At 14 ½ feet in length, the Grand Slam Angler has the speed needed to make it out through the surf zone to reach offshore waters or zip across your local lake to those secret fishing spots that only a kayak angler can reach. Also, another feature of the Grand Slam Angler that I found especially appealing is that it can be outfitted with an optional rudder system so that you can concentrate on paddling on windy days while the rudder keeps you going straight.

Also, I found the molded seat and the Comfort Rest Seating System cushion and backrest to be both comfortable and supportive and the adjustable foot braces are nice because they accommodate paddlers with different inseam lengths as well as providing a positive grip. In addition, the deep foot wells are also very comfortable and work to relieve a lot of the pressure that you feel on the back of your heels when paddling most kayaks for extended periods of time.

Also, there is a day hatch positioned amidships in front of the seat which can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view. For instance, having dry storage space for small items that you use frequently such as digital camera is definitely a good thing but, the position of the hatch limits standing room to two, narrow, troughs on along each side of the hull. In addition, I found both the cup holder and the rod holder to be positioned too far forward to be of any real use and thus, I would like to see both features moved back closer to the seat. On the other hand, the bow hatch provides access to a large cargo hold and the tank well in the stern is well suited for carrying a small cooler or live bait well.

Last, as much as I like this kayak, overall, I felt that its weight was excessive at 72 pounds even though the extra weight does dampen the ride a bit in rough seas.

Considering that I have a distinct preference for long, slim, fast, kayaks and because I happen to like both the hull design and the cockpit design of this kayak, the answer to this question is “yes” I definitely would buy this kayak!

Not only is it relatively long and slim (which makes it reasonably fast for a sit-on-top kayak), the narrow beam makes it easier for an experienced paddler to control in rough seas.

Also, I happen to like the way that the cockpit is designed. But, if I were to purchase this kayak, then I would customize it by adding both a paddle clip and an anchor trolley.