Advice for buying a kayak

[IZ]

Looking for a sit-on-top kayak and checking into several brands.  I've only been a handful of times.  

The main use..on town lake near downtown Austin (no boats allowed).  I would also use it in the larger Lake Travis (there are boats and jetskis).  It may also get some river use.  Quite possibly get to use it in FL and on Lake Michigan.

I was checking into SUP's but I can do that on a few of the more pricey kayak models I'm looking at.

Any kayakers want to chime in with their favorites and/or fill me in on the brands I'm looking at?

Thanks

1. Jackson Kayak "Cuda" 14' (Black widow, Urban Camo or yellow jacket) $1100 - most expensive

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/cuda/

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/cuda/colors/


2. Wilderness "Tarpon"  100 or the 130T-12' or 14' $699-$849 (plus, REI coupon if I wait until the next 20% sale)

http://www.rei.com/product/785482/wilderness-systems-tarpon-100-sit-on-top-kayak

3. Perception two-up kayak..checking into this because I like the option of taking a passenger but it also allows for just one person to maneuver it.


 

[kopfjäger]

Sea Kayak, brands are a personal choice.

[IZ]

Sea Kayak, brands are a personal choice.

Do you own one Krapper?

I searched "sea kayak" and came up with mostly sit-in models.   I want a sit on top. 

[kopfjäger]

Do you own one Krapper?

I searched "sea kayak" and came up with mostly sit-in models.   I want a sit on top. 

My bad, I didn't see that. The sea kayaks are great because you can store gear for multiple day trips and are nice out on a big lake, but you are looking for sometnig different.

[Randimus Maximus]

Buy one that doesn't leak.

[WarrenJ]

The Wilderness Systems Tarpon has a real good reputation among kayak fishermen on the Great Lakes and offshore.  Its rotomolded - made like a garbage can - not as light as a kevlar or other composite boat but they are carefree and can take a vast amount of punishment.  

I have a 12' Pungo by Wilderness Systems and a 138 Loon from Old Town.  I have had them over 10 years and have paddled probably a couple thousand miles in them.  I like the material of the Old Towns better than the Wilderness System boats as it has built in flotation  (crosslink-3)  The WS boats use foam or compartments for flotation.  The Old Town material floats enough that extra flotation is not needed.  

I like the carefree features of the rotomolded kayaks instead of having a composite boat that you are worried about every little scratch and bump.  I hunt and fish out of my boats and have used them pretty hard for over a decade and they are still going strong.  There is no denying that the composite boats are faster and lighter, but for how I use mine, I prefer the rotomolded boats.  Tougher and cheaper.  Thats not saying that I wouldn't take a 17' composite sea kayak if someone gave me one!

I'd like to get a 14' Tarpon for larger water fishing and longer distance paddling.  Its probably one of the best values for a hard use sit on top.  The hull design is more like a sea kayak than my Loon, which is pretty wide and has a very large open cockpit.  It works real well for fishing rods, decoys, bowfishing equipment and 100 lbs of bleeding slimy carp piled ontop of my legs.  I've done plenty of 10 mile paddles in the Loon, the 14' Tarpon would probably be a rocket in comparison.

Since we bought the kayaks, I sold the canoe and the 14" Motorboat hasn't been in the water since.  I found that once I started motorcycling several years ago, it took the place of paddling.  I am making a point of paddling at least one night a week this season.  I can be in the water in about 5 minutes from the time I decide to go so its pretty convenient.

[WarrenJ]

Generally - The longer the boat, the straighter they track and the faster they are, the shorter the boat, the quicker they turn.  Don't get wound up about getting a rudder.  I have never felt the need for one in all the miles I've paddled.  If I had a sea kayak and was doing long open water crossings in rough windy conditions, a rudder might be nice, but it really isn't a necessity.  In most paddling situations, a rudder is just a crutch for poor paddling technique.

The tarpon can haul a lot of gear using drybags.  They have a couple large storage depressions in the deck with tie downs and elastic cords.  A lot of divers use the Tarpon also.  The rear depression holds tanks and gear just fine.  The sit on tops are a lot easier to get in and out of than the sit ins and are usually self bailing if you get in some big waves.  I have never used a sit on top but I am considering getting a 14 or a 16' tarpon if one pops up used at a good price.

The sit on tops are a wetter ride than the sit ins so clothing choice is a bit more critical also.

[IZ]

Buy one that doesn't leak.

Warren..good info.  Thanks!    

[NAKID]

Buy one that doesn't leak.

Just wondering how long it'll be before he picks up the first nail...

[IZ]

Just wondering how long it'll be before he picks up the first nail...

It took roughly 4 months to get a nail in the new SUV! 

[kopfjäger]

It took roughly 4 months to get a nail in the new SUV! 

Somebody call Guinness 

[brimo]

Don't go cheap on the paddle either and ensure you get the right length.

[WarrenJ]

Don't go cheap on the paddle either and ensure you get the right length.

Absolutely Right!

[IZ]

Planning on $150-200.  I know there are some carbon fiber paddles going for a lot more

[lethe]

this looks about the right size and price!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM6859781402P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM6048163107