It’s all about the hull.

When choosing
a kayak, that’s the
most important
aspect to consider,
the folks at Slo-Mo Kayaks say.

The Omni, the kayak
that Slo-Mo makes,
is meant to be an
“all-around” vessel that’s stable yet maneuverable and also roomy,
fast and dry.

It’s an all-around kayak because it’s handy for fishing, touring, bird watching, photography, exercise and other uses, the company says.

The stability partly comes from the hard chine--or a bottom with angles and little rounding--flat bottom and center keel. Like in all kayaks, a person sits on the bottom or close to the bottom, lower in the water than in a canoe. The lower center of gravity aids stability.

The kayak’s keel helps tracking and also provides lateral resistance when a big one is hooked and runs abeam.

But the keel is only partial,
less than a third of the length
of the kayak. That helps maneuverability, like in tight places such as a brush tunnel
on a creek.

A 12-foot 10-inch length allows room for gear yet is short enough to maneuver in tight areas. A 32-inch beam is wide enough for room and stability but narrow enough for speed.

The sharp angle of the bow and stern also offer speed and the ability to cut through chop and swells.

A flared hull helps make the vessel exceptionally dry, in addition to aiding stability, the company says.

The Slo-Mo Omni Kayak is made of fiberglass and weighs 42 pounds. Meant for one person, the vessel has a recommended capacity of 600 pounds.

A double-bladed kayak paddle is recommended for maneuverability, and a two-piece paddle can be used with one blade like in a canoe in tight areas.

Accessories available include sponsons that are easily attached and removed. Although standing up in a small boat should be done with caution, anglers can want better visibility by standing. Sponsons help keep the kayak from capsizing when standing but hug the hull to fit in tight spaces, unlike outriggers that extend far from a vessel.

Other accessories include a stabilizer bar to lean on when standing, different types of seats, a casting platform, hatches, cleats, an anchor system and more.

Electric motors are also available that can used on the kayak.

The kayaks and accessories are sold directly by the company

For more information,
or to purchase the
Omni, visit the
Slo-Mo Kayaks web site.