Review: Sun Dolphin Excursion 10

The Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 is a great all-around kayak for both fishing and fun paddling trips. This 10-foot kayak is easy to get in and out of, easy to control on the water, and made tough so it can handle fishing trips and recreational paddling. It works great for chasing big fish on lakes and calm Best rivers, and for paddling with friends. 

The Excursion 10 has rod holders so you can go fishing, but it also handles well for recreational paddling. This affordable American-made kayak gives you versatility at a budget-friendly price.

Sun Dolphin 10 Performance

On the water

The 10-foot Sun Dolphin 10 is pretty nimble and easy to maneuver since it only weighs 41 pounds. The short length allows it to turn quickly, which is great when fishing. But it won’t go as fast as longer kayaks. This kayak has a 250-pound weight limit. It also has basic outfitting without a lot of adjustments.

 So it may not fit larger paddlers as well and could feel a bit sloppier on the water. The simple seat and footrests mean less customized comfort and lower performance. We’ll look more at the outfitting later.

Market & demographics

The Sun Dolphin is a basic, affordable for beginner fishing kayak for recreational paddlers. This 10-foot kayak is similar to the popular Sun Dolphin Aruba model. These kayaks are only safe on calm, flat water like small lakes and smooth rivers. They can sink if filled with water. The Excursion 10 is great for beginning kayak fishing.

 It has rod holders to easily fish from the kayak, even in shallow or tight spots. Sun Dolphin kayaks like this are widely available new and used. Though simple, they are durable and good for starting out paddling on calm water. The Excursion 10 can be customized with accessories and upgrades for better fishing and comfort.

About the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10

The Sun Excursion 10 fishing kayak provides a stable and relaxing experience. Its wide and flat bottom keeps you balanced on the water. The short length and symmetrical shape make it easy to maneuver around turns and obstacles. 

This allows you to reach your favorite fishing spots with no trouble. The pointed front and back ends of the Excursion 10 let it slide smoothly and quietly through the water. You can sneak up on fish without making noise.

As a sit-in kayak, the Excursion 10 shields you from waves, rain, and splashes. But it still has a large cockpit, so getting in and out is relatively easy. All these features add up to a great performance for fishing.

Sun Dolphin for the Excursion 10

Material & construction

The Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 fishing kayak is made out of a super sturdy and flexible plastic called Fortiflex. This material can take a beating – it barely gets scratched if you bang it around or leave it out in the sun. And because the plastic flexes, it bounces back if you hit any rocks. This kayak is built right in Michigan at the Sun Dolphin factory.

 It only weighs about 41 pounds, so most folks can lift it onto their car by themselves with no problem. This lightweight but tough plastic kayak is great for people who want a low-maintenance boat they can take fishing without worrying about babying it too much.

Design Trends

Many people like to buy Sun Dolphin kayaks. They are good for fun and fishing. They are not expensive and you can find them in many places. Some people wonder why Sun Dolphin stopped making kayaks in 2019. Now they make kayaks again with another company called KL Outdoors in a city in the USA.

Buying a used Sun Dolphin

You want to buy a used Sun Dolphin 10 kayak. This is a good boat for fishing. You can find many of them online. But you need to be careful and check the kayak before you buy it. You should also try to paddle it first. Here are some safety tips to help you:

• Look at the kayak for any broken or missing parts. Check the seat and the cockpit. They should be easy to adjust. The kayak has three places to hold fishing rods. Make sure they work well.

• Ask the seller if they changed anything on the kayak. See how it affects the kayak’s shape and performance. It should be easy to get in and out of the kayak.

• Look at the bottom of the kayak. It is called the hull. It should not have any big cuts or holes in the plastic. It should not look faded or old. The sun can make the plastic weak if the kayak is left outside for too long.

• The seller may give you some extra things like a life jacket or a paddle. You need to make sure they fit you well. A used Sun Excursion 10 kayak can be a good deal, but it is not very expensive to buy a new one. It is a good kayak for beginners and people who like fishing.

Excursion 10 accessories & outfitting

The Dolphin Excursion 10 has basic parts and outfitting. This matches the low price of the kayak. Many paddlers say the seat is basic with little padding. The thigh braces and footrests are also thinly padded and hard to reach. This can make longer paddling trips uncomfortable.

It’s easy to add your extra padding to make the kayak more comfortable.

 Just don’t block your ability to get in and out. Many kayak anglers customize their boats. The simple Excursion 10 gives you a blank canvas to create your ideal fishing kayak. You can get replacement plugs and parts directly from Sun Dolphin.

A benefit of the sit-inside Excursion 10 is you can add a spray skirt for more comfort in cool or wet weather. This isn’t possible on open sit-on-top kayaks. You can buy Sun Dolphin spray skirts online. You can also get a cockpit cover to keep the kayak clean and dry for storage and transport.

Warranty

The Sun Dolphin kayak has a limited lifetime warranty. This covers manufacturing problems for the original owner. To use the warranty, you must register your new kayak with Sun Dolphin within 30 days of buying it. This validates the warranty coverage.

The Sun Dolphin is a good pick if you’re new to fishing kayaks, but there are other choices too. Let’s see how it stacks up against some other popular boats.

Sun Dolphin Excursion vs Sun Dolphin Excursion Ss

The Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 SS kayak has some nice upgrades compared to the regular Excursion 10 model. It includes a covered electronics console on the front deck to protect your gadgets. There is also a removable storage pod in the back for keeping items dry. The seat is more comfortable too.

These extras make the Excursion 10 SS a little heavier. It weighs 44 pounds, while the regular Excursion 10 weighs 41 pounds. But the upgrades can be worthwhile for anglers who want more features.

Sun Dolphin Excursion vs Sun Dolphin Explorer

The Sun Dolphin Explorer is another good option if you want an affordable fishing kayak for smooth water. It’s very similar to the Excursion 10 but you can often find used Explorers for sale at a really good price. This popular boat has a sit-inside design and can easily be outfitted for fishing. The Explorer 10 model has about the same size and features as the Excursion 10.

 So if you see a used Explorer for cheap, it could be a great budget-friendly alternative. Just remember neither of these kayaks is meant for rough waves or open water. But for calm lakes and rivers, the used Explorer offers a lot of bang for your buck if you want a starter fishing kayak without spending too much.

Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 vs Sun Dolphin Boss 10

The Sun Dolphin Boss 10 is a boat that you sit on top of. It is good for fishing. It is different from the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10, which is a boat that you sit inside. The Boss is more steady and has more room to move. You can fish better with the Boss. 

But the Boss is heavier and slower than the Excursion. The Excursion is better when the weather is bad because it keeps you dry. The Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 is a better boat than the Sun Dolphin Boss 10 if you want to have fun and fish on quiet water.

Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 vs Sun Dolphin Marquette

You want to know about the Sun Dolphin Marquette 10 kayak. This is a different kind of kayak from the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10. You sit on top of it, not inside it. This may feel more open and less tight. You can also reach your fishing gear more easily. But you may get wet or cold more often. The Marquette 10 is the same size and shape as the Excursion 10. They paddle the same way.

Where to Buy 

You can buy the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 at major retailers like Walmart, Dunham’s Sports, and Canadian Tire. It costs around $500 at Walmart or $650 on Amazon. Since this kayak is inexpensive and sold widely, you can often find used ones for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Kijiji.

The low price and durability make the Excursion 10 popular. Anglers like using it for fishing trips on lakes and rivers. It’s lightweight at just 41 pounds, making it easy to carry. It has built-in Fortiflex material so it lasts a long time. The large cockpit has adjustable footrests and a padded seat for comfort. It also has rod holders to store your fishing poles.