10 Best Sit On Top Kayaks Under 300 [Buying Guide 2021]

2. Sun Dolphin Bali SS 10 – Durable, Reliable, And Comfortable

Sun Dolphin started manufacturing small boats back in the 1990s from a small home-based company. The consistent delivery of quality products now ranks this company as the leading manufacturer of recreational products.

The kayak we have at hand right now is one of the best 10 foot sit-on-top kayaks that are available in the market. Sun Dolphin has utilized rugged high-density polythene in the construction of this kayak. This material is rugged, solid and the best part is that it resists UV radiation. Therefore, even if you leave it in your backyard under direct sunlight it would not sustain any damage.

The kayak features an open design that allows easy entry and exit. Moreover, it provides a large area for seating which keeps the user comfortable throughout.

In order to maximize user-comfort, it comes with protective thigh pads that prevent cramps in the thighs and legs. Therefore, if you were in search of an affordable yet comfortable kayak, this one’s for you.

When it comes to storage, this kayak provides an ample amount of space and compartments for that. The rear of the kayak features a dedicated storage compartment where you can stash your gear. On the top of the compartment, there is a bungee network for the stuff that does not fit in the compartment. Even if all the space is not enough, you can attach a portable accessory carrier to store all the remaining equipment.

3. Lifetime Lotus Kayak – A Kayak That Aces The Stability Test

If there was a competition to determine which kayak is the most stable, this boat would definitely have brought that home. This 10-foot-long kayak is a beast when it comes to stability and it is because of its well-thought-out design.

Lifetime Lotus is streamlined from the front, but is wide from the back and has a wide body. This design increases the area that is in constant contact with the water which keeps the boat steady.

Therefore, and we have tested it, no matter how harsh the conditions are, this boat would stay steady. It would not wobble or flip and would stay on its intended path regardless of the conditions.

Beginners might find it hard to maneuver at first but it would get handy as time passes. This is for me makes this kayak the best sit-on-top kayak for beginners.

Moving on, the construction of the boat is sturdy and has been carried out by using polythene. It is a flexible material that does not sustain damage if it comes in contact with underwater objects. However, it does not resist UV, which is why you would need to store it in suitable conditions. With the proper care and a bit of regular maintenance, this boat still has the potential to last years.

Since it has an open design, water will always make its way up to the cockpit of this kayak. However, this is not something you should be worried about as it features scupper holes to drain that water. All you have to do is to unplug the holes and water will get out on its own.

4. Sevylor Quikpak K1 – Get A Tube-Like Experience With Kayak

Wouldn’t it be fun if you can switch between a kayak and a towable tube? this kayak gives you the ability to do just that. This kayak features a unique design that is not only comfortable and practical but also gives you the ability to make it a towable tube with its solid attachment point at the front.

You can tie the handle of this kayak with a rope and connect it with a big boat to enjoy a thrilling tubing experience.

However, if you want to sail peacefully, lay back and paddle through the water while enjoying mother nature. In either case, this kayak would not disappoint you with its performance.

This kayak has 21-gauge PVC construction which is a rugged material. Unlike most inflatable materials, this material does not bend or mold when you put pressure on it. Moreover, it has a tarpaulin bottom which has the ability to withstand the abuse of water and underwater bodies.

The combination of both materials makes it solid and reduces the chances of punctures.

In addition, in order to make it more reliable, the company has designed multiple air chambers. This in case one of them gets punctured, which is unlikely to happen though, the kayak remains afloat and takes you back ashore safely. Therefore, when it comes to safety you can rely on this kayak blindly.

Moreover, the open design of the kayak provides an ample amount of leg space. Long story short, there is no way you would get tired even if you sit on it all day long.

Unlike most of the inflatables, there is a proper dedicated storage area available on this boat. You can stash your stuff into it and then cover it with the network of rope.

If you need to have accessibility to some of your stuff, you can store that in the cockpit. The point is, even though it is an inflatable kayak, it provides much more storage areas than some of the compact ones.

Moving on, the stability of this kayak is unmatchable when you compare it with other inflatables. It is because of the wide body of the boat which keeps in contact with water and does not flip or wobble. Therefore, take it out on a windy day or sail on it on calm water, this kayak would not disappoint.

5. Intex Excursion Pro Kayak – Inflatable But As Rugged As Solid Kayaks

Intex has a lot of experience in manufacturing inflatables and they never disappoint with their products. The product on the other hand is an inflatable fishing kayak designed to meet the needs of anglers at an affordable price.

Intex Excursion Pro has used polyester to design the core and to protect it from sunlight and abrasions they have laminated it with PVC. The protective covering reduces the chances of puncture and maximizes the life of the boat. This makes it the best sit-on-top kayak for dogs because it won’t get punctured by their paws.

Moreover, the length to width ratio is optimum which prevents the wobbling and flipping off the boat. Therefore, even if you want to go out on a windy day, this kayak can become your best companion.

The kayak does not feature dedicated storage compartments but has storage space in the bow and stern. You can stash all the stuff in there and tie it using cords to stainless-steel D-rings it has. The kayak allows up to 400 pounds which is enough to store your fishing and camping gear.

For anglers, it features two-rod holders attached to the sides of the rear seats. The holders are deep; therefore, you can leave the rods in there without worrying about them falling in the water. The only issue is the person sitting at the front would not have access to these. However, you can work around it by passing the rods to the person sitting behind you.

6. Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak – A Reliable And Safe Kayak For Kids

Kayaking is fun but it can be dangerous, especially for the kids. There is always a risk of flipping or falling down into the water. By reducing and virtually eliminating these risks, Lifetime has designed a kayak, especially for kids. The kayak has an exceptional safety profile which allows the kids to sail over without any distress.

The kayak is 6 feet long and features a wide design that keeps the kayak stable. Its wide body ensures constant contact with the water and does not let the kayak flip upside down. Therefore, even if your kid wants to stand on it, the kayak would not have any problem with it.

In case, the kid accidentally falls into water, the company has made one end sloppy and has attached steps with it. The kids can use this swim-up step to climb up the kayak again without needing help from anybody. However, to further ensure the safety of your kids, as should be a normal practice, whenever you leave the kids on any kayak, make sure the water is not rough and the kid has his lifejacket on.

The kayak features construction from heavy-duty polyethylene which is a durable and resistant material. It has the ability to withstand the wear and tear water has to offer, which makes them durable and strong.

The boat does not feature any seat and the kids have to sit on the polyethylene which is kind of a bummer. However, the kids, you would agree, do not really care about comfort, all they want is fun and this kayak provides them that.

Footrests play a key role in making the person stable while sitting on the kayak. Therefore, the company has designed several footrest positions so the kids can take get maximum foot support. It keeps them stable and makes sure they do not fall off from the kayak.

7. Sun Dolphin Camino 8 SS – Packed With Nifty Features To Make Kayaking Delight

Sun Dolphin 8SS is a sit-on-top kayak with a plethora of features to make your voyage delight. It features an open design that allows easy entry and exit from the kayak. Moreover, the open design provides plenty of leg space which keeps you comfortable while you are on it.

The bottom of the seat is not padded and you have to sit directly on the polyethylene. The backrest, however, is well padded which provides comfort to the back and does not let you tire up. The combination of open design and padded backrest would keep you comfortable no matter how long you ride it.

The material used in construction is polyethylene which is a rugged but flexible material. It has the ability to withstand the abuse the water and underwater bodies have to offer. However, this material does not resist the UV-radiation, therefore, you would have to store it in the absence of direct sunlight. Proper care and maintenance can add years to the life of this boat.

Moreover, the steering of the kayak is pretty simple and straightforward because of the streamlined front. All you have to do is to push two or three strokes down the water against the direction you want it to move.

Basically, if you are looking for a stable and easy-to-maneuver kayak on a low budget, this one is it.

Moving on, the boat provides an ample amount of storage area in the cockpit and also has a dedicated area for it at the back. You can store all of your stuff in the back and tie it with the bungee cords that come with it. The kayak lacks a dry storage compartment, so you would have to purchase a waterproof bag separately to keep your electronics.

8. Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 – Worth Every Penny You Spend On It

This next entry on our list for the best sit-on-top kayak under 300 is just above our cut-off limit but is too good to be left out for just a few bucks. The extra amount of money that you would pay for is totally worth it considering the quality of features it has to offer.

First of all, the material utilized in the construction of this kayak is high-density polyethylene which resists the UV-radiation. Therefore, even if you store it under direct sunlight its durability and total life would not reduce. Moreover, it is a solid and rugged material and can withstand abuse. The point is, once you spend a little bit of extra money for getting this, it would be there with you for years to come.

I have taken it out in both windy and calm conditions and I have found it to be pretty stable. The stability is because of its wide body and streamlined front which keeps it steady and on track.

Even if there are tides in the water, this would not go off the path. Moreover, because of the streamlined, all you have to do is to push a stroke in order to change its direction. This for me makes this kayak one of the best whitewater sit-on-top kayaks.

Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 also offers plenty of storage space and dedicated storage compartments. There are two dry storage hatches where you can keep the stuff you do not want to get wet. You can stash the remaining stuff at the front and back storage areas and tie them with bungee cords.

Even if that is not enough, there is plenty of space in the cockpit of the kayak. The point is you can run out of things to store but not the areas for storage.

Moving on, the seating on the kayak is pretty comfortable with backrests and plenty of leg space. The bottom and backrests of the seats are well-padded to ensure maximum comfort.

You will like that this kayak is self-bailing as it has scupper holes in the cockpit. Therefore, you would not have to flip the boat over to remove all the water. Just remove the scuppers and the water drain out on its own.

This kayak has handles on the sides of the kayak with T-handles at the front and back of the kayak which ensure easy transport and carriage of this kayak.

9. Best Choice Products 6ft Kids Kayak- Where Kids Can Have Non-Stop Fun

You cannot ask the kids to stop jumping on a boat but you can get them a kayak that stays stable despite hopping. Therefore, if you are looking for a kayak that stays stable regardless of the movement on the deck, the next entry is our pick for the best sit-on-top kayak for kids.

This kayak from Best Choice Products features a deep and wide design that keeps it stable and does not let the kids fall into the water. The deep cockpit allows the kid to grab the walls of the kayak in case they tend to fall down. Its wide body maintains maximum contact with the water and does not let it go off the path.

In addition to safety, the company has poured a lot of thought into making this as comfortable as possible. The seating area is spacious and allows free leg movement. In addition, it comes with a backrest which provides maximum comfort to the kids while they are on it.

The material of the construction is pretty solid and can withstand the little bit of abuse water has to offer. In addition, it resists the UV-radiation, which allows you to store it in your backyard under direct sunlight. A material like this guarantees durability, so your kids can have maximum fun with it.

In case you plan a picnic with your kids and want to stash stuff in the boat, it would not disappoint. The boat has a dedicated rear storage compartment where you can store the stuff you do not want to get wet. The remaining gear can be stored in the front and can be tied with the bungee cords that come with it.

10. Aquaglide Rogue Kayak – For The Individuals Who Thrive On Thrill

If you are tired of slow-moving kayaks, this next entry is for anybody who thrives on the thrill.

Commonly, if a kayak has to have good speed, it needs to lose its stability. However, in this case, it is not something you should be worried about as the speed does not come at the expense of stability. The design provides the speed but keeps the boat stable and steady at the same time.

The body of this kayak is not as wide as other kayaks on our list and also does not feature a streamlined front. The narrow design helps to increase the speed of the boat and the absence of a streamlined front makes it stable. Therefore, you get to enjoy the maximum speed and keep yourself steady at the same time.

The design of the kayak is for two individuals and the company has made sure both of them stay comfortable. The seats were padded and both of them come with cushioned back support. Moreover, there is plenty of leg space for both individuals. Therefore, this makes this the best tandem sit-on-top kayak.

The open-back design also enables you to climb up the kayak in case you dive in or accidentally fall into the water.

This open-back design is a blessing in many ways but when it comes to storage it is no less than a headache. The storage area is also at the back and when the water comes in and out, it is bound to wet your stuff. Therefore, you can only store the stuff in a waterproof bag and tie it at the back of the boat with bungee cords.