Frenzy Kayak Reviews Summarized
The Practically Perfect Frenzy Kayak
Think water. Do you think of surfing four-foot ocean swells? Do you think of a leisurely glide over smooth lake waters, enjoying the quiet of nature? Do you think of the happy shrieks of your eight-year-olds as they splash around the creek’s small boulders and its mini-white water?
If the answer to any of these is “yes,” you need the versatile, bold (yellow, orange, or green) Ocean Kayak Frenzy model. This small (9 foot long x 21 inches wide) vessel is light-weight (43 pounds), sturdy with a dent- and crack-resistant polyethylene construction. It is extremely stable due to the Ocean Kayak’s triple hull design with its long, deep center keel. It has handles on the sides, and at the bow and stern to facilitate lifting and one-person carrying. It fits easily into a small pick-up truck or on the roof of even a Mini-Cooper.
The sit-on-top design is perfect for kids and beginner adults. As one reviewer put it, there’s a short learning curve and no worries about a “911 paddling day.”
While you may think “surfboard with a paddle,” you actually sit in an ergonomically designed well with separate foot wells whose comfort far out-paces the usual strapped-in, immobile options of traditional kayaks. The Frenzy kayak provides a drier ride than you might expect. Scuppers below the seat drain quickly and let in very little water. (Scupper plugs are available, should you want to be bone dry.)
The seating arrangement allows for an immediate way out—if you tip the craft (which is almost impossible according to a number of experienced kayakers who tried hard to capsize it). It’s great, too, if you need to move to net a big catch, or just want to jump in for a swim. One experienced surfer suggested knee straps when surfing so you would not need the paddle most of the time—he could just lean backward to keep the nose up or sideways when the wave was breaking. He, too, noted the assets of a quick departure, when failing to catch the wave.
While the Frenzy kayak is very versatile, it is not the perfect kayak for every use. Highly suitable for kids and beginners, it does not have the smoothest handling possible, particularly for those traveling long distances over several days. Its short length and hull stability do not make for the swiftest nor most steerable craft. In addition, the stern well with its bungee cover and the bungee attachment on the bow limit the amount of gear that can be carried. Great for a dry bag holding your lunch and a towel, it would be hard to carry full camping gear and several days’ supplies.
It is not speedy. Most reviewers admit that when they were pushing its speed limits this kayak wobbled left and right. However, many reviewers then add, “but it is fast enough.” It can be moved quickly to avoid danger or to catch a wave. It is just not a long-distance racer.
One ocean fisherman noted that it was unbalanced when he stood up to throw catch nets. This is in sharp contrast to more than a dozen reviewers who commented on the extreme stability. They, however, were either just sitting or sliding in or out of the water. No one else was standing and actively moving about on the deck. Perhaps net fishing is not a good match for this model either.
A real problem exists for some heavier users. The sitting well is about 18” wide. If your posterior is wider than that, you may not be comfortable. One reviewer said his entire body ached after about half an hour. Happily, a solution exists—seats with back supports can be added. These were uniformly praised for their comfort by all who used them. A gardener’s kneeling pad was suggested for a bit more seat padding. Said cushion also absorbed the bit of water that entered the scuppers—an unexpected, but welcome, boon to the reviewer who primarily rode the 45 degree waters of the San Juan straits.
Should you get a Frenzy kayak? It depends on your plans, your abilities, and your budget. Yes, by all means if:
- You are a beginner kayaker, small of frame, or a kid,
- You paddle alone and need to transport it alone atop your car,
- You paddle smooth waters for relatively short distances,
- You are a surfer,
- You paddle a great variety of fresh- and salt-water conditions, or
- You do not have a great deal of money
Do not get this model—consider the bigger Ocean Kayak models—if:
- You are a long-distance tripper
- You are an open-water fisherman taking in 100-pound tarpon
- You are a racer
- You want the most efficient craft for straight-line paddling
The Frenzy kayak is only practically perfect. Be practical and it may well be perfect for you.
Here’s a video tour of the Frenzy Kayak:
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