Sot Or Solo Canoe?

[CayMar]

Which do you guys would think would better suit a paddling beginner? I have my eye on the Field and Stream Eagle Talon and the Guide 119. I like them both and they both fit well into my budget I'm just not sure which one would suit me better. The canoe seems safe and more spacious, but I think the kayak would be more exciting and comes ready to fish (rod holders already in place) Its hard to judge from the outside looking in. I plan to get some sitting time in on both before the final decision, but I was hoping some of you experienced paddlers could kick some advice my way. Thanks in advance.

[Goose52]

This question has come up a few times lately; check out these threads - about 65 posts between the two threads:

 

Need Help Deciding On Canoe or Kayak

 

Kayak or Canoe??

 

 

Here's what I posted on those earlier threads:

Really, only you can answer that question. Some types of small watercraft (canoes, kayaks, bass raiders, float tubes, pontoons, inflatables, etc.) are perfect for some people. No one type of small watercraft is perfect for all people. In selecting whether you want to get a canoe or a kayak, you need to make a list of your needs, and then determine which craft is the better fit for you. Some of the factors to consider:

• Stabililty and standing capability (moving around, landing fish, another person or kids or dogs in the boat, standing to fish, etc.)
• Cargo/gear storage (how much stuff do you want to take)
• Inboard storage & handling (canoe) versus handling things in your lap or over the water (yak)
• Seating position (usually, but not always more upright seating in a canoe vs. legs-out in yak - have back problems?)
• Vessel weight (how much can you lift/transport)
• Transportability - to the water and possible portaging (do you have a truck, trailer, going to car-top, need to portage, etc.)
• Storage at home - how much room do you have to store how much boat? Inside garage, on driveway, storage shed, outside on the lawn, etc.
• Ease of paddling
• Will you want the capability to motor it?
• Manueverability
• Type of water (lakes, streams, white water, etc.)
• Number of people in the craft
• Stay mostly dry or don't mind getting a bit wet
• Length of voyage (couple hours or a couple days)
• Etc.

Once you answer those questions based on your own capabilities and needs, you'll come closer to chosing either a canoe, a yak, or a hybrid. All are great watercraft in their own ways, you just have to find the best fit for YOU.

I faced the same decision as you are tying to make now but I was open to all types of small watercraft from float tubes up to bass boats. The best solution for ME, was a heavily accessorized canoe. I only fish my local, small (1.5 to 201 acres), no-wake lakes. Some of these lakes don't have boat ramps. I needed something car-topable without a special rack, modular, very light weight, with as much capability as possible. I wanted stability so I could stand and fish all day, lots of inboard storage, motorized, and little to no maintenance. I didn't want to have to buy a truck or other tow vehicle, I didn't want to consume a garage bay or driveway space with a boat and trailer, didn't want high expense and high maintenance, and didn't want to use gasoline power. Taking everything into account, I ended up with a canoe, trolling motor, and outriggers for stability.

[Darren.]

Which do you guys would think would better suit a paddling beginner? I have my eye on the Field and Stream Eagle Talon and the Guide 119. I like them both and they both fit well into my budget I'm just not sure which one would suit me better. The canoe seems safe and more spacious, but I think the kayak would be more exciting and comes ready to fish (rod holders already in place) Its hard to judge from the outside looking in. I plan to get some sitting time in on both before the final decision, but I was hoping some of you experienced paddlers could kick some advice my way. Thanks in advance.

Good that you plan to get some sit-in time with both.

And Goose has plenty of good stuff to say on the matter, too.

Personally, I spent $350 on a sit-on-top kayak as a beginner. I was already experienced at canoeing, but wanted to swap over to kayaking.

After a year, I realized what I wanted. I missed certain aspects of my canoe, but still wanted the kayaking difference. So I settled on a hybrid. It is like a canoe, but sits low to the water like a kayak. It has the storage of a small canoe, but the maneuverability of a kayak.

For me it was (and is) the best of both worlds.

Mine is a Native Ultimate 12 from Native Watercraft. The other big name in hybrids is the Wilderness Systems Commander. You can find the, for under a grand on the web. Both are excellent options, I just liked the Ultimate better.

[Felix77]

My choice was easy.  Canoe is spacious and holds a chubby dude like me comfortably.  :-)

[Darren.]

Let me add that I also had pontoons for my canoe and first yak so I could stand and fish. So that was another thing I had to have--ability to stand.

The Ultimate and Commander allow you to stand without stabilizers. Their stability is amazing.

[Jig Meister]

If standing is a concern, most SOT kayaks are more stable then a caone these days when looking at them un-modified. 

 

I would go with whatever feels best, fits your budget.

 

I personally love my kayak, standing isnt an issue, and I find that I dont need to stand all that often anyway. fishing seated is something that will take a bit to get used to, but it happens

[Jig Meister]

oh yeah and when you are looking at spending money, take whatever the boat costs and add 500 dollars, for paddle, PDF, stickers, extras you will want/need (fish finder, rigging etc) 

 

 

500 could be conservative, and it can EASILY become 1000

[J Francho]

You can have both in one boat: http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/angling/angling_kayaks/Commander_angler/commander_140_angler

[Christian M]

I chose the Scanoe over a kayak. It takes up to a 5hp motor, is indestructible, and holds up to 780lbs. Is really fun on camping trips, small lakes and back bays or lakes w/no ramp, but I also have a boat for bigger water. It really comes down to personal preference.

[Hanover_Yakker]

I won't repeat the tips offered by others on kayak choice, so I'll give a different take on the decision.

 

For me, you have to consider a number of variables, but the deciding factor for me was cost outlay.  If you opt for any vessel that requires any power solution other than your physical actions (ie: paddling or pedaling), then you need to take into consideration the costs necessary to register your vessel, the cost of a trailer, personal property taxes each year, gas costs, specific vehicle mods like a towing package and tow bar, any mods you want to do, etc.  Then you have to account for ongoing costs - annual taxes, gas costs, winterizing, maintenance, etc.  Finally, you are relegated to the available boat ramps.  Not necessary when you opt for a kayak, float tube, or canoe.  All you need is a shoreline or path to the water.

 

When I added all that money up, I found it easier just to buy a SOT kayak.  My first was a Wilderness Systems Ride 135, but I also paddled an Ocean Kayak Trident 13, Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 and 140, Native Watercraft Manta Ray 12, and a host of others.  I ended up moving to a Hobie Revolution 13 and as of yesterday a Hobie Pro Angler 14.  The initial cost outlay on a kayak is actually a one-time cost compared to a powered vessel.  They are also easier to transport, as many can be transported without a special rack.  Lastly, you get some exercise and you can fish in areas that the larger boats are unable to get to.

 

Good luck in your decision.

[Gavin]

Depends on what you want to do. Lake fishing or salt water....I'd go with the SOT...River Fishing..You can go with either, but I prefer a solo canoe on the river...Does anything a kayak can do, weighs less, holds more stuff. Stability is not a big issue for me, and I dont need to stand. Had an OT Pack/Guide 119 as my first solo many years ago. Its a fairly decent boat, but the bigger solo's paddle a heck of alot better. I would not want a solo canoe under 14' long. Good luck.

[CayMar]

I bought the perception sport caster 12.5. I like it so I pulled the trigger. What do you guys think of it? I haven't tried it out yet, but I'm going to try to get on the water tomorrow. Since I've never kayaked before I'm going to take it to a pond . I haven't decided if I'm going to bring my fishing gear with me or not yet. I may just take the kayak, paddle, and pfd. I want to be comfortable on it before I load all my gear onto it. Thanks for all of the input guys. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

[CayMar]

My new ride.

[alexstep88]

Looks great. My dad has the pescador 12, and it is great. This looks similar. If you took it out, how did you like it?

[Hanover_Yakker]

For the kayak newbie, the Perception line of kayaks (and West Marine Pompano series) are the old pre-2008 Tarpon molds.  It is an older but proven design.  The most common upgrade I recommend to anyone with these molds is a new seat.  You can find several options on the web and online auction sites.  I had a "knockoff" I purchased for my old Wildy Ride 135 that I sold to a new Perception Pescador owner.  It was the same as a GTS Expedition seat (retail of $175-225 depending upon which version you got) that I paid only $80 for online.