Today we are going to present our Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss review to you to show you why the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is easily one of the best beginner kayaks on the market.
More...
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is a sit-on-top kayak meaning you sit on it rather than inside of it as you would a traditional kayak.
Even more so than all of the other kayaks in the Sun Dolphin lineup, the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is great for beginners, as it is incredibly easy to control, paddle with, and learn how to control in general.
The most difficult thing when looking for a beginner kayak is not only finding one that is easy to learn with, but also one that you or your loved ones are able to grow with.
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss has tons of quality characteristics and is packed with some awesome features that put it high in the ranks of beginner kayaks out on the market. Stick around to find out just how well this thing can perform.
The Bali 10 ss Review
Specifications
Pro's
Con's
Features and Benefits
Build
The hull design that is the main component of the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is what makes it such a stable and reliable kayak. Like the other Sun Dolphin models, the shell is made with a high-density polyethylene that is reinforced with a Fortiflex material. This Fortiflex material is unique to Sun Dolphin and helps to strengthen the hull further and protect from harsh elements like salt water and debris. Not only is it physically tough, it is also UV-resistant, a characteristic that makes it the ultimate craft for long trips on sunny days or outside storage in places where shade is not available. The Fortiflex also adds flexibility to the stable hull so that it is easier to maneuver and track over different bodies of water. We love the primary color types that the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss offers, such as orange, pink, and green. At only 40lbs, throwing this kayak on the car or carrying down to your launch spot will be a piece of cake.
Comfort
The sit-on-top design makes exiting and entering much easier than a sit-in kayak and gets rid of the slight claustrophobic feeling that sit-in kayaks produce. The thigh pads that Sun Dolphin added are easily one of the most unique features in terms of comfort. Though the bottom of the seat is not padded, the back comes with an adjustable pad that gives you a bit of lumbar support. It is made of a cool, neoprene-like pad that dries quickly and can easily be adjusted with side straps to support people of all shapes and sizes. The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss also comes with adjustable foot braces to help aid people of different heights. All of these features work together to provide comfort during long days out on the lake or river.
Storage
Having ample storage on a kayak can really make or break a trip and the process of purchasing and storing supplies is decided upon by the storage available. Not only will you want to bring along a bag with clothes, a jacket, a snorkel, and whatever else, but you’ll also probably want to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, your phone, your keys, your wallet, some food, and anything else to make your time on the water a bit more fun and safe. The great thing about the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is that it DOES provide enough storage to accommodate all of these things. Though small, there is a dry storage compartment onboard which is perfect for valuables such as your phone and wallet. On the back of the kayak is what they call a ‘Portable Accessory Carrier’ that is great for carrying supplies that you don’t necessarily need quick or easy access to.
There is also tons of onboard shock rigging in case you want to rig some quick-access accessories to the top such as fishing poles or fins. The only limit that you really have to worry about is the weight limit, as you should always weigh your gear with your weight in mind to make sure you are not putting too much aboard your kayak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to haul the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss by myself?
Out of all of the Sun Dolphin kayaks that are out there, the Bali 10 ss is definitely on the lowest end of the spectrum in terms of weight. At only 10’ and 44lbs, it is pretty easy to toss over your shoulder and carry down to the water when you are alone. The fact that it is so light compared to other kayaks is the fact that it is not heavily rigged and it is made with Sun Dolphin’s unique polyethylene. The fact that it is so lightweight might make it difficult to find optimal stability at first, though you’ll eventually get the hang of it. Though it is not very heavy, some people still drag it along the sand to get it down to the water’s edge. We would warn against doing this, as the high-density polyethylene is very prone to getting scratched and damaged.
If I am taller than 6’ will I be comfortable in this kayak?
One of the coolest things about the Bali 10 ss is that it comes with adjustable foot braces. These can easily be modified to fit your height. That being said, adjusting it to accommodate anyone above 6’ might be a little extreme. If you are into the Sun Dolphin brand and above 6’, we would highly recommend purchasing one of their 12’ models instead.
There are some other larger models that may be a bit more accommodating on our FinBin Best Kayaks guide too!
Is the Sun Dolphin 10 ss easy to learn how to paddle with?
Absolutely! Because the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is so incredibly lightweight, it is much easier to maneuver and get up to speed when compared to other heavier kayaks. To put it very simply, there aren’t any characteristics about the kayak that cater it to paddlers who are more advanced. It is very easy to paddle, even when the wind picks up a little more than usual. You may find that the most difficult thing to do is track the kayak when it gets windy, as the Bali 10 ss is so light and can be maneuvered in the wind.
What are some good Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss accessories or mods?
Even though the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is ready to put in the water directly after purchase, adding on some accessories or modifications can not only help your kayak to perform better, but can also make your time on the water a bit more enjoyable. One of the first things we would highly recommend purchasing are a few scupper plugs so that you can plug up the holes the drain water out of the bottom of the kayak, as they also let quite a bit of water inside. We would also highly recommend getting an anchor trolley to secure to the side of your kayak. Not only can it help to keep you in one place while you’re fishing, but it can also help to keep you anchored if the waves get to strong for you to handle. Lastly, we would highly recommend getting a seat pad to put on the bottom. You can easily fashion these out of a waterproof material that is padded such as neoprene. With any accessories or mods, be very careful, as they can void the warranty on the kayak.
Can you go fishing with the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss?
While it is very much possible to take the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss out for some good fishing, it is not the best kayak if that is your main purpose for purchasing it. We would highly recommend looking for a kayak that has rod holders built in to the hull or other accessories such as fish finder ports that truly make a kayak specific to fishing.
What kinds of water is the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss made for?
The Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss excels in calmer waters such as lakes or slow moving rivers. We would not recommend taking this out in the open ocean that is choppy, as it is not stable enough. You should also never take this kayak out in whitewater, as it is not nearly strong enough to hold up. However, because the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is short and lightweight, it is perfect for taking out in tighter quarters, or out to spots where the launch isn’t as ideal.
Final Thoughts – SHOULD YOU BUY?
If you are a beginner who is looking to enter into the world of kayaking, the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss is an excellent choice. It’s plenty stable enough and easy to paddle, two things that are very important when looking for a beginner kayak.
It is also very inexpensive which is great for people who don’t want to make a major commitment to kayaking. That being said, we would not recommend the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss for hardcore fishers or expert kayakers. It is a down home recreational yak at heart that is well worth every cent
Sun Dolphin Bali 10 ss
-
Price - 10/1010/10
-
Performance - 9/109/10
-
Balence - 8.5/108.5/10
-
Durability - 10/1010/10
