bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 So after recently purchasing a kayak for the lady i have decided i want to upgrade mine. I am debating on what i want, my two strongest options as of now are the WS ride 135 or 115, or the WS commander 120 or 140. i am 6'2" and about 225 pounds, i would love to be able to stand with ease if possible to flip and pitch and sight fish. Also any advice on length, shorter vs longer? i fish mostly flat water, small lakes and bigger reservoirs. I am not opposed to looking at any other suggestions anyone might have, i would like to keep the price under 1100 (although i wish i could afford a pro angler lol). thanks in advance! Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 Both are standable, so decide whether you want a hybrid with no scuppers (Commander), or one with (Ride). Longer tends to be better for paddling longer distances. Personally, I like 12' for portability, but that's me. If you can get a chance to sit in each of them at the store, do so. Valuable. Moreso, if they have a demo day where you can paddle them on the water, even better. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 FWIW, I fish similar waters to what you describe, and I use a Native Ultimate 12 - hybrid w/o scuppers. Never a problem. It is a competitor to the Commander. Both fine boats. If you want to add to your search, look at the Ultimate and it's sibling, the Slayer. Darn fine yaks. 1 Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 Thanks for the advice, i have never had a problem with my current SOT yaks and i have never had a need for the scuppers, the areas i fish are always pretty calm with no chop. One question for you, is getting in and out of the hybrids harder than a SOT? i currently can get in from the bank without wading out, is that possible with the Commander or Ultimate? Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 Thanks for the advice, i have never had a problem with my current SOT yaks and i have never had a need for the scuppers, the areas i fish are always pretty calm with no chop. One question for you, is getting in and out of the hybrids harder than a SOT? i currently can get in from the bank without wading out, is that possible with the Commander or Ultimate? 1) no, getting in and out is not harder. In fact, I sit on my gunnels - raised my seat in the Native. The Commander has the perch. Both solutions make it easier to get into a standing position, and in/out of the boat. 2) I also can get in my Ultimate from the bank w/o wading out. So yes. Hybrids are a combo of kayak/canoe, so pretty much can do everything but drain... Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 1) no, getting in and out is not harder. In fact, I sit on my gunnels - raised my seat in the Native. The Commander has the perch. Both solutions make it easier to get into a standing position, and in/out of the boat. 2) I also can get in my Ultimate from the bank w/o wading out. So yes. Hybrids are a combo of kayak/canoe, so pretty much can do everything but drain... Thanks for the info, i'm really leaning towards a hybrid now. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 Thanks for the info, i'm really leaning towards a hybrid now. You bet. I'm sure other kayakers will chime in and give you more to chew on than what I've said. Quote
jsc4324 Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 also check out Nucanoe. In your price range. I have one and love it. Can stand easy and super stable. Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 also check out Nucanoe. In your price range. I have one and love it. Can stand easy and super stable. I have considered one, my only problem is no one around here carries them. I would really love to check one out, i like the 360 seat. Quote
basshead1 Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I have been hearing good things about the Old Town Predator. 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 To me on flat water nothing beats the hybrid boats unless you need the scuppers or want pedal drives. They are much easier to stand in than a standard SOT due to the raised seat positions and that your feet are actually below the waterline and not bobbing on top. You can also brace your legs against the gunnels and be rock solid. I have no issues fly casting in my commander and have never felt unstable. 2 Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 To me on flat water nothing beats the hybrid boats unless you need the scuppers or want pedal drives. They are much easier to stand in than a standard SOT due to the raised seat positions and that your feet are actually below the waterline and not bobbing on top. You can also brace your legs against the gunnels and be rock solid. I have no issues fly casting in my commander and have never felt unstable. Good to hear that, i do not need the scuppers and while i would love to have a pedal drive i just can't bring myself to shell out the cash right now ( Next step after this though, and when bills get settled down i will have one ). the raised seating is also the main reason i'm leaning towards a hybrid, plus i already have 2 SOTs. Thanks for the info. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 Now i will say that the native has the commander beat hands down in seat comfort. the captain's perch on the commander is like sitting on a bleacher, no back support and hard as a rock but it work because you can stand up a lot. I have a bad back and am sore at the end of the day. The native, with the seat riser is a great seat and while not quite as high as the captain's perch it is close enough. I was all in for an ultimate but i had a deal that was to good to be true when i got my commander. Quote
MikeinFresno Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 Predator is one to look at too. Also isn't Jackson kayaks out your way? Quote
tntitans21399 Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I like the Ascend for fishing but that don't have a lot room for camping trips. You should try and find a place close to you that has a bunch of models and try them out. I mean sit it them to see how you feel and all the modifications and that will give you a good idea. Quote
Hanover_Yakker Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 Good options so far, you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them. Keep some other ones in mind that have recently gained some interest.... FeelFree Lure 11.5 Old Town Predator and Predator MX Jackson Cuda 12 I'm a Hobie staffer myself, so I appreciate your desire for a Pro Angler, but I also recognize the monetary outlay required and can empathize with your approach. I did the same at first, but ultimately I finally stopped jumping from hull to hull and made the jump. I started off in a Ride 135, loved it until I c=got caught over four miles from shore in a strong opposing current and sustained winds exceeding 20 knots. I have paddled a variety of hulls, including: Tarpon 100, 120 and 140, Commander 120, Ocean Kayak Trident 13, Jackson Coosa, Native Manta Ray 12, Native Ultimate, etc etc..... I even tried other Hobie hulls, including the Outback, Revolution 13 and a Pro Angler 12. In the end, I just sold a lot of extraneous gear I never used (most still new in the package) and sold both my Tarpon 100 and Revolution 13 and purchased a Pro Angler 14. If you can swing it and you can handle the weight factor in both loading and unloading, then you should consider it. in the end, the key is to try as many different hulls as possible before you make your decision. Quote
camovan Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I love my Ultimate 14.5 I bought the tandem but use it as a solo with the seat in the back position and have room for 7'6" rods laying in front of me rather than standing up. The raised seat is an easy mod and makes standing very easy. I actually have stabilizers on mine, not that it wasn't standable to start with but I prefer a little insurance. I also filled the front 1/3 of the yak with floatation foam and put a modified bassyak system on it. While the Pro Angler is nice it just wouldn't work for what I wanted, which is rod storage in front of me similar to fishing rhinos canoe setup, I absolutely hate rods poking up and snagging everything. So with mods, it is more like a hybrid that is unsinkable like a SOT without the scuppers and a low center of gravity, best of everything.... Quote
Jay Ell Gee Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I also have a Native Ultimate 14.5 and absolutely adore it. It is, in my opinion, an excellent flat water boat. I use mine is (slow flowing) river float trips, lakes, as well as inshore marsh. Excellent kayaks, especially with their weight ratings vs the overall weight of the kayak itself! Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 Thanks for all the suggestions guys, i have not made up my mind yet so all of this helps, i'm hoping to head to Hook1 this weekend to check a few out. Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 Good options so far, you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them. Keep some other ones in mind that have recently gained some interest.... FeelFree Lure 11.5 Old Town Predator and Predator MX Jackson Cuda 12 I'm a Hobie staffer myself, so I appreciate your desire for a Pro Angler, but I also recognize the monetary outlay required and can empathize with your approach. I did the same at first, but ultimately I finally stopped jumping from hull to hull and made the jump. I started off in a Ride 135, loved it until I c=got caught over four miles from shore in a strong opposing current and sustained winds exceeding 20 knots. I have paddled a variety of hulls, including: Tarpon 100, 120 and 140, Commander 120, Ocean Kayak Trident 13, Jackson Coosa, Native Manta Ray 12, Native Ultimate, etc etc..... I even tried other Hobie hulls, including the Outback, Revolution 13 and a Pro Angler 12. In the end, I just sold a lot of extraneous gear I never used (most still new in the package) and sold both my Tarpon 100 and Revolution 13 and purchased a Pro Angler 14. If you can swing it and you can handle the weight factor in both loading and unloading, then you should consider it. in the end, the key is to try as many different hulls as possible before you make your decision. thanks for the reply, I am in the process of selling some tools and other things i don't use or need. depending on what i can sell i may be able to pull something off, with the amount i have spent on my last two kayaks and a rod or 2 i probally could have already bought a PA. lol. Quote
c.rushing2010 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Another vote for the ultimate (hybrid) here. I bought my 14.5 on craigslist for $600 and it is my favorite of my yak collection for fishing calm, flat water. I can stand up and fish with ease (6' 1", 200lbs) and it feels like I'm standing up from a chair at the dinner table. Paddles just as easily as my trident, but it is a much more comfortable bass fishing platform. I also have a jackson coosa that I like a lot for bass fishing, but it doesn't paddle as well as my ultimate. Never had a problem with water getting into the ultimate for flat water purposes. Quote
faygo1979 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Where are you looking to paddle at? I have a few sot kayaks and have looked at the hybrids. the only thing you need to remember is you can get swamped in a hybrid. I keep looking at one my self just for something different. But i would not use it on places not close to shore that you can drag it to if you need to. I just picked up a Predator 13 that is great as a big mans kayaks. fast and stable. But man it is heavy, Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted March 4, 2014 Super User Posted March 4, 2014 I just did a little writeup on my 115x purchase and why I bought it ... if it will help you it's here. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/131930-bit-the-bullet-on-a-new-ride/ I just can't wait to run around the lake in it. If spring does not come soon I am going to run that thing in the ice. LOL Quote
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