Bonafide SS127

Bonafide SS127 is a 383 cm sit-on-top fishing kayak from the Sit/Stand series. The idea is simple: the same kayak has to be comfortable for paddling several kilometres and for standing and casting by the shore. That is exactly why the SS127 remains one of the most popular Bonafide models among anglers who need one all-round kayak.

Key features

• HiRise seat on SeatRack track with two height positions and sliding along the kayak length
• Hybrid Cat hull with a wide stability base and a narrower waterline
• 383 x 81 cm dimensions shorter than 14 ft kayaks, so it is easier to load and turn
• 215 kg capacity at a kayak weight of 31 kg
• DryPod sealed compartment with a sensor outlet for electronics
• Front hatch with Doubleheader hinges opens from both sides
• YakAttack GearTrac tracks and the Boss Strap mounting system
• FlexWing footrests adjustable to your height
• Ready for a Power-Pole Micro anchor
• Made in the USA made of rotomoulded polyethylene

Seat and standing fishing

HiRise seat with two positions
The seat mounts on a SeatRack track, so you change not only the height but also the position along the kayak length. The high position is for casting and visibility in shallow water, the low position is for paddling into the wind and for stability in waves. It is adjusted by hand without tools, so you can change position right on the water.

Hybrid Cat hull and rudder
The hull shape combines two catamaran style surfaces with a centre line. In practice: when standing you feel a wide base of stability, and when paddling the kayak does not push water the way flat bottom designs do. The drop down rudder holds course in a crosswind and lifts in shallow water.

Front hatch and DryPod
The front hatch opens from both sides thanks to the Doubleheader hinges, so you can reach your gear both when seated and from the shore. Under it is the sealed DryPod compartment with an outlet for the fish finder transducer, so the cables run inside rather than across the deck.

Storage box under the seat
A pull out box under the seat holds small items you need within reach: lures, pliers, phone. It slides out without getting up from the seat, so you do not have to crawl forward or dig around under the hatch.

FlexWing footrests
The footrests adjust to your height and have a wider support surface than regular footrests. That matters when you stand up: your foot rests on a wide surface instead of a narrow edge.

What does the 215 kg capacity mean?

The 215 kg stated by the manufacturer includes the kayak itself, which weighs 31 kg. That leaves about 184 kg for the angler and gear. In practice an 85 kg angler with 30 kg of gear makes about 115 kg, roughly two thirds of the usable load. Bonafide does not publish an optimal range, so the only rule is the same as always: count everything together, not just your own weight.

Who is the Bonafide SS127 for?

• Anglers who fish standing for part of the time but do not want the weight of a 14 ft kayak
• Those who lift the kayak onto the car alone: 31 kg is about the limit you can still lift without help
• Lakes, rivers and sheltered bays, where manoeuvrability matters more than speed
• Those who want to mount a fish finder and accessories without drilling, through the GearTrac tracks

Video overview

The SS127 is a compromise in a good sense: stable enough to stand on, light enough to carry and short enough to manoeuvre in narrow waters.