i was over at the Rack/Hitch board and read a bunch about how to load a kayak on top and about the common concerns of weight and length, etc. that got me all worked up on buying a kayak and going out on my own, thus the questions:

1. what brand of kayak do you own?
2. what is the length of your kayak?
3. is your kayak a special "angler's edition"?
4. what store(s) did you buy it from?
5. how much for kayak, PFD, paddle, rack, and any accessories?

any and all information will be really appreciated. :)

will

You may want to elaborate on where you want to paddle, and what kind of fish you are after. I have read of people catching large halibut from a sea kayak in Alaska - in which case bringing the fish aboard would be biggest concern.

paulj

You may want to elaborate on where you want to paddle, and what kind of fish you are after. I have read of people catching large halibut from a sea kayak in Alaska - in which case bringing the fish aboard would be biggest concern.

paulj
oops :) southern california. in particular in the Long Beach/San Pedro/Redondo Beach area. :) just for legal-sized halibuts and sea bass, etc. nothing epic like those alaskan guys :)

mainly, though, i'm just gathering information on what kayaks people are using and how their Es and racks handle their boats.

will

You asked for it...
1. what brand of kayak do you own?
2. what is the length of your kayak?
3. is your kayak a special "angler's edition"?
4. what store(s) did you buy it from?
5. how much for kayak, PFD, paddle, rack, and any accessories?

1&2. The sea kayak is a CLC 17lt, don't fish from it, for that I have a little 9ft rec boat, a Critter...I fish for crappy and small sh!t mostly...Get it? Just for fun. The other boat I have is an old whitewater boat - definitely not for fishing!
3. I think if I were using a 'Yak for fishing, I would prefer a sit on top. Ocean Kayaks makes some sit on tops specifically for fishing. So does Perception. If I remember correctly they're about in the $800 - $1500 range.
4&5. I Made the CLC for about $1000. Bought the Critter from a local outfitter in Winnipeg for about $400 US including the paddle.

I had the stock Honda rack for the longest time, but have recently switched to a Thule rack for better weight capacity. Loading is no problem at all.

you are MOST kind, kayakin' dan :)

and that's a sweet rack in your garage! and your CLC is beautiful. :)

will

willi-

look at recycler.com. there are always a few sit-on-top angler type setups going for a reasonable price in socal.

craigslist.com usually has some listed too...

My boat is an 18' schoolbus...sorry...touring boat. Nimbus Telkwa HV...wouldn't recommend it for fishing...but I have paddled several sit on tops that would work wonderfully. They're so stable divers use them, you can just grab the seat edge and jump right in without risking flipping. As for retailers, I'm biased seeing as how I work for REI...other than that you'll want to find a shop that specializes in kayaks. Don't trust a shop like GI Joes that will sell you a kayak and a new set of tires...oh, and a basketball hoop...

jesse

i'll do that. never really thought of it! :)

i used to have a recreational kayak - the Perception keowee3 it was great but i only used it in lakes. I dont know about sea use in it. It has a flat bottom for stability, and can seat up to 3 people.
Here are some reviews:

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=747

May I suggest renting whatever you plan to buy 1st?

yeah. i really should do that, huh? :) i was reading in some kayak fishing sites last night and read this one post from a guy who just went and bought a kayak thinking it'd be a cake walk. he ended up returning it because he said it was incredibly difficult to get anywhere. i will check out my local outfitters and hopefully they'll have the model i'm interested in. thanks for your suggestion! :)

will

Hi Willy:

I bought an Ocean Kayak Aegean (sit on top tandem) last spring and absolutely love it. I also have a racing dinghy and it is hard to say which boat is more fun.

The Aegean is 14 feet long x 32 inches wide = reasonably quick, stable. I have been out on Lake Winnipeg in 6 to 7 foot waves in this boat to test its capabilities and was blown away by how stable it is.

It weighs just over 70 lbs and I can load it myself onto my CRV (my Element arrives next week) obviously much easier when my wife is with me. It is however a handful when loading solo during windy conditions. No special attachments were required for the rack - it just sits upside down on the rack however it takes up a lot of space and if you wanted to carry anything else you would need the carrier attachment to carry the boat on its side.

It is not an anglers addition, nor do I currently use it for fishing, however with it has plenty of space and is comfortable - some minor modifications including a rod holder would probably do the trick.

I bought mine new from Mountain Equipment Co-op in Winnipeg (www.mec.ca (http://www.mec.ca)) but it is available from many suppliers, particularly in the US. I paid (in Canadian $) about $900, deluxe seats $75 each, paddles $60 each, lifejackets (Mustang jet ski jackets) I already had for my sailboat are not very comfortable for paddling - I recommend a good quality paddling vest. One of the best investments was an all terrain cart - makes traversing from the vehicle (or the house - I have rivers at both ends of my street) to the water much easier and I usually just strap mine to the stern and take it with me. Since SOTs are also a bit wet, I enjoy paddling in storms, and we have a short paddling season due to the cold water I also bought a wetsuit and kayak smock.

Hope this helps - no matter what you buy you will have a great time with it.

Cheers

Wayout10131

This suggestion will be only moderately useful, but I can't not chime in on any post with kayak in the title:-) .

Buy used, especially since this is your first kayak purchase. You won't know the difference anyway, and it will take some time to develop skills and see what traits you are looking for in a boat. I paddle whitewater boats, but I've had 6 of them, and I've never bought new. I'm certain there is a series of yahoo-style newsgroups in your locale geared to paddling, and I've found that to be one of the best sources for boats. At least in the whitewater world, some dirtbag paddler will scrape together a couple unemployment checks, buy a brand new boat, only to sell it a year later at 50% when the next crop of latest and greatest hits the stores.

If you are looking for an on-line resource to browse a lot of different boats, try http://www.outdoorplay.com . Nice for comparison shopping from the comfort of your chair.

Have fun!

sweet! thanks, you guys! :)

btw, SeattleE, i used to work for REI#14 ;)

will

I have a tarpon 120 rigged for fishing. It has depthfinder,rod holders,lights for night fishing,anchor system,milk crate storage and more..search kayakfishingstuff you will see. My mag just past 1000 miles and I stil don't have a rack yet.

sweet! thanks, you guys! :)

btw, SeattleE, i used to work for REI#14 ;)

will

Right on! ...uuhhhh, which store is that???

jesse

Kayakfishingstuff in N.J. they have lots of info on how to rig a kayak.

Right on! ...uuhhhh, which store is that???

jesse

used to be Carson, CA. now it's Manhattan Beach, CA.

used to be Carson, CA. now it's Manhattan Beach, CA.

Cool...my uncle and his family live in Manhattan Beach...

jesse

I have 2 Tarpon 120's. brown and yellow. I fish out of them but they have not been "rigged". I use a milk crate in the rear with pole holders etc.

I bought the brown 120 damaged for $350., had been scratched while unloading, only cosmetic. The yellow was $300. which included paddle, and pfd. an individual sale.
I have thule racks, but have not been out since last July.
The E is a 04 GGM.

I have 2 Tarpon 120's. brown and yellow. I fish out of them but they have not been "rigged". I use a milk crate in the rear with pole holders etc.

I bought the brown 120 damaged for $350., had been scratched while unloading, only cosmetic. The yellow was $300. which included paddle, and pfd. an individual sale.
I have thule racks, but have not been out since last July.
The E is a 04 GGM.
those are sweet deals you got on your boats, Sorzd! i will have to look in all the local ads for things like that :) i will also take up the other nice people's recommendations that i try it out a few times before i drop my hard-earned dollars on that Prowler 13 ;)

will

1. what brand of kayak do you own? Enlightened kayak t16 with fishing package (with optional removeable matching outriggers) This baby is solid on the water and fast. You can stand up if the wind is down.
2. what is the length of your kayak? 16 feet
3. is your kayak a special "angler's edition"? yes,
4. what store(s) did you buy it from? www.enlightenedkayaks.com
5. how much for kayak, PFD, paddle, rack, and any accessories? $$$ Mostly top end stuff, except the pfd purchased at walmart!

[redacted by Moderator]

Cadman12, there are limits. Raise this issue—which has been flogged to death— in yet another thread, and you will be banned.