Eddyline Caribbean 14FS Review
Bottom Line:
This boat is fantastic for kayakers looking for a ride that’s easy to get up to speed and will hold its own in various water conditions. Its award-winning design benefits from a comfier seat and support, too.
This is a robust kayak with features that maximize storage capacity – it appears to tick most of the right boxes if you’re looking for an entry-level kayak, where you can sit on top in a comfy seat – then this might be for you.
Price Comparison:
Specs:
Brand | Eddyline Kayaks |
Size (length x width) | 14' x 29" |
Weight | 50 lbs |
Capacity | 400 lbs |
Material | Thermoform plastic |
Comparison to Similar Kayaks:
Eddyline Caribbean 14FS | Ocean Kayak Malibu 9.5 | Perception Hi-Life | Feelfree Nomad | Wilderness Systems Targa 100 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expert Rating | 7.9 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 7.5 |
Size | 14' x 29" | 9'5" x 33" | 11' x 34" | 9'6 x 29.25" | 10' x 32" |
Weight | 50 lbs | 54 lbs | 55 lbs | 46.2 lbs | 57 lbs |
Handling | |||||
Stability | |||||
Comfort | |||||
Onboard Storage | |||||
Portability | |||||
Durability | n/a | n/a |
Eddyline Caribbean 14FS Review
- Very easy to track and turn
- Impressively fast
- Lots of storage that's easy to access
- One of the most stable boats in its class
- Seat is comfortable and supportive
- May not react well to high winds
Performance of the Eddyline Caribbean 14FS
Reviewers of this latest iteration of the Caribbean 14 are positively glowing. This is, according to experts, a surprisingly powerful boat that gets up to an amazing rate of acceleration in a short space of time.
Experts suggest that the tracking and acceleration of this kayak are bolstered by its streamlined shape. It cuts through water well, though there’s some concern over how well it will perform in high winds.
The 14FS’ main upgrade is its frame seat, which reviewers state is a big improvement – it raises you up higher in the boat and keeps you drier. This, plus the adjustable foot braces, gives you a higher level of support and comfort.
The storage onboard, too, gets high marks. There are lots of nooks and crannies around the vessel that you can access at short notice, including a hatch behind the seat redesigned to accommodate internal gear storage. All these features add to its versatility and you can use it as a fishing kayak, to float around on a calm lake, or have fun in slow-moving rivers.
Experts don’t say much about durability, but Eddyline Kayaks is an award-winning manufacturer and the boat itself appears to take some punishment.