emotion 90245 Spitfire Sit-On-Top 8 Foot Kayak, Green

The purpose of this purchase was to get the best kayak that would fit inside my car, a 2010 Honda Insight hatchback. I was working at a remote site on a lake and didn’t want to leave the kayak on a roof rack where it could be easily stolen during the work-day. I tried a number of kayaks that friends and co-workers had, and selected the Emotion Spitfire 8 based on my comparative testing.I read most of the reviews on Amazon, and thought I had something worthwhile to add:1. The kayak was delivered in a plastic bag, no box, but it was in good shape when I got it. There are three plastic screw out plugs on the aft-top section of the kayak. They were all there when I got the kayak. There are self draining holes in the bottom of the kayak below the seat at up where your feet go. They are meant to be open and drain water from the sitting area on top of the kayak during use. I suspect that’s what some of the comments are referring to regarding unplugged drain holes. All plugs needed came with the kayak.2. The Spitfire 8 tracks just fine. Use a proper paddling technique and keep your butt centered in the seat and it handles like a dream. It also turns very easily when you want to which makes it really nice in small, tight rivers and creeks.3. It’s fairly comfortable for a sit on top. It’s no LaZeeboy, but it’s not bad. I use it for two to three hours at a time and have no problems with comfort. The back rest is supportive and adjustable.4. The other 8-foot kayaks have either a squared-off stern (slows you down), crappy tracking/handling characteristics, or were uncomfortable. The Spitfire 8 was the best of the “little” kayaks, not the best kayak I’ve used by a long shot.5. The weight ratings are conservative. I stand 5’10” and weigh 170 lbs, my son is 6′ tall and 220 lbs. We both use the kayak comfortably, and have no problem with how the boat sets in the water or handles.6. This is not a kayak for people who are thinking about “serious” kayaking like a three day trip through the boundary waters. There are much better kayaks for exploring or going fast or fishing or “whatever”. This is a sort of multi-purpose kayak whose primary advantage is that it’s small enough to fit inside even a little car so that transport is very easy and secure.