Sun Dolphin JOURNEY 10 SS REVIEW by First Time Kayakers!

[@bobloblaw5236]

I just bought one of these online tonight for a couple hundred. the first thing I did was look for a review. and did I ever find one. what a great video. an incredibly in-depth review. thanks.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Wow! Thank you so much! And you are very welcome, happy that we were able to help :-)

[@alexandermontoya1105]

Does a milk crate fit in the back?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We are really happy with these kayaks and easily fixed the scupper plug issue with ear plugs (we made a separate video to show this so be sure to check it out)! Hope you enjoy our first time kayaking as much as we did :-)

[@keithcronk7980]

WHAT YOU CAN USE FER ALL THE SCREW HOLES IS MARINE GRADE BOAT&SHIP WATER PROOF CAUKING. 1 QUESTION HOW YALL GO POTTY. ALSO YALL MIGHT INVEST IN A GEL CUSHING FER YALLS TUSHY. IT'S WHAT TRUCKERS USE & BIKE FOLKS USE JUST MY HONEST ADVICE. LOL. HAVE A GREAT TIME AND WEEKEND BE SAFE ON WATER

[@theironmaiden1]

You guys!! This video is SUPER helpful and informative! I've only had an inflatable, a thousand years ago that I used a couple times when my daughter was little. Now, I'm 50, just moved to a place on a river, bought 1st real kayak, this one. Have gotten some fantastic tips from a friend and its secured on the dock as we speak but....I'm still a lil nervous🤣 I feel better now that I watched this! ...The Earplug thing, but too- thanks so much for commenting on the tippiness, yer back after an hour, showing getting in, the bungee holders (I had a screw out at pickup, Aubachons, bigger screws, waterproof super glue, locked 'em all down👍)...talking about the wind, showing getting in and all....all of it! You've helped me a lot and I feel more comfortable now.😊 Thanks so much guys!! I really appreciate you!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Glad we could help and we appreciate your watching and commenting very much! Hope you enjoy your kayak as much as we enjoy ours!

[@MichaelHolt-g1d]

Awesome review! Enjoyed how you broke everything down, and showed the features, and even gave me a great idea about the live well, I have never paddled a kayak, and I think this will be a perfect first time kayak, thank you so very much!! Good luck out there fishing!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@tamiet1069]

Thank you for this video! This is the same kayak I've decided to purchase. I'm a 55 year older DIYer working my way to self sustainable living but in a more nomadic fashion. I would have never considered ear plus so major kudos for that! I lived 10 years in the Northern Adirondack area and now I'm traveling all across the USA but staying mostly south and southwest! Thank you again for sharing!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Glad we could help! You sound a lot like us - I'm 53 and rich is 58 and we love the Adirondacks. Can't wait to be living there full time. How wonderful to be traveling across the US. That is actually on our bucket list. Hope you enjoy the Kayaks as much as we do!

[@tamiet1069]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid there are times I miss Adirondack life but only times! I love the freedom. Im somewhat of a gypsy heart and now at my age stare Parks and BLM (bureau of land management) is so very affordable or free. It's the gas to get place to place and the essential food...I like fishing, crabbing and shrimping but I'm not a hunter. Went from corporate America to owning a cake business to selling everything to travel its taking me nearly 5 years to decompress and purge before heading out... only thing left is deciding to sell my home which is paid in full.... life as it should be for me finally. Pray you two get to live your dream as well.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@tamiet1069 I love it! We have a dream to do that for a few months in the winter before we finish settling down in the ADK's permanently. My daughter and her husband live that kind of life in the winter so I completely understand the attraction! They have experienced so many wonderful places but they keep coming back to Fire Island :-)

[@vinestreetatelier5268]

Thanks for the ear plug tip - they worked great!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Vine Street Atelier that’s great! Thanks so much for letting us know😊

[@SluiceBoxDon]

Wow! I was stressing the scupper plug issue when I bought these. I’ve yet to take them on the water, but the ear plug idea is brilliant. Thanks!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Dogs Life Don thank you! The ear plugs work great even after multiple excursions! Enjoy😊

[@lisabird6213]

Just bought mine today from Canadian tire waiting patiently for it to be delivered..Thx for the review!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Wonderful news! Hope you’re as happy with it as we are!

[@JT_70]

Great interview! Well done and most informative. I hope you are still enjoying them 1-1/2 yrs. later. SunDolphin apparently pays attention to reviews and made some design changes. They now include scupper plugs and the seat bottom is padded like the seat back. The hull/keel is also different from the earlier models. It tracks perfectly straight when you stop paddling and is really easy to paddle. Because of its size, it would naturally be a bit tippy but you get used to the balance really quickly. My son, 41, and I, 67, both about 200#, took ours out fishing for the first time this weekend and were totally and surprisingly pleased with the kayaks. We had no complaints. We also used hunting cushions like you did for additional cushion and bottom seat height. Water can drip from the paddling and accumulate under you. The pads kept our bottoms dry.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Yes we are still very happy with them! I am glad to hear that they have updated the kayaks to improve upon them. That is great and makes it better for you! The padded seats are definitely helpful for us. We are both in our 50's and we plan on using them for a long time! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! We love the support and knowing what other people think. Stay healthy and keep getting that fresh air!

[@ian1414145]

Just ordered one because of your video. This was extremely helpful in deciding if i should buy one or not.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Ian Howard that’s great! Hope you like it as much as we do👍

[@jonathankhuzkian6419]

Thank you so much for the review. I was looking to buy this kayak and was uncertain about it, but after this it has cemented my need of this kayak.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you so much for sharing that with us! We can't wait to get back out on them soon :-)

[@jonathankhuzkian6419]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid I bought it and already gave it a maiden voyage. It was amazing

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Jonathan Khuzkian wonderful!!!! We wish you many years of peaceful paddling 😊

[@Antexjerr1]

Great video, I'm looking at buying a used model of these and you guys gave me a lot of info thank you.

[@707coalhog]

I just bought 3! Thanks for the video. You guys are awesome!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!!

[@Channelofdk]

I used foam yellow practice golf balls. They are good yaks, love mine, caught plenty of fish out of em!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We can’t wait to get out this year!

[@ansomriding9542]

Bought mine used so you video gave me lots of info

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Enjoy!

[@xtremeoverlandusa1616]

We just bought two and can't wait to use them. great video. Thank you.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

I really hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Thanks so much for watching and commenting :-)

[@CanterburyTrailsFarm]

Enjoyed watching several hours of your videos today. Thank you for providing such great content!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

appreciate that very much! Will try to return the favor this weekend when I am off :-)

[@verdellparentaaawink268]

Im glad yall like the ss 10 ,i bought the bali 10 to display the electric kayak motor system , so i started useing the ss 10 in the gulf of mexico (sanibel fl) it handel very well now it tracks like a arrow and im shure it can handle at least 3 chop' last time i was out it was at least 2 1/2' with the motor and battery ,,the kayak is shurley underated ( i weigh 130 )

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Wow! That’s great and proves that it’s way more stable than people give it credit for. We weigh way more than 130 and we do just fine! Thanks so much for sharing that. A little motor sounds like a lot of fun!

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

Nice video. Try using practice soft golf balls to plug the scupper from the top.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We’ve heard those work too but we would have to buy them. We had the ear plugs because we use them and believe it or not they are still plugging the holes up just fine👍

[@jmc2255]

Thanks for such a thorough review. I've been watching all sorts of kayak reviews and yours was the most helpful. Great job 👍

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Jo-Anne Crossley thank you so much for letting us know! Really appreciate that and really glad it helped!

[@sheripresloid7839]

Great job on the video! Very helpful for this newbie! Thank you!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you so much for that! We really appreciate it :-)

[@shermanwade3589]

My wife and I bought 2 of these 3 years ago and though you had good experience with them I did not. I found the tracking horrible, stability for a fishing kayak is also horrendous. I find myself struggling to not flip it while fishing. As far as the manufacturer I don't have any problems with. My wife likes her's and my son has a Sun Dolphin sit in and still likes it. I will probably upgrade to the Sun Dolphin Boss 10 fishing kayak because it is wider and more stable, you can actually stand and cast on it. Great video though.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks. They’re not for everyone but we continue to enjoy them when we get the chance!😊👍we did have to correct the way they tracked… we did make a separate video on that and it made a huge difference

[@HansRiveraCreations]

i think for the too paddle holders on the side is for the paddle and a fishing net maybe

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That could be! Thanks :-)

[@dho54]

Also, foam practice golf balls work great if you cut them in half.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Devon Hohensee I could see that being easy too! Thanks for visiting😊

[@OutWestHomestead]

Nice review. That was interesting. Looks like lots of fun.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Out West Homestead thanks! It is a lot of fun - especially because we are learning as we go😊

[@beckylynne95]

How do you tow behind the p.a.c.? The handle is t the flat end of the triangle, so I feel like it would drag.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We’ve actually never towed it. Sorry

[@JT_70]

Very good narration!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you so much! Appreciate the feedback. Have a great day :-)

[@5703bl]

amazing review

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@johnbaker4847]

I just bought the same kayak, it only has 2 sculler holes, AND included 2 plugs. If ya'll keep kayaking/fishing, (that's why I bought mine, you might want to get a different life jacket. Excellent ones made for kayak/canoe that don't ride up when u sit down or lean forward. (I'm 5'9", 130 lb and bought a chinook from NRS) Wet lines and paddles.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Yes! They must have upgraded the model :-) We did buy better life jackets and you are absolutely correct....much better movement! We did buy them (kayaks) both to fish and have fun so we are planning on trying the fishing part this summer! New to it all though so all your advice is very much appreciated!! Thanks so much for watching :-) Kathie

[@travismason1191]

Hey just wondering why there's no bottom seat coushin on the kyak

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Just doesn’t come with one

[@ChickenHues]

Very thorough review! We have Pelicans, but it was a toss up between those and Sundolphins for us. It sounds like these would have worked just as well. Glad you like them - kayaking is so fun! Enjoy!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you! The Pelicans are great (we looked at them too!). This is all new to us but we are completely hooked and plan to try to get out as often as possible :-)

[@Whit23ney]

I have this kayak and love it! I’m 5’4 and 125 lbs so I never have a water issue in my kayak. I haven’t even thought of plugging the scupper holes. One of my paddle holders popped out. The bungee cable just blew one day. Also, the thigh pads fall off eventually but I never used them anyways so🤷‍♀️. Mine had never filled with water but the cable holder doodads do rotate, so I might need to tighten them. Thanks for that tip. I never use the removable storage container in the back. I pack my kayak with a chair and beach tent so that area is used for storage. The storage container in the front does, in fact, leak, so I usually use it for cliff bars and chap stick because who cares if that gets wet? 🤷‍♀️👍🏻All and all, I absolutely love this kayak and I’ve used it out in the Gulf of Mexico, the inter coastal, and some rivers and springs around tampa. It’s well worth the money, in my opinion.

[@Whit23ney]

Also, I’ve taken it out in water I probably shouldn’t have. 5-7 foot waves and while paddling wasn’t easy, I never got tipped out of the kayak. It’s a pretty wide kayak and it handled through some pretty rough seas just fine. 🤩🤪👏

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Sounds like you’ve enjoyed it a lot!! Very happy to hear that 👍

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Wow! We shouldn’t ever have that in the lakes here but good to know it was still stable!

[@ScrtAznMn]

Earplugs work if you got em. I woulda just sprayed some Great Stuff expanding polyurethane foam in there. You could always poke em out if you don't like them too. Good review!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Secret Asian_Man thanks!

[@lindacummings6921]

Very enjoyable and informative video. I loved how you put your kayak in forward gear , once on the water. It is too bad that the cool/cold weather is here before you were able to practice getting back into your kayak, in case you accidentally end up in the water. I'm sure there are videos you can watch, so you can be prepared. I think you will have a wonderful time together exploring the waterways in your area. ENJOY

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks! We had a lot of fun and are learning. We did get out two more times, but I think that is it for this year. We definitely have a lot to learn...I can't wait to try fishing from it! That should be interesting. I did find a great video of a man showing what to do if you overturn in deep water and how to flip the kayak back over and get into it. He made it look so easy but I am sure it isn't!

[@Cosper79]

Amazing video great job!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks so much!

[@steveflickinger9683]

I got a journey 10ss ....what size hole did you use fir gge scupper cause mine dontvseem to have them 4:27

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

The holes were tiny. We used small foam ear plugs

[@leopardskills69]

You can add a Scag it will track better,

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you! That’s exactly what we did and it works great 👍

[@LouisianaFarm]

Thanks for the review

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks for the comment!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Love this series on the kayaks. Dont know why I did not get the alerts for them.. You Tube shheeesh. Great gideos ...👍🛶🎣

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks so much! WE are having fun making them :-)

[@StyNorth]

Great review and demo love the channel!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We really appreciate that! Thanks so much for watching 👍❤️

[@dcfishing2053]

Huh, mine came with plugs, padded seat and I can reach back to the livewell. Mine works great and I didn't have to do anything to it.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

D&C Fishing wow! When did you buy it. Maybe they finally got the hint and updated it!

[@dcfishing1285]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid about a week ago.👍

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Dalton_ stinnett yup! I looked at their website and the new ones have a padded seat! Nice!!

[@ashercrocker137]

Dang that was a danmmm good show

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Lol. Thanks for watching 👍

[@eagleviewhd]

If you do a lot of fishing, get rid of those bungees. I do not know how many times i hooked them and it is a pain to get the hook back out of them!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That’s a great tip. Thank you!

[@bcarss1970]

If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you sir and your weight? I am 6' 2" 250 with long legs. Do you think I would be too big for this? Thanks.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Great question and I don’t mind at all. I honestly think this model would be too small for you. I am 5’8 and 190 lbs. they have a more expensive 12’ kayak that I’m sure would be better for you. I actually really like the 12’ kayak and want to upgrade one day. Hope all is good where you are. Stay healthy 👍

[@bcarss1970]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid Thank you sir. Good health to you and yours.

[@mike6963170]

i am 250 and tried to get in one and flipped twice,,,,,i would say it is too little...(yesterday)

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@mike6963170 Thanks for sharing that!

[@carlrenninger6991]

Mine came with scupper plugs !

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Awesome! A lot of people are saying that they have them now so that is great!

[@chrisz.9974]

I borrowed this kayak. It was so unstable for me. I’m not sure why. I weigh about 200.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Did you tip? You may have just felt unstable when it really wasn’t.

[@chrisz.9974]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid yes lol. It was out of no where too. I had to concentrate to not tip. The second I focused on something else I flipped over.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Wow! That’s awful. So sorry to hear that. I really can’t say why that us. Maybe it really only does well with lower weights (I say this knowing my husband is close to that same weight). You may need a longer kayak for more stability. I’m only a beginner myself though. Wish I could help more. Kathie

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@chrisz.9974 So sorry to hear that. Definitely not fun!

[@LifewithKenandJane]

Nice review...we are hoping to get real kayaks in the next year or so

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Life with Ken and Jane we wanted them for so long! We love having them and plan on trying to fish from them soon👍 you should definitely get them! So fun.

[@Z71X4]

I just got this kayak but they have no drain holes! On the seat and by the foot rest, anyone else?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

I can't believe there are no scupper holes??? They go through from front to back and you really have none? I honestly don't think you need them though. We plugged ours and have never taken the plugs out yet. There is a drain plug/hole at the front of the kayak for emptying out any water that finds it's way inside the actual boat and we recently needed to open that to drain because we accidentally left them outside without flipping them over in a heavy heavy rain storm.

[@Z71X4]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid it's the exact model except it didn't come with the portable accessory carrier, only the empty storage in the back. I did get it used so I'm sure they just kept that part. I really have no scupper holes on the seat or around, only the drain holes on the front and back of the kayak. Hopefully it does good when I take it out!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@Z71X4 I honestly think it will be perfectly fine without the scupper holes. With all the times we have used them on lakes and rivers we have never needed them. We plugged them once and like I said, never took the plugs out yet! I think you are going to love it :-) Oh, and that back accessory carrier? We have never used that either. We are both in our 50's and honestly can't turn around in the kayak to get to it!! LOL We have decided that if we ever use it we will have it towing/floating behind us so we can just pull it in to use. Have fun out there!

[@e4t662]

Awesome you guys, ty

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

E4T6 thanks! Appreciate the visit and comment.

[@manuknapula9603]

If i have one of that and can i afford im contented and happy 😅😄😃 without complaining watching philippines

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Absolutely!

[@sclarin2]

I got this Kayak for free from a friend and I found it to be a bit tippy. Any sideways movement made it dip sharply and disconcertingly. I have good balance but i'm 6'4" 230lbs. I made a set of DIY outriggers pretty cheaply and now the Journey feels completely stable for me. Maybe it's only an issue for tall/heavy people but with a little modification I now have a great Kayak! I plugged my scupper holes with rubber stoppers from Home Depot.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Dwight_K_Schrute great ideas on the scupper plugs and outriggers. Glad they worked for you! Size could definitely have something to do with it as both of us are under 190 and only 5’9” at the tallest.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Dwight_K_Schrute oh, and FREE is AWESOME!!

[@daisymae3926]

Lucky guy

[@sarahmatheson1608]

Did it leek?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Sarah Matheson not at all! They were great all of last year. They have now been outside all winter and we are curious to see how they do this season after being frozen for four months though.

[@OUMagMan]

Very good review - I think you made a sail (sale) lol - thank you!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you so much for your comment! Hope you love it as much as we do!

[@BobMarley-ye4gp]

It doesn’t swivel but it turns?? What does that mean lady???🧐

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Bob Marley lol. Just means that it has to be pulled out/up and then reinserted into a different slot. It doesn’t simply turn or swivel as it implies. And the problem is that sometimes it gets stuck and getting it to come up to turn it is a real challenge. Thanks for watching and have a great day👍

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

notion1 that makes sense!

[@user-pu4eg9cq9m]

The 2021 model has the butt seat

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That’s great!

[@jessewait2931]

I used ear plugs in mine too.. great minds think a like lol

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

So simple, right? 😁

[@kathydunn6002]

Garbage. Took mine back after the first day. No wonder it was discontinued.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Sorry to hear that! We’re still loving ours!