I purchased my 2nd kayak, a Current Designs Gulfstream, it's a beautiful boat, but it's kicking my butt big time. I spend more time upside down than I do rightside up. I've gotten to the point that I'm now terrified every second that I'm in it. My previous kayak was a very old Wilderness Sealutions and I never once dumped it. Starting to think I purchased the wrong kayak. Thoughts ???

Loose hips help to not sink ships .It sounds like maybe that's where your problem lies.Try to relax and let the boat move with the water as it comes.

I tried out a 2012 Eddyline Journey last night, well, guess what, I ended up in the drink! It has a very hard chine so I figured it would be very stable and the ratings said it would, I didn't feel it was any more stable than my Gulfstream..... I think I'm convinced where the problem is...ME. Time for some lessons !

Durangomania,
You haven't mentioned anything about your size, but it really doesn't matter, you'll do a lot of looking to find a boat that is a better all around boat than the Gulfstream. It sounds to me like you need a lot more time in the saddle.

The Gulfstream and it's poly sister (Sirocco) are magnificent boats that are capable of just about anything. The initial stability might feel a little shy at first, but no more so than most sea kayaks of its type. With more experience, you will begin to appreciate the way this boat deals with bumpy water. With a lot of experience, you will love the boat.

Try working on your bracing.There are quite a few vids at you tube and monkey see that cover that along with all the other basics.Work on things in a lake with little wind or wakes.Good luck!

Well, I have better news to report. After my test run and dumping the Eddyline Journey, I left realizing that the problem is definitely ME! The experience really made me realize how good my Gulfstream fits me and how comfortable it is. Before I purchased the Gulfstream I researched it to death, I was and still am convinced that it's the perfect kayak for me. Derek Hutchinson who designed it is nearly my exact size and build. So I thought, okay Ray, time to get your head around this. I've dumped, gotten back in & pumped out the boat so many times I'm not the least bit afraid of that anymore, so why am I so tense?


Lisa and I went out Sunday, after having the same issue in the Eddyline I had a different mentality, relax and go with the flow. I'm happy to report that we spent 3 hours circling the entire shoreline of the lake without even a hint of me dumping, in fact the boat actually felt solid! On one end we got the waves from the wind and they were no problem, in another location we got HUGE waves from a boat pulling a wake boarder, for those I got nose into them, relaxed and they were actually enjoyable. Lisa even said that she saw a big difference in me SITTING STILL with minimal upper body motion. It was a HUGE confidence builder for me which I definitely needed.

Good comments from all, thank you. I'm realizing that the key is to relax and like magooch said, lots more time in the saddle. I also plan to take some one-on-one lessons which I think will help.

Someday you will allow those waves to whack you on the beam and never give it a second thought. You will surf on waves that once would have been very daunting and you will exult at the way the Gulfstream gives you notice that you are about to take off.

Whatever you do, don't eschew the use of the skeg. It's there for a reason--use it.

Thanks for all of the encouragement guys, guess I'm a tad impatient. I want to jump in and PLAY and do all of that neat stuff, I'll just have to pay my dues and practice, practice, practice ! Sad that I'm finally getting the hang of it and the cold weather is just around the corner.