Ocean Kayak Frenzy Review

Bottom Line:

The Ocean Kayak Frenzy was discontinued and replaced by the Ocean Kayak Malibu 9.5

Experts are full of praise for how easy the Frenzy kayak is to handle and get up to speed. This is a boat that seems to appeal mainly to the beginner market, but reviewers state it’s a lot of fun to ride even if you have experience on the water.

The Frenzy appears to fare well on choppier waters. It may look like a small kayak but it offers a lot of space, great stability, and plenty of paddling confidence. It might also not look powerful, but it holds its own at an impressive speed.

Price Comparison:

8.3

EXPERT RATING

based on 2 reviews

Performance Ratings:

  • Handling
  • Stability
  • Comfort
  • Onboard Storage
  • Portability
  • Durability

Specs:

BrandOcean Kayak
Size (length x width)9'0 x 2'6"
Weight44 lbs
Capacity325 lbs
MaterialPolyethylene (single layer)

Comparison to Similar Kayaks:

Ocean Kayak Frenzy Ocean Kayak Malibu 9.5 Eddyline Caribbean 14FS Perception Hi-Life Feelfree Nomad
Expert Rating
8.3
8.2
7.9
7.8
7.6
Size9'0 x 2'6"9'5" x 33"14' x 29"11' x 34"9'6 x 29.25"
Weight44 lbs54 lbs50 lbs55 lbs46.2 lbs
Handling9.37.88.37.07.5
Stability9.09.08.88.27.2
Comfort8.08.37.88.06.8
Onboard Storage7.59.37.88.27.2
Portability8.86.57.07.58.5
Durability7.5n/an/a8.38.3

Ocean Kayak Frenzy Review

Reasons to Buy:
  • Very well-made
  • Incredibly stable in most waters
  • Very lightweight and easy to carry
  • Easy for beginners to get used to
  • Good amount of storage on board
Reasons Not to Buy:
  • Not the fastest on the market

Performance of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

The Ocean Kayak Frenzy, is a great example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. It’s a fairly short and wide boat, but testers feel the tracking and maneuverability is top-notch – to the extent that it’s surprisingly easy to handle.

This is not a very wide boat but experts state it’s highly stable (visually so before even getting onboard. Plus it has a maximum capacity of 325 pounds). It has plenty of room for taller and larger paddlers despite appearances suggesting otherwise. The main focus word for this recreational kayak appears to be “fun.”

That’s why experts believe it’s a great entry-level boat. It seems this hard shell kayak will welcome beginners onto open and choppier waters with confidence while it boasts enough power and maneuverability to appeal to experienced paddlers. It will perform well whether you want to paddle slow-moving rivers or catch waves.

It also receives top marks for portability, with handles and lightweight construction earning praise from reviewers online. Many agree it is one of the best sit-on-top kayaks, especially for kayaking newbies.

Expert Reviews of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

9.5FrixtxThis is a super-fun kayak! I hired this boat for the whole family to use, but it was seriously difficult keeping the adults out of the unit. It's great for all ages to get used to, and I think it makes for the perfect beginner's boat. Even experienced riders will likely find this a great little leisure boat to paddle out on open waters. I'm seriously impressed!Read more
8.2PaddleVenture.comI'd honestly say I'd be comfortable taking the Frenzy kayak out on almost any type of water. It looks short and wide, but it tracks much better than I expected it to. It doesn't take much effort to get a handle on this boat, and what's more, I never felt like it was going to capsize. It's a great all-around boat that's clearly built for ease of portability, though I feel most paddlers will find the performance standards more than adequate.Read more

Handling of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Expert Rating: 9.3

9.5FrixtxI found this boat to perform brilliantly on rougher waters, such as getting deep into the ocean surf - it's just great fun to handle and paddle, and that goes for kayakers of all ages. It also tracked well when I took the kayak into open water - I think even non-kayakers will find it easy to get used to. For those with a little more experience, it's just a blast to ride.Read more
9.0PaddleVenture.comGiven this is such a short sit-on-top kayak, I was really interested in seeing how the Frenzy tracks. On the water, it removed all fear from my mind - it tracks brilliantly for such a short kayak and really doesn't take much to hit higher speeds. It's never going to outpace a longer touring boat, but even with longer strokes, it's a dream to handle and move.Read more

Stability of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Expert Rating: 9.0

9.0PaddleVenture.comMy first impression of the Frenzy's stability - before I even got in the boat - was that this was always likely to be a stable ride thanks to its width and short length. Thankfully, I was right - this boat never feels like it's going to flip, and it copes brilliantly with larger waves. Read more

Comfort of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Expert Rating: 8.0

8.0PaddleVenture.comDespite being pretty short, the Frenzy gives a lot of leg room - I'd highly recommend it to riders with longer legs, or those over six feet tall. As a taller paddler myself, I was honestly surprised at how much room I had left in the boat once I settled in.Read more

Onboard Storage of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Expert Rating: 7.5

7.5PaddleVenture.comThere's plenty of room in this kayak even for taller riders, but the standout storage moment here has to be the bungee points at the bow and stern. These are nice and wide, and are great for holding dry bags. I think even very tall riders will still have plenty of space to maneuver here.Read more

Portability of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Expert Rating: 8.8

9.5FrixtxThis is a lightweight hard shell kayak that's refreshingly easy to store at home and to carry around - making it all the more appealing for family journeys. The fact it's so easy to store has inspired me to invest in a Frenzy of my own!Read more
8.0PaddleVenture.comThis boat is surprisingly light! It really doesn't look that way - but for a two-person kayak, I had no problems carrying this up to the water on my own. It's also really easy to lift in and out of the car, as well as storing back at home. The side handles are great touches, too.Read more

Durability of the Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Expert Rating: 7.5

7.5PaddleVenture.comThis boat looks nice and robust before you get in, and it's clear a lot of care has gone into the design and finishing - even right down to the handles. It's a hard shell recreational kayak that performs great on the water, and gives off a lot of confidence.Read more