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Hurricane Kayaks: Why Lighter Is Better on the Water
I have paddled a lot of kayaks over the years, and if there is one brand that consistently surprises people the first time they lift one, it is Hurricane. The reaction is almost always the same: a look of disbelief, followed by "this is a real kayak, right?" Yes, it is. And once you get on the water in one, the question quickly shifts from how it is so light to why you did not buy one sooner. Hurricane Kayaks hold a special place in the OVAP lineup. Here is why we love them:
The story behind Hurricane Kayaks
Hurricane Kayaks was founded in 1998 by a group of kayaking veterans in Warsaw, North Carolina, with a straightforward but ambitious goal: build a kayak that performed like a composite at a fraction of the cost. The key to getting there was a material called Trylon, a thermoformed ABS plastic with an acrylic cap that Hurricane pioneered and has continued to refine ever since.
The thermoforming process works by heating flat sheets of Trylon until they are pliable, then shaping them over precision moulds under vacuum pressure. The result is a hull that is stiffer, lighter, and more visually refined than a traditional rotomoulded polyethylene kayak, with a glossy finish that looks far more expensive than it is. Every Hurricane kayak is hand-assembled by skilled craftspeople, and the company recycles the majority of its ABS plastic waste as part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Since 1998, Hurricane has been recognized as the leader in lightweight kayaks, consistently winning over paddlers who want composite-level performance without the composite price tag. They were the first manufacturer to introduce a lightweight sit-on-top kayak with scupper drains, setting an industry standard that many brands have since followed. Today, the lineup spans recreational kayaks, day tourers, sit-on-tops, tandems, and fishing kayaks, all built on the same Trylon foundation.
"Hurricane kayaks are made differently. By thermoforming their boats, they create innovative designs that perform like composites but at a fraction of the cost."
What makes Trylon special?
It is worth spending a moment on Trylon because it is the thing that sets Hurricane apart from virtually every other kayak at a similar price point. Most recreational and touring kayaks are made from rotomoulded polyethylene, which is durable but heavy, tends to dull quickly in UV light, and has a matte finish that shows wear. Composite kayaks (fibreglass, carbon, Kevlar) are lighter and more refined but come with a significant price premium and require more careful handling.
Trylon sits neatly between the two. It is 10 to 15 pounds lighter than a comparable polyethylene kayak, stiffer underfoot, and has superior UV resistance thanks to its acrylic outer cap. The glossy finish holds its colour and shine season after season. It is also more impact-resistant than most people expect: not indestructible, but tough enough for regular recreational and touring use without needing to be babied.
10 to 15 lbs lighter than comparable polyethylene kayaks. Most models under 40 lbs.
Acrylic outer cap protects against fading and keeps the hull looking great season after season.
Thermoformed construction creates a rigid hull with excellent glide and efficiency on the water.
My personal favourite: the Hurricane Sojourn 146
Hurricane Sojourn 146 with Rudder
I started paddling the Sojourn 146 in 2024 and I haven't looked back. I am a little biased here, because this is my personal kayak and I love it. But that is exactly why I want to tell you about it.
The Sojourn is sleek, fast, and insanely comfortable on the water. The seat is genuinely one of the best I have paddled in, and there is a dedicated spot for my phone and water bottle right where I need them. Small things, but after a few hours on the water you appreciate it. The hull glides efficiently and holds a line beautifully, which makes it a joy on bigger water. I have paddled it on the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence, and it handles both with ease.
The rudder has been a game-changer for me. Using a rudder for quick direction changes on larger water is so much easier than relying entirely on corrective paddle strokes, especially when wind and current are working against you at the same time. If you are paddling open water or rivers with any kind of current, I would not want to be without one. Plus, I'm always trying to get good content for OVAP, so being hands-free while I can use my camera is a huge win!
At 14'6", it is a proper day-touring kayak, not a beginner boat, but it is one of those kayaks that rewards you for growing into it. I cannot say enough about it!
The full Hurricane lineup at OVAP
The Sojourn is my personal favourite, but it is far from the only impressive boat in the Hurricane lineup. Here is a look at everything we carry and who each model is best suited to.
A versatile sit-on-top with excellent stability and that signature Trylon lightweight construction. Great for warmer-weather paddling and paddlers who prefer an open deck.
A capable recreational sit-on-top that is stable, comfortable, and easy to get on and off. A great all-rounder for lakes and calm coastal water.
Part of Hurricane's popular Santee recreational series. Stable, approachable, and well-suited to beginner and intermediate paddlers who want a lightweight sit-in kayak.
The more compact option in the Santee series. Nimble and easy to manage, making it an excellent choice for shorter paddlers or anyone who prefers a smaller boat.
Designed with a roomy Sport cockpit and a removable frame seat that doubles as a beach chair. Great comfort for day trips and a hull that tracks well on open water.
Fast, stable, and at just 57 pounds, far easier to handle than a comparable polyethylene tandem. The front seat adjusts for solo paddling, too.
A 14-foot sit-on-top tandem that brings the Skimmer series' open-deck freedom to couples and families. Excellent deck space, self-bailing scuppers, and that signature lightweight build.
Hurricane vs. Delta: two great thermoformed kayaks compared
One question we hear a lot at the Demo Centre is: What is the difference between a Hurricane and a Delta? It is a great question, and one worth answering properly because both are excellent thermoformed kayaks that often get compared side by side. In fact, we regularly see paddlers at McLean Beach trying a Hurricane and a Delta back to back before making a decision, and we love it when that happens. Trying both is genuinely the best way to find your boat.
The first thing to know is that both brands use a thermoforming process to produce lightweight, rigid kayaks that outperform polyethylene on weight and finish. That is where many of the similarities end, though. Hurricane uses its proprietary Trylon material, an acrylic-capped ABS plastic made in the USA, while Delta kayaks are made in Canada using their own thermoformed ABS with a proprietary Fusion Hull design. Delta kayaks tend to have a slightly more refined touring feel, with hull shapes that lean toward performance and longer paddles. Hurricane leans toward accessibility and comfort across a broader range of paddlers and use cases, from recreational day paddling to light touring.
In practical terms, both brands produce kayaks that feel noticeably lighter and more responsive than a comparable polyethylene boat. Both have a glossy finish that holds up well to UV exposure. Both are well-built and backed by solid warranties. The choice often comes down to personal fit, intended use, and how each hull feels under your particular paddling style, which is exactly why demoing both matters so much.
The best way to choose between a Hurricane and a Delta is to paddle both. Come out to our Demo Centre at McLean Park on the Ottawa River, open Thursday through Sunday, and we will set you up in both. Book your demo at ovap.ca/demo
Who is Hurricane right for?
Hurricane kayaks are a fantastic fit for paddlers who want to move up from a basic entry-level boat without moving into composite pricing. If you have been paddling a heavier polyethylene kayak and find yourself frustrated by the weight at the put-in and take-out, a Hurricane will feel like a revelation. If you are newer to kayaking and want something comfortable, well-finished, and genuinely enjoyable to paddle for a full day, the Santee and Osprey series are hard to beat.
The Sojourn series is aimed at more experienced paddlers who want a capable day-touring hull that will grow with them. At 14'6" with a rudder, it is at home on rivers, larger lakes, and open coastal water in a way that shorter recreational boats are not.
Across the whole lineup, the common thread is this: you get a noticeably lighter, better-looking, better-gliding kayak than you would from a comparable polyethylene boat, without paying composite prices. That is a genuinely compelling position in the market, and it is why Hurricane has built such a loyal following since 1998.
A note on comfort
One thing that often surprises people about Hurricane is how much attention goes into the seating. Most kayaks at this price point come with seats that are functional but not particularly comfortable after a couple of hours. Hurricane builds ergonomic, adjustable seating across the lineup, and on models like the Sojourn the difference is noticeable from the first session. If you plan on spending full days on the water, comfort is not a small thing. It is the thing that determines whether you come home energized or exhausted.
I find the Hurricane seats to be more comfortable than Delta Kayaks, but my husband, Scott thinks Delta is more comfy. It all comes down to personal preference and the best way to find out is to come and sit in one and paddle it yourself at our Demo Centre.
Hurricane kayaks are available to demo at our Demo Centre at McLean Park on the Ottawa River in Arnprior, open Thursday through Sunday. Come and feel the difference a lightweight hull makes before you commit. Book your demo at ovap.ca/demo
Ready to paddle lighter?
Browse the full Hurricane Kayaks collection at OVAP in Arnprior or online at ovap.ca. Come and see us in store and we will help you find the right model for the paddling you love.
Shop Hurricane Kayaks at OVAP
