Hurricane kayaks appreciated the efforts others had made in thermo-forming kayaks (which gives paddlers lighter and stiffer kayaks) but wondered if it could be taken to a higher level.

The answer was found in a small factory in North Carolina that had been quietly thermo-forming ultra high quality products for 20 years, and had earned the reputation for being cutting edge with new materials and equipment.

Now we could take our dreams and turn them into the kayaks that paddlers really wanted at a fraction of the price of composites. With a brand new company we have no rules in stone and can really tap in and listen to what you paddlers are really saying. And you are saying loud and clear that you want lighter, better handling kayaks that do not paddle like barges.

Santee 100

Santee 100 - Okay, so you're looking to get into recreational paddling. Or you're looking to add an entry-level boat to your fleet, so when you have visitors at the lake, they'll have something to play with. Think Santee 100. This boat is so light, you could do one-armed curls with it. You won't struggle on dry land with the Santee 100 and you won't struggle in the water, because thanks to the Swede-form design, this boat tracks and glides like a dream, especially for a 10-footer. The Santee 100 is 36.5 pounds of pure fun. (There's that word again.)

Santee 116

Santee 116 - We could take a few hours and explain the ins and outs of the Swede form design on our Santee 116. But here’s all you need to know about it: You will paddle like a wildly efficient madman. Or madwoman. You won’t spend time struggling in the water, tracking like a one-legged duck. No, you’ll spend time enjoying the way you cut a smooth trail across the surface. You want to explore rivers or lakes or coastal waterways? Done. You want some space to stow stuff for a serious day trip? Done again. Did we mention lightweight? Done a third time. If you’re looking for the best recreational boat on the water, rest your eyes. You found it.

Open Bay 120

Open Bay 120 - Sometimes you don’t want the kayak wrapping around you. Sometimes you want to be sittin’ on top of the world, so to speak. No worries. The Open Bay 120 totally breaks the mold for sit-on-top boats. You see, with 12 feet of length and a width of 28 inches, you’ve got mega-room on the deck for everything: snorkel gear, coolers, dry bag, kitchen sink… And at 40 pounds, you can paddle this baby all day, whether you’re exploring shoreline or riding waves. The comfortable seat on the Open Bay comes standard. So does the fun.

Expedition 128

Expedition 128 - So you like your small rec boat. You like the maneuverability. You like the stability. And you so love the light weight. But hey, maybe it’s time to move up. Evolve. Advance. No worries. The Expedition 128 will grant you an amazing gift: the stability, versatility and on-demand maneuverability of our rec kayaks, combined with the efficient glide of a longer touring kayak. In other words, now you can hit the water for long day trips and overnighters, because you have voluminous front/rear storage and serious deck rigging. And it’s still fun. And it’s still lightweight. Win, win.

Expedition 140 Sport

Expedition 140 Sport - Imagine that we ducked down in the Hurricane Laboratory, took an entry level kayak and a touring boat, did a little Dr. Frankenstein number and came up with this: The Expedition 140 sport. It’s a hybrid – a blend of a fun, easy-to-paddle rec boat and a sophisticated touring boat. In other words, now you can roam with your fun. The Expedition gives you serious storage and full deck rigging, so you can venture forth for dawn-to-dusk daytrips or overnight expeditions (hence, the clever name!)  This boat is 14 feet long and under 52 pounds. Do the math. That’s lightweight.

Santee 140 T

Santee 140t - Sometimes, you just can’t go solo. So you go tandem. But the way we see it, carrying a tandem to the water line shouldn’t be an Olympic weightlifting sport. So we designed the Santee 140T, weighing in at a lean and trim 60 pounds. Because it’s lightweight, the Santee 140T doesn’t slog through the water. It glides with a perfect blend of stability and performance. Plus, you can adjust the front seat for solo paddling. And there’s ample storage in the rear for your day tripping gear.

Santee 135

Santee 135 - Hey, blame the Tampico…because we evolved the Santee 135 from that popular model of ours. Why? Because we wanted to give you a lightweight, high performance recreational kayak with generous room in the cockpit and seat area. And we wanted it to be stylish and simple. Mission accomplished. The 135 tracks better than many kayaks that are two or three feet longer. The efficiency and stability are mind-blowing. At 41 lbs, no other kayak in its class handles and carries with such ease. The 135 features improved deck lines for style and stiffness, as well as a paddle holder and rear deck security bar to keep your kayak safe. Listen, if you’re looking for a recreational kayak that is lightweight, tracks incredibly well and is reasonably priced, stop your search. Now.

Tampico 140 S

Tampico 140S - You’ll ask yourself if you’re actually touching the water. Seriously, that’s how sweet the glide is on the 45-pound Tampico 140S. It’s big-time composite performance—at half the price. The subtle yet sheer line on this boat slices through everything in its path, including heavy chop. Translation? You stay dry and go fast. And with an integrated keel line, it tracks like it’s on rails. We’ve designed it with ample storage for wandering, so you can comfortably take the Tampico out for a couple of days. If you’re a small to medium-sized paddler and you want to get away, we’ve got your escape craft. (Need a rudder? We’ve got that option available.)

Tampico 140 L 

Tampico 140L - The Tampico 140L gives you the same out-of-this-world tracking and silky glide as the Tampico 140S. Only this model features a larger cockpit and expanded deck for medium-large paddlers. In other words, if you’re a big paddler, you don’t have to stuff yourself into a too-small boat. Bad experience. And we don’t believe in bad experiences on the water. This is one efficient kayak, so you’ll slice a path through the water whether you’re out for 3 hours or 3 days. (Rudder option’s available on this one too.)

Category 5

Category 5 - We know what we think about our Cat 5. But listen to what the folks at Outside Magazine said in their 2010 Summer Buyer’s Guide:

“Paddling to get a workout? This lightweight performance touring kayak absolutely flies when you put your head down and hammer. ‘It sprang from stop to go like a racehorse,’ reported one tester after zipping across Lake Champlain and back. The Cat 5's deck is arced high to accommodate bent knees and an aggressive body position, but, at 23 inches wide, it's stable enough for a beginner/intermediate paddler to grow into. Plus, with one rear hatch and deck bungees, there's just enough storage for an overnight.”

Frankly, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Tracer 165

Tracer 165 - Let’s say you want an agile, fast kayak. Let’s say you want a boat that turns like it’s on rails. Let’s say you want something that can transition between inland lakes and coastal waters with ease. You’re thinking to yourself, I gotta go with composite. And the next thing you do is take out a second mortgage, right? Wrong, because here’s what we say: Tracer 165. You don’t paddle this boat…you carve with it. It’s as light and stiff as composite boats costing $1500 more. With the British-inspired subtle rocker and moderate V hull, this kayak dances on the water. (Just ask all the instructors and guides across the country who have adopted the Tracer 165.) There’s plenty of storage and plenty of comfort in the cockpit. The Tracer even comes with a drop skeg for added handling. You want a gorgeous boat that looks and performs like composite? You got it. The only thing missing is the jaw-dropping price tag.

www.hurricaneaqausports.com