$579

by M. Anders, B. Broudy & G. Schaffer

Shana novak

Cruising around the lake? Yup. Fishing? Check. Playing in the surf? You bet. This tricked-out (and well-priced) ten-footer can do it all. Testers agreed that it's "everything a day cruiser should be." And unlike many other plastic sit-on-tops, the Temptation is light, agile, and easy to maneuver—but still stable enough to handle a squirmy-frog-scooping six-year-old. It's also fast enough to cover some water, and it tracks true, whether you're stalking herons or trying to catch a wave. The Temptation's outfitting is more than you'd expect for a sit-on-top, too. It's got a dry-storage front hatch, paddle keep, and rear well that's big enough to hold the day's catch plus all your fishing gear. 10'3", 44 lbs; emotionkayaks.com

• Essential Gear: Fly-fishing
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2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Kayaks Reviews

Emotion Kayaks Temptation Killer Value	$579
Dagger Axiom	$995
Liquid Logic Remix XP	$979
P&H Scorpio	$1995
Old Town Vapor 12xt	$659
Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST Limited Edition	$5000
Hobie i9s	$1549

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Kayaks Reviews

KayakPro Nemo Gear of the Year	$3700
Wavesport Fuse Killer Value	$925
Valley Sea Kayaks Avocet LV	$3250
Pyranha Everest	$1160
Innova Helios I	$850
Liquid Logic Remix	$1050
Eskimo Speedo	$1000
Delta Sport 17	$2450
Wilderness Systems Tarpon Ultralite	$1575
Riot Thunder	$1100

2007 Buyer's Guide Kayaks Reviews

Jackson Kayak Fun Gear of the Year	$995
Emotion Bliss Killer Value	$449
Delta 18.5 Expedition	$2400
Dagger Agent	$925
Prijon Cruiser	$849
Old Town Dirigo Tandem Plus	$1099
Wave Sport Habitat	$1000
Pakboat Puffin Swift	$940
Liquidlogic Ronin	$1049
Eskimo Topo Duo	$1650
Current Designs Willow	$2799

2006 Buyer's Guide Kayaks Reviews

Wave Sport Project (45, 52, and 62 gal) Gear of the Year	$999
Dagger RX 6.7 and 6.9 Killer Value	$899
Riot Astro 54	$999
Riot Brittany	$1399
LiquidLogic Jefe	$1099
Necky Looksha V	$1619
Perception Rhythm 14	$1600
Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125	$1025

2005 Buyer's Guide Kayaks Reviews

Dagger Crazy 88 Gear of the Year	$1150
Necky Crux	$1049
Wave Sport EZG	$999
DragoRossi Fish	$1400

2004 Buyer's Guide Kayaks Reviews

Necky Mission Gear of the Year	$999
Klepper Aerius Quattrov XT	$5972
Perception Carolina Airalite 14.5	$1450
Prijon Fever	$1099
Pyranha I:3	$1129
Dagger Juice 6.9	$1150
Riot Turbo	$1099

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• Splash Course Outside Magazine May 2003

  Even if you can't throw down a donkey flip—yet—a new flotilla of kayaks guarantees you'll have more fun in raging water

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  Not every playboat is for whitewater. Maximize your summer fun on lakes, rivers, and oceans with these versatile sit-on-top kayaks.

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