Let's talk kayak hulls

[J Francho]

Here's the hull on a Hobie Compass.  You can see that there was some thoughtful design put in here.  The stern recess is low profile, but protects the rudder when stowed.  That little black piece is a replaceable, sacrificial strip, so you don't wear a hole in the hull loading and unloading.  Also note the Lowrance Ready transducer pod.  The dual sponson design aids tracking, but also provides a ton stability for stand up fishing.

 

Let's see some of your hulls, and talk about what amkes it "good" for you.

 

 

[Smalls]

3 Waters/FeelFree’s cathedral hull. Kind of a crappy picture. 

 

Literally designed for one purpose and one purpose only- stability. I’m usually the slowest boat out on the water. But I don’t even consider sitting when boats come off plane by me and I get their wake. This is my first kayak, and I was standing and fishing within the first hour of its maiden voyage. 

 

Also the sonar pod, and where it goes in the boat give my transducer more than enough protection. 

[J Francho]

FeelFree has always had stability in mind.  I like fishing out of a Moken 12.

[Smalls]

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

FeelFree has always had stability in mind.  I like fishing out of a Moken 12.

A guy who fishes our tournaments has a Dorado. He and I were fishing near each other, and he decided to blast off to another spot. It’s obviously a hell of a lot faster than paddling, but even with pedals, he didn’t seem like he was going very fast. 

 

But he could probably do gymnastics on his yak

[J Francho]

6 minutes ago, Smalls said:

It’s obviously a hell of a lot faster than paddling, but even with pedals, he didn’t seem like he was going very fast.

That's what I like about the Hobie Compass Mirage Drive, It's only 75 lbs. and is very quick.  I've gotten over 6 mph, but that was with a TON of effort.  Usual speed is 4 mph.

[Smalls]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That's what I like about the Hobie Compass Mirage Drive, It's only 75 lbs. and is very quick.  I've gotten over 6 mph, but that was with a TON of effort.  Usual speed is 4 mph.

Idk if I can even paddle mine fast enough for sidescan to work ?. 

 

My arms, however, have not been this ripped since college. 

[NYWayfarer]

The hull on my Pelican is like construction paper.

 

The only good thing about it is it weighs so little (38 lbs.) I can pick it up and carry it anywhere. It never has to touch the ground.

[Harold Scoggins]

I'd have to unload the Big Game 2 for a pic, so I took these off YT.

[Harold Scoggins]

Funny you brought up kayak hulls today. I was googling my head off last night trying to find information on hull design. I've been looking really hard at the Bonafide SS127 thinking I might pick one up. I got to try one out couple weeks back and it is a really stable yak. I guess some owners were complaining about it being hard to turn, so Luther Cifers had "flex wings" designed for it and I guess it helps, but I don't understand how. Other than that it has good speed for a paddle yak and tracks great  without a rudder. I'm not too crazy about the "flex wings" though, as I often position myself in the middle of the slop during the summer and I can see a bunch of cabbage getting hung up on those wings. I think I might wait on this yak because if I know Luther, he'll redesign the stern on future models.

[IgotWood]

1 hour ago, Harold Scoggins said:

Funny you brought up kayak hulls today. I was googling my head off last night trying to find information on hull design. I've been looking really hard at the Bonafide SS127 thinking I might pick one up. I got to try one out couple weeks back and it is a really stable yak. I guess some owners were complaining about it being hard to turn, so Luther Cifers had "flex wings" designed for it and I guess it helps, but I don't understand how. Other than that it has good speed for a paddle yak and tracks great  without a rudder. I'm not too crazy about the "flex wings" though, as I often position myself in the middle of the slop during the summer and I can see a bunch of cabbage getting hung up on those wings. I think I might wait on this yak because if I know Luther, he'll redesign the stern on future models.

I've been looking at the SS127 too. I've held off because of the rumors of it spinning and tracking poorly. I was lucky to paddle one with, and without the wings at a demo a couple weeks ago. I couldn't believe it, but it was night and day!

 

Without the wings, it banked starboard immediately when I stopped paddling. And at a standstill, it quickly spun 180 degrees before I dipped the paddle to stop it. When I got in the one with the wings, I could not believe how much different it handled. It tracked straight as an arrow. When I was sitting still, it help its position perfectly. This was in a 15mph wind. The boat definitely caught the wind and moved, but it didn't spin at all!

 

The wings are such a simple design, but they really do work. I can't explain how, you just have to see. They are a soft plastic, almost rubbery material. I too am concerned with salad getting caught on them, but they move quite a bit, and I think that they will quickly shake off any debris that might catch on them. I am going to buy one this year. probably in the winter. Supposedly the wings will be available very soon.

 

 

[IgotWood]

I was really attracted to the NuCanoe designs with those wide open, flat decks. I bought a Flint last year. I am happy with it. It performs great. It paddles super fast, tracks perfectly straight, and turns very well. At a standstill, one half-hearted paddle stroke will turn the boat 90 degrees, which is helpful for all the  close quarters fishing I do a lot. Also, the scuppers drain the deck very well too, which is important to me.  

 

One thing I dislike...Stability. Most of the reviews had this boat as super stable. People were standing and walking all over it without tipping. I can stand on it ok. It won't tip, but it is quite wobbly! The boat lists to a certain point right before the gunnels go under water, and the boat stops listing any further. But at that point you are no longer able to balance and you're gonna either take a swim or hopefully fall back into the seat. I wish this boat were as stable as the hype built it to be. I want to replace this boat with a Bonafide 127.

 

I tested a Frontier a couple weeks ago. Man that thing is like standing on a bass boat!!! By far the most comfortable kayak I've stood on. Far more stable than a Bonafide. But you might as well forget about trying to paddle it, and just fork out the money for a motor. I really wanted to like it, but it just won't work for me.

 

 

 

 

[Harold Scoggins]

2 hours ago, IgotWood said:

The wings are such a simple design, but they really do work. I can't explain how, you just have to see. They are a soft plastic, almost rubbery material. I too am concerned with salad getting caught on them, but they move quite a bit, and I think that they will quickly shake off any debris that might catch on them. I am going to buy one this year. probably in the winter. Supposedly the wings will be available very soon.

 

 

I'm going to wait and see where they end up with the wings. Luther was live streaming yesterday and he showed wings made of a stiffer material that they are testing.

[wasabi_VA]

Here is the hull on my 10' Pelican Catch 100. I can't decide if it paddles like a brick or if it does Ok because it's the only kayak I use. I previously had a Wilderness Ride 135 which was of course larger and more stable but I don't recall the paddle effort enough to compare. I'm curious what you think of this hull design.

 

 

[Allen Der]

On 5/23/2019 at 7:01 AM, wasabi_VA said:

Here is the hull on my 10' Pelican Catch 100. I can't decide if it paddles like a brick or if it does Ok because it's the only kayak I use. I previously had a Wilderness Ride 135 which was of course larger and more stable but I don't recall the paddle effort enough to compare. I'm curious what you think of this hull design.

 

 

looks like a plastic jon boat at first.  I've never seen a kayak with one row of scuppers

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@wasabi_VA:  I also have a Catch 100. After getting caught in a “scattered shower” last Sunday I can attest to the fact that the single row of scuppers works just fine.  My brother-in-law could barely drag his canoe out of the lake because of the rain water he collected.  I had no problem at all.  As for handling; well, it’s a 10-foot kayak with a 34-inch beam so, nope - it’s not the greatest-handling buggy on the lake.  But for me, the adjustable-height lounge chair seat, the stability, the light weight, and the low price make it ideal for me. Oh, and the 10-foot length is mandatory unless I want to buy a house with a larger garage for winter stowage of the yak. As far as I’m concerned, if you are satisfied with it, then no one else’s opinion really matters anyway.

[BoatSquirrel]

On 5/22/2019 at 3:24 PM, J Francho said:

FeelFree has always had stability in mind.  I like fishing out of a Moken 12.

This was a vey educational post.  Rather than tag my question onto this thread I started another and would appreciate your feedback.  Standup vs stream kayak.  Thanks man.

[James Janousek]

On 5/22/2019 at 6:08 PM, IgotWood said:

I tested a Frontier a couple weeks ago. Man that thing is like standing on a bass boat!!! By far the most comfortable kayak I've stood on. Far more stable than a Bonafide. But you might as well forget about trying to paddle it, and just fork out the money for a motor. I really wanted to like it, but it just won't work for me.

I have a NuCanoe Frontier 12 with a trolling motor on the back.  It's super stable for sure, but a pain to load and unload from the bed of a pickup, really needs to be on a trailer.  Also, controlling the boat with just a rear trolling motor is not super easy, having it up front would make a big difference.

 

I was thinking about getting a Bonafide as well for floating rivers and small ponds but keeping the NuCanoe for lakes.  I've been looking at the Old Towne Topwater PDL as well.  The other option is getting a 2019 Hobie Pro Angler.  The Lowrance ready retractable transducer pod is ingenious.  Hobie seems to be one of the leaders in innovation when it comes to kayaks.  The only downside is the price, but like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

[Hook2Jaw]

I like my big PA14 hull.  It's long, stable, and fast.  I've gotten the thing to a tad over 7 and I've also seen the new Hobie Outback reach that speed.  I can dance on it, pedal with my shins standing, and jack a fish jaw all up off it.

 

I'll probably be going with a Nucanoe Flint or a Native Slayer for my next boat, though.

[michaelb]

This my new fishing kayak, a Kaku Kayak Wahoo 12.5. I have 5 others +2 canoes +3 paddle boards. I picked this one for its aggressive hull shape. I wanted something I could stand and fish off, but that was also fun to paddle and could handle strong winds and heavy waves in open water. I just got it and we have been flooded and cold and rainy, so I haven't paddled it that much, but it is definitely quicker than my other big boat, so it doesn't paddle like a barge, while still being stable enough to stand. Standing will take more practice though. I also like the open uncluttered deck.

[Bluebasser86]

I've got the Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler II. It tracks very well and isn't too bad to paddle once you get it moving, but stability is not great for such a big boat imo. It's fine if you're sitting, but standing and fishing isn't an option and I feel I have above average balance. I was pretty disappointed with that after I bought it but considering what I paid for it I can't be too upset. Still, I'm on the constant lookout for a good deal on a stable kayak that I can stand and fish from. 

[Harold Scoggins]

On 6/2/2019 at 9:47 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I'm on the constant lookout for a good deal on a stable kayak that I can stand and fish from. 

I love my BG2. The only complaint I have is with the center console, it just takes up to much room. As far as the stability goes, it might seem wobbly when you stand, but it takes a good lean before it turtles. I've fished this yak since 2015 and I'm ready to try something different. Unless Ocean makes some major upgrades, I'll probably cross over to a different brand. (Been a loyal OK user since 2009) I've been looking real hard at the ATAK 140 and Bonafide SS127.

[J Francho]

My OG PBG was like a floating dock. Sounds more like a confidence thing, or just do a test turtle in shallow water?

[Bluebasser86]

That rod pod really is terrible. It kills so much room. I use it to store some tackle, but then it's so far down that it's difficult to reach from the seat, at least for someone with zero flexibility like myself it is. 

On 6/3/2019 at 12:37 PM, J Francho said:

My OG PBG was like a floating dock. Sounds more like a confidence thing, or just do a test turtle in shallow water?

IDK, when I flipped mine, it went over with surprising ease.  I was seated in the high position and didn't even lean far past center. I didn't have a lot of gear with me, just a few things while I was trout fishing early in the season. Water was in the high 40's, 1/10 would not do it again. 

[Allen Der]

old town is the same company as OK.  OT is geared more towards bass fishing now, OK as their name implies for saltwater and great lakes.  most arent standing in big water and need the rod pod for surf launches

[HoosierFisher]

Don't have a picture, but I've got an Old Town Topwater 106 on order. It has their Double U Hull design. It has a 440lb weight capacity. Seems like a nice combination of stability and size. It's 73 lbs. So it shouldn't be too unmanageable. I considered the RS 117 but the closest dealer is around two hours away. I also read about the tracking issues with Bonafide. A local shop is an Old Town dealer. Made my decision easier not having to drive a few hours to a dealer or deal with shipping issues.