks

PROS

Comfortable
Fast
Stable
Suitable for a heavier person
Well-built

CONS

Heavy
Not watertight

5. Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 120

The ATAK 120 from Wilderness Systems is an upgraded version of the ATAK 140 model.

It offers a newer set of features for more functional performance.

Review

The ATAK 120 or Advanced Tactical Angling Kayak is one of the premier sit on top kayaks for anglers.

It’s designed to improve the fishing experience of all serious anglers.

The solid construction of the rigid ergonomic handles allows you to carry the kayak more comfortably, reducing hook snags’ risk.

You can easily access the stern if you need to modify the boat’s electronics and other accessories through the circular stern hatch.

Add or remove your accessories from the boat with the SlideTrax accessory system.

You can also protect your stuff inside the tank with adjustable bungee security straps.

Anglers can adjust the AirPro MAX Seating System to low, high, and recline positions for excellent stability.

The seat’s honeycomb mesh material ensures that you stay cool and dry.

There’s a scupper hole that allows you to install a side-scan transducer.

You will also find a stand-up assistant strap that can help you move about the deck with ease.

Install or remove the specialized utility pod cover with ease if you need storage for your tools, tackle, or drinks.

ATAK 120 comes with the Keepers XL Footbrace System, padded footrests with an adjustable locking lever for added comfort and support.

It has a removable FlexPod OS console system where you can mount the battery, fishfinder, and transducer.

You will find self-draining storage well located at the bow of the boat that is large enough to hold some of your gear.

Always keep the kayak paddle within easy access with the one-handed bow paddle park.

As for mounting your accessories, you can install the durable bow mount plate in front of the kayak.

PROS

Stable
Comfortable
Safe
Smooth tracking
Plenty of storage

CONS

No rod holders
Expensive