Eddyline first introduced the Caribbean 10 in 2023 as a sit-on-top kayak geared toward paddlers seeking calmer waters like slow rivers, lakes and ponds. The 10-foot length keeps the kayak manageable for beginner paddlers while providing enough speed to cover some ground.
Carry A Whistle (And A Light For Night Use)
- Every paddler should have a whistle attached to his/her life jacket.
- Carry a light at night. Consider carrying a distress signal device.
First Look: Eddyline Caribbean 10
Speaking of covering ground, you’ll notice the hull on the Caribbean 10 is keeled from bow to stern, which keeps the kayak tracking straight with minimal corrections. At the same time, Eddyline combined the length with a tapered bow and stern shape that cut through the water with efficiency.
The hull also features scupper holes within the cockpit with the paddler and in the stern storage. This allows any water that enters the boat, whether from paddle splashing or waves, to drain out through the floor. With the elevated seat position, you won’t have to worry about sitting in a puddle, but for those calm, chilly days when you’d rather not have a bit of water swashing around at your feet, you can easily pick up a set of scupper plugs to close these drain holes.
The sit-on-top advantage
With a well-designed hull, the Caribbean is an enjoyable sit-on-top to paddle. What’s more it has a distinct advantage over an enclosed kayak: the ability to more easily climb in and out. Whether you’re just launching awkwardly from shore or have just capsized, the open and low profile of the deck around the cockpit is significantly less cumbersome than sit-inside kayak when it comes to climbing in.
“It’s easy to get on to, easy to get off of, and very stable in the wind,” Alex Stoeffl, Eddyline’s director of commercial operations, told us in a walkthrough of the Caribbean 10.
Because the Caribbean is an open-concept design, it also doesn’t really take on water should you capsize, and whatever is there will drain out the floor.
Know The Local Hazards
- Check navigation charts before you launch.
- Check with those who have local knowledge of man-made and natural hazards, e.g. low-head dams; sweepers, strainers and undercuts; tides and currents; and rocks and shoals.
Additional outfitting and features
Along with the padded seat, Eddyline has also included adjustable, sliding foot braces on the Caribbean 10. There are also solid webbing carry handles covered with a rubber grip on both the bow and stern, and a paddle holder to each side.
To cap it off, the Caribbean 10 features hatches for interior storage on the bow and stern of the kayak, and recessed tankwell storage behind the paddler with that scupper hole drainage mentioned earlier.
Learn more about the Eddyline Caribbean 10 here.
Feature image: Paddling Magazine Staff
