Looking for a fishing kayak

[Bsimmzz]

Hi , I’m looking for a fishing kayak that I can sit on top and that is pedal drive. I liked a lot of the feel free yaks, I’m the type that I will drag it threw the woods to get to a pond like I did with my Walmart special . I jus wanna find one that can take a little beating , idk if I’ll have to get a rug for it but that’s fine . Any ideas would be great. I really like the new darodo by feel free. Love that the sides are tall and you can tuck stuff in them . 

[DogBone_384]

Firstly, welcome to the BassResource family.

 

I bought my first FeelFree Lure 11.5 in 2015, and my second in ‘18.  They’re stable, have an all-day comfortable seat, and now have optional pedal and motor drive systems.  I have their Overdrive (pedal) in my second Lure and average just under 4 mph under normal pedaling.

 

The integrated wheel means no dragging it through the woods.

 

FeelFree’s overall fit/finish is very good and their customer service is top notch.

 

My advise is look at as many different models as you can before buying.  Test paddle if you can.

 

Best of luck picking out a fishing kayak.  FeelFree gets my vote.

[Dens228]

I'm a long time Wilderness Systems owner but the Vibe Shearwater that's coming out in early 2020 has my eye.  You can purchase a pedal drive with it also. 

 

[CountryboyinDC]

You can drag any of them through the woods I guess.  I guess if I was going to be rough on one getting it to the fishing hole I might think about the rudder.  Native and Jackson have rudders that sort of follow the keel line and are not as likely to get torn off, in my opinion.  The wheel on the Feelfree is good on hard surfaces, I'm not sure how it would do on unimproved surfaces.  I haven't tried a Dorado, but everywhere I see them they're on sale for about $2,500.  The ability to add an electric motor easily and the comfy seat make that may make it a real contender for you.  I like my OT Predator PDL for my purposes.  I considered the WS Radar and Jackson Coosa FD when I bought it (those are both good boats too), and decided it was the best for me.  

[mhtranger]

I have the Lure 11.5 and I can tell you the wheel on the Feelfree only works on hard surfaces. With the Beavertail rudder it becomes almost useless. A good cart or doing the wheel replacement is best for getting it around. 

[Bsimmzz]

I know on any yak I can throw a tug on it with big rubber wheels to get it threw the woods. I love the big fish 120 I just wish it had the gravity seat . Like I love the the drive pedals come all the way out and I love the 8 ball shift . Only thing missing is that gravity seat. So I’m prob gonna go with the dorado 

[haggard]

Dorado is 124 lb, unloaded. Hobie PA even a little heavier. And that's unloaded! Not what I'd want to be dragging through the woods. It's enough of a workout getting it up a concrete boat ramp, and that's with wheels. Hobie has some lighter weight pedal drive models (Maybe FeelFree does too, I'm not sure) - but even then, once you get your gear on board, that's a serious amount of weight to be dragging through the woods.

 

[Bsimmzz]

Hear ya , I was looking at the weight , I think I’ll save my Walmart special for the woods. I only take what I need , rod , tackle box and lunch . 

Hobie pedal drive is amazing .... but too much money

[LadiMopar]

On 7/18/2019 at 10:20 PM, Bsimmzz said:

Hi , I’m looking for a fishing kayak that I can sit on top and that is pedal drive. I liked a lot of the feel free yaks, I’m the type that I will drag it threw the woods to get to a pond like I did with my Walmart special . I jus wanna find one that can take a little beating , idk if I’ll have to get a rug for it but that’s fine . Any ideas would be great. I really like the new darodo by feel free. Love that the sides are tall and you can tuck stuff in them . 

 

I own the new Dorado with the optional motor drive, questions...just PM me.

 

It will definitely take a beating, and as @DogBone_384 is so fond of saying, it's an "aircraft carrier" ! ?

Before the upgrade to afore mentioned Dorado, I was paddling the Lure 10. It too is as tough as nails, with a very roomy tank well, spacious deck, adequate console storage and that amazing gravity seat.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Good advice above. Let me suggest another option for transport,

a purchase that will let you traverse rougher terrain with your new

yak. I built a DiY of this, but if I had the money, I'd buy one from 

them in a heart beat. Solid engineering.

 

http://paddlelogic.com/trailtreker-kayak-carts.html

 

 

[Smalls]

Start practicing how to plastic weld now...

[DogBone_384]

On 7/22/2019 at 5:05 PM, mhtranger said:

With the Beavertail rudder it becomes almost useless.

I pull my rudder from its mount when I move my Lures over any grade or sandy/rocky surfaces.

[Smalls]

On 7/23/2019 at 7:39 PM, Bsimmzz said:

I know on any yak I can throw a tug on it with big rubber wheels to get it threw the woods. I love the big fish 120 I just wish it had the gravity seat . Like I love the the drive pedals come all the way out and I love the 8 ball shift . Only thing missing is that gravity seat. So I’m prob gonna go with the dorado 

The big fish 120 has neither any sort of pedal drive, not 8 ball rudder control. 

[LadiMopar]

15 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

On 7/22/2019 at 5:05 PM, mhtranger said:

With the Beavertail rudder it becomes almost useless.

I pull my rudder from its mount when I move my Lures over any grade or sandy/rocky surfaces.

 

@Bsimmzz FYI

Newly designed beaver tail rudder on the Dorado swings up out of the way via a pull cord and cleat system. Makes the wheel in the keel completely accessible.

 

While not the same as hauling a yak through the woods, I can say that the rudder stays firmly in its upright position while trailering it. (Highway, back roads, potholes, train tracks, no problem)

 

The one issue I can see you having if hauling it in the woods is the peddle drive. The spring system is pretty stout, but for safety's sake, you might want to secure it a bit more so if the peddles got caught on anything (and the drive got pushed down in the hole) it would save the prop blade and skeg from damage.

 

 

 

 

[the reel ess]

I have a FeelFree Lure 13.5. It's a good, stable kayak. That wheel in the keel does very little for you when it comes to dragging through the woods and over uneven ground. It's really not even easy to drag on my lawn. That's because you can't help but drag it with one hand from the front middle. The kayak will sway left and right and you'll still be dragging the keel some. And it's heavy. I would still recommend a cart for that.

 

Also, I'm a member of a FB group of FeelFree owners. Many of them who own an Overdrive unit (that's what they call the peddle propeller) aren't very fond of those either. They have the reputation for being easily broken.