Finally Reviewing My DREAM Oru Kayak Bay ST (& avoiding alligators 😬)

Hi, I’m Steph! A DIYer, author, and podcast host. I live in Tallahassee, FL with my adopted greyhound, Tosh. I 🧡 Kayaking.
Please note- I use affiliate links which means if you purchase products through links on this page, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
🚣‍♀️ Kayak Gear (affiliate links)
▶︎ Oru Inlet: amzn.to/3ZtzWRM
▶︎ Oru Lake: alnk.to/74vEARo
▶︎ Oru Gel seat: amzn.to/3ZvQfxt
▶︎ Aqua Bound Bent Shaft Paddle (225cm): amzn.to/3PQ48jE
▶︎ Sunday Afternoons Women's Shade Hat: amzn.to/3MFd75O
▶︎ Sunday Afternoons Cool Sleeves with Hand Cover: amzn.to/3NtQl0P
🛟 Oru Kayak Safety Gear (affiliate links)
▶︎ Oru Float Bags (set of 2): alnk.to/3nhJZMX
▶︎ Pump for Float Bags: amzn.to/3pDTUHW
▶︎ NRS Foam Paddle Float: alnk.to/apU3eCS
▶︎ Sea to Summit Paddle Keeper: bit.ly/3YKhMdM
▶︎ NRS Kayak Bilge Pump: bit.ly/3XiNZHy
▶︎ Skwoosh Bilge Sponge: amzn.to/3bSGeFD
▶︎ NRS Odyssey Lifejacket: amzn.to/3c97AYo
▶︎ Cup with handle / Pitcher
▶︎ CaliCase Universal Waterproof Floating Case: amzn.to/3MKVQbE
🛶 Full kayaking gear list on my website: bit.ly/skgearweb
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I make DIY videos ‪@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY‬
Check out my memoir, Discovering My Scars by Stephanie Kostopoulos: amzn.to/2O4U5dh
I co-host the Discovering Our Scars Podcast, where we have honest conversations about things that make us different. Listen on all podcast platforms: bio.link/dospod

[@kazper2011]

Thanks for showing boarding and exiting. You'd be surprised at the number of people who don't. As someone who has only used open cockpits and has trouble getting into and out of them, the idea of a closed kayak, oru or otherwise, is daunting. Also, watch out for those gators. Yikes! Great video!

[@sonjagrahn5041]

I've been thinking about buying a Bay ST for quite some time now, I'm so thankful for your videos about these Oru kayaks since there are no retailers close my town in Sweden. Your videos have definitely made me come closer to hitting that "buy"-button without even seeing/touching them irl ❤

[@moenaguib2947]

I've been paddling an inflatable Metzler for 30 years. It seems much heavier these days than when I first started paddling. This looks like a reasonable alternative.

[@ozramblue117]

Got one of these back in April and I use it at the pier where I live and I absolutely love it! You can get a spray skirt for it too, though in calm waters like that it shouldn’t be an issue. Helps at the beach.

[@a-jbrown7178]

hey Steph, thanks for the video. I'm a Beach LT user. And do fancy the chance to move to the Bay. But as I'm also a Brompton cycle owner, a Burley travoy owner, and a DD hammock camper. I'm now also considering a Lake or an Inlet. ... to tow. Everything folds. My kayak, my bike my trailer. all transportable by train. 1 kayak on my back. one on the trailer. and all.

[@Phrancis5]

I lived in Tallahassee as a kid and remember swimming/canoeing in lake Bradford with gators. Now I live in the Pacific NW and have been paddling sea kayaks, including the Oru Coast XT, which I've had for 5 yrs. The thing about these longer narrow kayaks is that you need to learn to get it "on edge" - or lean the hull opposite of the direction you want to turn, which enables you to cut really sharp turns. That's the reason why your legs/knees are snug, like you're wearing the boat.

[@logangallagher7050]

Really enjoyed just wish the video was longer, could watch your oru content for hours.

[@christijerina461]

Thanks for another great video, I really enjoy your Oru kayak content. I just tried out my new Inlet on Lake Anna in central Virginia and am excited to do more kayaking this summer. Keep up the great content!

[@smkauthor]

Thanks for watching! Happy Paddling 🛶

[@oracle6848]

The oru kayaks lool cool. It's me that they can fold up. I'm actually in the process of trying to buy my first kayak

[@meandmyoru]

Looked like you were having some fun in that Bay ST. Do you think you'll get one?? The bigger ones look a little more difficult to put together but they are such a great design & look very cool!! 😀

[@smkauthor]

I was surprised how easy it was to put together! I thought it would be more of a challenge then the inlet and lake but it really was not. It's a lot of fun to paddle...I might have to get one!

[@meandmyoru]

@@smkauthor I think you should!! 😁 Add to the fleet!

[@kevinbarrett7600]

I bought a used Bay ST to pass on to a friend after I recuperated it--I'll definitely be getting myself one. I already have a Beach LT and a Haven TT, but the Bay ST is so fast and fun! I might have a problem...

[@arcanum3000]

I bought an Oru kayak just about a year ago (your videos contributed to that). I started with a Bay ST, but I had problems with my butt and legs falling asleep, and my knees and thighs not fitting in it correctly if I added more seat padding. I think my big, wide feet contributed to that. The boat itself also had some manufacturing defects. It's too bad, because I did like how it performed. I just couldn't use it comfortably. I ended up getting it refunded as defective and buying a Beach LT instead, which I've enjoyed.

[@smkauthor]

Thanks for sharing your experience! What was the defective with the Bay ST?

[@arcanum3000]

@@smkauthor The two halves of the cockpit rim didn't align correctly, and the zipper tracks had some problems with the rivets attaching them to the hull. The tracks were secure, but there were extra and/or misaligned rivets, and in one case an upside-down half-a-rivet had been embedded in the track. It was almost like the kayak I got was what some new factory employee learned their job on.

[@smkauthor]

Oh wow! Well glad you were able to get it returned and are happy with the new one.

[@arcanum3000]

@@smkauthor Yeah, their customer service was great! The whole situation with that first 'yak was just unfortunate.

[@marcelarodriguez4697]

Which kayak feels more stable? I saw other videos where people point out how much the kayak shifts around rather than fully staying straight. Is that something that you experience in all of them? Could you do a comparison video? Wondering if I should get the Lake Sport or Inlet.

[@smkauthor]

I just filmed a compare video and will release it this week or next!

[@cappallCogadh]

Yikes, as a northern Indiana resident, the only thing I have to worry about, if I tip, is getting wet. Not sure how you guys deal with or get comfortable with alligators in the south.

[@kristiancarter]

You posted this right in the middle of my research while I was watching your other video! Thank you! I am really conflicted on which model to get. I was torn between the Inlet and the Lake Sport, and while initially thinking about the Inlet, it didn't look like there was much of a difference for the large price tag. But now seeing this, I'm torn between the Lake Sport and the Bay ST. The Bay ST seems much more similar to kayaks that I'm used to. I'm looking to do mostly lakes, take on short hikes to kayak in ponds, and maybe some easy going rivers. Portability and ease are key. I love how compact and easy the Lake Sport is, but the Bay has some expandability for other types of water in the future. What bodies of water do you feel the Bay ST could do that the Lake Sport couldn't? Do you have any advice on how to choose?

[@smkauthor]

After I paddle the Bay ST a little more I'm going to do a video comparing the lake, inlet and bay ST. I have to collect my thoughts on it first, but I would say for what you described, I think you would be happy with the lake sport. If you are looking for more speed and want to kayak in open waters mostly, I would go with the Bay ST. But I have kayaked with the lake in many types of water and been really happy with it.

[@kristiancarter]

@@smkauthor This is so helpful. Thank you :) Now I just need to figure our which of the three oars to buy!

[@smkauthor]

I share about two of the paddle in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2fdkqqwjcaWb6M

[@yaksauce]

Why Oru hasn’t designed a flatpack outrigger sponson system for their Bay/Coast/Beach/Haven models, i do not know. The sponsons would greatly increase stability and expand cargo space if one wants to go overnight camping. Sure, one could rig together an aftermarket accessory system, but Oru engineer/designers would do it one-step-beyond!

[@kevinbarrett7600]

I thought of this, too, then I shopped--inflatable sponsons are already available through other vendors, and a novel flat-pack would likely need an inflatable bladder in it, anyway. How much do you think Oru would charge for a coroplast armor jacket and mounting kit for their float bag? I've bought three Orus, including some of their sillier branded accessories, and I still don't think their market would support it.

[@Ramotttholl]

i got this Kayak, for the most part i really like it. but i have big feet and its not designed for those. so i cant wear shoes at all. at best i can wear sandles and even then still be a little un comfortable.

[@NeMO-nt7hp]

How big are your feet?

[@fringelunatic]

I really want to buy one, but i am reading stories of really terrible customer service or non existant. I am also reading of more frequent leaks and these being damaged so easily. These reviews aren't on youtube channels. I had to search reviews from other owners.

[@smkauthor]

I have a playlist about all the issues I have experienced: kzbin.info/aero/PLtCUHvZulvANsiKTtGwFvyxvt7aMY5aa9&si=Vz6tv6_RuLNK40xX

[@logangallagher7050]

What was the stability like compared to the other two?

[@smkauthor]

I actually thought this would feel more unstable because its more narrow, but it felt very stable. I would say they all feel just as stable to me.

[@kevinbarrett7600]

I've used the Beach LT (almost boringly stable), Haven TT (very similar to the Beach LT, depending on loading, tracks better regardless), and the Bay ST (noticeably more unstable, keeps your core engaged, but FAST)