The Emotion Cabrio kayak attempts to solve the problem of deciding between a sit-inside and sit-on-top kayak. It does this by allowing paddlers to use it either way. The question is, is it a gimmick, or does it work? Let’s find out in this unbiased Emotion Cabrio review.
Emotion Cabrio Specifications
Price: $650 (USD)
Length: 11’
Width: 30”
Weight: 69 LBS (31 kg)
Capacity: 250 LBS (114 kg)
Best use: Sheltered water
Its key features include:
- Grab handles at either end
- A paddle holder on the side of the kayak
- Bungees for strapping down gear on the bow and stern
- A padded seat with back support
- Footwells
- Most uniquely, a removable deck that lets you convert the kayak from a sit-in kayak to a sit-on-top kayak.
Sit-on-Top Vs Sit-Inside Kayak
There are pros and cons with both sit-inside and sit-on-top kayaks. Sit-inside kayaks are generally higher-performance kayaks. They can be narrower and, because you sit inside the kayak, cause your center of gravity to be lower. Due to this, they are often faster. Sit-on-top kayaks, on the other hand, are wider and slower.
Generally speaking, sit-on-top kayaks are primarily designed for stability, and performance comes second. A benefit of the sit-on-top kayak is how accessible they are. They are much easier to get in and out of.
Another benefit of the sit-on-top kayak is that you cannot swamp them. The kayak is full of a layer of air, so even if it is upside down, the kayak will easily float. And, on the off chance that water does get on top of the kayak, they also often have drainage holes.
Sit-on-top kayaks are great for warm weather because you can easily slide in and out of the water to cool off. However, in a sit-inside kayak, your body is much more protected from the wind, splashes, and other weather conditions (including the sun).
But the question remains, how well does the Emotion Cabrio work as both a sit-inside and sit-on-top kayak?
Performance and Stability
The Emotion Cabrio kayak is a comprimise. It is a lot narrower than a typical 11′ sit-on-top kayak. That is because it is not designed for stability. It is, however, still a super stable kayak.
On the other hand, the Emotion Cabrio has a higher performance value than most sit-on-top kayaks in this class. It travels decently through the water and tracks well. This is due to the V-shaped hull that creates less drag than the hull of a standard 11′ sit-on-top kayak.
The Emotion Cabrio is a stable kayak. It is also a slow kayak. But it does offer a nice compromise between these two things.
Comfort
The Emotion Cabrio is decently, but not exceptionally, comfortable. It has foot wells, as opposed to foot pegs. These provide a platform to rest your feet on at 6” intervals, which means that inevitably, it will not fit your leg length perfectly. Footwells also do not give you support on the correct part of your foot. The second I started taking wide sweep strokes, my foot came off the well.
The seat in the Emotion Cabrio is very basic. It has a small pad on the butt and a back band that provides reasonable support. One thing to note is that the seat naturally falls over. This means that it is easy to accidentally sit on the wrong part of the seat when you get in. It is annoying but not a big deal.
As a 6’ 2” man, I have quite a bit of space in the Emotion Cabrio. If you are much bigger than that, you might notice that the kayak feels cramped or less stable.
Accessibility and Safety
When it comes to accessibility, the Emotion Cabrio offers all the accessibility benefits of a sit-on-top kayak if you choose to use it as one. It is much easier to get on and off the kayak.
In terms of safety, as a sit-on-top kayak, it has a large pocket of air in the kayak that will stop it from swamping if you do capsize. You can simply roll it back up and the water will drain through the scupper holes.
Value
The Emotion Cabrio works as both a sit-on-top and sit-inside kayak. It does exactly what it says it will do. With that said, it is a compromise. It is not a great sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak. So is it worth it?
Well, the Emotion Cabrio retails at $650 (USD) but you can, right now, get it for under $500. Given how rapidly the price of everything, from groceries to kayaks, has increased recently, that is a great value deal.
Who is the Emotion Cabrio kayak for?
So the bigger question is, is the Emotion Cabrio the right kayak for you? There are a couple of considerations when thinking about this. The Cabrio weighs 70 LBS which is heavy for an 11’ kayak. You can get sit-inside kayaks of the same length for under 50 LBS, which is significantly lighter. The Emotion Cabrio is difficult to move around by yourself, so it might require two people to move it to the water.
The other consideration is that, as a sit-inside kayak, it doesn’t paddle very well. It works fine, but you can get an 11 or 12’ sit-inside kayak that does paddle much better than the Cabrio. So, if you are looking for a performance kayak, you might want to look elsewhere.
Many people only need one type of kayak, so the benefits of the Cabrio won't be realized. These people would be better off finding something more tailor-made for their type of paddling.
If, however, you value the ability to use a kayak as both a sit-inside or sit-on-top, then this is the kayak for you. Some people do many different types of kayaking in different weather conditions and love the flexibility of a transforming kayak. If this is you, you might find it beneficial to have the Emotion Cabrio. And, for such a low price, you really can’t go wrong!
For the right person, this is a great kayak, but it is not for everyone!
More Reading Material
If you are at the point where you are deciding whether or not to sit-in-side a kayak or sit-on-top a kayak, you may also be debating pedal vs paddle. If so, I have the article for you! Check out this post I did earlier this year: Pedal Kayaks Vs Paddle Kayaks: Which Should You Choose?
Kayak: Emotion Cabrio
Paddle: Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD: NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Shirt: NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts: NRS Benny Board Shorts
