This article was part of a feature testing five compact touring kayaks while on a trip in Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands. The other boats in this roundup include the Stellar Kayaks S14-LV, the Current Designs Ignite, the Swift Saranac 14 and the Delta Kayaks 12S. Read the review of the Hurricane Sojourn 135 below.
Hurricane Kayaks Sojourn 135 Specs
Length: 13’5″
Width: 24.5″
Weight: 45 lbs.
Material Thermoform Abs
Price: $1,449
The spacious hatches on the Hurricane Kayaks Sojourn are very easy to pack—ideal for aspirational paddle-campers who don’t have teeny-tiny gear or pantries full of dehydrated meals.
The hull’s moderate V-shape and minimal rocker prioritize tracking and stability. Our testers had little difficulty holding course (a rudder is offered as an option), although we worked harder to keep pace with missiles like the S14-LV and Ignite.
Edging the super-stable Sojourn requires assertive weight transfer, but once seated on its hard chine it turns quickly and feels reassuringly stable.
This 13-foot-five-incher had the widest beam and largest cockpit of the group, which made it effortless to climb in and out of and added to the Sojourn’s appeal for novice paddlers.
The 24.5-inch width and roomy cockpit fit tied it with the Saranac 14 as the most challenging to roll sit-inside boat in the fleet. On the flip side (haha, see what we did there?) it was also the toughest to capsize.
The thermoformed ABS plastic construction has the sparkly luster of a composite boat. While the durable material makes the Sojourn among the most economical boats we tested, it didn’t do it any favours in terms of weight (nine pounds heavier than the similarly sized Saranac 14).
Hurricane’s AireStream seat system is all about comfort: the large, supportive backrest is well ventilated for hot days and the height can be quickly adjusted on the fly.
This article originally appeared in the Adventure Kayak Summer/Fall 2016 issue.
Subscribe to Paddling Magazine and get 25 years of digital magazine archives including our legacy titles: Rapid, Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots.
