The Sun Dolphin Bali SS 10 foot sit-on-top kayak is quickly becoming one of the most preferred kayaks by adventurous beginners wanting to navigate lakes and rivers. Just like other sit-on-tops, the Sun Dolphin Bali kayak is designed to move slowly for easy control and is easy to get out of in case of an emergency.
Editor’s Note: Sadly, it has been out of stock for far too long, so here’s a kayak we can highly recommend in place of a Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS:
This feature makes sit-on-top kayaks a great choice for beginners. However, this particular model has additional features that set it apart from the rest of its competitors. In our Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS review, you will discover about the build of this kayak, along with size, capacity, how it performs, and more.
How Is The Build Of The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS?
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS features a hull design, which is known for stability. The exterior of the Sun Dolphin Bali Kayak is made of Fortiflex high-density polyethylene, which is extremely durable and resistant to the effects of both fresh and salt waters.
The material is UV stabilized so that it doesn’t lose its color from exposure to the sun. In some ways, the polyethylene construction promotes the paddling and tracking ability of the kayak to enable you to cruise the lake or river with ease and stability.
To meet the taste and preferences of customers, the Sun Dolphin Bali Kayak comes in many different color shades including blue, green, orange, and pink, as well as others. This means you will have a better chance at getting your favorite color. The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS kayak measures 10 feet in length, 30 inches in width, and weighs 40 pounds. It is lighter than other kayaks featuring a polyethylene frame material. If this isn’t the kayak for you check out our Oru kayak review.
The frame also has a shock cord deck rigging and paddle leashes. Many people have a tendency to drag their kayaks on the ground towards the water. Since polyethylene easily scratches, the bottom will get damaged with time, resulting in the need for replacement. So you need to formulate a method to tow the kayak to the water without having to drag it on the ground.
Features Of The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 Sit On Kayak
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is a single person sit-on-top kayak. It is lightweight and features an easy to carry design with an open cockpit for a quick entry and exit. It has a large, comfortable seating area fitted with protective thigh pads, paddle holder, and adjustable foot braces. This means the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS can accommodate people of all heights. These design features make it easy for you to paddle for extended periods without fatigue or back pain.
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS kayak’s maximum weight capacity is 250 pounds.
While the Sun Dolphin Bali Kayak is meant for solo use, it is sizable enough to carry along a small child or a pet, as long as the maximum carrying weight is not surpassed. This Sun Dolphin kayak comes with shock cord deck rigging, allowing you to use it for fishing. You will have to buy some rod holders and other gear needed to furnish the kayak for fishing.
The Sun Dolphin Bali SS kayak is 10 feet long, but if you need a bigger one, you can get others with the same features and specifications, with only a difference in size. You can opt for either the smaller 8 foot version or the larger 12 foot, depending on your needs. The guiding factor should be the maximum weight limit, in which case the 12 foot Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS can carry up to 395 pounds.
In the next part of our Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS review, you will discover if this kayak contains ample storage because let’s face it: when you’re kayaking, this can make or break your trip!
Can You Pack A Lot In The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS?
Going out to kayak is an adventure that needs preparation in terms of supplies. Not only will these supplies make your adventure successful and comfortable, but some of them will also provide for your safety. Examples of things you may need to include are clothes, bottles of water, enough food and snacks, and a cell phone. A good kayak must provide enough storage for these supplies.
Thankfully, the Sun Dolphin Bali SS 10 foot sit-on-top is designed to provide enough room for the storage of your valuables and safety essentials. It also has a dry storage compartment that allows you to store all the supplies you don’t want to get wet.
Along with that, the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS kayak comes with the Portable Accessory Carrier (P.A.C), which acts more like a backpack or tow behind where you can store any extra supplies.
If you want to include fishing in your adventure, then you can take advantage of the shock deck rigging to secure your fishing accessories. While the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS offers enough storage space, just ensure that you don’t overload it. In other words, the combined carrying weight (your weight plus that of your gear) should not surpass the set weight limit.
Compared to other sit-on-top kayak brands of the same size, the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is among the best when it comes to storage.
Pros And Cons Of Owning A Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS Kayak
Pros
- Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS comes in various attractive colors to suit your preferences
- Highly affordable and gives you value for your money
- Ideal for beginners because of safety features
- Very smooth and easy to paddle
- Stable and tracks extremely well
- Lightweight and therefore portable
- Very comfortable and optimized for long adventures
Check out the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS on Amazon!
Cons
- The polyethylene frame of the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is strong but also susceptible to flexing and scratching
- The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS hull design makes the watercraft stable but extremely slow
- No bottom cushion on the seat and the footrests are a bit uncomfortable
Sun Dolphin Bali 10 Sit On Kayak FAQ
We have created this section as a way to paraphrase this whole article. We have been receiving questions regarding this kayak, that we thought adding a Frequently Asked Questions section to our Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss review article here was a great idea. Here we go:
1. How Heavy Is The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS? Is It Easy To Carry Around? Can I Carry It Myself?
When it comes to weight, the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS has got to be one of the lightest on the market today. It is 10′ long, 30″ wide, and weighs in at a paltry 44 pounds. This is an easy weight for almost anyone to carry to the beach, lake or river without any help.
Check out the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 Sit On Kayak on Amazon!
This can be attributed to the lightweight design and polyethylene material used to construct it. The light weight of this kayak might make it a little unstable the first couple of times you take it out to the water, but this ends when you get more used to it.
2. Does The Body Of The Kayak Get Scratched Easily? How Tough Is The Frame? Does The Sun Affect The Material?
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 sit on kayak frame is entirely made out of Fortiflex high-density polyethylene, which is known for its strength and durability. This means that the frame is extremely tough and sturdy. This material is also UV-stabilized, which means that it can effectively resist the effects of UV rays with exposure to sunlight.
One of the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 sit on kayak’s disadvantages is that it is prone to get scratched. This can be attributed to the polyethylene material, which is prone to easy scratching.
3. Will The Cockpit Be Comfortable For A Tall Paddler? Will the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS Support Both A Tall AND Heavier Person?
Adjustable foot braces that come with the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS are an ideal accessory for people of various heights, since you can adjust accordingly. However, it is evident that this kayak is most comfortable for people of normal heights, meaning less than 6 feet tall.
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Other variants, such as the 12′ Bali, would be much more ideal for taller people, ones who are taller than 6 ft. The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS has a weight capacity of 250 pounds, so if you’re under that, then this is the kayak for you. But you must also consider how much your gear will weigh as well.
4. How Fast Can The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS Go? How Hard Will It Be To Get From Point A To Point B?
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS lightweight design means that it can paddle twice as fast as heavier kayaks, though it’s a little slower than the 8′ Bali. The speed of a kayak depends on how fast you paddle, as well as its general weight, making this particular kayak favorable in this regard.
This, therefore, means that it is easy to get from one point to another, even under strong wind conditions blowing in your direction. It is, however, important to keep an eye on the kayak to ensure that it travels straight, especially when you stop paddling at top speeds.
5. Are There Any Extra Items The Sun Dolphin 10 Bali Sit on Kayak Will Need? Does It Come With Paddles? Does It Have A Skeg Or Rudder?
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is an accomplished kayak that can be taken for a ride straight from the dealer, most of the time. However, there are various items that can be incorporated to boost performance and enhance your user experience, such as stopper plugs to block the 4 scupper holes that go all the way through the floor. It will keep the water out, hence keeping you more dry while paddling.
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Another great addition to the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS has got to be an anchor trolley system that can be installed in order to anchor your kayak safely in line with the prevailing tide, swell and wind conditions.
This kayak does not usually come with a paddle, but some people have gotten one when they ordered the boat. There are paddles you can get where the handle breaks into two halves that can be taken apart for easier storage. Make sure you purchase a paddle that is the correct length you will need.
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS does not come with a skeg or rudder, meaning you will have to control and maneuver the kayak using the paddles.
6. Is It Easy To Store The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS Kayak? What Kind Of Accessories Can I Use For Home Storage?
At 44 pounds, the Bali 10 SS is lightweight, compact in size, and easy to store in your house/garage/apartment after a long day of kayaking.
Since the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is only 10 feet in length, it can easily be offloaded and loaded onto racks without much hassle. To aid in easier storage at home, you might want to fit a pair of side mount carry handles to aid in easily lifting your Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS kayak. These are placed at the balance point at either side of the cockpit and can be reinforced with plastic buckles.
7. If I Go Out On A Day Trip, Is There Enough Storage On The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS To Take My Things With Me?
Yes. This can be a huge issue for kayakers who love spending hours in the water and want to bring supplies with them. Room is important! We covered this earlier in the review, but let’s go over it now:
There is more than enough storage on the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS for a day or half day trip. The kayak comes with a rubbery mesh cup holder that can adequately hold your drinks on the go and small storage areas on either side of the boat. There is also a compartment positioned between the knees and fastened with a screw-on-cap. which is big enough hold a smartphone.
Bigger, watertight compartments, held in place by bungee cords, are situated at the front and back of the kayak and can be used for storing extra gear or snacks. The kayak also comes equipped with a P.A.C (Portable Accessory Carrier) that can be used to tow an extra compartment. This means the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is one of the few kayaks on the market today that comes with more than adequate storage space.
8. Can The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS Kayak Be Used For Fishing?
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is quite a versatile kayak that can not only be used for recreational kayaking, but for fishing as well. Most users have reported success on their fishing expeditions after making a few upgrades on the boat.
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Extra fittings and accessories such as a rod holder, fish finder, and an anchor trolley system can be fitted to enable fishing on the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS. These few upgrades are relatively cheap when compared to other kayaks that need a complete overhaul in order to convert them into full-fledged fishing kayaks.
Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS Review Verdict!
So many details to consider in this Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS review!
The Sun Dolphin Bali SS 10 foot sit on kayak is a great watercraft for anyone of any age that wants to venture into kayaking. Its 30 inch width offers a high level of stability and the hull design makes it slow and therefore perfect for beginners. It is highly affordable and can be durable if you take good care of it.
With this Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS review, we’ve shown you that the Sun Dolphin Bali Kayak is ideal for small lakes and rivers, but not the sea or large water bodies. Generally, this kayak is a great value for your money.
