The 10 Foot Sun Dolphin Aruba Review: Top Pros & Cons
It is an age-old kayak debate: sit-in or sit-on. Each type of kayak has its advantages and peddlers, and the topic can be confusing for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Even after you have made a choice, you then need to decide which model to buy. Sun Dolphin make a number of very good kayaks and have an extremely loyal customer base.
The Sun Dolphin Aruba is a popular kayak with many pros. Here are the top pros and cons of the 10-foot Sun Dolphin Aruba sit-in kayak that may tip you toward it and other sit-ins in general.
Sun Dolphin Aruba Kayak Pros:
Durability: The Aruba is made from high density polyethylene. It will survive underwater obstacles as well as run-ins with the occasional rock. The shell may dent, but a breech is extremely rare.
Dents are easy and quick to repair at home. The Aruba is built like a tank and carries a two year warranty for added protection and peace of mind.
Tracking and Stability: Two important features in any personal watercraft. The Aruba features a narrow bow and stern to help keep it on track. It slices the water, instead of pushing it like many blunt designs will. At a mere 40 lbs, it sits lightly on the water for added tracking ability.
The stability of any boat is gained through distance from the centerline. It is also a boat that is easy to get in and out of, although absolute beginners might need some practice first. The Aruba is 30” wide and has a flat bottom, both features help it remain stable for any skill level.
Ease of Transport: Getting your ‘yak to the water is important. The Aruba will fit on any car-top carrier or into the bed of a truck. At 40 lbs, it can be easily carried from vehicle to waterside by anyone.
Load Bearing: All 10 foot boats have a smaller load limit. The Aruba is capable of carrying up to 250 lbs. There is a small covered storage compartment just behind the seat, a strategically placed bottle holder, and enough room for gear around your feet.
Comfort: The Aruba offers three features to maximize your comfort while paddling. The first is the high back support. Second are the adjustable foot braces. These offer you a nice way to improve your paddling efficiency as well. Lastly, the Aruba features a built-in spray deflecting collar to keep you a bit drier.
What’s more, the seat can move forward and backward to accommodate very tall or petite peddlers, a nice but rare feature in this price range.
Looks: The Aruba is a very attractive kayak that can be easily mistaken for a much expensive one. The colors do not fade even when exposed to direct sun. The kayak may lack all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but most users reported that the number of features is just right for a recreational kayak.
Price: For what it has to offer, you can’t beat the price of this amazing kayak.
Before we take a look at the cons, check out the video below for more details on the Sun Dolphin 10 and some modifications that one angler decided to make on his kayak.
Sun Dolphin Aruba Kayak Cons:
Seat: There is no padding on the seat. This might make for an uncomfortable experience during an extended outing. You might need to order a seat cushion separately. The good news is that the seat is adjustable.
Water Conditions: This is a basic boat, so it is best used on flat water, such as calm rivers, lakes, and small creeks. It will handle slight chop of the waves created by other boats, but it does not do well in one foot or higher waves. Another major downside: the rear compartment is not waterproof.
Limited Storage: The compartment behind the seat is about the size of a small shoe box and the storage in the cockpit is non-existent if you are over 5’8′ making it unfriendly for anglers.
If you’d like to use this kayak for fishing, you’d be better off in the long run with one of these fishing kayaks: Find the Best Fishing Kayak – 7 Lake, River, Ocean Kayak Reviews
Plus, if you’d like to bring another person or your large pet with you on the lake or stream– you’ll need to buy a twin kayak for that. The Aruba is cat-friendly, though, if we’re talking about only one cat.
Paddle not always available: With some orders, you might not receive a paddle. It also largely depends on the seller. However, if you are a tall person, the stock paddle might be too short for you. Consider ordering a longer one separately.
To Wrap It Up
If you are looking for a small and lightweight rigid-body recreational boat that tracks well and is easy to get to water’s edge, then the 10-Foot Sun Dolphin Aruba sit-in kayak offers the best value for the price.
The Aruba is perfect for floating or fishing down a lazy river or some light paddling on the local lake. It is a very stable and easy-to-navigate recreational kayak that is great especially for beginners that don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for their first kayak.
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