The Kaafu is very versatile and suitable for many different paddlers.

I used the Kaafu on a number of occasions and each time with a different seat. I have to admit I preferred the Piranha seat. You definitely need one for teh Kaafu though, preferable an anti slip. It’s a little uncomfortable without.

All in all the Kaafu is good for various kayaking requirements. From what I see when scanning sit on websites, it’s an affordable sit on top kayak as well which makes it even more of a good choice.

It comes with a lot more features than many kayaks in the same price range, including two storage wells and a back hatch. Considering many kayaks in this price range are limited to “floating in water” being the only feature, this is very welcome.

As for handling, I’ve had the Kaafu out in both flat and wavey conditions and as an all rounder she seems to do the job just fine. Granted it may not be the fastest thing in the world to get around on, but with a decent paddle she’s more than capable of getting from A to B with relative ease.

One thing I will say, as SoggyBottom mentioned above, is it’s certainly worth investing in a decent padded seat. Just 10 minutes out without one can wreak havock on the neck and lower back (at one point I had to stop and lay across the back hatch for a stretch!). If you are going to get a Kaafu, get a comfy clip on seat!

When I first started taking the Kaafu out I was really worried about my choice of new boat. Nice looking, well kitted out, but damn uncomfortable. Despite being set quite low in the hull, the moulded seat is quite shallow and doesn’t offer much support. As I haven’t yet bought the clip on seats, that means using your stomach muscles quite a lot to stay upright which really starts to ache after about 20 minutes on the water. The seat well is also quite wide, which means you need to turn your knees out a lot to brace, which puts a lot of strain on your inner thighs.

The other comfort issue is that it fills with water, particularly in a bit of chop. The moulded handles seem to channel any chop up the side of the hull where it is then deposited in the seat well. Thanks to the low position of the sea and shallow channel up to it that water then ends up sharing a space with your butt for the rest of your paddle. This goes some way to explain my screen name!

Now, the reason that I waited a few weeks before writing this review is that, despite the comfort issues, the Kaafu has some real promise. It tracks well for such a wide, stable boat, is built nicely, has good storage, rides a wave pretty well and is a really good price. All in all, despite the soggy bottom issues, I REALLY LIKE THIS BOAT.

If you are thinking of getting a Fat Yak Kaafu, I’d suggest trying to get out on one first. Others might not have the same issues as me. I’d also suggest getting the back-rest / seat option to improve the comfort.