The Truth About Using an Oru Kayak 🤷‍♀️

Hi, I’m Steph! A DIYer, author, and podcast host. I live in Tallahassee, FL with my adopted greyhound, Tosh. I 🧡 Kayaking.
My Oru Kayak adventure videos: • Oru Kayak Adventures
All the issues I have had with the Oru Kayak: • Oru Kayak Issues and R...
My Oru Kayak review videos can be found here: • Oru Kayak Reviews
Please note- I do not work for Oru Kayak and do not get paid to share about their kayaks. I do 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.
🚣‍♀️ Oru Kayak Gear (affiliate links)
▶︎ Oru Inlet: bit.ly/3Qfwa7L
▶︎ Oru Lake: bit.ly/3RlGhcq
▶︎ Oru Bay ST: alnk.to/5ufvv5u
▶︎ Oru Gel seat: bit.ly/3TsnfSX
▶︎ Oru Splash Deck for Lake/Inlet: bit.ly/412fWG5
🛟 Oru Kayak Safety Gear (affiliate links)
▶︎ Oru Float Bags (set of 2): bit.ly/3Dp5qP0
▶︎ Pump for Float Bags: amzn.to/3pDTUHW
▶︎ 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

[@MaxAdventreks-sq9gm]

So glad you’ve gotten ahold of a bay. I’ve been pushing my used Bay to the limits over the past year. Rapids, over logs, portaging over beaver dams, even wrapped it around a rock. It’s still going, but ISC racer tape on the bottom for abrasion and tuff tape in the interior for leaks. (It’s an original kickstarter, about 11 years old.)

[@smkauthor]

Wow that's great to hear!

[@roberthunter3387]

Thanks Steph. That company is crazy if they don’t give you one to keep. Your channel is the best thing that could ever happen to them.

[@scottleslie1257]

I just purchased the Haven TT with the intention of doing some weekend camping trips. I’m super excited! Your videos are helping me feel good about the purchase before it arrives.

[@smkauthor]

That's awesome! Let me know how kayak camping goes!

[@becky6472]

I have the Bay St! You’re going to love it! Happy paddling!

[@thewiseturtle]

Congrats on getting them to give you a fancier model to try! I was definitely lusting after one of those longer, thinner models, too. I just finally ordered an Inlet, as I saw it was on sale (on Amazon at least), and the weather is finally getting close to being not super dangerously cold for being out on the ocean (near the edge of the bay, that is) in Maine. I've seen a lot of complaints about these kayaks, but seeing you have good results with them, for the most part, makes me feel a little better about my decision to go with the folding kayak instead of inflatable (or the crazy complications of trying to haul a hard shell kayak on a bicycle). I'll find out soon how well mine works for me!

[@LifeofaBoringOldGuy]

We just ordered a pair of lakes yesterday. I’m glad to see they have held up and that you like them. We have a Mini also, though I doubt we’d be using it. Hmmm, with the top down maybe. Great video!

[@jkibble98]

looking forward to the bay st review

[@noelzamot1983]

Great video! How does the Inlet track? We live near the coast, near both river and sheltered ocean. Inlet or Inlet Sport seem to the the sweet spot for portability, stability, speed, and ease of paddling (tracking). Thanks!

[@smkauthor]

I think it tracks really well!

[@ozramblue117]

I have a black bay st with a nylon spray skirt and I absolutely love it. Only have had it a short time. Live by a sheltered beach so I get a little wind and chop but that just makes it more fun.

[@smkauthor]

Where is your favorite place to kayak?

[@smkauthor]

Sounds awesome!

[@ozramblue117]

@@smkauthor so far I’m relearning how to do it. I’m 48 and hadn’t paddled much since I used to do whitewater kayaking as a kid up to about 16 years old. Now I live by a little beach in Australia and it’s pretty well protected so I get decent sized ripples but few actual waves. Wind does pick up though. I need to relearn how to roll before I am confident enough to travel down the coast. Until then I just go for a couple hours at a time and see how far I can manage before the ripples make it hard to turn back.

[@ozramblue117]

@@smkauthor I absolutely love it. I tend to go after I’m finished baking in the morning, before going home to sleep. Btw your channel here is one of the reasons I bought it when doing a bit of research. No regrets!

[@smkauthor]

Thanks for watching! Glad you like your Oru!

[@joann1788]

I can’t wait to see what you think about the Bay. I live in Newberry, outside of Gainesville, I own an Inlet.

[@smkauthor]

Some great places to paddle around there! Do you have a favorite?

[@joann1788]

Ichnetucknee River is gorgeous

[@smkauthor]

Yes, I want to try that out soon!

[@calabrais]

Great review! I'm considering the Oru Lake to take out on calm lakes with my (expensive) DSLR camera + long lens for birding. I'm concerned with the stability, especially if I'm trying to take a picture and not really focused. Would you recommend this for bird photography on a lake or is brining something that's not waterproof just a bad idea in general?

[@smkauthor]

haha...I would not take the camera out on the first trip for sure! Once you are comfortable with the kayak I think you could try the DSLR. But I would invest in a good waterproof case for it when you are not using it. Make sure you tether the case to the boat incase you capsize.

[@goldenu2]

I have the Bay ST, have been using it for about a year and a half. No significant issues with the boat itself. It does (as I assume all Orus do) get badly bullied by high winds.

[@smkauthor]

Great to hear!

[@KrispyJosh]

Why do you find yourself using the inlet over the lake, is one significantly more comfortable than the other? Thanks, love your videos : )

[@smkauthor]

If I didn't have the inlet, I would use the Lake all the time. I really only use the inlet because I have it, but I think they both perform the same.

[@TheRnB69]

Trying to decide between lake sport vs inlet. For recreational use, weekend out at the lake. Thoughts?

[@smkauthor]

If your height and weight work for the lake, I would go lake.

[@hamalot100]

Hi Steph I have the Coast XT here in Vancouver BC. What were you using to spray down your Kayak . I’ve been using a hand pump sprayer meant for plants. It’s ok but yours is way more powerful. Battery powered ? Where did the clean water come from ? Thx Graham

[@smkauthor]

It's called Rinse Kit. I don't think they make my model anymore but this is what I have: amzn.to/3RWHMOA

[@NBC6director]

@@smkauthor I have an "old" Rinse Kit as well, best thing to wash down and clean your kayak before you get home. Great for off road biking as well.

[@TryingYourLvck]

sold my big ass fishing kayak that was heavy af to carry. hated taking it out. i dont even fish!! oru is the way im going next. i rarelt yak so itll be fine for me.

[@susannewilley5354]

Love my Bay, hope you do too!!

[@googlespiesonyouyts161]

with the models you have, did you ever try to get back in from the water with absolutely no help from anything or anybody? I'm asking cause i like to kayak, jump in the water for a swim and then get back on. Getting back on with the models with the cockpit closed is easier but again, have you tried to do so with no help at all with the models you have?? thanks!!!

[@smkauthor]

I have tried and it was challenging: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJa8aZ54ecaaqrM

[@kevinfayerweather2640]

Steph, I have a hard-shell kayak but have really been interested in the ORU folding product line up. I am looking at the Bay for my needs. I feel the folding kayaks allow for much easier access and may even make it easier to have a friend get into the hobby. Unfortunately I generally kayak alone but using ORU kayaks may help change that. Thanks for your insight!! Kevin

[@Dovietail]

Emergency or quick fix? WHITE duck tape. I carry it always!

[@smkauthor]

I do carry duck tape for that, but havn't needed to use it yet.