Contemplating a kayak

[schplurg]

My pedal drive has a compartment in it that you can store some baits and stuff in. I use it for my phone, wallet and keys. Sometimes a used bait. Sportsman 106. See photo.

 

I can slide 2 Planos under my seat which is very nice. The front hatch gets my extra prop and tools, lunch, cart maybe, cooler. Clothes if needed.

 

Hatch under/behind the seat is kind of useless in my opinion. Good for hull access though. The two side pockets are nice.

 

@Koz I wonder if you could velcro a small Plano somewhere on your deck for quick and divided storage?

 

 

[Koz]

6 hours ago, schplurg said:

My pedal drive has a compartment in it that you can store some baits and stuff in. I use it for my phone, wallet and keys. Sometimes a used bait. Sportsman 106. See photo.

 

I can slide 2 Planos under my seat which is very nice. The front hatch gets my extra prop and tools, lunch, cart maybe, cooler. Clothes if needed.

 

Hatch under/behind the seat is kind of useless in my opinion. Good for hull access though. The two side pockets are nice.

 

@Koz I wonder if you could velcro a small Plano somewhere on your deck for quick and divided storage?

 

 

I can easily fit two Planos under my seat, four if I want to stack them.

 

One thing I have been working on early this season is how to make the space on my kayak more useful and improve overall convenience. For example, I added a cleat to the rail and a bungee dock line. 

 

I'm also going to add a rod holder to the rail. Sure, I have four rod holders behind me and when I fish I bring only 3 or 4 rods. So why a rod holder on the rail? Because it will make it easier to tie on new baits. Currently, when I want to tie on a new bait I usually turn the rod around and lay it on the deck. That's a great way to lose a rod over the side. If I try and stand it up and hold it, I lose mobility swapping out baits.

 

That being said, things are starting to get crowded. My kayak is becoming like a Swiss Army Knife with lots of stuff. At some point I'll probably just say, "The heck with it!" and strip everything down and bring 2 rods and one or two Planos. As it is, some days I leave the electronics at home.

[Skunked again]

Schplurg- Been watching a few kayak videos. Saw some people wrapped Velcro around a tool, with the opposite piece glued to the side of the boat. As well as velcro on plano boxes.

 

Koz - your last paragraph, oh so very true!! When I told my wife I wanted a kayak, her response? Every boat you’ve had you added storage, you won’t be happy in a kayak!!! I said, in hindsight, I’ve always carried to much crap!! 8 rods on the deck, 4 more in the rod box. Used two all day! !

We won’t even talk about how many 3700 series Plano boxes that where in the boat!!  

I have a way of over complicating things!

 

[Denny]

On 3/30/2022 at 12:01 AM, schplurg said:

My pedal drive has a compartment in it that you can store some baits and stuff in. I use it for my phone, wallet and keys. Sometimes a used bait. Sportsman 106. See photo.

 

I can slide 2 Planos under my seat which is very nice. The front hatch gets my extra prop and tools, lunch, cart maybe, cooler. Clothes if needed.

 

Hatch under/behind the seat is kind of useless in my opinion. Good for hull access though. The two side pockets are nice.

 

@Koz I wonder if you could velcro a small Plano somewhere on your deck for quick and divided storage?

 

 

By any chance how tall are you?  I've been looking everywhere for a 120 PDL and only find people selling used 106's.  Very tempting but not sure ill be happy long term.  Demo'd a 106 but it had zero gear in it so not sure how cramped id feel after all my stuff at 6 foot tall

[nso123]

24 minutes ago, Denny said:

By any chance how tall are you?  I've been looking everywhere for a 120 PDL and only find people selling used 106's.  Very tempting but not sure ill be happy long term.  Demo'd a 106 but it had zero gear in it so not sure how cramped id feel after all my stuff at 6 foot tall

I have had several kayaks and can say you will never regret going with one that is longer. I am 6’3” and have a Hobie PA 12. The extra length helps the kayak in tracking and steering, as well as stability if you fish any bigger water. I have comfortably fished everything from small creeks to Mosquito Lagoon to the ocean in mine. By the time you get electronics, rod holders, a cooler, and all of your other gear, you will appreciate the extra space.  

[Denny]

2 minutes ago, nso123 said:

I have had several kayaks and can say you will never regret going with one that is longer. I am 6’3” and have a Hobie PA 12. The extra length helps the kayak in tracking and steering, as well as stability if you fish any bigger water. I have comfortably fished everything from small creeks to Mosquito Lagoon to the ocean in mine. By the time you get electronics, rod holders, a cooler, and all of your other gear, you will appreciate the extra space.  

Pretty much what I was thinking, i'd also like to be able to take it out into long island sound and do some salt water fishing and totally get rid of my 14 foot tin boat if possible so thinking i'll definitely want at least 12 foot worth of yak 

[king fisher]

Hobie Outback works great for me in the Saltwater.  Very stable, but light enough to launch in surf.  Is also a great kayak for bass fishing.  

[schplurg]

9 hours ago, Denny said:

By any chance how tall are you?  I've been looking everywhere for a 120 PDL and only find people selling used 106's.  Very tempting but not sure ill be happy long term.  Demo'd a 106 but it had zero gear in it so not sure how cramped id feel after all my stuff at 6 foot tall

 

5' 10.5", and 190 pounds of solid muscle that would make A-Jay jealous. Okay well the measurement and weight are accurate anyways!

 

One thing I notice is that I have to slide the seat pretty far forward for me. Kinda feel line if my weight were further back I'd push less water, but maybe not. Very tall people should be fine as far as that goes.

 

One day I compared photos of the 106 and the 120 and I can't remember where most of the length difference lies. It's only 1.5 feet.

 

Assembled boat weight (including pedal drive):

PDL 106 = 107 pounds

PDL 120 = 116 pounds

 

Edit:

I had temporary buyers remorse, or more like unsure. I wondered if I should have got the 120. But mine tracks great, is a little lighter and easier to store. The 120 is a few tenths of a mph faster, maybe. I'm glad I have the shorter one.

 

Look up "stability test" videos on Youtube. There is a guy trying to tip one of these and he has a hard time doing it, though eventually does. He rocks it back and forth like a madman, leaning over the side, and took him a lot of effort to finally do it.

 

Not a big guy, but neither am I and I'm not actively trying to tip it. Unless I hit some freak waves I don't see it happening to me.

 

Different guy but here is one (the motor drive with the motor removed). He walks all over the thing too.

 

 

This video makes me even more happy that I own this yak.

[casts_by_fly]

14 hours ago, schplurg said:

 

5' 10.5", and 190 pounds of solid muscle that would make A-Jay jealous. Okay well the measurement and weight are accurate anyways!

 

One thing I notice is that I have to slide the seat pretty far forward for me. Kinda feel line if my weight were further back I'd push less water, but maybe not. Very tall people should be fine as far as that goes.

 

One day I compared photos of the 106 and the 120 and I can't remember where most of the length difference lies. It's only 1.5 feet.

 

Assembled boat weight (including pedal drive):

PDL 106 = 107 pounds

PDL 120 = 116 pounds

 

Edit:

I had temporary buyers remorse, or more like unsure. I wondered if I should have got the 120. But mine tracks great, is a little lighter and easier to store. The 120 is a few tenths of a mph faster, maybe. I'm glad I have the shorter one.

 

Look up "stability test" videos on Youtube. There is a guy trying to tip one of these and he has a hard time doing it, though eventually does. He rocks it back and forth like a madman, leaning over the side, and took him a lot of effort to finally do it.

 

Not a big guy, but neither am I and I'm not actively trying to tip it. Unless I hit some freak waves I don't see it happening to me.

 

Different guy but here is one (the motor drive with the motor removed). He walks all over the thing too.

 

 

This video makes me even more happy that I own this yak.

 

the 106mk in the video, the autopilots, and the sportsman PDL boats all have that similar/same hull design. Pretty flat across the board with a twin tunnel underneath. That 106 has a ‘tail fin’ by the rudder which I expect helps with tracking. My 120ap doesn’t have that but it does have the big rudder which is always in the water for me. 
 

these hulls have great stability. They will tilt 15-20 degrees fairly easily and then just stop. 

[Gera]

My oldtown 106 PDL seems pretty stable, I have even used it at Lake St Clair with not issues at all. I'm 6"0" 200lbs. 

[NYWayfarer]

The two best pieces of advice I got about kayaks from these forums are:

 

1) Easy gets used, hard does not. 
2) Get the kayak with the most comfortable seat you can in your budget.

 

Number 1 for me meant light. I car top my kayak since I don’t have a truck or trailer. 
 

Number 2 was important when I upgraded from my budget kayak with a molded plastic seat. My new one has a lawn chair type seat with great back support.

 

 

[GTN-NY]

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

 

 

1) Easy gets used, hard does not. 

 

Very very true. 
I bought a Jackson Big Rig for the stability. I like to stand while fishing. 
It’s 85lbs empty but I have a trailer so no big deal. 
Added a big crate. Holds 6 3700 boxes + 3 more under the seat. Rod tubes for 10 rods. 
7” Depth finder and battery added. 
Bow mount trolling motor and battery added

 

Now it weighs 150lbs and it’s a pain to launch when there is no launch ramp

[Seafury]

Things to know about a fishing kayak I have not seen mentioned much yet.

 

1) They are heavy.

If you are middle aged and/or out of shape they will kick your ass.

Loading, unloading, using it all day, then reloading into the truck bed, then unloading at home.

I use my truck bed. No way in hell would I even consider trying to hoist this beast on anything higher, or a rack of any kind, or roof of any car.

 

If you ever worked in home construction and tried to man handle 3/4in floor plywood yourself, it's like that.

Long, heavy, and awkward.

 

25 years ago as a late teen sure, I could do some of that, for a little while.

 

2) How tall/heavy are you?

They ALL feel very tippy to me.

I'm 6'1" 255lbs.

Plus all kinds of gear, tackle, water, couple rods, cameras, batteries, ropes, 9in fish finder etc.

I don't get how anyone stands on these things, scares the crap outa me and I have been riding bikes and motorcycles my whole life and have (what I always thought) is great balance.

Added seat risers to mine now it's even more unstable but way more comfortable.

 

3) Peddling will kick your ass if your middle age and/or out of shape. It is also stiffer then you think it would be to peddle.

People saying they are doing 9miles+ or in wind over 10mph are crazy.

2 miles peddling plus all the loading/unloading will wreck you physically unless your in real good shape.

 

3) If you got a kayak because you wanted a bass boat but it was not possible for logistical reasons (not financial reasons, good fishing kayaks cost as much or more then a cheap bass boat) then you most likely want a trolling motor type kayak, I wish I had, but then it would be less useful in creeks and up river sections. This will depend on the water you plan to fish with it most.

 

4) What is your storage situation?

I have to lug mine up and down a hill out back of my townhouse into the basement.

This makes it super miserable for me and if its muddy from rain when I want to go fish it's almost a deal breaker to even get the kayak out. I will and have slipped and fallen on the hill when its damp.

 

I just HAD to get off the bank to fish any still waters I have access to. They are all so pressured bank fishing is a waste of time.

I spent last summer wading the upper rivers and that's awesome but it's also physically draining and you can't get very far sometimes.

 

I got the OT 120 PDL last Oct.

After 4 trips It's great, and I regret it.

I should have gone with the Nucanoe Unlimited.

Way more stable, higher seat, 360 swivel, way wider.

Built right to add any kind of propulsion you want later as you need or budget allows.

No other good fishing kayak seems to be like that, it's either paddle, peddle, or motor.

Any changing requires customization and drilling your warranties away.

 

Price and availability kept me locked on the OT 120 PDL and as soon as I found 2022 in stock I drove 3hr+ to buy it.

 

If anyone reading this is built like me, or has my situation, or is concerned about stability, and future options, go look and research the Nucanoe line, then compare it to anything else and unless you need a bunch of in-hull storage you will see it's clearly way better then everything else.

 

I hope this helps someone.

[Koz]

9 hours ago, Seafury said:

No way in hell would I even consider trying to hoist this beast on anything higher, or a rack of any kind, or roof of any car.

 

 If you have the right setup it's not hard. Somewhere on here I posted a video of a 100 pound girl loading her 100 pound Hobie pedal drive on her car, She had a pull out extender off the back of her roof rack and it made it an easy pivot to put up there.

 

Quote

Peddling will kick your ass if your middle age and/or out of shape. It is also stiffer then you think it would be to peddle.

 

That's only if you try and run full speed everywhere you go.  I can do a steady pace of 2.8 - 3.2 mph with a fully loaded kayak and be out there for 6 hours. What kicks my butt is pulling it back up the big hill to where I store it in my hotel.

[Skunked again]

Seafury -

- I'm 5'8' 180#'s. In shape? I say no, I need to do better. Wife and I go for a nightly 1 mile walk, weather permitting. That's not enough though. 

- I have no plans of cameras, or trolling motors.

- "If" I put a graph on, it would be a 4" Garmin unit, as I have one sitting around. I'm undecided about that. I had two 7" units with sidescan on a previous boat. Had four mounts, could put both at the console or both on the bow. Where they nice? Yes sir\ma'am!!! However, I soon found myself consumed with them. Made it more like work, than fishing and having fun\relaxing.

- How much gear to carry? I need to down size. When I cleaned the boat out, to sell it, I was utterly amazed at how much crap I had in it. Simplifying, getting back to basics, is part of my objective.   

- As for peddle vs paddle? Dang good question. I've watched the videos provided on this thread, others that popped up, and searched this proverbial question. Same thing as Aluminum vs Fiberglass boat.

- Storage? Not an issue. In fact, have a kayak hoist mounted, unused at this time. Had put it up for a 8' bass raider style boat, which I no longer have.

- Transportation? Couple of options.  Back of the truck with a bed extender, or we have a 5x10 flatbed trailer. Part of my reason for a kayak - put a ladder rack on the truck for a kayak, take our travel trailer and make a weekend of it. 

 

The nucanoes are nice, saw two at a fishing\boat show this winter. Came real close to pulling the trigger!! It's a good thing my wife was with me ! ! !

 

Koz -

- Watched several videos on the Seastreams, very nice as well. 

- Saw the video you referenced of the lady loading the kayak. She made it look easy!

 

NYWayfarer- 

Good info, both points.

 

GTN-NY

- The Jacksons look nice as well! 

[SWVABass]

So I went with a hobie pro angler 12. It is big and heavy but I love it. I can car top it on my vw or jeep. Lots of storage and the chair is hard to beat. I tried a couple different ones and this was what I wanted since demo. Also it’s great in saltwater as well. The only thing I can say about them, make sure you know what kind of drive you have, I had one without the kick up fins, it’s an expensive fix after hitting a rock I couldn’t see.

[Skunked again]

I borrowed a friends kayak.....

 

-The Good - I loved it! Definitely see the advantage of pedal over paddle for fishing. I took a rod with me, made a few casts. Great experience. I could see me immersing myself (pun intended!) into this, very easily ! ! ! 

 

- The bad - Wife went with me. Wait, that sounds bad! She wasn't a fan of me being that close to the water, and less visible to boats. I said that's what PFD's and flags are for. I tried to get her in it, she wouldn't do it.

 

We shall see. In the current market, I'm not doing anything. 

 

A BIG Thank You to all for your comments and help !

[Darth-Baiter]

13 hours ago, Skunked again said:

I borrowed a friends kayak.....

 

-The Good - I loved it! Definitely see the advantage of pedal over paddle for fishing. I took a rod with me, made a few casts. Great experience. I could see me immersing myself (pun intended!) into this, very easily ! ! ! 

 

- The bad - Wife went with me. Wait, that sounds bad! She wasn't a fan of me being that close to the water, and less visible to boats. I said that's what PFD's and flags are for. I tried to get her in it, she wouldn't do it.

 

We shall see. In the current market, I'm not doing anything. 

 

A BIG Thank You to all for your comments and help !

On the bright side she still loves you. Not like she suggested a lake colors kayak and lake colored fishing suit for you, so she can send you out into a boating channel

 

I think a kayak is very visible.  Do it!!

[J Francho]

Oddly, the most visible color on the water has often been said to be blue.  I personally think yellow or orange is more visible.  I am rocking a blue boat right now.

[casts_by_fly]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Oddly, the most visible color on the water has often been said to be blue.  I personally think yellow or orange is more visible.  I am rocking a blue boat right now.

 

Yeah, I don't know how much I believe that (blue).  I think its the color lightness/brightness that makes a bit difference and I'm with you on colors.  Chartreuse and blaze orange are two of the most visible colors to the human eye in sunlight.  Red and Orange give the most contrast against green and blue backgrounds like tree surrounded lakes.  That said, I'm in the blue old town which is blue and black mottled.  I'm usually wearing a white shirt that is 3-5' off the water.  If you can't see me well in advance then you're not looking.  On the big party lake here, I'm pretty confident that all of the boats see me, they just don't care that they are throwing 3' wakes 100' away at 50 mph (or closer and faster at times).

[purpurite]

On 5/16/2022 at 9:55 PM, Skunked again said:

We shall see. In the current market, I'm not doing anything. 

 

Don't rule out buying anything second-hand. I looked for 6 months on CL and FB Marketplace, as I wanted something fairly specific and in a certain color. I had my list of 2 or 3 different boats I wanted, and I watched the market asking prices for boats that disappeared fast and ones that stuck around in listings for a long time.

A week ago tonight, I picked up my 2020 Vibe Sea Ghost 110 about 40 minutes from my office. It had been used once in a river, and like most Covid recreational purchases, was never used again. The seller had listed it on FB as "Kayak" with poor photos and no description at all. I'm still not sure how I found it a half hour after it was listed. I couldn't get there fast enough. Bought it for 50¢ on the dollar for the price of a brand new one. It needed the rudder and pedals set up correctly and a good wash, and it's like brand new. Can't wait to get it out on the water.

 

Don't give up on one if you want it. There is one out there with your name on it.

 

[Koz]

On 4/10/2022 at 11:19 AM, Skunked again said:

 

- How much gear to carry? I need to down size.

 

I keep telling myself the same thing with my kayak.

 

Last week I bought two action cameras to mount on it 

[Bassin Bruce]

I'm not going to fool myself and say I need to cut down on weight, I trailer it for the most part and any chance I get to bling it out I do so, to heck with saying ' I carry too much tackle' my kayak is rated for 650#'s and I'll be damned if I don't reach it's full potential. ?

[TNBankFishing]

On 3/20/2022 at 10:06 AM, Skunked again said:

Koz - WOW! Thank You very much!!

 

- A few answers -

Bodies of water to fish - 500 acres and less. City lakes, strip pits. As I get more confident, maybe a river.

 

Transportation - We have a 5x10 flatbed trailer. That I would not be opposed to mounting a "rack" on. Also, the more important thing - Last spring we bought a travel trailer. I'm wanting to put a ladder rack on our truck for the kayak, while towing the trailer. This is part of what re-invigorated my thought of a kayak. Well, that and get a little exercise while fishing! 

Since we now have the travel trailer, stay the weekend in the trailer, Instead of driving home every night. 

 

Method of "power" - good points to ponder. I'm leaning towards pedal, for the reasons you mentioned. Have no idea how far I could paddle, if I had to guess, not that far!!

 

Accessories - good points for the budget. I'm guessing you could spend as much in accessories as the kayak?

 

Stand or sit - Traditionally, in a boat, I've stood. That will be an adjustment for me.

 

Looks - At the moment, I'm more worried about performance, with stability being the biggest issue.

 

Budget - $3000. 

 

Choices - Yes, I'm quickly noticing the availability issue. Or, better yet, lack thereof! Noticed several used kayaks for sale, I looked them up online, people where asking as much or more than a new one. However, the new ones could not be found. 

 

Stabilizers? Recommended for a newbie?

My experience is with a Native Watercraft Titan 12.5. 
 

You will not car top a kayak over 70lbs, I tried with mine a total of two times and it’s just unwieldy. Got a bed extender, and I’m all good. 
 

In you’re budget I would strongly suggest two options. 

 

Native Titan 10, and Bonafide SS117. 
 

Hobie makes a good yak, but the price is outrageous. 
 

The native has a pedal drive and is built like a tank. Easy to stand in and ultra stable. The SS117 is a fantastic platform that lets you build it how you’d like. 
 

Accessories are a spend as much as you want gig. I’d suggest to start really small and go out bare bones to see what you really need. Took me a year to dial in my setup. 
 

As a side note most rivers are super simple to navigate Id not worry about them. 

[TnRiver46]

13 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

My experience is with a Native Watercraft Titan 12.5. 
 

You will not car top a kayak over 70lbs, I tried with mine a total of two times and it’s just unwieldy. Got a bed extender, and I’m all good. 
 

In you’re budget I would strongly suggest two options. 

 

Native Titan 10, and Bonafide SS117. 
 

Hobie makes a good yak, but the price is outrageous. 
 

The native has a pedal drive and is built like a tank. Easy to stand in and ultra stable. The SS117 is a fantastic platform that lets you build it how you’d like. 
 

Accessories are a spend as much as you want gig. I’d suggest to start really small and go out bare bones to see what you really need. Took me a year to dial in my setup. 
 

As a side note most rivers are super simple to navigate Id not worry about them. 

I car top a 90 lb jackson , I may have dropped it once