Man, I’m still debating the kayak issue. I still haven’t had a chance to rent one because I have family in town. My dilema is that my father in law will be getting a boat so I wonder how much I would use a kayak if a boat is readily accessible. Do you own and use both?
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
I own a boat and am in the market for a yak. I boat inshore only and a lot of times we’ll haul over to a beach or something. I figure we can drag a yak and my 14 year old can play around and stay occupied. We also vacation up in Cherry Grove and he has been wanting to yak around in Hog Inlet. For what you can get a decent yak for, it seems like fairly inexpensive entertainment.
Yes. I own a sea pro 1700 and two tarpon 160s. First of all fishing out of a Kayak is completely different. Much lower to the water, much stealthier, no draft, and catching fish in a kayak is pretty much thrilling every time.
Boating takes more prep time, gas, more cleanup, time, maintenance, time, washdown etc. If you have a put-in nearby, it’s nice to get the itch to go fishing and be on the water 15 minutes later. By yourself.
Boating is much easier with another person to park the trailer, back it up, pay for gas, help you wash it down etc. As such, I pretty much only go boating with friends who I trust to do those things, which requires more planning, and availability on their part.
The boat is nice when fishing is not a priority, and on busy weekends when you have no business being on the water in a kayak. Getting out on the water with friends, pleasure cruising, heading out to a remote beach to surf fish (which you can also do with a kayak), going to the jetties (which you can also do in a kayak :), but mainly- covering much more territory, and staying dry and warm in the colder months (which you can also do in a kayak).
I agree. the boat is faster and can get out farther, but the yak is quieter and can get much shallower. Catching anything in a yak is a blast. The yak gets much better gas mileage. Mine runs on beer. If you feel brave you can tow or stowe the yak and do both. I may sell my boat one day but I will never sell my yak.
RW
I have 3 yaks and 3 boats- never thought of boat vs. yak. The yak is inexpensive to purchase (relatively) and has virtually no ownership costs (insurance, tax, fuel, repairs, depreciation). So it’s a no-brainer comparison financially. From a utilization standpoint, the only task that they overlap with is inshore fishing. The yak covers far less ground in a day than any motorboat. It goes as far and fast as human power allows. But if the fishing is slow at one spot, I can’t just run a few miles and try another favorite spot. The yak gets into skinnier water but I don’t seek reds on the flats much.
Even with a family menber getting a powerboat, it doesn’t mean it’s always avaiilable to you. I’d let him get the boat and you get the yak. They you can yak fish sometime, borrow the power boat sometime; and eventually you’ll end up with both of your own!
I have 3 fishing yaks and a 17’ jonboat w/ a 60hp. I’ve owned all for around 8yrs. I fish both, but would guess 70% of the time I’m in a kayak w/ or without guests. It’s just so much more of a thrill catching a fish in the kayak.
Someone said… the motor breaks down and you finally learn to catch fish:), be it a trolling motor or a paddle.
Going to take the jonboat out tomorrow, been sitting to long!
Thanks for the input guys. I’m still leaning towards getting my own kayak. If anything, I’ll be the “captain”. With his boat I’ll be at the mercy of when he wants to go out. Granted, he’ll probably let me take it anytime on my own once he trusts me with it.
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
nice thing about owning both is you can bring your yak to new places via the boat.
i prefer catching fish from the yak
without the boat my yak fishing is limited to certain areas
get both.
14’McKee 75Merc 2stroke