Eddyline Skylark Kayak Review

[@filbilly]

This is one of the best reviews of a kayak that I have watched on KZbin and entertaining too. Great storytelling intertwined with the features of the boat. You're lucky to have gotten yours before the lockdowns. I had to wait six months and finally got my Sitka in May, ha! Good luck for anyone wanting and looking for an Eddyline now. If I may add this, another great feature are the dual bulkheads on Eddylines which act as floatation should you capsize, and the plastic they use is less susceptible to UV damage than rotomolded polyethylene boats. Happy paddling!!

[@MichaelCarson1]

Hey John, I really appreciate that! I plan on doing more reviews so this gives me the motivation to press on. I'm glad you found the video helpful.

[@ADCar]

Excellent review. I've been looking at kayaks for a few months now and this one was high on my list. You've convinced me. Now if I can just find one. (nice location too!)

[@MichaelCarson1]

Very nice! Yes, they are not easy to find. I think they are backed up on production for a good portion of this year.

[@thestarboardtack7540]

Thank you for this...I've been intrigued with the Eddyline SKY AND SKYLARK. I'm single and 72 and in pretty good shape, but would definitely paddle with a lighter yak. But I do need to keep up with the group. This was very helpful.

[@MichaelCarson1]

I'm glad it was helpful! I love the Skylark.

[@dYrOiUs]

Awesome video, thank you! I've been wanting a kayak for years, I think I finally found the model that'll make me go for it. Take care!

[@MichaelCarson1]

Glad I could help!

[@kathyjurgens7153]

Much appreciate your video - especially the manufacturing segment. It's great to know that the hull and deck could be recyclable. Constructive comment: it would be good to mention this kayak requires an extra-large spray skirt. It would also be good to wear a pdf. Otherwise, terrific video. The scenery is quite beautiful.

[@rommelrivera1186]

My Skylark should be arriving this week. Can't wait to take it out on the water. Great review! Thank you. Sub'd.

[@MichaelCarson1]

Heck yeah! You're going to love it!

[@boatman222345]

I almost didn't watch this video when I noticed that the author was a neophyte. Having begun paddling sea kayaks in 1973' and having worked as a professional sea kayaking guide and instructor I was afraid I'd be wasting my time watching a video put together by a newby. Was I ever wrong! All said and done this video covers all the important points admirably in an accurate, detailed and yet concise manner. More than well done, more than well worth watching. Only slight error I noticed was that Eddyline is no longer a "family" business as Tom Derrer and his wife sold the company to their employees awhile ago...but hey that's pretty cool in itself given that most companies get bought up by mega corporations! And who better to,own a kayak company than the folks who build the kayaks?

[@MichaelCarson1]

Hey, that's really cool of you! Thanks for the kind words. I have become more experienced in paddling overall, and a better understanding of different crafts and water (in general) since the making of this video. I have a new video that I want to make, just have to take the time to write it.

[@lordenoch0]

Since 1/22 Eddyline has a major investment "partner" in RZC Investments, the investment arm of the Walton (Walmart) family. They also manufacture their less expensive kayaks in Mexico now.

[@boatman222345]

@@lordenoch0 Bummer!!!!!!!!! Years ago Old Town Canoe here in Maine was bought up by Johnson Wax. There canoes and kayaks went from high quality to junk in nothing flat! I met Tom Derrer at a sea kayaking symposium where I gave a talk in the early 1980s and I can't help but wonder what he would think about his company being an extension of Walmart. Guess we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed!

[@sosac6646]

Wow, your review..bravo! Amazing!

[@MichaelCarson1]

Thank you very much!

[@johnpitcher2921]

An excellent review. You have confirmed my thinking that the Skylark is an good compromise between a recreational and a touring kayak. I currently own a 16' 2" Seaward ocean kayak - a beautiful boat but I'm looking for something smaller and lighter but still with some fun performance.

[@MichaelCarson1]

I know what you mean! It's about finding and using the boat that's the right tool for the job. Most of the time, a Skylark will perform great and be less of a burden to load/etc.

[@davidmichael4526]

Excellent, in-depth video. Great job! We've had about eight different kayaks, our favorite being the Necky Manitou 14. However now that we are in our 80's, we have moved to the lighter kayaks. The Eddieline kayaks are amazing. We now have the Skylark (41 pounds), and Rio (very fast) for wife (38 pounds). We have also had the Sky 10 (32 pounds). All are terrific.

[@MichaelCarson1]

They sure are! You have a great lineup, those models are all fantastic. I appreciate the nice comment and for watching.

[@johnpitcher2921]

You own a good variety of Eddyline kayaks. How does the Sky 10 compare with the Skylark in performance? Having owned a 16' Seaward sea kayak I suspect I would enjoy the Skylark more but with advancing age I am considering a lighter and shorter kayak that I can lift more easily and fit in the back of my Subaru Outback for shorter trips or load more easily onto the saddles for longer trips. Thanks. John.

[@waynekosaka572]

Great review. We have several Eddyline kayaks and your descriptions are spot on. One suggestion is to wear your PFD especially if you are improving your paddling skills and further from shore.

[@MichaelCarson1]

I had a belt waist PFD on, but I now I never go on the water without a full PFD on. Thanks for the comment!

[@n-da-bunka2650]

Good video. 26" beam with the HARD chine is what really puts these into the "recreational" category but that's not a bad thing. It means that it will be far more stable than the more narrow "true" touring boats. The Skylark is a good boat. The thing I didn't like it is that it sits lower than competitors in that market with a heavier guy. I am 5'10" and 225lbs so the Delta 12.10 was a better fit ... for me had I gone that direction. In the end I decided to pick up a used 14-foot long, 23" wide used Hurricane which is less stable but it's still a lot of fun for about $500. I do still watch FB marketplace and craigslist hoping to pick up one of the kevlar or carbon-based yaks but for 95% of people watching these videos, the Skylark or Delta's are a better fit

[@MichaelCarson1]

Good call and good points.

[@markschindler8804]

I’ve had the Sandpiper for 6 months and it’s great as well. Even made good headway into high winds/waves; many rec boats would’ve been impossible. Agree on cup holder, would also like to make or buy a sort of ‘half spray skirt’ that keeps paddle water out.

[@MichaelCarson1]

Great to hear good reviews on the Sandpiper!

[@SK-kj4gv]

My wife and I have Sandpiper 130’s and we have the Splash Deck Spray Skirts from Seals. They’re not a full skirt…more like 3/4 and they are great at keeping paddle drips and even whitecap wash-over from entering the cockpit.

[@michaeldangelo9365]

Please wear your PFD while paddling. Even in calm conditions you are at risk. It’s amazing how quickly bad things go from bad to worse in a very short amount of time. Otherwise, welcome to the sport!

[@MichaelCarson1]

In this video, I did have a waist belt pdf which was not visible from the footage. I never go on the water without a full PFD now. Thank you for watching!

[@michaeldangelo9365]

@@MichaelCarson1 whew! Good on ya! Happy paddling!

[@roadeyerob]

Great review! Do you mind me asking how tall you are and how much you weigh? According to the website, this boat is designed for S/M paddlers, but I have no idea what that means. I'm 6' tall and weigh about 175 lbs, and not sure if I should be looking for next size up (i.e. the sandpiper). I'm pretty comfortable in a boat, so I would actually prefer a more compact cockpit.

[@MichaelCarson1]

Hey Rob, you should be totally fine in the Skylark at your size. I'm 5'8", 125. Hope that helps!

[@hughh.8075]

Excellent review. Thank you.

[@MichaelCarson1]

You're welcome!

[@bobrein8093]

Great review! I've had mine since November, 2020 and everything you comment on has been my experience. My only complaints are they don't have a cup holder or a paddle holder. I see you added a paddle holder. What brand is it? Looks like a Yak.

[@MichaelCarson1]

Yep, it's a yak. Thanks for the comment!

[@elmardox3146]

Well done.

[@MichaelCarson1]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[@etc-and-more]

Nice video, very informative. Why'd you choose the skylark over the rio or sandpiper? If you have been in any rough water (ocean rough not rapids rough), how did it handle it?

[@MichaelCarson1]

Thanks, Bob. The Rio was too small and the Skylark was too big. It handled nicely in rough waters, quite stable. I didn't feel concerned about capsizing. Thanks for the comment!

[@pgreenx]

@@MichaelCarson1 didnt you mean sandpiper was too big ? They make a SP 12 too. Still looking at both of these

[@dawncrossland3028]

@@MichaelCarson1 Do You Mind Sharing How Big Are You?? (Height & Weight)

[@MichaelCarson1]

@@dawncrossland3028 5'8", 130 lb

[@groovymoon]

Nice review. How durable has it been? We run a lot of rivers and bang on bottoms and rocks a lot.

[@MichaelCarson1]

Thanks for watching! I wouldn't run it in rivers with a lot of rocks and debris. So, not that durable.

[@chax2004]

Hi how bout 6"3" 250 lbs. Would this accommodate me? Thanks.

[@TahoeREServices]

Waterspot magnet? What did you mean? Does it fill easily with water?

[@MichaelCarson1]

Hi Robert-Waterspots on the surface of the boat, just a cosmetic thing.

[@DUSSIVlog]

i wonder what is your day job. I like to do outdoor sports, not as exetreme as you. how amazing you are.

[@daves.6778]

1,400 appears like a sweet bargain compared to the 1,750 now!

[@MichaelCarson1]

Very true. After COVID just about all companies have raised their prices significantly.

[@jeannine7002]

Where does the dog ride?

[@MichaelCarson1]

Bingo ;)