Eddyline Caribbean Sit On Top

The new 12' Caribbean Sit On Top from Eddyline Kayaks. 12' long, 30" width, 48lbs. Capacity 300lbs.

The first sit on top Caribbean 12' from Eddyline Kayaks is now on the market and Dan Arbuckle (Headwater's Kayak) and I were able to get it out on the water last week. Dan is 6'1" 210 lbs (red jacket) and I am 5'11" 175 lbs (black suit).

Eddyline took a lot of time getting the Caribbean just right and they had plenty of feedback from the various fishing guides and outfitters around the country. You'll notice a very feature rich and customizable deck. The Caribbean comes standard with sliding mounting tracks that can accomodate the plethora of rod holders, GPS mounts, beverage and camera mounts that are on the markets. There are 3 hatches on the Caribbean for plenty of storage and access. Paddle holders on both sides of the boat for quick parking of the paddle. Sea dog footbraces on the rudderless version and stainless footbraces for the ruddered option. The stern tankwell is shaped to fit milk crates and buckets and also comes with optional tankwell cover for drier storage.

One of the coolest features that Eddyline has worked into the Caribbean is that the seat scupper does not drain straight down into the water but is instead plumbed to drain into the forward foot compartment scupper. This means no more splashes straight into your seat and a much drier ride. Add two scupper plugs into paddler's cockpit scupper drains and you have a totally dry ride for colder water paddling when drainage is not needed.

Eddyline's carbon shaft from Swift Paddles has been used to make a "no-pinch handle" that is strong and beautiful.

Hinge Hatch--easy to open and keep open for on water access. Rods can be stored easily down inside the hull for surf landing. The hatch is "gasketed" for dryness.

Notice the small access hatch behind the paddler. Also a really easy place to store a fishing rod for surf landings. This hatch (along with the hatch in the cockpit) also make accessorizing and after market installation of gadgets a snap with the Caribbean.

I really like these nylon seat clips--they are flush and accomodate all the different seat clips that are out on the market. The ruddered version of the Caribbean will come standard with two flush mount rod holders behind the paddler. These can also be ordered on the non ruddered version for additional cost.

Optional rear tank well hatch keeps gear dry and looks way cool!

We have been very pleased with the suction mounts from Ram Mount. Tom placed this on the boat 3 weeks earlier and after a couple trips to the water and various toys attached it was still holding strong! The benefit of the high gloss/low porosity Carbonlite surface.

Track Mounts are excellent for allowing custom placement and choice of your favorite fishing, photography and navigation tools.

Project Ouch!

How tough is that material?

I have heard a lot of mis-truths about thermoforming and the material that Eddyline calls Carbonlite. In a past blog I illustrate how easy Carbonlite is to repair. But how tough is it?

There are many types of abuse and each type has a different outcome on your kayak. Everyone says that a Poly boat is the toughest yet it is the worst for abrasion and UV damage (shape retention and longevity).

For 99% of Eddyline's customers, the current lay-up and material thickness does a great job of balancing the durability vs weight trade-off. Eddyline wanted to remove the light "weight" emphasis that is so important on the market and make a heavy duty version for impact zone paddling and rep abuse. Just how thick of a sheet material to use for impact zone abuse is the question at hand.

I've done most of the things you will see during this season's Project Ouch to my demo boats over the years. They hold up. I decided to have a special Samba made up just for me to abuse. If something does break we will turn it into a chance to learn about repair. Durability of thermoformed boats is just like any other material. How thick of a lay-up? What kind for reinforcements? What kind of abuse?

There is no "best" material but just tradeoffs. I love having a quiver of personal boats so I can choose the right tool for the job without any compromise. In my garage are boats of every material and they all hold up differently depending on the abuse.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF PROJECT OUCH