A REC BOAT WITH MOJO
With its behind-the-seat gear hammock and adjustable, ergonomic seat, the Bliss looks like your run-of-the-mill beginner boat. But because of its shapely lines and dual hull channels, it handles and tracks better than any other rec model we tested. I kept pace with boats twice the Bliss’s size (and price), even in waves and wind on Vermont’s Green River Reservoir. And I didn’t need anyone to help me carry my boat from the car to the water. 10′ 10″, 37 lbs; emotionkayaks.com
Bonus: Bow and stern braces add structure without adding weight, so your hull won’t buckle under roof-rack straps.
Bummer: The foam bow brace eats up bow space and can feel restrictive.