Sit On Or Sit In

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Sold my sit in kayak a few weeks ago as it was older and I wanted something newer. In a few weeks I am getting a new one. How stable is a sit on top and what are the pros and cons of each? I mainly fish big ponds and some lakes. A river from time to time.

Joe

[Jim Mac]

For fishing, a SOT is the way to go. Generally, the stability increases the wider it is.

[Darren.]

Sold my sit in kayak a few weeks ago as it was older and I wanted something newer. In a few weeks I am getting a new one. How stable is a sit on top and what are the pros and cons of each? I mainly fish big ponds and some lakes. A river from time to time.

Joe

 

Sit ON is by far the better (IMO) platform to fish from. Boat is open for easy access to your gear. Scupper holes for drainage if you get waves or tip.

 

Stability if you buy a wider model.

 

I say all this, but I use a hybrid in the Native Ultimate 12, which is more like a kayak/canoe. But it is wide open, easy access to gear, incredibly stable to stand in, etc. Only drawback is no scupper holes. The SOT equivalent to my U12 is the Native Slayer, which is heavier, but just as stable, and drains!

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

In my previous yak, it was a sit in and very uncomfortable. I am open to try the sit on. I think it would be easier to tip over in a sit on top though???? Kinda like sitting on a surfboard??? What makes it more stable??

[Darren.]

In my previous yak, it was a sit in and very uncomfortable. I am open to try the sit on. I think it would be easier to tip over in a sit on top though???? Kinda like sitting on a surfboard??? What makes it more stable??

 

Depending on the model you are looking at, the wider the base, the more stable the yak. So as in my yak, I've got two convex pontoons molded into the form which provide tremendous stability. In the similar Wilderness Systems Commander, the pontoons are concave (come into the yak as opposed to mine which protrude into the water) and provide similar stability.

 

Yaks like the Slayer, the Bass Pro FS128T, the Moken Lure, others which have ability to raise seat positions do provide wide bases for stability. You simply have to get used to it and become familiar with the yaks secondary stability which kicks in after the initial lean.

 

I have my yak seat on top of the gunnels. I sit really high and have no stability issues. I stand and fish, sit and fish, no issues. I'm very comfortable with my yak, though. Someone else might feel tippy until they get used to it. 

 

As well, it is not like sitting on a surf board. You're thinking of paddle boards (or your description is like a paddle board).

 

My best advice is to get to a kayak store, talk with the folks there about what you want to do. Most fishing kayaks today are SOTs and they should have plenty for you to try out.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

That makes sense about the base too. I went to a local kayak dealer and they had very little knowledge on fishing yaks surprisingly. I went to BPS here in town and they have quite a selection. The SOT does seem to offer a fatter base and also stability now that I look at it that way.

[Felix77]

I researched this last winter and ended up investing in a SOT (Ride 115x).  Comfort has to do more with the seat than if it is SOT or otherwise.  FWIW - I can tell you that the SOT is extremely comfortable to fish from.  I love my yak!

[buzzed bait]

sit on top, hands down.  just sold my sit in last week after buying a slightly used wilderness ride 135.  i've taken it out 3 times so far and am thrilled with the change.  if you're serious about fishing, a sit on top is the only way to go IMO

[DogBone_384]

I got bitten by the kayak bug over the winter and ended up buying three (one for me, wife, daughter).  My favorite two are the Ascend 128T and FeelFree Lure 11.5.  The 128T is as stable as an aircraft carrier and its seat swivels 360 without any problems (I'm 6'1", 185 lbs.) and is also ALL DAY comfortable.  The 128T has its issues (read reviews on it) that are easily remedied, but its price and feature set make is worth the extra modding.

 

Our Lure is 85% as stable as the 128T, is lighter and easier to load on my ladder rack.  Its fit & finish is better than the 128T and its price reflects it.  Its seat is also all day comfortable, and the incorporated wheel makes short walks to the water with it very easy.

 

I've added fish finders and other accessories to both.  They've been great so far.

 

So to answer your question - SIT ON TOP kayaks are the way to go if you're spending most of your time fishing.

 

Best of luck with your purchase.

[hoosierbass07]

 Do you have an idea what sit on top you want?  Yes, sit on tops are fun and usually very stable. My Ride 115 is very solid on the water. They are very fun on the water and great to fish from.  The only problem is that sit on tops are usually heavier than sit in kayaks. My Ride 115 weighs 78 pounds and that is a heavy 78 pounds.   Right now sit on tops are the most popular and fueling the kayak fishing fad.  If you have a way to transport a sit on top then I would recommend that.  

[flyfisher]

the other big advantage of a SOT is they are self bailing.  I have owned SOT and hybrid kayaks and i am looking to get another SOT to increase my flexibility of water options.   Like has been said, seat comfort is very important and stability is as well unless you routinely paddle long distances at which point i would personally sacrifice stability for speed because you can't have both.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I am looking at some at BPS and Dicks. Access and Ascend. Weights between 58 and 75 pounds. I put my previous sit in snugly in the back if my SUV with one tie strap. Like a glove. The SOT will be the same. I pick one up September 12 when I get my work bonus. Will do the electronics again too. This time using down scan as well.

[DogBone_384]

In my previous yak, it was a sit in and very uncomfortable. I am open to try the sit on. I think it would be easier to tip over in a sit on top though???? Kinda like sitting on a surfboard??? What makes it more stable??

My daughter and I, together, couldn't tip over my Ascend 128T. When you're on the 128T it looks like an aircraft carrier.

I haven't tried it with our FeelFree Lure 11.5.

The SOTs we have are wide and the bottoms are scalloped, which I'd guess makes them stable.

[kikstand454]

SOT.

Not even a debate.

[odell015]

Hands-down sit on top. I recommend the feel free kayak company, the Moken 10.5 light my fishing platform. It weighs approximately 50 pounds with no gear, is extremely stable for a kayak that size, and the price is just right. I stand in this kayak no problem.

Go to a local kayak shop and try the seats of each kayak you're interested in. It can be a miserable time if you are in an uncomfortable seat. Feelfree company offers great customer service.

[kjfishman]

The wider the kayak the more stable but the wider kayaks are much slower and take more effort to paddle.  I thought about selling my Loon 138 sit in and getting a SOT but like the speed of the loon when having to cover any distance. Kayaks are cheap enough that owning a second kayak is an option. Told my wife I was going to trade her yak for a SOT but that didn't go over very well.

[Huntrava]

Sold my sit in kayak a few weeks ago as it was older and I wanted something newer. In a few weeks I am getting a new one. How stable is a sit on top and what are the pros and cons of each? I mainly fish big ponds and some lakes. A river from time to time.

Joe

 

Kayaks are something I have some professional experience with after spending a couple years working at a wilderness adventure shop...and testing the equipment.

 

The primary advantage of a sit-in kayak is that you'll be kept relatively dry and have a lower center of gravity.  You can turn harder, but I suppose it's also (slightly) easier to capsize.  Great for taking down a river, and I think the season is longer due to the dry-factor.  Fishing in my sit-in kayak is enjoyable, but sitting lower in the water does cause back discomfort after several hours.  

 

For fishing purposes, sit-on-top kayaks have virtually every advantage--more (flat) deck space, room to stretch your legs, easier getting in and out, etc etc.  They can also be very maneuverable if you engage the knee straps and know how to buck your hips when turning.  

 

You'll see both types can move quite quickly on the water, depending on the width and quality of the hull and keel.  That said, sit-on-tops tend to have wider hulls and paddle a bit slower.  

 

I'm making the move to a sit-on-top myself, but I'm keeping the touring kayak for treks.  

[hoosierbass07]

 I bought a Ride 115 over the winter and have been fishing from it since spring and summer.  Over Labor Day weekend I bought another kayak - a sit inside Vapor 10.  My Ride 115 is a little over eleven feet long.  The Vapor 10 is only ten feet long.  I do enjoy fishing from my Ride 115 but that thing is very heavy.  I wanted to get the sit-inside Vapor 10 because it only weighs 48 pounds and is a lot easier to throw in the back of the truck.  I've used my Vapor 10 the last three weekends and I've noticed a few things - I stay a lot drier in my Vapor 10 than my Ride 115.  Launching from the shore seems a lot easier in my Vapor 10 compared to my Ride 115.  When I'm paddling around a pond, I've noticed the Vapor 10 front will wobble left and right when I paddle.  My Ride 115 does not waddle left and right much.  But - Iv'e noticed it seems a lot easier to paddle my that Vapor 10 across a pond than my Ride 115.  It must be the shape of the Vapor 10, but that thing glides on the water very nicely.  I told my brother, once I can find some nice cushions or another seat for the Vapor 10, that Vapor 10 will be one awesome low cost fishing machine for small ponds.  

 

 So for me and my fishing I want and need two kayaks - my sit on top and my sit inside. Sit onto for very nice comfort and my sit inside when I want to stay very dry.  I will say though, I really enjoy how light my Vapor 10 is.  It's so much easier to deal with it might become my favorite but only if I can find a nice seat or some very nice cushions.  Sit on tops are ahead when it comes to sitting comfort.