Could This Be The Best Touring Kayak In 2025?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Thanks for joining me for a leisurely paddle in one of my all time favorite kayaks. The Eddyline Sitka XT has been a staple in my quiver for almost 10 years, yet today is the first time it's ever been reviewed on the channel. We discuss the updates Eddyline made for 2025, go over a few skills, and I share my thoughts from everything from winter paddling gear to advanced boat control skills. I hope you enjoy going for a winter paddle with me as we discuss the all new 2025 Eddyline Sitka XT.
=========================================
Thank for joining us today
Please do not forget to subscribe and drop us a like!
=========================================
For more information head over to www.headwatersk...
Facebook / headwaterskayak
Instagram www.instagram....
========================================= - Спорт
It's a lot trickier than people realize to find a boat that ticks all the right boxes, _especially_ at 6'2", 220 - that's my size as well, and there are just so many boats we don't quite fit in. Hope I get the chance to paddle one some day - I've never seen an Eddyline up here in Ontario, Canada. Also, LOVE when you are the only person out; late fall, winter and early spring are neat times that way.
This is the boat I've been most interested in. I do believe I am one of the guys who asked for this review. Appreciate it
Right on well thanks for chiming in. People’s comments definitely have an impact on what I review or talk about on the channel. Cheers! 🍻
Every few moments I have to pause the video because I have "write that down" moments. Lots of nuggets of wisdom in this one.
I can relate to being a man of many kayaks LOL. My favorite boat used to be a Tsunami Rangers X-1 Rocket Boat when I was young and lived on the Central Coast. Now I'm old and broken and live in North Idaho where I'm usually found padding leisurely paddling a Folbot on a lake. :)
As long as you’re out Paddlin that’s all that matters!
I love these vids. No music, the sounds of splashing, the beauty of nature, what's not to love? I have an orange pakayak.
Glad you like them! I just tried to keep it simple and authentic.
That's the best way@@HeadwatersKayak
The sound of the water is much more relaxing than music.
A little more like sharing the water😊
Oh no, I just bought a blue one last summer, would have loved to get a mango one. I was able to make some inserts for the hip pads on mine, used 1/4” closed cell foam sheet, cut it to match the shape of the hip pads that came with the seat, and they just slid inside -can’t even see them, but brought out the hip pads just enough to improve contact. So even if you are 5’11” and 205, you can make it fit very well indeed - this is my fast lake cruiser, love it.
I'm currently paddling a Scupper 14. However, I have a Mango Sitka XT arriving in the Spring. The new mango color is beautiful, and I loved the Headwaters Facebook photos where the craft was set amongst the fall leaves, really showing off the new color. I'm looking forward to adding this to toy shed. My wife is paddling a Rio and she absolutely loves it.🤩
The Mango color really pops in that fall foliage.
Thank you very much for the videos you make. It was because of one of your comparison videos that I bought a loon (granted, it is a 20 y/o 138). At 5'10" and 245#, it has served me well for the $450 i spent on it. Im hoping to upgrade soon, but I also want to get a tandem so that I can take my #80 dog with me.
I'm glad to find out that when I bought my level 6 dry suit at Alder Creek in Portland this winter, it benefitted you. Happy paddling! I hope to find you on the water sometime.
That’s awesome thanks for sharing. I’ll be up at Alder Creek in Portland for their spring Paddlefest. They’ll be a group paddle the evening before if you want to join.
Very nice kayak, beautiful area, ,l completely agree about the stress relief,. My wife and l live for camping and kayaking.
Enjoyed the video. Glad to see Eddyline is still making some great kayaks. I had an Eddyline Orca, bought used in 1980, in Seattle. Had some fun adventures in the Pacific Northwest with the Orca, it to was great for a big person and could take lots of camping gear.
That’s wild. 44 years ago! Would love to see a photo of that old kayak.
Hello, nice to see a new Headwaters video.
The old 3:37 videos were helpful in my purchasing a Sandpiper 13.
Thank you so much!
Muy interesante video y buenísimo que esté doblado al español. Lindísimo kayak para gente de gran tamaño( los Eddyline y su historia, son de mis favoritos). Los paisajes son increíbles y tus comentarios siempre instructivos. Saludos!!🛶
I’m the proud owner of a Sitka LT and I love it. My previous kayak was a Current designs Kestrel, the Sitka is lighter, more refined and much quicker. The Sitka is definitely lively and not for a beginner. I’m still learning/swimming in the surf. lol 😂
I just bought this as a used kayak and it will be my first kayak I’ve ever owned, and I based my purchase on the many videos of yours I watched. Just bought a house so I finally have the space to keep one, I don’t have any winter gear, but I already want to take it to a local river here in freezing New England. 😅
First kayak and a eddyline!👍🏻 enjoy it
I recently purchased an old town pdl for getting around fishing but those eddyline paddlers definitely beckon me for some exploring of the higher lakes. May just seek out one or two.
Appreciate your channel.
Thanks for your content. Stay Zen, and keep posting. Glad to see you weathered the quake.
Appreciate it. I try. And the quake was exciting!
I love my Sitka LT! 👍
Great review buddy (About bloody time 😁😁) A very nice looking boat.
Indeed it is! 🤣
I'm gonna get some level 6 gear for this winter.
Thanks for your work.
Nice! Thanks for the support. I recommend checking out Outdoor play if you order online. Otherwise support your local shop if you can.
Love this vid. I really need to go up and explore your beautiful lake.
Please do!
Interesting skeg placement. We don’t get many Eddyline boats here in Ireland
Great video, Dan...beautiful boat.
Appreciate it!
Beautiful lake and area
Thanks. I’m very lucky to have this as my home turf. 🙏
I know the boat well as one of my buddies uses it. A couple of things I do not like about it are A) the toggles which are elastic and not at all helpful in self or assisted rescues and B) it is not an ideal boat for big lads to self-rescue into. I couldn't see if they had flattened the stern area or if it is round. The hatch cover seems to be the same round top. Otherwise it is a good boat, with the toggles being my main annoyance as they seem to make no sense for a touring kayak. If I had one they would change immediately :-). Good video. Thanks.
HI, very nice review and thoughts. The only thing is I do kayak but can not in winter cause everything is frozen over. LOL. too funny maybe be a blade on botton and sail on top to go ice kayak, just having fun. Also what is up with the large float of items anchored in lake. What do they do, just curious? appreciated
Hey Dan - glad to see you back in the Sitka XT. It has been my boat of choice as well for about 2 years and I've done several long mileages day trips in it due to the comfort and raised deck for more foot and hip room. Curious on your thoughts now vs. a few years back when you reviewed your Stellar 16 G2 since I still wonder if that should be a replacement for the Sitka as a lighter boat. Is the Stellar noticeably more efficient to paddle long distances and is the lower weight of the G2 much impactful on transport and in getting up to speed? I assume they both track well but realize the G2 likely needs the rudder in to assist that. Also curious being a guy about your height and age on the all-day comfort level sitting in both boats for longer paddle trips. Thanks as always for the great content and sharing your love of the water with us!
They are very different Boats for sure. I ended up selling my S 16 G2 to a very good friend and picking up a S 18 expedition last year. I thoroughly enjoyed the longer faster boat but think I’ll be going back to a 16 as it’s just more manageable. The thing about kayak is once you love one for one reason you’ll love another for another. And that’s kind of a never-ending cycle. 🤪 I do find the sitka to be slightly more comfortable.
@ That’s the truth right? I already have a few boats in our garage due to that. :)
@@gadgets_and_gear haha
Glassy water. Snowy mountains. Warm sunshine. We live in a remarkable place.
I agree, it's pretty magical.
Very nice kayak. I just got a used Current Design 14' . Fiberglass.
Ive never seen a review of them, but I see their kayaks all over where I live.
I’ve just never had the opportunity to review one. Current designs used to be very popular out here but I rarely see them in shops out here on the West Coast.
I live in the great lakes region, not too far from where Current Designs is based out of. They're quite popular boats in the sea kayaking community around here. A couple of my friends own CD boats. I've borrowed them from friends, and rented the brand at symposia.
I ended up going with a different brand when I bought my kayak, but that's not at all a knock against Current Designs. They make nice boats, I bet you're gonna have a lot of fun with yours!
@firstnamelastname1748
I'm in the SF Bay Area and there's a lot of CDs here. I got mine for $175. I couldn't pass it up. Fiberglass is ok by me. Paddles like dream.
Looks awesome thanks for sharing ....
Happy to help!
Hey Dan, do you know if we can buy that extra seat bracket support knob, and add it to an existing Sitka XT? Perhaps they also made the track longer on the new ones. I tried to reach out to Eddyline, but got no response - maybe it was because of the holidays.
That's my dream boat! I fit the LT better but man is it a sweet ride. Maybe 2025 is the year I plunk down the $$$$$. I prefer the option dry tops and bottoms give but aren't drysuits the only way to stay 100% dry if you swim??
Yup. I’m just ok with being 90% dry and having good base layers to keep me warm. But if I’m in challenging water i still dry suit up. Hope this is the year you get your new boat!
@@HeadwatersKayak I want a 14 that can handle coastal waters and carry gear for a weekend. I live on the Eastern Shore of MD so I'm in Bay and sometimes ocean tides.
@@HeadwatersKayak As a Level 6 vendor why pay 1200 for an Odin dry suit when a Cronos is half the price?
Winter boating is the best time. Time to get your WW fix. Be read for the flows coming up!
I have a new boat, I just need to work up to it again.
@
I pretty much stick to the easy stuff these days. So it shouldn’t be hard to get you dialed in.
Thank you for the review! I've personally been waffling between the LT and the XT for myself (6'1", 215-220lbs but looking to lose some weight). I hope to do some demos in both boats next year, but any thoughts on what to consider/prioritize when deciding on which size makes more sense?
I would think about how often you’re bringing gear with you. If you tend to bring 15 to 20 pounds of gear the extra room is nice. If you mostly do day trips and shorter Paddles the LT is slightly more fun.
@@HeadwatersKayak Thanks for the feedback! I'll see how I fit in each boat this next year and keep your notes in mind. Appreciate it!
Welcome to middle age sports. . . Reminds me of my Azul Sultan. . .
Good you said you are a taller guy because when I saw that cockpit I thought "that is big". How is the backrest for lay back rolls?
My favorite kayak is the Valley Anas Acuta. Much smaller with hard chines. But that kayak will be too small for you I guess.
It’s not great for laid-back rolls, which I do touch on in the video. It’s more of a cruiser than a high-performance rolling machine, like the Anas Acura. I used to panel of valley Nordcap many years. Always enjoy the lines of the Anas Acura but never had the pleasure of paddling one.
@@HeadwatersKayak I got two Nordkapps, Fibre glass and a plastic. I have a few other Valley kayaks as well, and a Rebel Ilaga and two skin-on-frames. I like kayaks I can sit really tight in to have that contact and control I want to have.
Nice video you have there and a beautiful area.
Dan I have a question. Have you ever taught someone who loves the water but is also leery of deep water due to trauma?
When I was a teen, a guy tried to drown me. The lifeguard just stood there...I think she thought I was joking when I was struggling. I had free scuba lessons and it freaked me out. Deep water makes me nervous as a result of that issue. I read on UA-cam another guy had that same issue but he loves to paddle also. Just leery of deep water.
I can't say I have, but I could see how that would be a mental challenge for you. I'd be happy to do a private lesson with you if you'd be willing to come to Redding and meet me. You can reach out to me about booking private lessons through my website. Headwaterskayak.com
What's the name of the lake and where is it located
Im 5'5" 135lbs which sitka model would fit me best?
Right now im paddling an old towne nantucket which is also made for a bigger paddler and i move all over the cockpit even with hip and thigh pads added
Skylark or Sitka ST is for S/M paddlers... either depends on your type of paddling.
St would fit you amazing. It’s the best paddling Sitka of the all.
Would you consider the Sitka a large man's (6' 2" +, 230 lbs) Rio ⁉
Not really, but a Rio XL at 13’ would be so good!
@@HeadwatersKayak OK and thanks !!!
Könnte, wars aber nicht weil du 2024 gefahren bist 😅😅🙈🙈
Can you please gift me an Eddyline Kayak? They are so expensive but I've always wanted a Sitka. I'll be your bestest friend
I’m the proud owner of a Sitka LT and I love it. My previous kayak was a Current designs Kestrel, the Sitka is lighter, more refined and much quicker. The Sitka is definitely lively and not for a beginner. I’m still learning/swimming in the surf. lol 😂