I don't know how anyone could say this boat is tippy, if you need something less tippy than an Exhilarator, try a raft. A group of three friends got together and bought an Exhilarator each. We vary in size and weight from tall and heavy to medium and light. None of us has ever tipped one, even in choppy water and swells.
I've owned the Exhilarator for a year now. It's fine for calmer water and rolling swells. Its a good boat for beginners, stable and maneuverable. The flat wide hull that gives it its stability does have the downside that choppy water throws it about a bit. The only other con is that the cockpit level is a bit high out of the water making solo re-entry a little difficult, that said it is achievable with practice.
Overall, this boat is fine for messing around in surf, fishing and casual touring
Pros--Fun & fast. Easy to paddle & leaves others behind. Use it in bay w/medium swell. Had it for 5 yrs. good boat, have enjoyed it!
Cons--Can be tippy until you get used to it & gain experience. Am 5'9 180 lbs. very stable for me, could be an issue for someone over 200 lbs. takes some water in the cleats. Have to empty it thru drain plug every other outing. Hatch frozen shut--forget using it.
Disclaimer: I come from a Dagger Magellan and an Aquanaut, two fairly skinny boats. That being said, I couldn't ever call the Exhilarator "tippy". I'm confident that I will be able to stand up and dive from it on flat water. In 3-4 foot waves on Lake Michigan (with the high-back seat) I was looking for the TV remote, because it felt like I was in a Lazy Boy.
This boat is fast, stable, and an absolute blast in the waves. I believe that I could pack for a week-long trip AND take the dog along in this boat. Accelerates fast enough to catch most waves and surfs like a dream. It sounds counter-intuitive, but this boat seems faster and seems to track better than my 16+ foot sea kayak. Super light and an easy solo carry.
Bottom line- this boat has re-ignited my passion for the sport.
Pros: Lightweight, therefore easy to lug around and car-top. Tracks straight, yet maneuvers easily enough, very stable (I'm 5'7" and about 175). I can't explain why, but I'm pretty sure it moves faster than a Scrambler or my Tarpon 100, and the glide is surprisingly good. Dry ride compared to some other SOTs I've tried. Conveniently placed hatch, plenty of storage for my purposes. Surfs small following waves nicely. I've been hit broadside by boat wakes - no problem. I like Emotion's colors, too. Bright, vivid, easily visible. Mine is the tangerine.
Cons: Pronounced hull slap when heading into waves, even small ones. However, on flat water or in waves coming from other directions, the hull slap is minimal to nonexistent. Also, there's a well-placed hatch right between your legs for easy access, but there's no inner liner or anything to keep your items from ending up too far fore or aft of the cockpit for you to reach. I may add a liner of my own, which shouldn't be hard to do.
Overall, a fun little "throw it on top of the car and go" type SOT, good for lakes or slow rivers.