Eddyline Fathom

Size, Weight, Capacity

At 16.5’ (503 cm) long, the Fathom is instantly recognisable as a fast and efficient kayak. The width of only 22” (55.8 cm) might give the impression of limited fit, but the majority of the volume of this kayak is in the front deck, allowing space for long legs and big feet in a kayak which tracks extremely well.

This extra space shows in the capacity of the boat, which is a decent 340 lbs (154 kg). There is plenty of storage space in the boat to make use of this capacity.

Weighing just 50 lbs (22.5 kg), the Fathom is relatively light for a 16’ long kayak, easy enough to carry on your own until you fill up all that space with equipment.

Features

Fully fitted out as a sea kayak, the Fathom has three watertight hatches, separated by bulkheads, to balance out your gear and keep the boat trimmed perfectly on the water. Top deck bungees and deck lines give more space for those things you need to access on the water and don’t mind getting wet.

There is a small recess on the front deck for a compass to sit in.

Extremely comfortable seating and adjustable, padded back rest, thigh braces and hip pads give you full control over this kayak. As we mentioned previously, the front deck has extra volume to allow larger framed paddlers to sit comfortably, but the narrower profile and quality outfitting make this boat accessible for smaller paddlers too. The high volume doesn’t seem to affect the paddling position.

A fully adjustable skeg on the rear of the kayak means that you get even more control in rough conditions or when paddling a fully loaded boat.

Soft, retractable grab handles complete the features of this kayak, with bungees pulling them out of the way when they’re not in use.

Performance

The Eddyline Fathom is said to be fast and playful in all sorts of conditions and it certainly lives up to these claims. The long waterline allows it to accelerate and maintain speed very effectively, while a decent rocker profile and strong chines make it perfect for carving turns in surf or playing in rough conditions.

While the kayak is fitted with an adjustable skeg, most paddlers don’t feel the need to use it, even in wind or choppy waters. The long waterline and the hull shape lend themselves to a boat which maintains its course unless you decide otherwise. It is perhaps more useful when paddling the boat fully loaded.

The high volume bow seems to somehow negate the rocker profile when paddling into rough water. While this doesn’t affect performance, it means you paddle through, rather than over, a lot of waves, making the Fathom a wet ride.

The bottom line is that the Fathom is a playful, all round sea kayak which will help you develop your skills.