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  • Super User
Posted

I was looking for a boat that was self draining and a bit faster as i have a few lakes where a longer paddle is necessary.  I also want a raised seat position with a regular seat and not the captain's perch bleacher style seat as it doesn't offer the support i like and need given I have a bad back.

 

All that being said, it is an outstanding boat and if i didn't want the self draining feature i wouldn't have sold it.

Posted

where do you guys tie the bow and stern ropes to on the kayak? Been wanting to get on the high way and was wondering if the bungee cords were okay to use as tie points. Been doing that for a while now but I've only been going like 40 mph tops. I have a trident 13 if that helps

  • Super User
Posted

Bungee cords are not going to hold anything down in the case they are needed.  If you can, go through the handles.

Posted

I was looking for a boat that was self draining and a bit faster as i have a few lakes where a longer paddle is necessary.  I also want a raised seat position with a regular seat and not the captain's perch bleacher style seat as it doesn't offer the support i like and need given I have a bad back.

 

 

 

  How high are in in the Captains perch?  Is it anything like sitting in a canoe seat?  I have a Ride 115 but I'm also looking for a kayak that will let me sit a little higher and make it very easy to sit up and sit down.  I can't sit up and sit down easily in my Ride 115 with the basic low seat.  

 

 I have to say though - I keep looking at that Commander 120 and really like the look of it.  If I could get one in Dusk color at a decent price I would jump on it probably.  Plus I assume it's a good bit lighter than my Ride 115.  

Posted

Bungee cords are not going to hold anything down in the case they are needed. If you can, go through the handles.

there are no solid handle at the bow or stern lol
Posted

Look into hood loops, they attach to bolts under the hood.

  • Super User
Posted

Whet do I tie the bow and stern lines? I don't. When I used crossbars on my car, I just secured the boat upright directly to the bars.

  • Super User
Posted

  How high are in in the Captains perch?  Is it anything like sitting in a canoe seat?  I have a Ride 115 but I'm also looking for a kayak that will let me sit a little higher and make it very easy to sit up and sit down.  I can't sit up and sit down easily in my Ride 115 with the basic low seat.  

 

 I have to say though - I keep looking at that Commander 120 and really like the look of it.  If I could get one in Dusk color at a decent price I would jump on it probably.  Plus I assume it's a good bit lighter than my Ride 115.  

Yeah it is pretty high up, not as high as a canoe but way higher than a normal kayak seat.  If you have a Ride 115, why not just buy a high seat?  save you some cash

Posted

Look into hood loops, they attach to bolts under the hood.

Lol I have tie off points on my car. But not on my kayak
Posted

^ I've been driving my kayak for 5 years now on top of my Cherokee with no bow or stern lines. And my tarpon has solid handles. I just haven't felt the need for them. Even at 65mph. I do have Yakima crossbar though. .....so its pretty solid.

  • Super User
Posted

I don't use bow or stern liens either but the rack on my jeep also has three bars so really only about 2' on the front and back at the most are hanging off the bars.  My rule of thumb is if more than a third of the boat is hanging off either end then use the bow & stern tie downs.

 

On my old subaru i used them because i could feel the boat moving and i didn't really trust the factory rack system on there.

Posted

My ride 135 is almost as long as my crv, I use the bow and stern lines in addition to cam buckle straps for my own piece of mind.  I have a Honda CRV and the bar span is only 28 or 30 inches, I also use the Malone saddle up pro, so I know the kayak doesn't move laterally.

 

One of my worst fears is having the kayak fly off and injure someone else.  I do as many checks as I can, but sometimes we miss things early in the morning or after a long day of fishing.

  • Like 1
Posted

 If you have a Ride 115, why not just buy a high seat?  save you some cash

 

 

  I never thought of that option.  I will look into it.  Still, that Commander is one nice looking hybrid.  

Posted

I never thought of that option.  I will look into it.  Still, that Commander is one nice looking hybrid.

Yeah it is pretty high up, not as high as a canoe but way higher than a normal kayak seat.  If you have a Ride 115, why not just buy a high seat?  save you some cash

 

They have the "Max" seat now, that converts to low or high or reclines. It is supposed to fit all Ride yaks.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/15328/Wilderness-Systems-AirPro-Max-Seat.html

  • Super User
Posted

I am pretty sure they retrofit to all ride 115 models because the seat change was mid production run.  I also think they even had some sort of seat credit deal going for those who wanted the newer seat but it wasn't available right away.  I am sure it isn't cheap though lol

  • Super User
Posted

My one concern is having a 14" boat because I have only used 12' boats or smaller for the most part other than paddling my dads old tarpon 140 which was a rocket basically compared to what i was used to.

 

One more question on the ATAK if anyone knows, is that electronics pod open to the water below so you could use it for a side imaging setup if you wanted to?

It works with SI.

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted

I finally found some pictures that showed the electronics pod so i am psyched...I am gonna go check them out tomorrow morning hopefully and maybe even come home with one :)  

 

I also wonder how long it will be before someone comes up with an aftermarket cover for the plastic cover in the front to shave some weight when you aren't worried about taking water over the bow.

  • Super User
Posted

As luck would have it, they had the boat in stock in the color I wanted.......just got it home and have a soccer game to go to but after that I will put down the conseal floor pieces and the take it out and try it out.  You can see the electronics pod is open all the way through so that will make it super easy to install the transducer and battery all in one spot.  It is also easy to take in and out so that will be nice too.  Man, I am looking forward to taking it out this afternoon!!!  

 

It is kind of heavy to load and unload off the jeep but not too bad especially since i have only done it once so far.  I am sure as soon as I load it up a few more times i will find the sweet spot for carrying it and loading.  

 

First thing my wife said after she saw it was what's so different about this one than the last....of course I went with the safety route of it being self draining and having a better seat for my back :)

 

Can't wait to take it out this afternoon!!!

 

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  • Like 5
Posted

 Oh man, that thing looks nice.  That seat looks real nice too.  I'll be interested to know how you like standing up, standing, and sitting down in it.  

Posted

They have a stand assist strap to help but I took it off, one less thing to get tangled up in

I love the stand-up assist strap in my Frontier 12. One of these days you will appreciate the strap !!

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