Size Considerations Kayaks in the 10-12.5 ft Range

[snake95]

This might be in the category of “help me split hairs” but here goes...

 

I have a basic Academy Sports fishing kayak 11 ft long and recently tried my buddies nicer Vibe Sea Ghost approximately 11 ft long.

 

I am considering Vibe’s Shearwater in the 12.5 range (yes I know about the availability issues).

 

What I am looking for is opinions and experience regarding SIZE - length and weight - in this general size range.

 

Background: not a super fit guy (working on that), like to fish ponds, have now done some lake kayak fishing.  I have a trailer with low bunks and set of wheels (C-tug).  

 

I like the 11 ft boats because they are easy enough to handle and put in small ponds. We are talking sub 70 lb.

 

The small academy boat is a piece of cake for my 12 year old and I to sling around.  The Sea Ghost was a noticeable increase in work level for us two guys, but not impossible.

 

The Shearwater adds around 10 lb over the Sea Ghost, without accessories.  I like the idea that I could get the foot power system for it.

 

What have been your experiences with jumping up in size from about 11 to about 12.5 ft, with the increase in weight.  Specifically, does this size jump add a level of being “unwieldy” for smaller ponds and one-man handling to load and launch?

 

Not looking to get into the 100 lb+ boats at this point.  Maybe will consider getting boats in both sizes at some point, but not yet.

 

 

[Smalls]

1 hour ago, snake95 said:

 

The small academy boat is a piece of cake for my 12 year old and I to sling around.  The Sea Ghost was a noticeable increase in work level for us two guys, but not impossible.

You're comparing apples and oranges, though. Every fishing specific kayak that I can think of easily outweighs the average recreational  kayak by a lot. 

 

If you compare the same kayak in different sizes, it stops looking like a huge difference. The Vibe seaghost 110 weighs 62 lbs, and the 130, 2 feet longer, is 75 lbs. 13 lbs really isn't a big deal. 

[snake95]

1 hour ago, Smalls said:

ou're comparing apples and oranges, though. Every fishing specific kayak that I can think of easily outweighs the average recreational  kayak by a lot. 

Fair point @Smalls.  To clarify I’m really looking to learn if the jump up from an 11 ft 62 lb yak to a 12.5 ft x 75 lb boat takes me from easy handling for pond fishing to noticeably more difficult handling and I might regret going bigger.  You answered my question.

 

Also to clarify the academy kayak is a basic sit on top fishing kayak but doesn’t have the width, quality seat, and gizmos of the Sea Ghost.  I would say it is also about 10 lb lighter.  I guess my point of mentioning it is that the small weight difference is a noticeable difference, so I thought the additional 13 lb might also be noticeable.

 

 

[michaelb]

I think weight and size is a big difference, so I do think this matters. I have a tarpon 100 (that is 10') and going to the 12.5' kaku was a major change. I primarily wanted the larger boat for paddling open water, so on a large lake with wind and waves, and the kaku is much better for that. I felt the tarpon was too short for me and I got thrown around in waves and took a lot of water over the front. The kaku cuts over and through those same waves with ease. But for paddling small lakes and ponds, the smaller boat has advantages, and you don't need the longer bigger boat. The shearwater looks great, but it is not really a pond boat. Can you stand in the academy? standing a game changer, and I would look at the 10' or so boats that are designed for small water.

 

In terms of weight, you have a trailer, so maybe this doesn't matter. I can sling my 75 lb canoe on the roof rack with effort, but I underestimated how heavy and awkward a 75 lb plastic fishing kayak can be, and I can't really do that with the kaku (i have a trailer but want a better one). The tarpon is much lighter and easier to load and carry around.

[snake95]

18 minutes ago, michaelb said:

But for paddling small lakes and ponds, the smaller boat has advantages, and you don't need the longer bigger boat. The shearwater looks great, but it is not really a pond boat. Can you stand in the academy? standing a game changer, and I would look at the 10' or so boats that are designed for small water.

Thank you this is exactly what I was hoping to hear about.  

 

I am really torn about which is more important to me: small pond fishing or bigger lake fishing.  Last week the trailer got me to a big lake with ease and I enjoyed the bigger water.  Obviously, nobody on the board is going to figure that one out for me.  I am on my own there.

 

Standing is where the Academy yak really doesn’t cut it and the primary motivation to look at a better boat.  

[flyfisher]

As far as transport you have everything that helps there. I have an ATAK140 which is in the 100lb range and it is good on most types of water except fast moving small streams. Everywhere else it does well. One advantage of a longer boat is shallower draft. I’ll take stability and paddle ability as top priority for me. 

[Smalls]

2 hours ago, snake95 said:

To clarify I’m really looking to learn if the jump up from an 11 ft 62 lb yak to a 12.5 ft x 75 lb boat takes me from easy handling for pond fishing to noticeably more difficult handling

You'll get better tracking with a longer kayak, so it's actually easier to handle on the water. You'll notice the extra size for a short time when maneuvering on land, but you'll forget about it quickly. Plus, you have a trailer? Launch it in the water, just like a boat. If you were car-topping it, I'd say shave every ounce you could. 

 

Personally, I'd rather have a boat too big for small ponds, than too small for big waters. 

[michaelb]

Fishing smaller lakes and ponds, where you don't have to paddle longer distances (whatever that means to you) or deal with waves and wind and open water crossings, seems like where the shorter and fatter fishing kayaks may really shine. So the 40" wide nucanoes for example and boats like that, that may not paddle as efficiently but are likely a joy to stand on and fish. So everything is a trade off, but here you may want to trade off paddling speed (or peddles) for stability and fishability.

[Landis Carrier]

I currently have a Jackson Cuda LT. 12ft 11in and super light, super fast and great to fish out of. Not too easy to stand in. I'm actually looking at the Old Town Sportsman 106MK is shorter, much more stable and powered! 

[snake95]

Thanks, guys.  The replies helped me a lot. 

 

I am going to spilt the difference to a degree, going with the Bonafide RS 117, just a little heavier than the Sea Ghost, but with a more open deck.

 

This seems like a versatile length and weight, balancing the weight and length considerations mentioned (not 100% perfect at all, but close enough).

 

I think I will also look to get a heavier peddle power kayak at some point, but at the price of the RS 117, it should not be too painful to add to the fleet in the future.

 

Having kids that are interested in paddling and fishing, it isn't hard to justify.

 

The next thing I will be looking at is outfitting this baby...

[Smalls]

3 hours ago, snake95 said:

going with the Bonafide RS 117

You'll be a lot happier with that, than the seaghost. 

[Bird]

Own a Seaghost 110 and ain't no way I'm standing in it at 60 yrs old but can throw it in the back of pickup by myself. 

 

Bonifide makes a nice yak, hope you enjoy. 

[J Francho]

Anything less than 12’ feels like a cramped toy boat to me. 

[michaelb]

The RS 117 looks like a nice boat and great choice. Enjoy.

[Kirk McLinn]

All depends on the body of water.  I have a Native Ultimate 12 that I use on creeks and rivers.  It’s pretty light and easy to handle on the shore or when portaging. I also have a Hobie PA14 that I use on rivers and lakes, can’t use it in skinny creeks....  love both of them.  Personally, I wouldn’t want anything smaller than 12’.  During long floats, tracking becomes very important.   Both of my yaks track great.  I’ve owned multiple yaks over the years and these two I’ll be keeping for a long time.

[snake95]

1 hour ago, Kirk McLinn said:

I’ve owned multiple yaks over the years and these two I’ll be keeping for a long time.

Good information.  I can imagine that I will be able to justify multiple kayaks in time, and a similar combination as you described.  First I’ll start with this 11-7 paddle only, 70-ish lb kayak, and then perhaps add a larger boat in about a year when I’ve had time to decide on one and think more about what I want in that type of yak.

[GTN-NY]

I'm 60, not very strong, I use a trailer and a CTug. 
I started with a Jackson Liska 11 foot kayak that I think was about 65 pounds empty. Very easy to paddle, it handled medium size lakes very well but I didn’t feel safe when standing which is very important to me. 
I upgraded to a Jackson big rig that is just over 13’ and about 90 pounds empty. It handles rougher water very easily, definitely paddles harder than the Liska but it’s very manageable. The big difference is I’ve been able to stand up and fish comfortably even in rough water.

Is it big and heavy to maneuver on land and launch, absolutely but it’s worth every extra pound of weight and size.

I’ve now added a bow mount trolling motor and battery so it’s even heavier now!

[Alex from GA]

I'm an old, 80, and small, 5'5" 145lbs, man and only use my kayak for small rivers.  I went from a 9' 35 lb kayak to a 10' 55 lb kayak and hate the extra weight.  I usually carry it in my pickup but last summer my wife and I went from GA to Maine and back with a camper and the kayak on top of our Explorer.  Every one of the dozen or so times we took it down and back up was a PIA!!!
 

[snake95]

Thanks guys, I bought a new Bonafide RS 117 (11'-7") at 72 lb.  My 12 yo. son and I found it to be very easy to pick up and handle together including with the seat and paddle, bringing it to about 80 lb.

 

My intent is to use this for quick trips and small waters.  

 

I am sure I can handle it by myself with C-tug and my trailer.

 

 

 

 

[Bass Junke]

On 10/8/2020 at 4:20 PM, Bird said:

Own a Seaghost 110 and ain't no way I'm standing in it at 60 yrs old but can throw it in the back of pickup by myself.

It is funny how so many things in life are relative. The kayak fishing industry is no exception. In my eyes an 80lb kayak is to heavy, but that is where most of the quality fishing kayaks start. One of the big reasons I bought a Seaghost 110 was because it was 62 lbs. Last year I went from the Skipjack 90 46lbs. to the seaghost 110. 46lbs. I can, at 54 years toss that onto the roof of my car easily. The seaghost needs to be tilted and then lifted onto the roof (noticeably more work but worth it)

 

Now kayak stability is very relative. I weigh 165lbs. and have very good balance. I stand and sit in my seaghost unaided. I can stand and fish, stand and paddle, and even reach down and adjust my rudder peddles with my hand. I have been anchored in a descent wind and still stand without any issues. Now if you are 6'2" and weigh 250lbs. the seaghost might not be stable enough for you. All relative. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i'm new to kayak fishing but i tend to obsess. so here is what i know.

 

i think bass fishing, it is really great to be able to stand up and fish.  standing up has a few components.  you can stand, yea.  can you cast?  can you set the hook hard?  you have to look beyond the boat length.  i ride a 12 foot hobie compass.  i bought my boat in the hopes that i get into the ocean for some Ling and rockfish.  (it could happen)  BUT standing in my Compass?  i can, but the seat is so low that it is very difficult to stand up. once up, i am okay.  but getting my feet under me is worst than the worst squat.  summary,  look at the seat height!!

 

if i was to only fish small ponds, i would look at a smaller boat.  a 10 footer.  buy any boat i buy needs to fit in the back of my truck..i am not buying into a trailer.

[Kayak Fishin]

One of the reasons I sold my SG110 was because it has one point of contact in the keel. Car topping it was clumsy. It's hard to explain. My bonafide has two points of contact and its a breeze to handle with one person. The SG110 was a good size, and wasn't too heavy. I prefer a shorter boat because I car top and I'm 5'7. The 12 footers never interested me.