Ascend H12...a relaxing ride.

Since the pungo blues, I picked up an Ascend H12 kayak. This is categorized as a hybrid kayak, meaning it has similarities with the Sit-on-top, and Sit-in kayaks. I find this guy to have TONS of storage room. I also find it to be extremely stable for a 12ft long, and 34inch wide (widest spot). It has a tunnel hull which helps it to maintain it's stability even for standing...or so they say...since i haven't done it, but my wife has! The only drawback to that kind of stability, is the sacrifice in speed. The good news is that i'm not racing to a fishing spot, i'm not crossing an ocean, and i'm not running rivers with buddies who are more interested in getting to the finish line than enjoying the scenery. Because of those reasons, the sacrifice in speed, and addition of more stability to fish, etc, is welcomed with open arms! It was a striking contrast to the Wilderness Systems pungo, when i first got a couple hours to be out on the H12. The seat comfort was like night and day. Folks say it is a personal preference, who knows, but to me, Ascend equips these yaks with some comfy butt rests! The spacious cockpit, doesn't cover my legs or feet at all, which is, i guess, where the "sit-on-top" attributes make their entrance. It doesn't bother me now, but i can see the potential for future sunburns on the legs. I guess the plus side is maybe i can get a tan on these white chicken legs. :) I'm very please with the look of this yak, the color doesn't bother me, and the speed doesn't bother me. My paddle, which is a 230cm, is a bit too short and when i paddle one side, the opposite paddle has to come over my legs and drip water into my lap. This is something I aim to change soon, because i will be getting a longer paddle. Maybe a 250 or a 260cm. I also need to put an anchor on her, because i was getting blown accross the water easily. I don't think that is a con on the yak.

There is too much to put into a blog, but i will certainly be adding my review of this yak on youtube. I hope to get some good shots, out on the water, as well as some closeups. There just isn't very many reviews on this fella yet, and I aim to change that. All in all, so far it is a relaxing yak, so relaxing, that i have decided to lay down in it out on the water and chill...