When it comes to flatwater recreational kayaks, there are a lot of options to choose from. For entry-level paddlers who are feeling overwhelmed by the choices, I think a sit-inside style that comes in around 12-feet is what you want to aim for. This type is one of the best-selling on the entire market because it's hard to go wrong with those specs. That's also probably why long-time manufacturer, liquidlogic, just threw their hat in this ring with the saluda kayak. You know what that means, I had to take it out for a spin and see how it would contend in this already competitive class. Let's comb through some of the basics and then I'll give you my in-depth, unbiased thoughts.
The liquidlogic saluda is available in three sizes. There is the saluda 11, which is an 11-foot kayak and therefore best suited for smaller paddlers; the saluda 12 adds an extra foot in length for slightly larger paddlers; and then there is the saluda 14.5, which (you guessed it) is 37.25 feet long…just kidding, it's 14.5-feet, and it's a tandem kayak. The version that I tested was the saluda 12.
ABOUT THE LIQUIDLOGIC SALUDA 12 KAYAK
Retail Price: $1,099 USD
Length: 12′
Width: 29″
Weight: 51 LBS (23 KG)
Max Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)
The saluda features soft-touch handles, deck bungees, a gear-stash console, foot-braces, thigh-pads, a frame-seat, a paddle clip, a hinged dry-hatch with a bulkhead, and it has a replaceable skid plate. The saluda is also made in the U.S.A. Salud to that!
Liquidlogic gets right to the point about the saluda when they say that:
[It provides] a unique vision for comfort, performance, and all day paddling fun.
Sounds intriguing. Well, let's now expand on that and see what this kayak's strengths and weaknesses are. As hard as it was to drag myself away from the pool (I'm taking a little vacation from the cooler weather up in Canada), I eventually took the saluda for a spin on the Paint Rock River in Northern Alabama. If you want to watch that full adventure, check out my Paddle Tales video. But for now, here's how the kayak fared.
How portable is the Saluda?
The nice thing about the 12-foot length is that it makes the kayak relatively easy for one-person to carry. Anything more than that, and it becomes an awkward task. The saluda further assists in this process with its large cockpit and padded rim, which creates a comfortable, solo-shoulder-carry setup. I also thought that 51 pounds was a manageable weight for a kayak of this length. So overall, if expectations are calibrated to a hard-shell kayak of this nature, then it is fairly portable.
Is the Liquidlogic Saluda stable?
The saluda is a stable kayak, it just doesn't have the highest primary stability in town (i.e. how solid it feels when just sitting flat). If you essentially want a floating dock, then you'll have to look for something wider, and therefore, slower. The slight stability concessions with this model are done strategically in order to boost its performance. In terms of stability, one area where it certainly shines is its secondary stability (i.e. the kayak's ability to sit on edge). This dramatically reduces the chances of an unexpected capsize.
How does the Saluda kayak perform?
The saluda performed beautifully for the type of kayak it is. The efficiency felt like that of a slightly longer boat. It also tracks well (i.e holds its line) while still being highly maneuverable. That's not a combination that you see every day. Yes, a longer, narrower, touring kayak will outperform the saluda, but relative to its class, it performed very well.
Is the Saluda kayak comfortable?
Yes indeed. For starters, it's quite spacious. I'm a big dude (6′ 2″) and yet I could sit cross-legged, and stretch out against the generous and solid foot-pegs. The padded cockpit rim was another thing of beauty, as too was the wide, contour-fitting frame seat. I was paddling in the saluda for over 6 hours, and I'm happy to report that I was comfy the whole time. One thing that some other kayaks have is support under the legs. That could be one possible upgrade, though I honestly didn't miss this on my river adventure.
Saluda kayak features
This kayak doesn't have a ton of features, but the ones it does are nice. That's right, I'll throw it a firm nice. Dashboards aren't exactly my go-to thing, but it is out of the way and easy to pop open/closed. Inside is a tracker, which some people may really appreciate for mounting their GPS or camera. They key is that it didn't impede my legs at all, so it's just a nice bonus for certain people on certain outings.
The bungees on the bow and stern are what you need to store some gear, plus there is lots of room in the back hatch, which is separated by a bulkhead. Having two compartments is good for some basic waterproofing (though I wouldn't swear by it), and also as a built-in safety feature. If you do happen to flip, the back hatch will create an air pocket. This acts as a sort of life-jacket for the swamped front half of the kayak.
The one critique I do have is in regards to how the seat fits in the cockpit. There was a bit of give to it, which meant that as I switched from one edge to the other, the seat would thunk against the side. This isn't the end of the world, and less aggressive paddlers probably won't even notice, but I found it annoying. As a makeshift solution, I wedged some padding in there to mitigate the movement.
Which size of the Saluda kayak do I need?
As I mentioned above, I went with the saluda 12. This model was great for my 6′ 2″ frame, and my 195-pound build (probably pushing 200 with all this Southern BBQ) felt well-supported. Because of the depth of the adjustable footpegs, I would say that someone much taller could still fit comfortably in this boat. The capacity of the saluda 12 is listed as 300 pounds, and so depending on what you're bringing, someone significantly heavier would also be fine in this boat.
For my paddle, I chose one that was 230 cm (90.5 inches) long. This easily cleared the extra width that is typical of recreational kayaks. The elevated seat also helped me paddle effectively, rather than sitting too low and having to awkwardly reach to dip my blades. I'd say a paddle in this range, plus or minus 10 centimeters/4 inches, would work great for the saluda 12.
Is the Saluda kayak worth it?
This question all comes down to who we're talking about. If you're someone who wants a flatwater, recreational kayak. The saluda has good stability, but it also makes some sacrifices in that department in the name of improved paddling efficiency. These attributes would work nicely for beginner paddlers who want something that will grow with them, as well as anyone who wants an all-around solid kayak, but doesn't aspire to wade into rough conditions or win any races. That said, given that this is a sit-inside style, it can therefore weather modest wind and waves compared to a sit-on-top. In the end, the liquidlogic saluda 12 was a fun boat to paddle and well-worth the $1,099 price tag. Sure, there are cheaper models out there, but this one gives you some nice premiums that will keep you stoked about your purchase for years to come.
One Final Note:
I wanted to give a quick mention to the American Canoe Association’s free online paddling course. I know these things can be tempting to bypass, but I highly recommend you take the time to check it out. Paddling is generally safe and enjoyable, but when things do go wrong, they can escalate quickly. Often, a bit of key information can make the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster. And did I mention it was free? If you’re reading this blog then that means you’re probably already at your computer, so go ahead and click this link to find out more.
I hope you enjoyed this article. For more tips, reviews, and Paddle Tales adventures, check out PaddleTV.
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