kayak guidance
 

Ok ever since I started the kettle cove thread and a response was given to get myself a kayak...I did a little exploring around last weekend. It was so nice outside I just had to.

Anyway, since the start of that thread I have been looking at kayaks and the kayakfishingnewengland (or something like that) website and it got me REALLY REALLY wanting a kayak. However, thanks to my less impulsive buying half, I have negotiated to a kayak of lesser value than what I want :rtfm:

So I ask the experienced kayakers on the board, Do you know what I should look for? Places to get deals?? Etc etc...

We are talking around 500 bucks here... Is that realistic? (not including all the accessories)

Thanks for the info

Have you looked at kayakfishingstuff.com

Well if she gave you a budget of $500 then you can probably squeeze it to $600 without to much grief....now you have to ask yourself How much grief am I going to get for every $100 I go above that. Another $100 may mean your going to have to listen to her for a solid weekend. $250 above that usually means she'll drag her mother into the Grief session...so you will be getting it in Stereo for the same Weekend. But you are now up to $950 and a weekend of grief for a Summer of Cows and Fun.

Now to lessen the Blow, Valentines day is just 3 weeks away. If you can wow her on Valentines day then go out the Following Weekend and purchase the Kayak you could Eliminate the "Mom-in-Law" effect. The big Problem is that Valentines day is on a Tuesday so by the Weekend the "Honey your the Greatest" feeling may diminish, so I would suggest you go shopping for it on Thursday to take full advantage. She should still be feeling the effect of all the Ooh-ing and Ahh-ing from her Co-workers over what you got her. The longer you wait the Probability of you doing something to piss her off greatly increases.


Or you can suck it up buy one used on Craigslist or from the Want-ads.

DF, you sound like you speak from experience in these matters.:hihi: I like it:claps:

Talk to DonM at King Cove Outfitters about kayaks, one of S-B's sponsors.

For that kinda a dough, Id get a used 14' tinny. JMO..

Look around and see if you can find a used demo yak..don't get caught up buying one with all the rod holders and what not, do it yourself after and you can save some dough...


"Got Tow?"

Think used.

In addition to the kayak, you are going to need a paddle, PFD, suitable attire, paddle leash, new rods & reels, rod holders, tubes, a 6 month supply of worms. Then you'll want a fish finder, a GPS, lights, drift socks, anchors, a better seat, a kayak cart, load bars and J carriers.

After a month you'll want a second kayak for the GF (or one of those Endicott soccer players) so you'll likely repeat the whole cycle.

Ask me how I know. :rtfm:

If you purchase your yak in rhode island you do not pay tax on it, or so it it was when I bought mine. Seems that Quaker Lane would have some deals on yaks not damaged in the fire but I am not sure.
A Pfd and paddle are mandatory extras to tack onto yak price, but the rest can come with time.

DF,
I just cracked up and from your advise... I need to take some notes :)

I am thinking used might be the way to go....

What do you consider a "cant live without" feature to look for on any kayak?

:)

oh and i assume sit on top is what the kids are getting these days>?

I second King Cove, Really nice guys and I got great deals there on a demo and a used rental. Plus you can test it out right behind the store.

Hunters, If you really need to stick to that budget, Look for a leftover heritage fisherman. I don't work for heritage but I'm on the pro-staff. We were selling new leftover 2003 heritage fisherman 14' for $299 :) at the marlboro show. They are cheap because heritage has a whole new hull and seat material in the boat for 2006. This boat retails for $799. It's a pretty good boat - no tankwell but performs great and for that price you can't go wrong. Plus you'll already have rear rodholders. Look for other deals at the shows as well. The new 2006 redfish was $599 show special !! That's 250 less than retail. Look around for places with 2005 or older stock they are looking to get rid of.

Can someone give me the pros and cons of the sit on top vs the traditional kayak? I assume it is wetter, and appropriate clothing is different? I have never been in one but that's gonna change. Can I get duel outriggers to help keep me upright?:laughs:

heres a great article i just read NF

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/art...ak_Articles=51

Whens the next marlboro show? :)

dont buy one.... build one

i COULD...but then i wouldnt be catching many fish because it would probably sink :huh:

its easy if you get a kit. I built mine in 2 weeks. 3 hours here and 2 hours there every night.

heres the model i built.. Fast, stable, tracks nicely..

http://www.chesapeakelightcraft.com/...ca15bc31cc9ab/

SIT vs SOT
 

I used a sit in this summer and fall, borrowed from a friend. I did provide protection from the wind and water. The trade is that when you launch and a wave breaks over the front, unless you have a skirt to close the hull opening, the water ends up inside the yak and there it sits with you in it... A little bit isn't bad. A lot sucks.... I took several dumps landing in the surf. Landing is an art unto itself... Some guys with sit ins just bail out in waist deep water and walk the yak in.
I ended up not liking being closed in as I approached the beach. I want to be able to bail out if I need to, so I'm going to get a sit on top, probably a 14 footer. From talking to the guys that have them, some neoprene waders in the spring or conventional waders with good long johns help substantially. Summer it's shorts and sunscreen. All I can say is, Nightfighter, you will love it! Still working on good launch site in oyur neighborhood... Found a few last summer :-)

uh oh, MrHunters is getting another boat!!!! :)

At this rate you'll have ten before I have one :(

There is a place in Essex that always has a sale sign out front. We could go this weekend?

And I wonder if used from a tour service might be possible?? there is one in rockport and essex i believe

i have a wilderness pungo120 sit inside, handles the surf very well is easy to paddle is rigged with 3 pole holders and a fish finder...best move i made for exploring those hard to reach spots...

The best advice is to test before you buy. I was all set to get a Pungo until I test paddled the Necky Santa Cruz. She's fast and handles the rough conditions very well. It's a SINK.
The advantage of a SOT is that it's easier to get into and out of but some of them are quite slow. When things are rough I'm glad that I'm in my SINK. As to surf landings , they take a lot of practice in a SINK. So get two yaks a SINK and a SOT. :hihi:
FishHawk

just gotta think small taJon..... Also not having to plan a wedding helps too ;)

I am following this thread with interest since I have been mulling getting one for a couple of years. I think the SOT would better suit me and there is one I found on the web that looks interesting but I never see it discussed here. Maybe because it is a west coast company? The Kiwi Angler.

The pontoons tell me it is stable. Have seen guys standing and casting from them. The fishing package includes transom reinforcement for mounting a trolling motor. From those of you who yak, what are the limitations of this design? My only guess as to your replys would be that it wouldn't be appropriate for the surf, but if you have a quieter place to launch... OOPS link didn't work. copy, paste this www.kiwikayak.com/angler.htm

MrHunter check your PM's

I have a SOT. Easy to get on/off, water drains out of holes in the foot wells, easy to accessorize (rod holder, gps, ff), allows you to sit side saddle and fish, well(s) allow you to store stuff with easy access. Yes, you do get wet but stocking waders (with the belt) and a dry top and you can fish whenever, and where ever. They are typically very difficult to tip unless you are riding surf. You can even tell your wife/gf that you are going to work out and not really be lying.:btu:

REI has a decent selection and during their annual sale everything is 10-20% off. You can also talk with some of the places that rent them as they tend to have a big sell off of them, but it is usually at the end of the season.

YEAH BABY!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1236856.shtml



watch the video :humpty:

Okay, so who wants to chase small bft with a yak? Some sleigh ride that would be!!!!

Ohhhh, that sounds so much like a thread from our old friend, I believe his name was Patrick????? GBFT from shore, remember that one!:jump: :rotfl: Who can find that thread so others can share in that fun. (Not busting on ya Steelhead, but you'll understand when you read it)

Here it is;http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...hp/t-1148.html

Yeah Eben, that was a good video. (Making note to self, no inflatable SOTs)

Nightfighter, I loved reading that thread! What a hoot! There was a certain element of tongue in cheek to my post. But in the other hand.... At times, aren't we all just a little bit crazy?

I do. Not really that crazy John. They were close enough in RI this year. I went out in hopes of getting into them a few times last year, but without success. Without the ability to zip quickly from one place to the next you just have to be in the right place at the right time. It is definatley do-able. People catch alot bigger than sbft out of yaks. If they come in as close this year as last, you will have to come down and give it a try.

Getting back in a SOT check it out.
 

http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee/forums...4/m/1461091551 Check out this link shows you how to get back in a
SOT . FishHawk

Just like a canoe! Nice!
That's the other reason I'll be getting a SOT.
If I do roll "out there", you don't end up with a tub full of water.

FishHawk. Any links to proper landing techniques in the surf?
I remember one showing a backpaddle technique as the waves broke by you as opposed to surfing in.

typically...
 

the smaller blue fin tuna are caught while out trolling.... is my understanding.... so to catch one in a "kayak" wouldn't you need either a self propelled (via foot power) or a battery/ trolling motor setup
to cover enough water to accomplish this? or are you simply chasing around schools that are blitzing and then casting into them?

:hihi:

And if you were not that into chasing them around. If you stayed in the same place long enough with your motor off, they would pop up within casting distance....

:kewl:

What are considered the top 5 fishing kayaks? (excluding cost)

good question sandman
 

i have been researching this long before i shell out cash looking for new features and stability in kayaks specifically designed for saltwater fishing... and the hobie cats have my attention because of the mirage system( foot pedaling) but i also want a trolling motor battery set up too and of course a paddle. Malibu kayaks have some great features too. I also look at the total weight capacity and want it up to 450 pounds minimum as a battery trolling motor setup is good for
what 100 pounds maybe alone. you start filling coolers with beverages ....frozen bait...plugs - water ,survival gear.... and whamo
your over the limit in capacity real quick.

Here's one or two links with good info on technique for getting back on a SOT and launching/landing.

http://kayak4fish.com/press/SurfSkills.shtml
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?108
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?98
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?146

My technique is - plan on dumping but try not to

- make sure your gear is stowed and rods are leashed.
- time the sets for a lull
- follow a wave and paddle like hell
- if a wave catches you, try not to bury the bow and try to remain at a 45 degree angle by using your paddle on the beach side of the boat
- if you get tossed, keep the kayak between you and the shore and not the waves.

Raven, most kayaks that can support a motor are going to paddle like a bathtub. The Cobra Fish'n Dive is the one I've seen rigged up that way on the West Coast sites. It's got a 600# capacity.