I am going to put my WS Pamlico 160T up for sale because I want to get another SOT yak. I’m looking for a good boat that would allow me to take my 5 yr. old along with me. I know a tandem would probably be ideal but I also want a boat that can be used well solo. Saw a review for a Moken earlier in the week that looked like it may be suitable for what I’m looking for, but I was hoping someone might have some other suggestions. Just like the SOT more than the SINK. Thanks for your suggestions.
Mellonfarmer
12.5 Caster
Wilderness Systems Ride
“Only two things in life that make it worth living, is guitars that tune good and firm feeling women…” - Waylon Jennings
Not sure what your budget is. But my Native Mariner has plenty of room for everything and the kitchen sink plus my 5 yr old. Stable enough where I thow my cast net out of my yak with her in there with me too. Being able to take my daughter out with me was a big decission in picking out a kayak for me. Even though I have a front hatch, I still have a front area where she sits on top of that hatch. I also have a landing pad in the back that she could sit on if I dind’t have my crate and cooler back there.
Check with poster of the Moken first. he had some things he wasn’t happy about with Moken.
The Malibu kayaks have a child seat designed into the front hatch. I’ve got a Malibu X13 and i can say that a 120 lb kid on the front makes for a tough unstable paddle. A 40 or 50 lb kid would be no problem.
Cute picture on the Mariner above.
If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles. ~Doug Larson
I fished a 6hr float in my moken Saturday on the yadkin river and found I really like it. I put my turkey seat in it because of the softer butt portion. Stability was great with everything in it. It has the open hatch up front that can be easily rigged for a small seat. I had a 50# 10 year old and. 35# 8 yr old in the front and back hatch and noticed no difference in stability, mind you I had no gear in it at that time and we were in a pool! But it has a very high capacity rating for a 13’ 450# i think. Scupper plugs also solve any problems with water I bought universals from dicks sporting goods they work great…I was more pleased my second trip and I think I’m getting more comfy kayaking period. Scupper plugs and a seat upgrade are a must. I’m sure there are better yaks for transporting kids though…
Thanks for the input. I still am not sure what I want to get. Telum, I really like the mariner but that’s a lot of dough for a kayak. I think I fished next to you last Saturday on the wando. I was in the mango colored boat wearing a blue shirt. The pedal drive looks awesome and I could take my fishing buddy, but I just don’t think I could justify the cost. Fishon, the moken is also appealing but I think I need to find a dealer and give one a test drive.
I’m interested to see if any of the other kayak fisherman on here completely ignore the front hatch on their boats like I do. The front tankwell seams like a mire practical idea. If there was a yak like the ride with a front tankwell instead of a hatch I would probably jump on that.
Thanks again.
Mellonfarmer
12.5 Caster
Wilderness Systems Ride
“Only two things in life that make it worth living, is guitars that tune good and firm feeling women…” - Waylon Jennings
It’s not a yak, but have you thought about the Mad River Synergy 14? I think we’ve discontinued that model, but I’ve seen them pop up on Craigslist from time to time. Think of a blend between a Tarpon 140 and a Ride 135… that’s the Synergy. It’s a canoe, so no scuppers
I know it isn’t really a true SOT, but the Commander seems like something that would work as an occasional tandem if the second was a kid. It also has a well, upfront as it is open up there. I read you can slide the seat forward for the child and sit on the perch. But since I don’t even own a kayak yet, I am probably not the best source of advice.
Looked up the Synergy and it looks like a boat I would be interested in. Of course, like TB said, it’s discontinued so it’ll be a pain in the butt tracking one down. The search continues…
Mellonfarmer
12.5 Caster
Wilderness Systems Ride
“Only two things in life that make it worth living, is guitars that tune good and firm feeling women…” - Waylon Jennings
Thanks for the input. I still am not sure what I want to get. Telum, I really like the mariner but that’s a lot of dough for a kayak. I think I fished next to you last Saturday on the wando. I was in the mango colored boat wearing a blue shirt. The pedal drive looks awesome and I could take my fishing buddy, but I just don’t think I could justify the cost.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>
Yeah that was me on the Wando on Sat. I was minus my fishing buddy that day. She was snoozing in late from a long week of getting up early for her first week of kindergarten. The Native Mariner is a lot of money for a yak. But it’s the same price as the other pedal yaks. But I looked at it this way. I wanted something that I planned on holding on to for a looooong time. Most people always get a first kayak and then upgrade once or twice and end up spending at least what I did or more total. Granted it’s over a longer period of time. But I usually put the research in up front into what I want and get what I would eventually upgrade to.
I use my front hatch to store things that I really don’t use on my trips, but I might need in a situation. Such as dry clothes in my dry bag and a towel for later. I like my Mariner for the fact that the hatch is kind of recesed down and with my pedal drive bar it kind of creats a front well to throw things on top of my hatch. I do not access my hatch at all during the day usually. Another reason I went with the Native with so much top deck space and not a lot of hatch space everywhere.
Hit me up if you want to go fishing sometime soon. My normal kayak fishing buddy just had a baby and is going to be out of the game for a little bit.
Take a look at the 2011 Malibu 12 or 14Ft Stealth Kayaks
This kayak has what they call a gator hatch feature it has a molded in seat for your exact requirement
On the last Demo day we did we had one Dad and another Mom take their 8 + 10 year old kids out and they were very happy with the way it worked for them.
I use the front hatch on mine. Fishing with a buddy I’ll sometimes ask them to grab gear from the hatch. Most of the time I just Cowboy forward… demoed in the video http://youtu.be/QoGWLOtFik0
Anyone know what the cost of that Jackson yak is going to be? I love the idea of a built-in live well. That is one of the reasons I like the Malibu Stealth.
If you click on the “specs” link for the Cuda or the Tuna you can view the price. Both boats look really nice. I like all the tackle storage elements on the Cuda.
Mellonfarmer
12.5 Caster
Wilderness Systems Ride
“Only two things in life that make it worth living, is guitars that tune good and firm feeling women…” - Waylon Jennings
First off, in the interest of full disclosure: my name is Danny Bell and I am a member of the Jackson Fishing Team
Second, What makes you call that boat a “bathtub” Tommy? I know for a fact that you have not seen or paddled it so where is your justification for that statement?
Seems that lately, Wildy’s “#1 design rule” has been to let someone else innovate and then copy!
If you are referring to the lack of scuppers, the entire deck of the boat slopes to the center at the ‘Tuna Tank’ or live well. When the live well is in place, there is still a 1/2" gap to act as a single giant scupper. Keep in mind too that the pics you are seeing now are of a prototype. There is still some final design work being done.
Though I may be a little biased being on the JK team, I think this boat has a ton of potential. The ability to stand and pole your fishing partner on the flats for reds, or that nice, big, clean deck for your fly line when in the solo configuration…I can’t wait to get my hands on one.
