A Review of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

The Ocean Kayak Frenzy kayak is a sit-on-top recreational kayak. The popular Frenzy ranks in the top ten kayaks at Amazon. Is it right for you? To find out, read this Ocean Kayak Frenzy review.

While a traditional kayak is a human powered boat with a covered deck and one or more cockpits that was developed by Inuit people, when you imagine sit-on-top kayaks, think surfboard or raft. According to Ocean Kayak company legend, their company's original founder took an old surfboard and carved out two spots, one to sit in and the other for his scuba gear, leading to their organization and product line.

Sit-on-top kayaks have some positives aspects and drawbacks. They are easier to get in and exit than sit-inside kayaks. They don't require special training in performing the Eskimo roll or wet exit. But you do have to learn how to get back on them by approaching from the side and "swimming onto" them. They are easy to fall off of, which can easily be a problem in serious rapids.

Sit-on-top kayaks are buoyant, hence are much harder to sink -- sinking requires a hull breach. But sit-on-top kayaks don't supply protection from the elements. You will need a wet or dry suit in cold weather.

The Frenzy kayak has a medium-density polyethylene shell which is virtually indestructible under ordinary conditions. It is rigid enough to hold its shape, but is flexible enough to endure blows. This does mean that the kayak must be carried on the roof of a car or in the back of a truck. Many companies produce inflatable kayaks that fit in a small space for transport. But the inflatable kayak hulls aren't as fast for gliding through the water. Both inflatable and polyethylene hulls may be repaired if they are breached.

The Ocean Kayak Frenzy is a one-person recreational kayak. Some sit-on-top kayaks have room for two adults and a child. Some kayaks are made for angling, some for traveling, some for racing, some for other special purposes.

The Frenzy is short -- nine feel long. Travelling and racing kayaks tend to be at least twice as long which gives them the capability to hold their trajectory when being paddled and to move through the water with lower resistance. Short kayaks tend to wobble when being paddled. On the other hand, the shorter kayaks are more manoeuvrable and hence preferable for surf or white water or just playing around. Touring kayaks also have more cargo room than the Frenzy. Fishing kayaks need lots of storage for the poles and other gear.

As with most sit-on-top kayaks, the Frenzy has molded wells for seating and storage space. The seating well is 18 inches wide, equivalent to a commercial airline seat. There are wells for feet at a number of distances from the seat to accommodate most leg lengths. There are four scupper holes from the seating and leg wells to the bottom of the kayak to allow it to be self bailing. In keeping with it being a recreational kayak, it has a molded in cup holder. A seat with a back can be added.

The Frenzy sports a "tri-hull" design. The "tri-hull" pertains to the presence of a keel under the center and sponsons, shoulders, along the edges. Imagine two outriggers brought in so near that they overlap the hull. These sponsons give the Frenzy great stability. The buoyancy of the sponsons counteracts any attempt to turn the kayak over.

The Frenzy is made to be paddled with the typical double-bladed kayak paddle. Some kayaks are made to hold a sail. Some are fashioned to be powered by peddles, and some, by motors. The Frenzy has no provision for these alternatives.

The conclusion of this Ocean Kayak Frenzy review is that when you are interested in fishing, travelling or major rapids kayaking, the Frenzy kayak is not the best kayak for you, but if it is recreation you seek, it's a different story. Given its constraints, the Frenzy is a very good kayak for warm-weather entertainment in the surf, on ponds, or in class 1 or class 2 white water.

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