Kayak advice

[BayHunter66]

I am considering downsizing into a kayak. I’ll be renting a few this summer to get a feel for them. The two models that interest me the most are the Old Town Predator 14 and the Wilderness Systems’ Ride 135. My primary use would be back bay and duck hunting plus a little out front fishing. The two models appear to be very different in basic setup. The Ride 135 being `sit on top’ and the Predator 14 being `sit in’. Please let me know what if any experiences or opinions anyone may have on these two models, and any other advice. Thanks!

[Mark Horn]

Call Barrel in Brigantine to check out a Hobie cat with the Mirage Pedal drive system. Free up your hands. I think I even saw an accessory for mounting a gun in the Hobie parts catalogue.

[AJ168]

Go with a sit on top. I've fished out of both and definitley prefer the SOT. There's more room to store gear, it's easier to get in and out of, and you can sit sideways or even stand to fish from. I have the Mojo Angler and am pleased with it so far. Being that I got it in the middle of winter, I've only fished with it twice, but am pretty happy. It tracks and paddles nicely and if you stand in it it's comparable to the stability of a canoe.

[carnivore]

I like the "Sit in" Kayaks. I have fished many and found it the best for me. To each his own. I fish my yak 12 months out of the year. 2007 I fished over 150 days in my Wilderness System Pungo... Jersey, NC, Florida fresh and salt. I don't like a wet azz and I like being able to drag it around without pedals or rudder attached. I like to paddle long distances to the fish... my boat is fast and dry. Most on this board are "Sit on" users. You need to try both types and decide for yourself. Any questions about sitin's let me know.

[BayHunter66]

Thanks for the feed back folks!

carnivore – Do you feel any less, or more, confident in taking your `sit in’ out front?

[barrell]

Thanks for the feed back folks!

carnivore – Do you feel any less, or more, confident in taking your `sit in’ out front?

Do not take a sit in out in the surf. Sooner or later you will get trashed with disasterous effect. Most of my customers are from south jersey although I have sold yaks to guys from Maine to Florida. The south jersey guys are blessed with access or drop in points everywhere they look. They tend to prefer yaks 12 feet or under. Shorter kayaks are alot easier to transport and store. They are not as good if you plan on paddling over 10 miles while fishing but again we can ususaly launch within site of where we plan on fishing. Longer yaks are faster and tend to track better but cost more and are a bitch to carry back and forth to the water.
I do free demos so when your ready come by and we can test a few out.
I almost will bet, that after demoing dozens of yaks you will buy the Hobie revolution.

[AJ168]

The Pungo 120 is actually one of my sit in's. Nice paddling boat.
Having a SOT doesn't necessarily mean you get wet. I'm perfectly dry in mine.

[BayHunter66]

Thanks Barrell. I'll definately stop in when I'm ready.

[mayhem]

I have 2 sit in's. One is wide open and the other is a pungo 120. The pungo is a little tight trying to get gear in with me being 250lbs. I think it's a matter of preference but I would NOT take a sit in out front!! This is a killer skinny water fishin/duckin machine!!

fishin...
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/puddler.jpg
duckin...
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/yak_in_action.jpg

[sayn3ver]

I would suggest a 14fter or longer. just my opinion. My yak is 14ft and i wish i went longer for the speed. The closest body of water to my house is cooper river (yuck..haha) and to paddle from where i launch to the other end of the river is about 2500m (1.3ish miles) in one direction. I get there pretty quick but i would like the ability to go further and faster a lot of times. I am young though so you know how that is.:D

Although no personal experience yet (in the surf), a SOT makes sense if launching out front, you have the option of sitting with legs overboard or side saddle to fish and is self bailing and is easy to recover from a dump.

i also would advise if you have any kind of athletic-ness at all to go with a smaller beam as well. Maybe its me but the beam on my yak is 26" and again, i wish it was a few inches narrower to help me cover distance faster and easier(less wetted surface). I dunno how people enjoy paddling around a kayak that is 34"+ wide. It has to be no fun.

Initial stability is over-rated. Speed and seaworthiness over a kayak's "platform" ability is my preference. Just a thought.

[dak4n6]

Wow, never thought I would see this much representing from SIK folks - I thought I was the only one in S Jeresey. I have a Wilderness Tsunami 140 SIK. She's lean and fast, although in the world of touring yaks, she would be considered a clunker. Next to most SOTs though, she is a cigarette boat, and I can paddle her long and hard all day :eek: :D . The major downside to SIKs is not the amount of gear - I can use mine for a 4 day camping trip - but the accessability. Getting at my tackle box or my dry goods, cutting bait, unhooking big fish, getting a beer, are all a little cramped in my cockpit. Speaking of which, I just received my Scotty rod holder, which will free up some space. Also, as Barrell said, SIKs are not good for out front. I have been dumped by knee high breakers - getting hit by an eight footer would be no fun. I am thinking of getting a little 10 or 12 ft SOT just for taking out front.

Still, I'm a little envious when I fish with folks that have the mirage drive and see them sitting motionless against the current while I drift by, but then when it's time to go I leave them in the dust and get in a little extra fishing time on the way...

dak

[barrell]

Have you clocked your top speed with a gps. The reason I ask is most guys have the Hobie outback which is the best fishing yak they make. But speed demons can always go with the 16 foot adventure which using turbos flippers we have Gps'd at 9mph.

[sayn3ver]

dak is fast. trust me. haha

[carnivore]

I adverage 3 to 4mph all day in my 12' Pungo. I love to paddle, fish and explore long distances. Yes I'm in pretty good shape and I stay that way by paddling. I go through the chop and it rolls right over the bow of the yak without a drop in the boat. No I don't go through breakers or plan to. I just came back from Florida... I fished many days a couple of miles out in the Gulf of Mexico trolling for spanish and Kings. What a blast... I will only do this when the conditions are right.

[barrell]

Carnivore makes a good point. The ocean does go flat throught the year and then going in the surf is like being in the bay.

[mayhem]

ehou a hula!! it's not always about speed. I like it wider for the bigger cooler, the habachi, and the extra rods!! Nothin like fresh fish in the yak!!! I like to make a day of it!

[Ktrip]

I just got into the "yak" world last year. I am just about 6ft tall and 280lbs(on a good day). I primarily go in the back bays of Strathmere and Sea Isle but have not been out front yet. This is the year!!! Catching fish back in the skinny water creeks are a blast!!! I carry two rods, cooler, fish finder,extra clothes,tackle bag and a bait box with no problem in my Ride. I have yet to have an issue with being wet or stability problems. Like Barrel suggested, definately demo a couple, there are so many models to choose from you need to find one that you are confident and comfortable with, it will make you fish longer and happier. Just my two cents! See you on the water.