So I am a 12year old kid(soon to be 13) and want my dad to get a boat…ain’t gonna happen right now. So he said he’s thinking about getting kayak’s for the family. So…I don’t want to share a tandem with my dad. I’m thinking I might need a longer kayak to be able to keep up(not sure though that’s why I’m writing this). I will be fishing off the kayak so I would like a decent amount of room. I really like the wilderness tarpon series.If I need a longer one I want the 14ft.I think this one would work out well because it’s large enough for paddling power and it won’t be to small once I grow(every man in my family is 6ft.+ by the age of 15). If you think this one is to big I want the 12ft. My dad’s price limit for me is about $1,200 All opinion’s will be taken happily…thank’s!!!
Wait for it…
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
I’m going to go ahead and post this and beat Capt Dave to it:
Be sure to check out all your options for a new kayak
WE have the 12 + 14FT malibu Stealth Kayaks in Stock
Reply back and we can set up a Demo time
See all stealth info at: malibukayak.com
Capt Dave
Hire Too Busy(Tommy Samuels) for some training and listen to him and Dolphin Dave about possible choices. Both love Wilderness, Dave sells them and Tommy is on the WS Pro Team. Tommy likes the Tarpon 140 for it’s speed and stability, but if you plan on standing, I’d suggest the Ride 115 or 135.
Good luck!!
Man, wish my Dad would buy me a $1,200 yak. With that kind of money you could get a really nice boat. Personally, I am leaning towards a new Ride 115.
JT you da man 
I was laffin my arse off!!! Ya can’t go wrong with Tarpons… great boats. I have been disappointed with the commanders tho… Native makes some really comfortable yaks as well… Get an idea in your head on what you like and test paddle them before you drop $$$$ on one… Too many people buy one and realize later it’s not what they wanted…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Hard to beat a tarpon. I spend a good portion of my life in a Tarpon 160. I’ve done day trips up to 10 miles in the Tarpon 140 without any issues.
My advice honestly would be to paddle as many boats as you can before you decide. If you have hold off until April ,teh Canoe and Kayak Festival will be at James Island County Park. You can paddle pretty much the complete product line from the major brands in one place.
If you can’t wait, talk to Dave at Time Out. He can talk you through the paddling and fishing aspects on a wide range of boats.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
WOW - I thought that DolphinD + Too Busy were the only ones who ever read these topics and replied
All kidding aside lots of good advice and ideas here
Capt Dave - Fishing kayaks SC
Nice pic… I really love the dried redfish… classy…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
I don’t know if you would want to go half your budget but here’s a good used deal for you, http://columbia.craigslist.org/boa/2689859547.html
172 Sea Hunt Triton
1500 key west sportsman
I have got a Hobie Quest that I enjoy. Very quick in the water, and very stable(I can cast standing up but I wouldn’t know about catching fish standing up, I don’t want to try that.) Personally I think that renting one for a weekend would be a good choice, unless you can wait until the festival. That way you could get some time in it. I have a 14 foot yak, and it works great. Shorter is easier to turn though keep that in mind. I don’t completely know what you want, you could also check out the native kayaks. It’s a cross between a canoe and kayak. i have seen pics of people casting fly rods in it so its obviously very stable. I think renting would be good, because then you can try fishing in it.
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
Well the common thread in the advice here is “try before you buy” if possible. The twice mentioned kayak fest is a great opportunity to do just that. I would also second the advice to look at used boats. Save half that budget to set yourself up in grand style!
For me, a 12’ boat is long enough for fishing but the longer boats do paddle faster/smoother. I tried the Tarpon series (and met Tommy) at the Kayak Fest this year and they are nice boats. I liked the 16’ best but then I’ve mostly paddled longer touring sit-ins so it might just be what I’m used to. If you want to go a long distance while fishing or need the speed, the longer boats might be better.
Great advice on here. Be sure you test out a Native Ultimate before buying. I have a WS Ride and the Native Ultimate 14.5 and I take the Native everytime I go by myself. Lots of space to put stuff, very stable and dry. Just my 2 cents. Good luck to you.
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
Make sure you have a comfortable PFD as well. If it’s not comfortable, what are the chances you’ll be wearing it when you need it?
yella bote
black motor
Stuck on land, buy this one :http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=118099
Pocket the $450 left over, invest that in something. By the time you get to college, you will be rolling in the beer (I mean book) money!
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
quote:
Originally posted by camI don’t know if you would want to go half your budget but here’s a good used deal for you, http://columbia.craigslist.org/boa/2689859547.html
172 Sea Hunt Triton
1500 key west sportsman
Thats a great deal too, and a boat you can stand in. Think of the beer money you could save!
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
I love my native mariner. It’s a Native SOT that I can stand in and throw my cast net even with my daughter in the front. Dave at Time Out Sports was the one that directed me at the Native Mariner. Ended up buying their demo model after trying it out. And I couldn’t be happier. What ever you go with, TRY IT OUT FIRST.
I have 2 Tarpon’s a new 120 - used once and a 3 year old 140 - used lightly. I just bought a bay boat and need to thin out the boats. I would be interested in selling both rigs - send me a PM and we can discuss if you are interested. I will sell with paddles, 1 scupper cart and the crates. Both boats are in excellent shape, always stored indoors and washed after use. Love the yaks, just dont have time for them and the bay boat. 140 is mango and the 120 is red in color. both have rod holders.
Thank’s for all the info guy’s. I want to test out a yak before I even think about any of these great deal’s. So maybe Saturday I will be able to test out a yak and get back to some of you guy’s.