Sped some time doing Craigslist searches. Look to see what’s for sale all the time and ask yourself; “Why does that brand keep showing up for sale?”
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
quote:
Originally posted by Too BusySped some time doing Craigslist searches. Look to see what’s for sale all the time and ask yourself; “Why does that brand keep showing up for sale?”
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
Hhm, have seen alot of used Jackson’s and Malibu’s, hardly any Ride’s.
I fish out of a Native Ultimate 12. It is a really well made kayak. Plenty of stability and super comfortable for all day fishing. I do wish it was self bailing for the rare offshore trips. It does stay really dry unless i’m shooting the wappoo cut.
quote:
Originally posted by Too BusySped some time doing Craigslist searches. Look to see what’s for sale all the time and ask yourself; “Why does that brand keep showing up for sale?”
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
I remember when the Jackson Coosa came out. A year later they were up for sale all over the place. Not because they weren’t a great boat, but people were buying them because they were the latest/greatest and discovering they weren’t right for their style of fishing.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
quote:
Originally posted by JLeephotoquote:
Originally posted by Too BusySped some time doing Craigslist searches. Look to see what’s for sale all the time and ask yourself; “Why does that brand keep showing up for sale?”
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
I remember when the Jackson Coosa came out. A year later they were up for sale all over the place. Not because they weren’t a great boat, but people were buying them because they were the latest/greatest and discovering they weren’t right for their style of fishing.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
That’s because Jackson’s pet monkey sold it as a do everything boat. It’s a great river boat. It’s a great big water boat. It’s a great flats boat. It’s a great long distance paddler…
So my response in the other thread, decide how you plan to use the boat the VAST MAJORITY of the time and buy the boat that fits that purpose.
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
[/quote]
That’s because Jackson’s pet monkey sold it as a do everything boat. It’s a great river boat. It’s a great big water boat. It’s a great flats boat. It’s a great long distance paddler…
So my response in the other thread, decide how you plan to use the boat the VAST MAJORITY of the time and buy the boat that fits that purpose.
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
[/quote]
My thoughts exactly! I have a friend that went out and bought two new Tarpon 100s for inshore fishing without talking to anyone first but the outfitter he bought them from. He’d never paddled a kayak in his life. He’s since complained that he doesn’t have the room to store his gear in the well and that he’s having trouble keeping up with fishing partners. Great boats, but the wrong boats for the application IMHO.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
Jackson’s pet monkey!! Now that is funny!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cV4FCwtTEo
DD
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
Both my yaks are CL deals for $400 each. I enjoy them both, though they aren’t the latest/greatest. Talk to dealers that carry a variety of brands, not just one, so you get a fair comparison with what you want and not a salesman with an agenda. Rent/borrow a few boats, or charter a guide to test boats, see their rigging, and get some fishing tips. What you features you consider important now, may not be when you are out on the water. A do-it-all boat is a compromise-in-all boat, so know what’s most important to you when you buy.
My Malibu X-13 is quick, stable, but not something i stand in. It works great inshore, though waves will break over the bough as it doesn’t have much rocker in the front. Gator hatch is great, lots of storage, though it was advertised as a child’s seat too. When i put my 5yo in the seat, the yak was very unstable, so not doable. I like the designs of the malibu stealth witht the bait well. For my x-13’ i just tote a bait bucket, toss it in the water when fishing, and in the back well when paddling. It’s got a keel, so it is great inshore, or more open waters, but not good for rocky rivers whereit gets hung on rocks and unstable. Still manageable on rivers, but i’ve got to pick my lines carefully. I’ve yet to find the perfect seat for the Malibu that is a reasonable cost.right now i’m using a surf to summit seat that’s ok. Like most sot’s, it’s heavy and awkward to carry, so i use a homeade kayak cart.
My WS Pamlico 120 is a great for rivers. 12’, Smooth bottom with tracking channels. Glides over rocks. It’s a sit-in, which is good in the winter time by not sitting puddle of water. Very stable, though not going to stand in it. Not terribly fast, but quick enough. Very comfortable seat, phase iii, which was something special in it’s day. It’s my back-up boat for inshore and primary for rocky rivers. Being a sit-in, it’s light and easy to carry.
Both yaks are outfitted with anchor trollys and pvc steak-out poles. I’m a low budget yakker, so i mcguyver anything i can 
I have a 14 Malibu X-Factor that I have put through the ringer for 9 years. Heavy boat, but I can stand and fly cast easily on it. That boat has put me on tons of inshore fish along with a few cobia and triple digit sharks. I am in the market for a lighter boat for short excursions, but the Malibu has been amazing.
Diablo Adios & WS Commander
Future Beach angler 144, although it is more closely related to a barge than a kayak. Got it off craigslist for a good price a few years back. I hate to complain to much because I have enjoyed being out there and catching fish. That being said I would go with something else if did it again and will do that when I get the chance to upgrade. One big positive is that it is easy to stand and fly cast from. The Ride seems to be the popular choice on here. Researching future replacements I like the hobbies, but they are pricey.
My Tarpon 120 works just fine for me. Light enough to throw it on top of the car myself and get to tight launch areas.
WS Tarpon 120
WS Tarpon 100
Heritage Ultralite 9.5
Ghennoe & 6hp Suzuki
Scout 153 & Yamaha 60
Thanks for all the responses. Based on the discussion here and talking to members of Lowcountry Kayak Anglers and Time Out Sports, the Wilderness Ride 135 wins hands down as the most popular kayak in the Charleston area, probably by a 2 to 1 margin. Whether its the best is up for argument. I will be purchasing a kayak in the next few months and will go with the Wilderness Ride 135.
Hobie Kona. It’s the tandem one but I’ve only ever had another person on it a handful of times. I can stand up in the surf, very stable kayak. Got it for a deal I couldn’t pass up.