Glider 471 Kayak "On The Water" Review - Part 2.

This is an update on my original review whereby the glider's performance was based on two people paddling, my  original review can be found here

Well, I have finally had the opportunity to take my Glider kayak out solo for a five-mile paddle. 

With a headwind of seven mph and gusts of up to 20 mph and my 3.5” skeg fitted rather than the supplied 9” skeg, the kayak tracked straight and true and was relatively responsive when manoeuvring considering it is 471 cm (15.5 ft) in length. 



Sitting in the mid position, there is a lot of kayak in front of you, so with this kayak, it is a matter of anticipating the need to stop and the need to manoeuvre (yaw), but over the three hours of solo paddling, I was confidently in full control of the kayak.


Lifting and carrying the kayak on my own was slightly awkward, not because of the weight, but the length. I think that this could be elevated by fitting side carry handles.

Modifications that I feel may be necessary are as follows

• I will be fitting side handles.
• This kayak definitely needs keel guards fitted fore and aft if you intend on either beaching the kayak or launching/exiting from a slipway.

Review Part 1 may be viewed by clicking here

My preference when kayaking is flatwater rivers, canals, and lakes. I do not sea kayak, so I cannot comment on the kayak's stability or performance at sea.

Photos from my out of the box review