Finally! About to receive my Bonafide kayak

[Holetail]

 Since KOZ did such a great write up and review of his Seastream, I thought I would do the same for the SS127. 
  I ordered an RS117 through a local dealer back in June. Really wanted the SS127, but didn’t really want to spend the extra $ at the time. I still don’t want to , but grew seriously frustrated with how long it was taking for the RS to come in. I’m understanding about supply issues, but the boat has been delivered to the stores warehouse two hours away and has been sitting there for over a month now. Several calls to them and a couple visits to the store to inquire on status left me with no real info other than it would be another week or so. My breaking point was a lack of urgency for the shop to get the boat to complete the sale and their refusal to even make a phone call to check status.    
  Anyway, they have had an SS127 in the store that hasn’t sold since I first placed my order. It’s the Patriot edition which isn’t my first choice in colors, but I’m happy enough with it. I got the OK from the wife to spend the extra $ after some debate. I know it’s the boat I truly wanted and I probably would have regretted not buying once and crying once.
  Went in on Sunday and transferred my deposit to this new boat which I can pick up anytime this week. I am super excited to finally be able to get off the banks just in time for what I hope to be a good fall bite. Will definitely post updates once I get it in the water and answer anyone’s questions. 

[Dens228]

This is my third year in my 127,  I love it.  

[Darth-Baiter]

Had to look up Patriot edition.  It’s kinda nice!!!

 

not flashy at all.

[Jmilburn76]

Nice!  I had my heart set on a SS107 as soon as they announced them but as luck would have it I got a brand new Native Slayer Propel 10 on clearance from Cabelas for a little over $1000. 

[Holetail]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Had to look up Patriot edition.  It’s kinda nice!!!

 

not flashy at all.

Am I sending some sarcasm here? Haha. It is a little more flashy than I’d prefer but I’m a patriotic guy so…

[Darth-Baiter]

23 minutes ago, Holetail said:

Am I sending some sarcasm here? Haha. It is a little more flashy than I’d prefer but I’m a patriotic guy so…

A tiny bit of sarcasm. But it’s great looking like that.  I like it!!  I like it a lot. 
 

Congrats. I bet you love it. I fished next to a total stranger with that kayak yesterday. It looks super stable. He rode boat wakes with zero pucker. I turn towards the wave. He barely noted them. 

[Koz]

Before I decided to get a pedal drive. the SS127 was at the top of my list. It looks like a great kayak. I'm sure you will love it. Except the paddling part ?

[Functional]

Congrats! always loved the looks/features of the SS line.

 

not sure where SE NC is for you but I'm above Wilson, might see you out there.

[HookInMouth]

Congrats. We have two SS127 and are extremely happy with them. Very well thought out, very stable. The seat is the best in the industry IMHO. 

[Holetail]

On 9/10/2021 at 9:46 AM, Functional said:

Congrats! always loved the looks/features of the SS line.

 

not sure where SE NC is for you but I'm above Wilson, might see you out there.

I am actually in Wilmington so not too far away. Once I get the boat rigged up and learn to fish it, would be up for a road trip to check out some new waters. Would be happy to show you around if you’re ever down this way as well

[Boomstick]

I bought a SS127 last year. All around it's a pretty solid kayak and nearly impossible to flip. Be sure to add the rudder or flex wings (depending if you plan on putting a trolling motor on the back), without either the tracking is awful but I have the rudder and with the rudder deployed it completely solves that.

 

The one thing to keep an eye on is the pads that the seat sits on tend to come unglued and slide backwards pretty quickly. I have been gluing it, but that takes 24 hours to set and without a garage, sometimes I can't always reglue them if it's pouring out the day before etc. I have been told to try 3m double sided tape, and I can spend a minute before each trip and add new tape as needed.

On 9/7/2021 at 4:18 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

He rode boat wakes with zero pucker.

I find that the W shaped hull does tend to rock you back and forth more than many kayaks, but it's pretty hard to flip. Basically, when it gets choppy, I'm at risk of falling off myself.

[Holetail]

Thanks for the info. I’ve read about the seat issue and May see about getting the retrofit plastic guards they sent out rather than mess with the pads. Will see how it goes. 
  Most of the places I plan to fish are pretty small so until I decide to get on some bigger water, I’m not overly concerned about the tracking. May get the flex wings if it seems really bad. 
  Picking it up tomorrow and plan on fishing it Sunday so I am excited. Will post some pics once I get it home and start rigging it. 

[Holetail]

Well, I picked the boat up today and spent a few hours rigging it. Trying to not get too crazy until I fish it and figure out where I want everything. Cannot wait to get on the water in the AM! Will post some pics of it set up to fish and hopefully some slime on the deck…

[Koz]

Very nice! But isn't the "big screen TV" going to get in the way of your fishing? ?

 

Seriously - it took me a while to figure out where I was most comfortable with my Lowrance, and I have the 5" screen. I tried both the left side and the right side (my pedal drive is in the middle) at various points along each rail. I finally decided to keep it on the left side, as close to my seat as possible. And instead of the mount sticking up, I lay it down almost parallel to the top of my YakAttack CelBlock that it sits on.

[Holetail]

Got out for the maiden voyage this AM. Paddling was no issue but I can tell I’m going to be sore later. So out of shape… Everything is more difficult with the PFD in the way and constantly being aware of how moving around will make the boat react. I’m sure it will get easier the more I go and get used to what I can and cannot do. Even casting had a new learning curve that will need more practice. Had a few accidental skip casts I was not ready for. Only one backlash that I couldn’t get out on the water though so I’m ok with it since I can get it out at home. 
  Went with rod holders instead of a crate which I’m rethinking now. Problem is the place I fished today has a ton of cypress trees that overhang which is why I wanted to keep the rods low. 
  Boat was crazy stable. Never once felt even a little tippy. Figure I’m going to order the flex wings though. Noticed pretty quickly what everyone said about the so-so tracking. Wind was still and I struggled to keep from spinning some. Paddle management was tricky at first until I got comfortable with keeping it in my lap. Towards the end I was managing it much better. 
  Fishing was tough. Water was 80 degrees still. Didn’t see much activity on the surface or even birds. I’m sure it will get better when things cool off some. Hooked one fish and lost him. Sure I didn’t get a good hookset. Missed two other bites. 
  All in all, it was a blast and didn’t expect to slay them. Looking forward to the process of figuring this out and the fish will come. 

[Koz]

2 hours ago, Holetail said:

Everything is more difficult with the PFD in the way and constantly being aware of how moving around will make the boat react.

Do you have a kayak PFD? The cut is different than a standard PFD and it makes it a little bit easier. That being said, I did add a St. Croix Mojo Yak rod to my arsenal because it has a shorter butt end, but not one of those silly pistol grips. I only wish they made that rod in a 7' or even 6' 6" MH. The 7' version is a medium, and the MH is 7' 6".  For someone like me who brings only 3 rods on the water and changes baits, wielding a 7'6" rod on a kayak can be cumbersome. But I do like that Mojo Yak rod.

 

Quote

Went with rod holders instead of a crate which I’m rethinking now.

 

I recently bought the Flambeau Outdoors 455TKP Tuff Krate and it's pretty good. I do like the separate top storage area for things like tools, gloves, gaiters, and a small Plano of frequently used baits and soft baits.. You will need to add a bungee or some string so the lids don't open all the way over so they are out of reach.

 

Quote

Sure I didn’t get a good hookset.

Kayak hooksets are a bit different. On the bank or even a boat you can plant your feet. But on a lightweight kayak, the kayak can shift and move when you set the hook. Just wait until you get into a decent sized fish that starts pulling you around. That freaked me out a little at first.

 

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. Making a big purchase like that is no fun if you have buyer's remorse.

[Holetail]

2 hours ago, Koz said:

Do you have a kayak PFD? The cut is different than a standard PFD and it makes it a little bit easier.

I have the NRS Chinook so it’s not the vest. Just going to take some time to get used to doing everything while on the boat. 
  Thanks for the crate recommendation. I will check into it. 

[Functional]

Glad you are enjoying it. Once you get used to handling it things will get even more fun. I've been doing a lot of boat fishing lately with the heat here but i do miss some of the angles and nooks and crannies I can get into with the yak I wouldnt necessarily try with a boat.

[Holetail]

  So, got out for the second time on the yak today. Definitely easier than last week but still have some tweaking to do to get things set up right.
  Forgot the battery for fish finder which wasn’t the end of the world but did miss having the depth and temp. 
  Installed the flex wings which had a noticeable improvement in tracking. Kudos to Bonafide for getting them to me quickly but a little irked that I needed them. Played around with an anchor today using a 5# dumbbell and some 550 cord I had around the house. Definitely made a difference in amount of time casting instead of paddling. Now I’m thinking about an anchor wizard to streamline the whole process. Considered an anchor trolley but now I’m thinking I just want to drop it from the stearn. More research… haha. 
  Definitely getting a cart to aid in loading and unloading. Also will give me access to other lakes. 
  Anyway, I did actually catch a couple so now I know I can do this! No real size to them and I had to resort to a weightless senko, but the boat has been christened at last! 

[Koz]

2 hours ago, Holetail said:

  Definitely getting a cart to aid in loading and unloading. 

 

Get the C-Tug. Don't make the mistake I made and try something cheaper, no matter how enticing it may be. I can guarantee that you won't regret getting the C-Tug. I can't say the same for any other cart.

[Holetail]

1 hour ago, Koz said:

 

Get the C-Tug. Don't make the mistake I made and try something cheaper, no matter how enticing it may be. I can guarantee that you won't regret getting the C-Tug. I can't say the same for any other cart.

Thanks for the advice!
 Was planning on building one with pvc. Had all the pieces in my cart at HD yesterday and then started adding up the cost. For $40 more I wouldn’t have to mess with building it so I am actually planning on getting a C-tug even though it isn’t a great fit for the Bonafide hull. Need to modify with pvc but I already have what I need so should be simple. I know the Wilderness cart is what everyone says to get, but they are sold out everywhere and cost another $50. I’m not humping it on trails or rough terrain so I figure it will work fine. Plus it’s small enough I can toss it int the hull while fishing which is a bonus. 

[Koz]

6 hours ago, Holetail said:

...so I am actually planning on getting a C-tug even though it isn’t a great fit for the Bonafide hull. 

 

Take a look at my pontoon style hull below. But with the C-Tug, the surface that the kayak rests on can either lay flat or be angled. Just set the kayak on it and it will angle itself to the kayak. Unlike a cheap cart I tried, my kayak has never slipped while resting on the C-Tug. For me this is important, because I transport my kayak up and down a steep, windy sidewalk to and from my hotel down to the lake behind the hotel.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

Your first kayak bass is 3x the size of my first kayak bass!!  Nice!! 
 

I did fist pump the sky in jubilation like I landed my PB tho. 

[Holetail]

56 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Your first kayak bass is 3x the size of my first kayak bass!!  Nice!! 
 

I did fist pump the sky in jubilation like I landed my PB tho. 

Haha. I will admit I let out a WooHoo. Way more excited than I should have been for a 1 - 1.5 pounder…

[Boomstick]

On 9/17/2021 at 9:07 AM, Holetail said:

Thanks for the info. I’ve read about the seat issue and May see about getting the retrofit plastic guards they sent out rather than mess with the pads.

If you got the pads, they don't consider that a recall model and won't send you the retrofit plastic guards unfortunately. The originals I guess didn't have any sort of pads there.

On 9/26/2021 at 5:16 PM, Holetail said:

I know the Wilderness cart is what everyone says to get, but they are sold out everywhere and cost another $50.

The Wilderness is the one you want. Some of the other carts cause the hull to crack when used with the SS127.