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THE BOATS. Sell with confidence.

No — the kayak ships motor-ready, but the trolling motor itself is a separate purchase. Same for the battery, the transducer, and the fish finder. What's included is the mounting points, the battery compartment, the transducer pass-through, and the wiring channels. Vibe lets customers pick their own brands. Most aftermarket kayak motors that fit a transom or bow bracket will work.

The compartment is sized for a standard Group 24 / Group 27 12V battery — the same size most kayak anglers run with a 30–55 lb-thrust trolling motor. Lithium batteries (LiFePO4) of equivalent dimensions also fit, and weigh less. Retention straps are built in.

Yes — and it's one of the design priorities. The True W hull with two keels is what gives it the side-to-side stability for stand-up fishing. The 34" beam and 441-lb capacity reinforce this. Vibe describes the Sea Ghost 105 as one of the most stable kayaks they've ever produced.

93.7 lb (42.5 kg) — the hull weight. Heavier than the Shearwater 125 because of the reinforced transom, the molded battery compartment, and the wider beam. Solo-loadable for most adults with a roof rack roller; two-person lift recommended without one. Heavier than the customer might expect for a 10'6" kayak — flag this proactively.

Most full-size truck beds (Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra) are around 5.5–6.5 feet long. With the tailgate down, the 10'6" Sea Ghost 105 will hang out the back by roughly 4 feet — within legal limits in most provinces with a red flag on the back. Mid-size trucks (Tacoma, Ranger) similar story. This is the entire reason most customers pick the 105 over a 12-foot kayak.

No — the Shearwater 125 has a more efficient hull for paddling speed. The Sea Ghost 105 is the opposite philosophy: stability over speed. If a customer wants to paddle long distances, point them at the Shearwater. If they want to motor to the spot and fish, point them at the Sea Ghost.

No — paddle is sold separately. Same as nearly every other fishing kayak in the SAIL portfolio. Most Sea Ghost customers are also adding a motor and may use the paddle only for short distances and emergencies, so a basic-tier paddle is usually fine. Upsell opportunity: SAIL stocks a range of paddles compatible with this kayak.

Quieter than the customer expects. Trolling motors are inherently quiet — they're designed to not spook fish. The Sea Ghost 105's HDPE hull doesn't echo or amplify motor noise the way an aluminum boat would. Customers coming from a johnboat will find it noticeably stealthier.

The Mako 10.5 is smaller and lighter — 10'5" vs 12'6", 78 lb vs 92 lb (fully accessorized SW125). Both run the same Impulse Drive. The biggest functional differences: (1) the Mako uses hand-controlled steering, the SW125 uses foot-controlled. (2) Only the SW125 has the Versa Pod system — meaning it can switch between paddle-only, X-Drive (fin), and Impulse (prop) drives. The Mako is committed to the Impulse Drive. (3) Pricing — Mako is $1,929.99, SW125 is $1,899.99 with the paddle pod (drive sold separately).

At 7.2 lb (3.25 kg), yes — it's the lightest pedal-drive unit in the market. Hobie Mirage Drives run 9–14 lb depending on model; Native Slayer Propel runs around 22 lb. The weight matters for two reasons: (1) the customer can lift the drive in and out of the boat without help, and (2) a lighter drive doesn't add as much weight to the front-back balance of a compact 10'5" hull.

The Mako uses a hand-operated lever in the cockpit; the Shearwater 125 uses foot pedals. Foot steering frees the hands fully for casting and fighting fish — but means the legs are doing both pedaling and steering. Hand steering lets the legs focus only on propulsion, but requires one hand on the steering lever. Most customers who try both have a clear preference within 30 seconds. Let them sit in both kayaks if they're not sure.

Yes, with a caveat. The 34.5" beam is wide enough for stand-up casting in calm conditions, and the seat's high position makes the standing transition smoother. But the Mako is not a stand-up-stable platform like the Sea Ghost 105's W hull — its hull is designed to balance pedaling speed with stability, not to maximize standing security. If a customer's primary use case is stand-up fishing, point them at the Sea Ghost 105.

78 lb (35.4 kg) for the hull. Lightest of the three pedal kayaks in this lineup. Solo-loadable for most adults onto a roof rack, especially with a $40 rack roller. Two-person lift is easier but not required. The Impulse Drive removes (7.2 lb) so the customer can carry the hull and the drive separately if needed.

Yes. Crossmax HDPE handles salt with no degradation. The Impulse Drive is designed for both freshwater and saltwater use. Rinse the metal hardware (rudder cables, drive shaft, hatch hardware) with fresh water after each saltwater outing — same maintenance as any saltwater fishing kayak. The hull itself doesn't need anything more than a freshwater rinse.

No — paddle is sold separately. Same as nearly every other fishing kayak in the SAIL portfolio. Most Mako customers will use the paddle as a backup for shallows, weed beds, or emergencies, so a basic-tier 2-piece paddle is usually fine. The side-deck paddle holder accommodates standard 2-piece paddles. SAIL stocks compatible paddles.

Riot offers a limited 5-year warranty on the hull for the original owner against manufacturing defects, and a 1-year warranty on components (seat, rudder, hatches, Impulse Drive, etc.). Wear-and-tear items like the rudder cables and the drive's prop are user-serviceable, not warranty items. Full terms at riotkayaks.com. Note for SAIL associates: Riot and Cobra both run 5-year hull warranties; only Vibe carries a limited lifetime warranty. If a customer is comparing across brands, that's a real difference.

Almost certainly yes. The cockpit measures 39.8" × 20.5" (101 × 52 cm) — generous for a sit-inside kayak at this length. Fits a wide range of paddler sizes including taller and larger adults. Encourage the customer to sit in it on the floor of the store — that's the only real test. The seat slides and the backrest adjusts in four positions. Compatible with a Beluga 3XL spray skirt if the customer ever wants one.

Yes — and that's by design, not a limitation. The Glide 9.5 is built for first-timers and casual paddlers. Sit-inside design is more forgiving than a sit-on-top in cold water. The 28" beam and double-arch hull provide solid primary stability. The front flotation bag is a real safety net for a paddler who's still learning. If the customer plans to graduate to touring, distance paddling, serious fishing, or whitewater, this isn't the kayak — but it's a great one to start on.

Honest answer: a sit-inside kayak is harder to flip than a sit-on-top in calm water — the lower center of gravity helps. But if you do flip, getting back in is harder than a sit-on-top. The Glide has two safety features that help: the front flotation airbag keeps the boat floating high (so it doesn't fill completely with water), and the large open cockpit makes a wet exit straightforward. The technique is to lean forward, push the boat away with your hands, and roll out. For a customer paddling calm water close to shore — which is the entire intended use — this is rarely an issue.

Different kayaks for different customers. The Glide 9.5 is a basic recreational sit-inside — light (33 lb), simple, calm-water cruising, beginner-friendly, light fishing at most. The Mako 10.5 is a pedal-drive sit-on-top fishing kayak — much heavier (78 lb), pedal-drive (hands-free), serious angling features, and significantly more expensive ($1,929.99 vs. the Glide). If the customer is going to fish seriously, point them at the Mako. If they're learning to paddle or want a cottage cruiser, point them at the Glide. The price gap reflects the capability gap.

Casually, yes. There's one flush-mount rod holder behind the seat, and the stable hull lets you cast from a sitting position without tipping anxiety. But it's not a fishing kayak — there are no gear tracks, no transducer mount, no electronics platform, no second rod holder. If the customer fishes more than a few times a season, the Mako 10.5 or Sea Ghost 105 is the right kayak. Don't push the Glide as a fishing solution to a serious angler.

33 lb (15 kg). Lightest kayak in the SAIL store. Solo-loadable for virtually any adult — no roof rack roller required. Fits in most SUV cargo areas if you fold a seat down. Stores vertically against a garage wall using basic wall hooks. This is the kayak that actually gets used — when transport is easy, the kayak comes out of the shed.

Bigger and more featured across the board. (1) Cockpit: Bayside is 63" × 27", Glide is 39.8" × 20.5" — Bayside fits taller and larger paddlers. (2) Seat: Bayside has the Flex 4 with adjustable base, Glide has the Comfort Lite (back-only adjustment). (3) Capacity: 381 lb vs 300 lb. (4) Fishing: Bayside has 2 rod holders, front + rear accessory tracks, and a cockpit dashboard; Glide has 1 rod holder and no tracks. (5) Price: $699.99 vs $499.99 — $200 buys real upgrades, not marketing fluff.

Almost certainly yes. 63" × 27" is the largest cockpit in the SAIL rec lineup. Fits virtually any adult, including taller paddlers (6'+) and larger paddlers (250+ lb). The Flex 4 adjustable seat lets the paddler dial in thigh support and a clean fit under the cockpit lip. Have the customer sit in it on the floor of the store — the difference vs. a smaller-cockpit rec kayak is obvious in 30 seconds.

Casual to mid-duty fishing, yes. The two rod holders, accessory tracks (for fish finders), and 381 lb capacity make a real difference vs the Glide. For serious fishing — pedal-drive, multiple rods rigged at once, electronics, motor mounts, stand-up casting — point them at the Mako 10.5 (pedal/sit-on-top, $1,929) or Sea Ghost 105 (motor-ready/sit-on-top, $999). The Bayside is the rec kayak that fishes; not the fishing kayak that paddles.

Two adjustments instead of one. Flex 4 (Bayside 10, Bayside 12 LV, Edge series): the seat base moves up and down under the thigh for more or less thigh support and to fit perfectly under the cockpit lip, AND the backrest tilts through four positions. Comfort Lite (Glide 9.5): the backrest tilts, but the base is fixed in place. For the customer doing 30-minute paddles, Comfort Lite is fine. For the customer doing half-day or full-day paddles, the Flex 4's adjustable base is a meaningful comfort upgrade — especially for paddlers who want different thigh support throughout the day.

53 lb (24 kg). Solo-loadable for most adults onto a roof rack, especially with a $40 rack roller. 20 lb heavier than the Glide 9.5 — the difference is noticeable in the lift, less so on the rack. Most customers solo-load this without help; the customer who can't lift 50 lb solo should consider the Glide 9.5 instead. Two-person lift recommended without a roller.

Riot offers a limited 5-year warranty on the hull for the original owner against manufacturing defects, and a 1-year warranty on components (seat, rudder, hatches, etc.). Wear-and-tear items are user-serviceable, not warranty items. Note for SAIL associates: Riot and Cobra both run 5-year hull warranties; only Vibe carries a limited lifetime warranty. If a customer is comparing across brands, that's a real difference.

Different kayaks for different paddlers. (1) Length: 12'9" vs 10' — the 12 LV is built for longer outings. (2) Width: 29.5" vs 31" — 12 LV is narrower, faster, tracks better; Bayside 10 is wider, more primary-stable. (3) Skeg: 12 LV has a built-in deployable skeg; Bayside 10 doesn't. (4) Storage: 12 LV has a sealed bulkhead + dry hatch; Bayside 10 has open bungee storage. (5) Cockpit: similar size but 12 LV is shaped for paddling efficiency (LV = Low Volume); Bayside 10 is shaped for cockpit room and rod-fishing. (6) Price: $999.99 vs $699.99. Different boats. Different jobs.

Same category, real differences. Both are recreational-touring sit-insides around 12 feet, similar capacity, similar price tier. Where the Bayside 12 LV wins: (1) Built-in skeg — the Pungo doesn't ship with one; it's an aftermarket retrofit. (2) Crossmax HDPE construction with a 5-year hull warranty. Where the Pungo wins: (1) The Phase 3 AirPro seat has a long reputation. (2) Wider US dealer network. (3) Some paddlers prefer the Pungo's hull feel. Honest recommendation: Let the customer sit in both. The skeg is the biggest objective difference.

A skeg is a small fin under the stern that drops down to improve tracking. Why a kayak needs one: a long hull with the paddler sitting back in the cockpit will catch wind on the bow and turn into the wind ("weathercocking"). The skeg adds drag at the back, balancing the boat against the wind. Result: the kayak paddles in a straight line with less correction, especially on calm water with any breeze. Stowed up for shallow water, beach landings, and transport. Deploys with a simple lever from the cockpit.

Yes, almost certainly. LV stands for "Low Volume" — it's a hull design term about the deck profile being lower for paddling efficiency. It does not mean the cockpit is small. The Bayside 12 LV cockpit is 59.6" × 22.4" — generously sized, easy-entry, and compatible with a 6XL Beluga spray skirt (the largest size). Fits taller paddlers, larger paddlers, and the customer who hates feeling "trapped" in a kayak. Have the customer sit in it on the floor of the store — the in-store sit is the only real test.

Yes, within the 375 lb capacity. The oversized cockpit has room in front of the paddler's legs for a small to medium dog (under ~40 lb is comfortable; bigger dogs work but it's tight), a small child (under 6 is the common cutoff before they want their own kayak), or a cooler and gear. Easy entry means loading a passenger isn't a fight. Important safety note: a kid in the cockpit must wear a PFD — same rule as any kayak passenger. Dog should wear a flotation vest if they're not strong swimmers.

Riot offers a limited 5-year warranty on the hull for the original owner against manufacturing defects, and a 1-year warranty on components (seat, skeg, hatches, etc.). Wear-and-tear items are user-serviceable, not warranty items. Note for SAIL associates: Riot and Cobra both run 5-year hull warranties; only Vibe carries a limited lifetime warranty. If a customer is comparing across brands, that's a real difference.

Different kayaks for different customers. (1) Type: Trekker is sit-on-top; Glide is sit-inside. Sit-on-top is easier to climb back onto if you fall off; sit-inside is drier and more efficient to paddle. (2) Fishing: Trekker has flush + adjustable rod holders, accessory tracks, tackle box — real angler capability. Glide has one rod holder, no tracks — more limited. (3) Transport: Trekker has built-in wheels; Glide doesn't. (4) Weight: Glide is 33 lb vs Trekker at 47.4 — Glide is lighter. (5) Length: Glide is 9'7"; Trekker is 8'9" (Trekker is more compact). If they want to fish or transport solo, Trekker. If they want the lightest possible kayak for paddling-only, Glide.

Two wheels integrated into the stern of the kayak. The customer tilts the bow up and pulls the kayak behind them like a suitcase. Works on grass, pavement, sand, gravel — any surface a normal cart would handle. The benefit: no separate kayak cart purchase ($60–$120 saved), no assembly, no strap-on setup, no extra item to load in the car. The wheels are part of the boat. The trade-off: the wheels add a small amount of drag in the water (they're partially submerged when paddling) — most customers don't notice; serious paddlers covering distance might.

Casually, yes — and meaningfully more than the Glide 9.5. Trekker has two flush-mount rod holders + one adjustable rod holder, three accessory tracks for fish finder / electronics mounting, a dedicated tackle box compartment, and a dry hatch for phone and electronics. Not a Mako 10.5 or Sea Ghost 105 replacement for serious anglers — no pedal drive, no transducer pass-through, no motor mounts, smaller capacity (275 vs 470 lb) — but plenty of boat for the customer who fishes a few times a season on calm water.

47.4 lb (21.5 kg) — the lightest sit-on-top in the SAIL store. Solo-loadable for virtually any adult onto a roof rack, especially with a $40 rack roller. And for trips when a roof rack isn't required, the built-in wheels do the work — the customer can roll it from car to launch instead of carrying it. The combination of light weight + integrated wheels makes this the easiest kayak in the SAIL store to handle on land.

A different manufacturing process. Blowmolding (Cobra's process): heated plastic tube is inflated with air pressure inside a closed mold; the plastic expands to fill the mold and cools into a hollow finished hull. Rotomolding (Vibe, and similar to Riot's Crossmax): powdered plastic is melted and tumbled inside a rotating mold to coat the interior with a solid wall. Why it matters: blowmolded hulls are lighter for the same size (which is how the Trekker comes in at 47.4 lb) but typically have thinner walls — slightly less impact-resistant than rotomolded equivalents. For calm-water cottage and recreational use, the difference doesn't matter. For serious abuse — dragging across rocks, being slammed against docks — rotomolded is more forgiving.

Cobra offers a limited 5-year warranty on the hull for the original owner against manufacturing defects, and a 1-year warranty on components (seat, rod holders, hatches, wheels, etc.). Wear-and-tear items are user-serviceable, not warranty items. Note for SAIL associates: Cobra and Riot both run 5-year hull warranties; only Vibe carries a limited lifetime warranty. If a customer is comparing across brands, that's a real difference.