Sea Kayaker Magazine, December 1996: Three anonymous paddlers (initialed comments) give our GoldenEye Standard and extremely positive review:

The GoldenEye has good stability. "In terms of paddling 'feel,' one of the most comfortable boats I have ever paddled...I felt secure in it immediately" (VS). Of the secondary stability, TB wrote, "the stability holds fairly far out, as you can lean the boat over quite a ways and it will still right itself."....

"The boat is quick and responsive. It accelerated and held speed with little effort" (DA). When unloaded, the GoldenEye gave all of our reviewers a sense of easy, effortless paddling, perhaps because of its light weight. "The day of my test I paddled over ten miles and I felt like I had hardly done any work" (VS).

"The boat doesn't throw a lot of spray. It rides high out of the water and [has a] drier-than-usual deck" (DA)....

"The boat held a variety of courses in the wind with little effort. I noticed no excessive weathercocking. In the wind conditions I encountered it just went where I pointed it" (DA)....

"The roomy cockpit, light weight, and the fairly strong stability would be appealing to most novice paddlers, and the low price might also make it a good choice for a second boat for folks who want to increase the size of their fleet so they can bring friends" (TB). "This is a fine cruising, fishing, and general use boat for a larger and intermediate level paddler. Its comfort and sea handling characteristics are excellent. It is light, simple and does everything well." (DA) "It is so light, so comfortable and handles just beautifully" (VS).--GoldenEye by Pygmy Sea Kayaks (Kit), Sea Kayaker, Winter 1996 issue.

The GoldenEye is an excellent choice, for a number of reasons. She's FAST, due to her light weight, and low wetted surface. Her Multi-chine construction produces a rounded bottom, enabling the GoldenEye to slice through the water--quietly, quickly. With a 24" beam, she exhibits good stability. There's plenty of room inside for a couple weeks of camping gear. She's still only 38 lbs., so day trips are easy. Even short folks like me (5'1") can lift and cartop her, unaided, and set off on a day of solo adventure. Although the GoldenEye's 15'8" overall length is somewhat shorter than some touring kayaks, she has a longer waterline length, tracks more strongly, and has a higher hull speed than many 17' and 18' kayaks. For example, her plum stern and steep bow give her a 10" longer waterline than a 17' Necky Tesla!