Manitou Sport 10'11

[fletch]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has any info, or has paddled the Manitou Sport 10'11.

My wife now wants a kayak, and I want somthing similar or better(for fast rivers) than my OT Jolt Crossover.

Thanks

[ryanward10]

Hey Fletch
I have an Old Town Cayuga 11ft. that my wife enjoys on easy runs, and I enjoy on rougher runs. I would recommend you go with a recreational, 11-13ft. kayak with a decent sized coc kpit so she can move and stretch her legs, but not so big that you can't get a vinyl spray skirt for it. Also, get one with a nice, comfy, adjustable seat. My Cayuga can adjust the height of the back of the seat which is nice on long deadwater paddles. Look for the seat to be sitting right on the bottom of the hull, you may think by being an inch above the bottom you'll keep water off your rear end, but I promise you'll still get wet and by raising the seat off the bottom you quickly affect stability by raising your centre of gravity. The specific length of the boat along with the presence of rudder, skeg, hatches is all incidental. They're nice things, but you can't use a rudder or skeg on moving/rocky water and if you're paddling a lake they won't save you that many paddle strokes. I have never seen a hatch design that will hold under rough/sugmerged conditions, they don't fill completely but everything inside will get wet. Focus on a comfy seat, and being able to change your leg position, and you'll keep her happy (hopefully).

[fletch]

Thanks alot Ryan. Your very helpful.
I think I am going to go with another OT jolt over the Manitou Sport.

From the research I did it seems to be more geared towards our type of kayaking.