Jackson YuPik, Wildly Recon, or Recommendations?

[XF15-Loader]

So, I was going to buy a used yak but I just can't see paying a coupla hundred under MSRP for a used kayak and I haven't found any deals I'm happy with.

 

Therefore, I've decided to research, source, and buy a new one.  Ideally, I'd like something with a higher seat and good stability.  At 5' 10" and 240, every year past 45 has gotten more difficult to get my arse out of the seat...lol

 

Anyway, I've looked at the Jackson YuPik.  Love all the track and the high/low seat has good height but I'm a little put off by the lack of in hull storage.  

 

I've also looked at the Wildy Recon.  The seat height is great but not adjustable and the beam is 38" which, imo screams stability.  But, I'm sure it paddles like a brick.

 

So, there's a $1400 boat and a $1000 boat.  Any suggestions in that price range that meet my criteria?  High seat and good stability.

 

Thanks,

 

-J

[HookInMouth]

How high of a seat do you want? My definition of a "high seat" changed when I bought an SS127 lol. The low position on that one is the high on most others. 

 

I like the looks of the Recon. I think in the $1000ish range it really looks interesting. But I don't really know much about it either. The Diablo Amigo with a Larry Chair is high and stable and $1000. The RS117 is basically the SS127 seat in the low position (so high for most other brands). 

 

From personal experience... don't overlook the Perception Outlaw if you want to save a few bucks. It's got a high seat (by most standards) and is very stable. I would recommend the Voodoo (awesome seat, great stability, paddles well for it's size, $1199) but if in hull storage is an issue the Voodoo is not for you. 

[XF15-Loader]

1 hour ago, HookInMouth said:

How high of a seat do you want? My definition of a "high seat" changed when I bought an SS127 lol. The low position on that one is the high on most others. 

 

I like the looks of the Recon. I think in the $1000ish range it really looks interesting. But I don't really know much about it either. The Diablo Amigo with a Larry Chair is high and stable and $1000. The RS117 is basically the SS127 seat in the low position (so high for most other brands). 

 

From personal experience... don't overlook the Perception Outlaw if you want to save a few bucks. It's got a high seat (by most standards) and is very stable. I would recommend the Voodoo (awesome seat, great stability, paddles well for it's size, $1199) but if in hull storage is an issue the Voodoo is not for you. 

Preferably I'd like something similar to the SS127 as far as seat height. I did consider the SS107.  Have you paddled one?  If so, whatd ya think?  I was concerned with tracking on such a short boat.  

 

As for the Recon, I think its hard to go wrong with Wilderness Systems.  I've rarely, if ever, heard anything negative about em...atleast with the ATAK line.  However, I keep going back and forth on it.  The things that I like are also they things that detract from it.  38" beam...rock solid casting deck but will certainly be SLOW.  High seat....but no low position.

 

Its funny you'd mention the VooDoo.  That was one of the boats I looked at when I bought my Vibe.  At that time there were maybe 2 or 3 companies in my price range.  Now there are 6 or more and making things much more difficult to decide...lol.

 

At any rate, thanks for your input.  If nothing else, its made me truly consider my options and the pros and cons of each.

 

[HookInMouth]

19 minutes ago, XF15-Loader said:

Preferably I'd like something similar to the SS127 as far as seat height. I did consider the SS107.  Have you paddled one?  If so, whatd ya think?  I was concerned with tracking on such a short boat.  

 

As for the Recon, I think its hard to go wrong with Wilderness Systems.  I've rarely, if ever, heard anything negative about em...atleast with the ATAK line.  However, I keep going back and forth on it.  The things that I like are also they things that detract from it.  38" beam...rock solid casting deck but will certainly be SLOW.  High seat....but no low position.

 

Its funny you'd mention the VooDoo.  That was one of the boats I looked at when I bought my Vibe.  At that time there were maybe 2 or 3 companies in my price range.  Now there are 6 or more and making things much more difficult to decide...lol.

 

At any rate, thanks for your input.  If nothing else, its made me truly consider my options and the pros and cons of each.

 

I've paddled the SS107 and I own two SS127. The 107 is a little poorer tracking than the 127 and is also a little less stable. IMHO that 2' difference makes a difference. Still a good boat, but you know it's shorter when you're in it. 

 

I agree with Wilderness. I would definitely be researching that Recon if I were in the market right now. 

 

The Voodoo is a great boat. 

[CountryboyinDC]

If you have a Sea Ghost (not sure which Vibe you're speaking of), the WS Recon should seem very stable, even with a high seat.  I like @HookInMouth's suggestion to take a gander at the Perception Outlaw.  That's a lot of the qualities you're looking for at a low price.  I've not even seen in person what either of these look like, let alone taken them for a spin.  I'm less enthusiastic about the Yupik for most applications.  You could have a rotomolded paddleboard such as the Liquidlogic Versaboard or Crescent SUP+ that would offer nearly the functionality at much less cost.  

If you're paddling (not powering by trolling motor), I'd recommend getting a stand up assist strap over looking only at kayaks with seats the height of the Bonafides.  I have one on my Jackson Coosa HD, and it really helps me stand (and return to my seat more softly) more easily, even with a far lower seat.  A high seat is almost as much a deterrent to efficient paddling as is the width it takes to make the high seated kayaks stable.  JMTC.  

If you end up with the Recon or Outlaw, I'd love to know your thoughts on them.

[XF15-Loader]

On 1/19/2021 at 7:58 PM, CountryboyinDC said:

If you have a Sea Ghost (not sure which Vibe you're speaking of), the WS Recon should seem very stable, even with a high seat.  I like @HookInMouth's suggestion to take a gander at the Perception Outlaw.  That's a lot of the qualities you're looking for at a low price.  I've not even seen in person what either of these look like, let alone taken them for a spin.  I'm less enthusiastic about the Yupik for most applications.  You could have a rotomolded paddleboard such as the Liquidlogic Versaboard or Crescent SUP+ that would offer nearly the functionality at much less cost.  

If you're paddling (not powering by trolling motor), I'd recommend getting a stand up assist strap over looking only at kayaks with seats the height of the Bonafides.  I have one on my Jackson Coosa HD, and it really helps me stand (and return to my seat more softly) more easily, even with a far lower seat.  A high seat is almost as much a deterrent to efficient paddling as is the width it takes to make the high seated kayaks stable.  JMTC.  

If you end up with the Recon or Outlaw, I'd love to know your thoughts on them.

I currently have a Sea Ghost 110.  I feel like I'm sitting on the deck of that boat.  Even in the high position, a set of risers and a stand assist strap, I never felt like I could easily stand/sit without getting tossed. Then I saw somebody sitting in a Bonafide SS127 and I knew I wanted a seat/boat like that...lol.

 

While I realize a high seat makes it difficult to paddle efficiently, I think the trade off would be worth it.  Being able to sit comfortably, stand with ease, flip, pitch and punch, draw me to the high seat and wide deck, even if I'd have to buy a 250+ cm paddle.  

 

As for the Outlaw, I did look at it.  I do agree that it has what I'm looking for but, I'm unsure about the rod holders.  I guess that shouldnt be a deal breaker but I feel like that space couldve been utilized a bit more efficiently.

 

With all that said, what boats do you suggest that may have a slightly lower seat with a stand assist strap?  

 

Thanks again for the input.  I'd forgotten what its like to go through this...LOL.  The fear of buyers remorse is making me nuts!!

 

-J

[HookInMouth]

Outlaw rodholders ... I've never fished an Outlaw so i've never used them. But they're out of the way really if you don't use them. Honestly, I kind of like the looks of them myself. But I don't use rodholders. Yet. I always just end up laying my rods in front of me in the deck. I bought two YakAttack Omegas and they sit in my garage. It's just quicker to grab off the deck. 

 

What I can say about the Outlaw is that it is stable. Not as stable as an SS127 but close. To my eyes the hull is very similar and the boat is wider so you would think it would eclipse the SS127 in stability but it doesn't for some reason. Length maybe? 

 

Also, I'm 5-7 and use a 260 paddle with the SS127. 

[CountryboyinDC]

1 hour ago, XF15-Loader said:

While I realize a high seat makes it difficult to paddle efficiently, I think the trade off would be worth it.  Being able to sit comfortably, stand with ease, flip, pitch and punch, draw me to the high seat and wide deck, even if I'd have to buy a 250+ cm paddle.  

I think your sentiments are shared by many.  That's why kayaks like the Bonafides are so popular.  The higher seat does make a difference in even relative short times on the water. Going from a WS Ride 135 (which, while considered comfortable in its day, still left you sitting on the deck) to a Jackson Coosa HD drove that point home.

 

Using a stand up assist strap is pretty adaptable to a lot of boats.  I don't know that I'd recommend the Jackson Coosa HD for your purposes; it really is river-biased and has a lot of volume in the bow, quite a bit of rocker, and is a pretty featureless shallow arch hull.  All of this makes it good for maneuvering boat that pops up after going over a small falls, etc. but really doesn't paddle that efficiently and isn't nearly as stable as some boats of that width. 

 

In the Jackson lineup, the Liska is a good place to start ( @TnRiver46 has one or his fiancee does, and he shares advice freely),  and a used Big Rig might be the bees knees for what you're trying to do, @GTN always speaks highly of his.  The Big Rig will definitely set you back more thank $1,400 new, though.  In Old Town, either the 12' Topwater or Predator XL (or whatever replaced them in the new Sportsman lineup).  Native has the Slayer XC 12 (I think that's the name) that's river based, but not to the extent that the Coosa HD is, and is far more stable.  All either have or are easily adapted to a stand up strap.  And I'm sure there are others across other brands that would be good candidates as well.

[TnRiver46]

3 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I think your sentiments are shared by many.  That's why kayaks like the Bonafides are so popular.  The higher seat does make a difference in even relative short times on the water. Going from a WS Ride 135 (which, while considered comfortable in its day, still left you sitting on the deck) to a Jackson Coosa HD drove that point home.

 

Using a stand up assist strap is pretty adaptable to a lot of boats.  I don't know that I'd recommend the Jackson Coosa HD for your purposes; it really is river-biased and has a lot of volume in the bow, quite a bit of rocker, and is a pretty featureless shallow arch hull.  All of this makes it good for maneuvering boat that pops up after going over a small falls, etc. but really doesn't paddle that efficiently and isn't nearly as stable as some boats of that width. 

 

In the Jackson lineup, the Liska is a good place to start ( @TnRiver46 has one or his fiancee does, and he shares advice freely),  and a used Big Rig might be the bees knees for what you're trying to do, @GTN always speaks highly of his.  The Big Rig will definitely set you back more thank $1,400 new, though.  In Old Town, either the 12' Topwater or Predator XL (or whatever replaced them in the new Sportsman lineup).  Native has the Slayer XC 12 (I think that's the name) that's river based, but not to the extent that the Coosa HD is, and is far more stable.  All either have or are easily adapted to a stand up strap.  And I'm sure there are others across other brands that would be good candidates as well.

Good advice! And yes I use her kayak when she’s not looking . Our local outfitter had a 30% off blemished sale, I’m not sure what the blemish was on the boat we bought but I think it was paint color scheme related

[XF15-Loader]

2 hours ago, HookInMouth said:

Outlaw rodholders ... I've never fished an Outlaw so i've never used them. But they're out of the way really if you don't use them. Honestly, I kind of like the looks of them myself. But I don't use rodholders. Yet. I always just end up laying my rods in front of me in the deck. I bought two YakAttack Omegas and they sit in my garage. It's just quicker to grab off the deck. 

 

What I can say about the Outlaw is that it is stable. Not as stable as an SS127 but close. To my eyes the hull is very similar and the boat is wider so you would think it would eclipse the SS127 in stability but it doesn't for some reason. Length maybe? 

 

Also, I'm 5-7 and use a 260 paddle with the SS127. 

 

Oh...I'm kinda digging the Liska ?.  I believe there's a dealer near me.  I'll have to go check it out. @TnRiver46 do you have any electronics mounted on your girlfriends Liska?

[TnRiver46]

8 minutes ago, XF15-Loader said:

 

Oh...I'm kinda digging the Liska ?.  I believe there's a dealer near me.  I'll have to go check it out. @TnRiver46 do you have any electronics mounted on your girlfriends Liska?

Negative but I think the guy told us it was easy and ready to install one and same with a trolling motor. I haven’t paddled tons of sit on top kayaks but it seems very fast compared to others 

[GTN-NY]

I had a Liska before my Big Rig and my wife still has her Liska. The Liska is stable but not enough for me for standing but is very stable for sitting in the high position and paddle/fishing. The Liska is also a speed boat compared to the Big Rig. 
Electronics are easy to mount on the Liska hatch lid rail with a ram mount. Run the power and transducer cable under the lid to the battery and there is a scupper hole for the transducer to mount through