Best small kayak?

[Jake51823]

Hey all, I’m in the market for a smaller fishing kayak. Right now I have a kayak that’s around 100lbs and definitely takes me and a buddy to lug it around.

 

I don’t stand much when I’m out on the water so I don’t need to be able to stand much. However, I would like it to be stable so if I sway side to side on it or lean to one side in the water trying to grab a fish, it won’t roll and will be sturdy.

 

Anything under 12ft is what I’m targeting, light and fast in open water. Also will be using a 3.5lb anchor if that makes any difference. One I have been looking at is the Brooklyn kayak fk285. It is only 9 feet 2 inches which for some reason scares me. But I’m intrigued by the hatch right in front of the seat and the 3 rod holders with one being adjustable right in front of you. Don’t need any hook ups for fish finder or anything either. Just some rod holders and storage are fine with me   
 

Any suggestions? 

 

[kjfishman]

Since you don't to stand a sit in yak like and Old Town Loon 106 would be the answer. They are fast and stable also very durably as they are made with polylink 3. My 1999 Loon made with the same stuff held up for years and it had good resale value when I upgraded to the new Loon 126.

 

[CountryboyinDC]

If you want less weight with good stability, sit-in kayaks (SINKs) are a good way to go.  You sit closer to the waterline, and so the boat doesn't have to be as wide to be as stable as a sit-on-top (SOT) kayak.  The Loon series has a good reputation, but I'd probably look at the Pungo.  People rave about the seat, and it is a good one.  Personally, I'd stick with 12' kayaks if you want 'fast'.  There are also some SINKs that are very angler-biased.  The old Jackson Kilroys (not the new HD, I know nothing about that one) and the Bonafide SINK both allow you to take along a crate, etc. but are really stable without being so heavy.  I'm going to try out my cousin's Bonafide this summer - I know he has been very happy since he bought it.  I have no experience with Brooklyn kayaks, but what I've heard about them isn't good.

[bulldog1935]

I'll once again add in my buddy Josh's spreadsheet for kayaks.  

He worked his way through college rigging kayaks at Jerry B's in Corpus, and stays up with the industry better than anyone else I know. 

Kayaks, PFDs, & Paddles - Google Sheets

 

If you want to get the weight down for single handing, consider other MOC than PE.  

ABS and hand-laid are the way to go.  

A very stable boat for standing is the ABS Diablo made in Texas, and skeg is recommended on these boats for wind control.  

 

They're proud of it, but Kysek makes a pretty neat ABS fishing boat, Kysek K12

They also offer a very light and cost-effective hand-laid pirogue, Kysek P12

 

I'm not recommending my kevlar Kestrel because it's not a fishing boat, but a fast taxi to wading water.  The infinite glide and unstable handling is only for someone who wants a racy boat.  You need thigh straps to keep your balance and to turn.  

I also fish out of it - only 26" wide, easy to straddle, and easy to keep your balance straddled as long as you're facing forward.  

But the hand-laid kevlar 14'er weights 39 lbs, and 5 kt is an easy pace.  

 

My daughter's Heritage Redfish 10 is one of the lightest PE boats at 44 lb.  

Stable, wind-slick, and surprisingly fast, but I had to rig a skeg for her to have wind control in coastal wind.  

 

There are still fans of Wilderness Tarpon 100 out there, which is now the Tarpon 105 - 55 lbs.  

[michaelb]

The crescent lite tackle or ultralight are worth looking at. For speed on open water, a 12' boat will be much better and much faster. So the native slayer 12 as an example (or the crescent LT) will paddle pretty well. I also really like the idea of the nucanoes say the F10 for throwing in the back of a pickup and carrying to the water. The moken v2 in 10 or 12' too.  I haven't ever seen one or paddled one, but the BKC FK285 looks short and fat, and so pretty clearly won't be a fast open water boat. I have an old tarpon 105 and it is slow and fat and too short for me in any kind of waves.

[Bass Junke]

10 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I'll once again add in my buddy Josh's spreadsheet for kayaks.  

He worked his way through college rigging kayaks at Jerry B's in Corpus, and stays up with the industry better than anyone else I know. 

Kayaks, PFDs, & Paddles - Google Sheets

 

If you want to get the weight down for single handing, consider other MOC than PE.  

ABS and hand-laid are the way to go.  

A very stable boat for standing is the ABS Diablo made in Texas, and skeg is recommended on these boats for wind control.  

 

They're proud of it, but Kysek makes a pretty neat ABS fishing boat, Kysek K12

They also offer a very light and cost-effective hand-laid pirogue, Kysek P12

 

I'm not recommending my kevlar Kestrel because it's not a fishing boat, but a fast taxi to wading water.  The infinite glide and unstable handling is only for someone who wants a racy boat.  You need thigh straps to keep your balance and to turn.  

I also fish out of it - only 26" wide, easy to straddle, and easy to keep your balance straddled as long as you're facing forward.  

But the hand-laid kevlar 14'er weights 39 lbs, and 5 kt is an easy pace.  

 

My daughter's Heritage Redfish 10 is one of the lightest PE boats at 44 lb.  

Stable, wind-slick, and surprisingly fast, but I had to rig a skeg for her to have wind control in coastal wind.  

 

There are still fans of Wilderness Tarpon 100 out there, which is now the Tarpon 105 - 55 lbs.  

Thank you for posting that spread sheet. Very cool.

[basscrusher]

Venture CK1 by crescent kayaks, if you can find one.   I got one last week, have done 2 trips and love it.  Going out again in a couple hours.

[Jake51823]

I’ve narrowed it down to some kayaks. I feel like a 11ft is a good compromise. Some speed but still a bit on the shorter side. I have the bkc ra220 11.5, hoodoo tempest 120 hybrid, crescent ck1 venture and the native slayer 12 all in mind. They all seem to be on the lighter side. 

[Jake51823]

Really like the three rod holders on the ra220 and the hatch in front of the seat however it is 68 lbs so a tiny bit heavier than the others 

[CountryboyinDC]

17 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

There are still fans of Wilderness Tarpon 100 out there, which is now the Tarpon 105 - 55 lbs.  

My brother has a 10' Tarpon.  I will say it beats staying home.  I've only had it on the James once, and I opted for his (also not my favorite) Ram-X canoe the next time the situation arose.

OP, of those boats, the Native Slayer is the only one with which I'm familiar.  It's fine, nothing special, along the lines of a Jackson Cruise.  Good all around kayak.  No hatch cover for the bow, if that matters to you (I keep a bunch of stuff in the bow hatches).

[MIbassyaker]

17 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I

There are still fans of Wilderness Tarpon 100 out there, which is now the Tarpon 105 - 55 lbs.  

 

(Raises hand)

 

Me!  My first fishing kayak,  2009 model I think -- still have it, still use it for a few trips per year, especially small river floats where I need maneuverability.  The seat leaves something to be desired, but it's nimble, stable, sturdy, and car-tops with almost no effort.