Went to a kayak demo day today and got to paddle a Liquid Logic Coupe, the sit-on-top version of the Remix.

This is a very cool boat. I know that hardcore whitewater kayakers won't look at a sit-on-top, but my wife wants one -- she doesn't like sit-insides but she wants to be able to go down Class II rivers. She doesn't want to learn how to roll a boat, but she wants something that is not a total pig on flat water. We also like the idea of having a boat for friends who are not kayakers -- something that anyone can use without freaking out about being inside a boat that could go upside down.

There were 70+ plus boats at the demo day today, and a lot of sit-on-tops for people who are casual kayakers or first-time buyers.

The Coupe is lightweight -- big plus for my wife -- but pretty fast on the water: the drop-skeg makes flat water tracking easy, but if you raise the skeg it turns on a dime.

I'm 6'2" and I was concerned about being able to fit in the boat, but it was comfortable for me with my feet extended to the furthest position. The deluxe seating for the LL SOT made it something I could imagine sitting in for hours at a time. My wife is 5'4", so it was perfect for her. She loved it, and especially compared with a WS Tarpon 100 or an OK Venus 11.

Woody and his crew did a great job on the first LL SOT, I'd recommend it. We plan on getting one as soon as they come out in November.

BTW, I have no connection to LL or to Native Watercraft or any other kayak manufacturer. This is totally based on one experience today with this boat. . . .

Personally, I believe sit on tops are the boats that will encourage more people to kayak.

To keep people in the sport you need to first allow them to love what they are doing, build confidence and then perhaps they want more and will switch to a sit inside.

The LL coupe is a step in the right direction.