“After 20 years of being away from kayaking I sought out a kayak that was versatile for flat water and estuary conditions as well as priced within my budget. Reviewing multiple kayaks and suppliers I was impressed with Bay Sports offerings and settled between the Expedition 2 and the Dreamer XL. I had a couple of chats with Hamish and ultimately decided on the Dreamer XL.
Overall I am really pleased with the kayak, the build quality is very good and at 26kg it’s still manageable for me to lift. A Ctug cart makes it easy to move around once lifted off the kayak stands. Probably too heavy for me to lift onto the roof rack alone however this is still easily manageable with some basic lifting strategies when I am alone.
The first few paddles around my local lake show the kayak to be stable and once I adjusted foot and knee braces it is a nice snug fit. At 63 and not paddling for a long time I found that maintaining 7kmh was easily achieved and 9kmh with a little effort. The kayak was stable in 25kmh cross winds. I have owned kayaks with and without rudders and whilst some may say you don’t need a rudder I still need to work up my paddling technique so the rudder is handy and I found the kayak super responsive to the rudder movements.
The day hatch is actually a shallow pod, ok for car keys, so potentially changing to a small hatch or using a deck bag as all my paddling will be day trips and I want something easily accessible whilst away from the shore. Main hatches work well and the front compartment stays bone dry. The rear has taken in a tiny amount of water however this is probably when I launch the kayak from my high dock as the rudder assembly and cables get fully submerged. Maybe launching it bow first would be better!
Really impressed with the kayak plus it looks good.
The team at Bay Sports were very helpful, and dealing with Sheila, Stephanie, Rebecca and Hamish was a pleasure. Hamish even called me from overseas to discuss some queries I had about the Dreamer XL.
I can highly recommend Bay Sports for anyone looking for a good quality product, at a reasonable price point and supported by a professional team.
Stuart”
“I ordered online after lots of research. The Bay Sports videos on their range of Kayaks was immensely helpful in making my choice. As it happened the boat was on "sale" and compared to other sellers of ocean kayaks, it was an exceptional price. The stability of the Dreamer XL -5.1m ocean touring kayak exceeded my expectations and was a boost to my confidence (been 40 years since I paddled) from the moment I paddled away from the shore (river first, ocean second). I have some issues (still working on it) getting the footrest length and rudder control to suit me. My enquiries to Bay Sports support have been promptly responded to and their guidance is getting me on the right track. So far - a confidence inspiring kayak with lots of potential. Now, its all on me. I would easily recommend Bay Sports. Like”
“I recently purchased the Dreamer XL with the intention of using for fitness paddling along the Bellarine. Absolutely fantastic craft, glides through the water smoothly, and the balance is great. I paddled a lot of longer Dolphin surf ski's and wanted something a little more suited to the bay conditions with more stability. This craft was perfect for this, and Hamish at Bay Sports was very helpful in picking the right kayak for me, and I couldn't be more happy.
All the coordinating from the point of purchasing, logistics and prepping the craft for my first paddle was smooth and easy. Hamish mentioned delivery would take around 10 days from Sydney to Greater Geelong Region, and delivery was exactly spot on 10 days.
For a brand new kayak of this quality for the price on offer, you cant find a better kayak.
Cheers, RK.”
“I took the risk to buy this Kayak online without getting a chance to see it in the flesh and test drive it. Travel to Sydney from Queensland was not an option at the time thanks to C19. The kayak arrived in 5 business days after placing the order. It has a very comfortable cockpit and seat. Foot rest/rudder pedals are easy to adjust. The thigh braces work a treat. The XL is no racing kayak or ski however, that said, she can still get up and go pretty decently when required. I find the XL is still sufficiently stable enough for me in large chop, strong winds and estuary currents. Paddling the XL for a 180deg paddling-turn from into wind to down wind, in 30kph wind and aprox 1.5 foot chop/swell, was no problem. Not sure what the maximum safe crosswind component is for the XL, however paddling in 30kph winds is about the limit of my paddling enjoyment anyway.
All round ..... the Dreamer XL has ticked all the requirements I wanted (and was hoping for) in a single seat, sit-in, HDPE sea touring kayak. Here are some of the requirements I was looking for.....
Straight Bow design/shape. (The XL looks similar the the high end market Epic sit-in carbon kayaks)
Price. (My max budget was $1500).
Light enough for me to pick up solo and place on my cars roof racks. (I’m 1.89m tall average build and 50 years old and while I can still lift the XL up on top of my little SUV’s roof racks.... I will be looking at an easy load roller kit....just to make it all more enjoyable).
Stability
Not too heavy and slow to paddle
Comfortable seat and foot rests
Decent front and rear locker space and locker size openings.
Rudder
Durability. (I chose to go HDPE for the lower retail prices vs Glass and Carbon boats, but mainly for the way superior durability HDPE has over Glass and carbon.
Informative Company website with customer reviews and comments and sales support. Bay sport also has live text support.
An all round touring/camping kayak that I can paddle blue water coastal as well as
Estuaries and lagoons/broad waters in reasonable comfort too.
The overall factor why I decided to choose Bay Sports, I will be honest, was their retail prices.”
