Looking for the smallest kayak boat that you can stand up.

[Jeffrey Walker]

man not sure what to do.  i just want to get on the water quickly and stand up.  i leave quickly i don’t fish for hours i am in and out 

 

what would you do if you were me? i’m 510 165 43 yrs old 

What would you buy based on my criteria?

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

man not sure what to do.  i just want to get on the water quickly and stand up.  i leave quickly i don’t fish for hours i am in and out 

 

what would you do if you were me? i’m 510 165 43 yrs old 

What would you buy based on my criteria?

I was so skeptical of my friends Nucanoe F10.  it is so stable.  either he is ignorant of danger or it is SUPER stable.  we got caught out in Clearlake in a windstorm.  he was fishing in huge waves, while I was picking my way back to the ramp.  last trip he was standing up in the wind.

 

its a little wonky where you have to set the seat in the rails and screw it down, that takes time, but that is it.  done.  push it into the water and go.  it is more canoe looking than a kayak.

 

but me, if I were in the market..I would get. a pedal thing. the Native Slayer Pro 10 or whatever their brand new boat offering is.  I bet it is crazy stable.  worth a look for sure.

[MontclairDave]

On 5/11/2021 at 7:58 AM, michaelb said:

The crescent ultralite may be the best light smallish kayak out there? I don't have one, but it looks nice. what you can stand on depends in large part on your size (and skill), and on the wind and waves on any given day.

 

https://www.crescentkayaks.com/product/ultralite-fishing-kayak/

 

edit: also, the nucanoe f10 is a really interesting pond boat, would be much more stable for standing, and at 62 lbs is still carryable. The crescentlite would dust it in terms of speed on open water, so everything is a tradeoff.

I have the Crescent UL. About 55 lbs, easier than most yaks to car-top. Tracks like a dream. But you better be a minimalist in terms of how much tackle and rods you like to bring because the deck in front of your legs, while wide open (no gear box or console), is a bit on the tight side. Yes I can fit a BlackPack in rear, but barely. And so far I am not a fan of the flush mount rod holders, which take Omega Rod holders and the like. I can’t seem to get the angle of the holder and rod exactly right. But that may just be me, I’ve only had the yak for one season and I’m still getting used to it.

 

As for standing in this thing… well, I’m “of that age” and pulling myself up definitely requires a rope mounted to the front of the kayak, which I have added. But I would say you need pretty good balance to stand up in it. I’ve tried it and am not a fan.

 

If I had to do it all over again I would get a slightly bigger yak that is around 65 lbs. I think Native Watercraft may have one that fits the bill.

 

Or get one that is even a bit heavier and get the type of roof rack that enables you to load the kayak from the rear. MUCH easier on the back. I use a J-bar type rack, which required that you clear-jerk the yak off the ground and then up to your chest and then almost over your head before settling it into the rack. I spent the winter doing weights and push ups specifically to make that maneuver easier and it has worked. But for anything more than 60 lbs, at least for me, I’d prefer a rear-loading rack.

 

Or convince my wife this is why I need a pickup truck!

[chubaka]

Perception Outlaw. Affordable and extremely stable.

[Axle]

If you want short and stable, you need more width. This will be slower to paddle. It is always  a compromise when picking a kayak. I would highly recommend trying a few out before you buy. 

[Stratocat_Joe]

Like others have said, I'd recommend trying a few options out before purchasing.  That being said, I've been a fan of FeelFree kayaks for a while, mainly because of their stability. Like you, I like to stand and fish.  I started off with the FeelFree Lure 11.5 (the Lure also comes in a 10 ft. Model) and loved it but, after a couple of years, I wanted a pedal drive.  I found a deal on a Dorado and fished out of it for a season before my son was born. I decided I needed a boat for my family, so I sold the Dorado for what I paid for it and put that money towards a boat.  The boat is great but I also missed the simplicity of kayak fishing when it's just me going out.  I found a deal on a slightly used Moken 10 V2 for $500 and picked it up.  When standing, it rocks a bit more than the Lure but, once used to it, I stand and fish out of it with no problems.  For reference, I'm 5'10 and 175lbs.  Just remember that there is a trade-off in kayaks for stability.  The wider they are for stability, the slower they are when paddling.

[Jeffrey Walker]

On 5/22/2021 at 2:14 PM, Axle said:

If you want short and stable, you need more width. This will be slower to paddle. It is always  a compromise when picking a kayak. I would highly recommend trying a few out before you buy. 

so what is the shortest snd widest kayak?

i don’t care about speed or anything other than it being shot and super stable to stand up.  

[Holetail]

Do not own one, but the Bonafide SS107 appears to be made to stand in. Waiting on my RS117 to come in which has a similar hull but is a little longer and a little less $ which is why I went with it over the SS. 

[flyfisher]

On 5/12/2021 at 8:27 AM, J Francho said:

My Commander 140 weighs 65 lbs., goes in the back of my pickup in five minutes held with two cam straps, has two seating positions as well is one of the most stable hulls to stand in, holds a ton of gear, doesn't require a motor but has a transom and is pre-rigged for mounting a foot steerable motor, is rigged with gear tracks stern to bow for accessories, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.  It comes in a 12 foot version as well.  I much prefer it to any floating bathtub I've fished in.

 

Plus there's room to take a kid with you:

out of all the kayaks I have owned and sold, the commander 120 is one I wish I kept

 

[Jeffrey Walker]

I’m leaning towards Nucanoe F10.  39in wide seems to be the widest and what i have read very stable 

[J Francho]

Width alone does not make it stable. Hull design plays a much larger part. I have a Cossa that is less stable than many boats that aren't as wide, such as my Commander 140 which happens to be one the most stable boats I've owned. That hull features a double tunnel, as does my Hobie Compass, that many wider kayaks do not feature. It really comes down to how you feel in the boat, so seat time is important. Stability is subjective and no one spec tells the whole story. 

[David 7]

My Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT is 35lbs and that’s about as light as a kayak can get. Car topping and transportation is a breeze. It’s very sturdy but I wouldn’t stand up in it. You’re probably gonna need a sit on top with some weight to it. FWIW there really isn’t a need to stand in a kayak while fishing IMO. 
 

Or you could just get a paddle board and pack very light. There are backpacks that let you carry light tackle and a two piece rod on your back.

On 5/11/2021 at 10:23 AM, J Francho said:

I stood in a Malibu Mini-X, but I'm only 165 lbs. and 5'8".  That thing felt tiny.

Man whatever happened to Malibu kayaks? They looked great but I don’t think they’re making products anymore. 

[J Francho]

Seems they disappeared off the face of the earth. Probably some legal issue. They've had some ownership issues in the past. 

[David 7]

27 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Seems they disappeared off the face of the earth. Probably some legal issue. They've had some ownership issues in the past. 

It was definitely weird, no press release or anything. Seems like they made a really good product too. Had strong marketing as well. 

[Jeffrey Walker]

10 hours ago, J Francho said:

Width alone does not make it stable. Hull design plays a much larger part. I have a Cossa that is less stable than many boats that aren't as wide, such as my Commander 140 which happens to be one the most stable boats I've owned. That hull features a double tunnel, as does my Hobie Compass, that many wider kayaks do not feature. It really comes down to how you feel in the boat, so seat time is important. Stability is subjective and no one spec tells the whole story. 

good point but based on all the videos and posts that i have read people stated the Nucanoe F10/12 are extremely stable.  I can’t seem to find one that seems more stable 

 

but if you or anyone else can suggest a different one, i am all ears?

[J Francho]

That was sort of my point. You need seat time. 

[flyfisher]

1 hour ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

good point but based on all the videos and posts that i have read people stated the Nucanoe F10/12 are extremely stable.  I can’t seem to find one that seems more stable 

 

but if you or anyone else can suggest a different one, i am all ears?

My ATAK is one of the most stable kayaks I have been in.  I routinely drift down river while standing and fly fishing and even lean down to pop the motor on to straighten me out or use the paddle with zero issues.

 

[Jeffrey Walker]

21 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That was sort of my point. You need seat time. 

 that’s not gonna happen. I’m gonna have to buy this on the advice of in the back of others

[michaelb]

I think the f10 is an excellent choice for what you are looking for. Fits in the back of the truck, can be carried, and should be very stable. 

[moguy1973]

On 5/11/2021 at 4:01 PM, Jeffrey Walker said:

i was looking for something like 8ft or smaller, anything life that exist? i saw a 5 foot disc boat forget the name, but it needs a trolling motor.  i want something super quick to use and light and portable. just need to get off the shore a little bit it’s all ponds. 

 

no trolling motor no trailers, quick and small 

You aren't going to find a kayak that is 8' long that you can can stand in and is stable enough to fish out of.

[David 7]

Think the Nucanoe F10 is about the closet you're going to get, and that's 10 ft long. Be prepared though as the MSRP is $1399.

[Run2jeepn]

Pelican Catch Power 100. It's 9.9ft and 75lbs.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pelican-catch-pwr-100-single-person-fishing-boat?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Nb|Generic|Boating|DSA&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzanFe0NI0ucpejZJtLP9-CrZszg6sidlmcsVgQQ9R7aPrc2GMyE_IxcaApFLEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Jeffrey Walker]

 

how wide is the catch? 

 

i don’t think the catch is as stable as the F10 Nucanoe.

 

 

[Dye99]

On 7/7/2021 at 5:35 PM, flyfisher said:

My ATAK is one of the most stable kayaks I have been in.  I routinely drift down river while standing and fly fishing and even lean down to pop the motor on to straighten me out or use the paddle with zero issues.

 

I too run a ATAK. Ive spent 5 years in it at this point and I have yet to find a boat better for stability, durability and utility. I have decided to go with a Hobie pro Angler 360 next year though and pass the ATAK down to my son, but it will always be around.

Wilderness makes a hell of a stable boat.

[flyfisher]

5 minutes ago, Dye99 said:

I too run a ATAK. Ive spent 5 years in it at this point and I have yet to find a boat better for stability, durability and utility. I have decided to go with a Hobie pro Angler 360 next year though and pass the ATAK down to my son, but it will always be around.

Wilderness makes a hell of a stable boat.

Yeah I agree that stability is second to none, as good as a PA in my opinion.  I thought about going pedal as well but figured I would rather have a great paddling boat with a motor instead of a bad paddling boat with pedals lol. More flexibility as I do a couple multi day river trips a year where I need a decent paddling boat.