Stellar Kayaks' New Dragonfly Canoe and Compass Recreational Kayak | Specs & Features Review

[@JoeOsChannel]

That a nice looking little canoe with some nice outfitting.

[@mikecoglione1308]

OK so I got to try it today and it's quite wonderful, I love my Dragonfly. It's amazingly quick and efficient, even against a headwind and paddling upriver. It's not fast, not compared to ocean and touring kayaks, even the plastic ones, but you don't have to try hard at all to keep it going. What sets it apart is that it changes direction, tracks poorly, and gets tippy only when you are not employing good technique, but it stops or turns on a dime as you desire when you want if you do your part so it's another level above plastic mass produced boats. It's that much less forgiving, not by much, enough to remind you when you're not paddling correctly, but it's so playful and so effortless that you don't have to try hard to maneuver this thing like an ace. That said it is a little sensitive to conditions but like a Mini Cooper on the ice with studded snow tires, it's quick to spin out, but quick to correct and if you handle it well it's tons of fun as long as you do your part. This character gives it enormous depth, much more than something "normal" but in the end the responsiveness combined with the secondary stability allows a total klutz like me to both have fun but not flip the boat and wind in the drink; it's so communicative you always know what you did wrong and are having a blast pissing your pants laughing with a smile every stroke. This might double as an excellent trainer for an older kid, maybe letting them use it at times once they master and get used to that plastic monolith you have had sitting in the back yard all these years. I would not consider it like a "recreational" like a "sit on top" because it has so many more layers, so much more depth to its handling, kind of like a car with well done aftermarket suspension using high end coilovers, upgraded bushings etc. This communicative nature that lets you know, but never punishes, only rewards you for doing things wrong or right (Respectively). It's a joy to feel what you're doing and learning, making it an excellent learning craft to take your skills to the next level if you're ready to move beyond plastic boats. Adults and kids will get a hoot bombing around with this little elf and play. You can't just paddle it any which way, but my oh my is it rewarding to do things right. Did I mention how easy it is to get in, get out and carry? You could spend all day getting in and out of ponds, lakes and streams with this which is just how I will use it. So easy to load in my truck bed, so easy to take out and bring into the basement. The only downside.... scratches easily =( But that's life with composite kayaks. If you don't scratch them it means you're not enjoying them.

[@mikecoglione1308]

The Dragonfly is *AWESOME*. 11 feet long, two (2!) will fit next to each other into even a short bed (5'6") pickup with some tie downs while the gate is closed and it weighs only 24lbs. If you live near a bunch of ponds, lakes and streams this is your ticket! I can't wait until it's a little warmer. Definitely not an ocean going craft, go out in some rough seas and you're asking for trouble, and a little fragile, definitely not to rub against rocks for sure so know where you're paddling before you take it out especially with regards to underwater rocks and always keep a lookout for them, but within those limitations this boat is incredibly fun because it's easy. Light, responsive, tracks well within its limits, feels faster like a bigger/longer boat and very, very stable. Did I mention it only weighs 24lbs and is ridiculously easy to carry anywhere? Doesn't matter how you like to carry the boat, over your head classic canoe style even over your shoulders, kayak style on one side, whatever. It works better if you carry the stern first or in front. It's so stinking light you can pick it up and support it with just 2 fingers with 1 hand. If you want a light, easy boat to carry or paddle for inland work that is fun, responsive and surprisingly fast this classic design is amazing. There is also a Kayak version that is probably a bit better suited to some (but not a lot) of rough seas but the fact that it has a deck adds 10lbs so seeing that I already have kayaks but am surrounded by small bodies of water I opted for something a little different, and a *LOT* lighter.