The Pyranha Surf Jet arrived in pure ‘naked’ form. As in the boat’s devoid of clutter boasting only a retractable skeg – minimalist it sure is! That’s not to say you can’t customise and outfit the boat, you can in fact. For this test, however, we went for a float as is.

Carting it to and from the put in is a little unusual as there aren’t any grab handles. Instead there’s an indent hand hold inside the cockpit, but only on one side. There are fixture and fitting points which we’d suggest paddlers make use of as utilising the single hold isn’t the most efficient when carrying. You may also want to add a seat for additional comfort once on the brine and thigh straps for improved handling and control in the surf.

Jumping aboard and although it’s a low volume boat it still boasts a fair amount of stability – the secondary stability is actually good and should therefore be trusted. Anxious paddlers may require a few flat water runs to get used to it but all in it’s a well mannered sit on top. If you really want a planted ride then drop the skeg which sees the Surf Jet turn into a completely different animal. Directional, with improved tracking, the Surf Jet delivers a pleasant enough ride in this guise with even some flat water paddling opening up, showing there’s a degree of versatility in the Surf Jet.

In wave mode the gunny shape allows for early drop ins, ensuring a long ride. Setting a rail is easy enough although it doesn’t bite quite as hard as some surf orientated sitons we’ve used in the past. With the skeg once again down it locks into the wave’s pocket and drives off the bottom, arcing progressively back up to the lip. Just remember to keep the skeg slot grit and mud free for easy retraction.

Pyranha Surf Jet Video Review

Conclusion

All in the Pyranha Surf Jet is a fun, accessible and playful surf sit on top that while aimed firmly at wave environments can straddle flatter water venues if required. Heavy weights will be surprised at the stability and get used to piloting in a short amount of time. Lighter riders will discover a throw about hull that’ll keep smiles wide when playing in the lumpy stuff. It’d also make a good SOT for kids and has a decent price point.

Pyranha Surf Jet FEATURES

Pyranha Fusion SOT kayak review

Upon first glance, from a side on viewing position. The Pyranha Fusion SOT looks like a standard sit in, closed cockpit kayak. Yet gaze on unobstructed and the boat’s sit on top credentials are plain for all to see. What you get here is a performance orientated hull that the brand suggest can be taken from proper white water river runs, to flat water cruising and back to surf environments.

First Impressions

Out of the box and the Fusion SOT is certainly quality. Top drawer fixtures and fittings in the proper places and attention to detail where necessary. The Deluxe Spec edition, tested here, comes with a retractable skeg and the included thigh straps only add appeal. Paddlers will also notice that the Fusion SOT’s seated area is equipped with nifty backrest rather than full seat coverage, which is different to how some brands supply kit.

On the water

Hopping aboard is pretty standard. The Fusion SOT’s flat hull is certainly stable enough but paddlers would be wise to practise their capsize drill as there’s a degree of ‘roll’ when clambering in and out – although this a good thing when stepping it up in moving water and requiring a lively boat.

The sitting position encourages the rider to adopt a proactive posture with trunk forwards and thighs locked out to the side (ready to slip those supplied thigh straps into use). Paddling forwards and tracking is straight and true. Glide is fine although there’s a decent amount of rocker that has a tendency to push water. While it’s perfectly fine for flat water cruising a flatter profile would be more efficient for any kind of distance paddling. Messing about along short sojourns, however, is fine.

Head out to where the juice (surf) is and Pyranha’s Fusion SOT takes on a whole new dimension. With comfortable thigh straps positioned it’s a super playful hull that can be edged and chucked about with the best of ‘em. Retracting the skeg gives the Fusion SOT a slidey feel in waves whereas with it down the line gunning it is par for the course.

With skill, riders can easily edge the Fusion SOT along liquid walls and it’s a fairly critical boat through turns. The rocker – mentioned earlier – helps prevent pearling in hollower conditions while the boat’s durability allows riders to take on rockier swell locations or potentially a bit of shore break charging.

Versatility is key when discussing the Fusion SOT, however. Although we didn’t get a proper run out in river style conditions, we’re pretty confident it’d navigate moderate white water runs with ease, and being a sit on top, it’ll inspire oodles of confidence in this arena – something you can’t beat.

Conclusion

As an all-round, versatile machine – with a slant towards more performance orientated sit on kayaking – Pyranha’s Fusion SOT would be a worthy choice for any paddler looking to step up their game. Whether that be in rivers, in surf or across a mixture of both, with still plenty of opportunity to simply get out for a float, the Fusion SOT is a desirable bit if kit and another example of how sit on tops shouldn’t just be labelled as fair weather beach toys.

Price: £659