Heratige Featherlite Angler 12- New to me.

[Alwaysyakin]

Hey Board,

I just picked one of these up used. Does anyone have any experience and critiques on this Yak? Used Yaks dont last long at all so I scoffed it up. Paddle,DF/FF batt that is probably dead,paddle,paddle leash,anchor trolley,anchor,Scotty rod holder. It is a 2007.

See pics and give me your thoughts. She needs a bath but Ill clean her up good. My biggest concern is how she tracks, which Ill find out myself soon.

Thanks in advance!

DB

[Old Cajun]

My first kayak was the 9.5 featherlight.

I have enjoyed it and still use it to get into tight places or rocky waters. They are thinned skinned. I dragged mine down a hill to launch at Anglers Inn 2 years ago. Got up to the big turn and got ready to get into the rapids area--oops!

I had about 1.5 inches of water and taking more on. Yes--one of my dumb and dumber moments. The keel's end had a 2.5 inches long .5 inch slot hole in it. Got to a sand bar drained the water and thank goodness I had a large pack of guy. Did a lot of chewing and pushed it into the gap. It lasted 6 more hours of great fishing. Advice--bring patch stuff if you drag one.

Tracking: It depends on each person that uses it. When I'm in it, it pulls to the left. My son used it this weekend and it pulled to the Right. You'll adjust.

It looks pretty good so hope you enjoy it.

[Alwaysyakin]

Cleaned up pretty good.

Whata ya think?

[Old Cajun]

Yes it did. Good luck on putting fish into it. Can you give a $ amount for your purchase?

[Alwaysyakin]

Reply

$300 and didnt bat an eye lid.

It will get fish in her even though I tend to be a C&R guy primarily. Big WP and river Rock 18-26" go home when they are in season.

I need yaks at both my house and at my Moms on Miles. Cant be hauling them back and forth all the time anymore.

Will be headed for SML soon and will haul 3 yak and a 19 foot Carolina Skiff.

Gotta have the toys for 2 weeks. Plus I have a rental lined up for skiing and tubing.

Gotta play hard, life is short!

DB

[MDFishin]

I Still have one and love that little thing!! That being said I havent touched it since I got my Tarpon, although Ive only been hitting larger waters. The featherlite is a great boat for small ponds, and small rivers. I have taking it on overnight trips of about 6 miles each way, but was on a very tight protected river. I took it into Tangier Sound on time and immediately regretted my decision. I have caught tons of freshwater fish from mine, hopefully you do to!!!

P.S. I was never, and still am not fortunate enough to have a FF on my boat THUMBS UP

Tracking: If your in larger open water WITH WIND it will not track very well. The nose tends to want to go away from the direction of the wind, if you keep it below 10 mph you should be able to control it with a few extra strokes on a side. with no wind it paddles very nicely, but is not the fastest, in a race of 12 footers it would def hold its own though.

[Alwaysyakin]

reply

OK Md Fish. I work upper rivers primarily and my 12 foot OT Dirigo is great and think this will work ok too. Also have two OT Vapors that do ok.

I want to be able to fish rivers in Fall and winter and at this point a ride inside is my pref. I want to see about a SOT for next years 2 weeks in Nags Head. Pea Island sanctuary is awesome and I think a SOT may be better than the Sit insides I have. The sit inside will be fine but my SOT friends say I have to get out of the box. Oh that was bad!

DB

[MDFishin]

I have to say the Featherlite is SUPER comfy, I got excited to just sit in it bcause it was soo comfortable. It did get a little warm in the summer, but still great. that being said SOT ROCKS!!!! I fished all day on sunday with my legs over the side hanging in the water, SO NICE! Sit ins are def warmer though so better for cooler conditions. All this talk about my Featherlite makes me wanna go pick it up from my pops!

[Alwaysyakin]

SOT vs SI

Both have their nitches! I put the seat back into the Featherlite 12 after it had dried out from being cleaned and the Yak seems comfortable.
Hope to splash her real soon and see how she rides. A nice addition to the fleet.

Thanks!

[Alwaysyakin]

Maiden Paddle-Late

Over the weekend my youngest and I went out to see how the Heritage handled and to through some spinners. The fish didnt cooperate but the Featherlite 12 worked pretty well. I stuck with my Dirigo 12.

I think she looks Battleship like and may have to name her Mighty Mo.

More to come in future posts.

[MDFishin]

be warned about those rear flush mount rod holders, When your paddling you can knock a rod out and not even know it. I lost one of my older brothers nicest rods that way. Besides that I hope your boy enjoyed it!

[Alwaysyakin]

losing rods

Mdfishin

I agree. My OT Dirigo bungee lacing near the rod holders allows me to reach back and loop the lacing around the rod handle. I plan to add a few pad eyes and use a few short bungees to secure rods in holders.

I dont think anyone is ever done riggin!

DB