Yak Recommendations Needed

[12thManStanding]

I'm in the market for my first kayak, and have spent a ton of time doing some research. I think I've narrowed it down to a couple different brands, but would love some insight and perspective from you guys. I currently have a 12' aluminum boat that my son and I put on top of our van, but when he's working or out with friends it makes it impossible for me to take the boat out. The boat has a transom mount trolling motor and a fish finder transducer connected to the trolling motor. I'd like to use that motor on my kayak, so that has narrowed down the list of kayaks. My budget is no more than $1200, which gets rid of all the pedal-type kayaks. I also don't plan on fishing rivers, or large lakes with choppy water, and will be primarily fishing smaller lakes (under 300 acres). Below are the list of kayaks that I've been researching.

 

At first, I was all in and excited about the Jonny Boat 100 or Pelican Catch PWR 100, since they were basically made for motors. I really liked the stability that these provided and the option to be able to stand and fish. I wouldn't call these kayaks, but 1 person boats, so I decided to add some actual kayaks to the list. That's were I discovered a local shop that sells NuCanoe and Bonafide kayaks. I learned that both of these brands make it very easy to add a transom mount bracket and attach the trolling motor. The models I've been looking into have been the NuCanoe Flint and the Bonefide RS 117. The RS117 seems to be more stable than the Flint, but I've heard the Flint's tracking and speed is incredible.

 

Are there any Jonny Boat, Catch PWR, Flint and RS 117 owners here that can chime in and tell me what the datasheets can't? I'm also planning to demo the Flint and RS 117 at the local dealer within the next week. Are there any other kayaks that I've missed that I should be considering at this point? I appreciate you staying with me during this long post, and I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say.

[TcRoc]

Have you looked at the Vibe Sheerwater 125? I think if memory has it right  a troller can be added to stern rather easily,, I think . 

[Dens228]

3 hours ago, TcRoc said:

Have you looked at the Vibe Sheerwater 125? I think if memory has it right  a troller can be added to stern rather easily,, I think . 

The Shearwater was made for the Bixby motor on the stern but as we all know there's always a way to add pretty much anything to any kayak.

[michaelb]

The boats you are looking at are not that similar, so I am not sure you have narrowed this down. there is a still a lot to think about. How big and tall are you? that matters for looking at the 10ft boats. If the plan is to use a trolling motor, the paddling speed doesn't matter, and you can look at the really fat boats that are super stable but would be terrible for paddling. So the F10 over the flint, as an example, or the F12 too (I know I am spending more $). It seems like stability/standing are a top priority and that makes sense. And not car topping or getting the boat to the lake, where weight/size would matter? How about the perception outlaw 11.5 as an idea?

 

Yakgadget makes trolling motor mounts, that fit lots of boats with powerpole mounts. So that may expand what you are going to consider potentially.

 

https://yakgadget.com/collections/trolling-motor-mounts

[J Francho]

You already have the jon with the trolling motor.  I would seriously ask yourself what are the reasons for going to kayak, and then attaching the motor?  I can't see wanting any complicated propulsion for a lake under 300 acres.  What are you gaining by going to a kayak?  

 

Otherwise, out of all those listed, I can only see myself liking the Vibe or the Bonafide.

[Allen Der]

Since you are cartopping my vote would be the Flint.  I would paddle it first before you decide you need a trolling motor.  Paddling is the best part of kayaking IMO.  Things are getting a little out of control with kayak motors and I wouldn't even consider one unless I was doing serious tournaments

[12thManStanding]

Great feedback all, thanks for sharing. You’ve provided many perceptions that I haven’t thought about, since this is all new to me. Here are answers to the questions asked.

 

16 hours ago, michaelb said:

How big and tall are you?

 

5’7” 180lbs

 

16 hours ago, michaelb said:

It seems like stability/standing are a top priority and that makes sense. And not car topping or getting the boat to the lake, where weight/size would matter?

I’d love the ability to stand, but I know I’ll only be car topping the kayak, so lighter the better.

 

15 hours ago, J Francho said:

I would seriously ask yourself what are the reasons for going to kayak, and then attaching the motor?  I can't see wanting any complicated propulsion for a lake under 300 acres.  What are you gaining by going to a kayak?

Well said, and great question! I was thinking of bringing along a fish finder, and the transducer is mounted to the bottom of the trolling motor.  I could purchase a new transducer instead, assuming that I even need it with me.

 

Overall I’m looking at a kayak to help me get on the water more with less effort, and to be able to do it on my own.  Looks like I’ve over complicated things by assuming I need a trolling motor mounted.

 

15 hours ago, Allen Der said:

Paddling is the best part of kayaking IMO.

Sounds like I need to get out and take a couple poles with me while I demo a couple kayaks.

 

With all that said, and hopefully a few thing cleared up would there be any other kayaks to consider?  Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it!

[Darth-Baiter]

My friend just got the NuCanoe F10. I have not seen it yet. We fish big waters together so he will put the trolling motor on.  He was shocked at the battery cost. He ordered a lithium battery. Imagine a 70lb  battery onboard if you flip?    I think the battery he got was $500?  But it’s light(er)
 

I can’t wait until he can tow me around

[J Francho]

5 hours ago, 12thManStanding said:

Well said, and great question! I was thinking of bringing along a fish finder, and the transducer is mounted to the bottom of the trolling motor.  I could purchase a new transducer instead, assuming that I even need it with me.

 

Overall I’m looking at a kayak to help me get on the water more with less effort, and to be able to do it on my own.  Looks like I’ve over complicated things by assuming I need a trolling motor mounted.

 

Got it, a kayak suits my needs for the same reasons - by myself.  You can probably mount whatever transducer you have to a deployment arm.  I much prefer this method to through hull or through scupper set ups.

 

Here's a Helix 5 on a Hobie Compass:

 

[Choporoz]

On 4/1/2021 at 3:54 AM, 12thManStanding said:

 My budget is no more than $1200, which gets rid of all the pedal-type kayaks. 

Not by much....and gently used pedal yaks are well within reach.  Passport and Catch aren't a lot more than that new.   I am not making light of having a budget...I applaud it.  But, for me, the switch from paddle to pedal was maybe not priceless.....but certainly game changing.   I think it would be OK to keep considering your requirements,  your budget and whether used yak is acceptable. 

[michaelb]

I think for car topping, the weight and size of the kayak really does matter. So while I can do it, getting my 12' 75lb+ kayak on the roof is a challenge (I have a honda element, so have a very high roof though). My smaller and lighter 10' boats are pretty easy. I have a trailer now for my big boats. Given your height and weight, and the places you are thinking of paddling, you can reasonably consider the boats in 10.5 to 11 range. The 12 boats are faster and paddle better, but again, that size and weight makes a very large difference in heaving them around.

 

I like the nucanoe's and think those are cool and useful boats. Another brand to consider is Crescent, so the brand new Venture for example.

 

https://www.crescentkayaks.com/product/ck1-venture/

[12thManStanding]

Thank you all for the additional kayak recommendations! I already have a fish finder, and will definitely getting/building a crate and also cart for easy transporting. What are the other must-have accessories when kayak fishing?   

[GTN-NY]

35 minutes ago, 12thManStanding said:What are the other must-have accessories when kayak fishing?   

The best PFD you can afford

[ooga0341]

I had a couple of Jacksons for a while, but sold them when I moved. I have a Flint, and recently ordered an Unlimited a few weeks ago too. Any way, my kid is your size and loves the Flint. I like those because you can add the pedal drive/trolling motor/outboard/ etc to it later.

[Koz]

You can get a pedal kayak for under $1,200:

 

https://www.hoodoosports.com/collections/kayaks/products/hoodoo-tempest-120p-pedal-drive-kayak

 

Brooklyn Kayak also has one for just under $1,300 - and has free shipping.

[Allen Der]

8 hours ago, Koz said:

You can get a pedal kayak for under $1,200:

 

https://www.hoodoosports.com/collections/kayaks/products/hoodoo-tempest-120p-pedal-drive-kayak

 

Brooklyn Kayak also has one for just under $1,300 - and has free shipping.

 

sure you can but should you?  they're both chinese knockoffs.  good luck getting replacement parts when you blow up the pedal drive

[12thManStanding]

I ended up finding a used Bonafide RS117 for $725 and have really enjoyed it! Thanks all for your input, now to get out on the water and catch some fish.

[Dens228]

Congrats!  Have fun!