kayak recommendations

[kevinfry]

I have a Pompano120 that I bought during a sale for around $400. While there are a dozen things I don't like about it, most of my issues come from weighing 220ish and the boat only being rated for 350lbs. It has thus far been great for learning on and even though I am looking to upgrade this spring I would still recommend it as an intro yak. Even after I buy a better fishing yak I still plan on keeping the pompano around to loan to friends to try and lure them into this madness.

I will say, however, no matter what you buy, spend as much as you can bear on a seat. The difference between the $40 seat I started with and the $200 one I have now is unbelievable. It has about doubled the amount of time I can spend on the water as now my arms give out before my back/butt start cramping up.

i would agree that pompano is better for paddlers under 200lbs...especially if loaded with gear

[Bojaydk]

I second the Pompano as great beginner kayak with one caveat. It is the same boat as the Perception Pescador 120 and the Perception model comes with a half way decent seat. You have to add the cost of a seat to the Pompano.

Can be seen here.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/perc...yak/pid-981956

I've seen these sell new for as low as $400 once in a great while but you should be able to easily find one on sale at $500.

Had mine for three years now and really don't feel the need to upgrade. I do wish for more room once in a while but that is gonna come along with more weight. Have had it in everything from rocky rivers to the surf and it handles well.

That link doesn't seem to work for me...do you have another one??

[DonV]

That link doesn't seem to work for me...do you have another one??

Try this one.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/perc...ecador&Ntk=All

The new link is the Angler model. The other was just for the straight Pescador which seems to be gone from their site. It was there when I pulled up the original link. Think they may be being discontinued. Amazon used to have a selection but now only has one. The supply may low as I don't see anyone else having it in stock.
http://www.amazon.com/Perception-Spo...ustomerReviews

One other thing I did forget to mention. Both the Pompano and the Pescador are supposedly the same exact hull as the 2008 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, which ran for about a grand and I believe it was rated the best kayak of the year or something. The current model Tarpon still looks very similar to me. Pretty tuff boat if you can still find one. I've beat the crap out of mine and it is holding up well. Even lost it hard off my roof rack and ended up with just a few scuffs.

[bunnielab]

i would agree that pompano is better for paddlers under 200lbs...especially if loaded with gear

I'm working on it, I swear! Too many bbq places opening up around here though, it's going to be a tough summer.

To add some useful info, I took my Pampano into a pool to test the stability and practice self rescue. It takes a tremendous amount of rocking side to side to get it to tip. However, when sitting side-saddle or trying to turn to reach behind me, it takes very very little over-extension to tip. The obvious solution is to just not turn around but that really limits both the amount of tackle I can carry and more importantly, limits my ability to carry a cooler for water. In the summer I can throw my legs over the sides to act as outriggers but that got pretty unappealing around October.

[blackjack]

the pampano120 is a very nice boat for the price. Padale first before rigging. It's the older tarpon hull no rails.I've had mine from flowing susquehanna in the rocks to bay in wind and chop . But I have also paddled kayak or canoe since 12 years old.it's a very capable boat for the money

[blackjack]

I'm located in harford county if we get a slight defrost and Want to test drive let me know .better to try before you buy someone may be closer but offers open

[kevinfry]

I'm working on it, I swear! Too many bbq places opening up around here though, it's going to be a tough summer.

To add some useful info, I took my Pampano into a pool to test the stability and practice self rescue. It takes a tremendous amount of rocking side to side to get it to tip. However, when sitting side-saddle or trying to turn to reach behind me, it takes very very little over-extension to tip. The obvious solution is to just not turn around but that really limits both the amount of tackle I can carry and more importantly, limits my ability to carry a cooler for water. In the summer I can throw my legs over the sides to act as outriggers but that got pretty unappealing around October.

Bunnie...260 here so pot calling kettle black

Everyone twists a bit different so reaching behind can get folks off balance in any yak unless it is some super stable yak like a Malibu 2, Big Game prowler, or such. I talked to a guy at a meet and greet last year that had turtled his Ride 135 3 times!!! I thought those things were Turtle-proof.

Speed vs stability. The constant battle.

Personally I am envying the new WS Thresher......seems to have the best of both worlds.

[DonV]

I'm working on it, I swear! Too many bbq places opening up around here though, it's going to be a tough summer.

To add some useful info, I took my Pampano into a pool to test the stability and practice self rescue. It takes a tremendous amount of rocking side to side to get it to tip. However, when sitting side-saddle or trying to turn to reach behind me, it takes very very little over-extension to tip. The obvious solution is to just not turn around but that really limits both the amount of tackle I can carry and more importantly, limits my ability to carry a cooler for water. In the summer I can throw my legs over the sides to act as outriggers but that got pretty unappealing around October.

I do find the same thing on my Pescador. I prefer to sit side saddle to reach something behind me as it does get tippy when I reach back if sitting in the seat. What's weird is it's worse when I reach back around my left with my right arm, the other way not so much. Must be something strange I do with my body. I've gotten used to it and have never went in reaching behind me but can definitely feel the loss of stability and the feeling it will tip out from under me. If I need something that is a good reach I generally switch around side saddle and feel fine, still a little bit leery sitting that way but it feels way more stable than the reach back for me. Guess it would be one down side to the boat if I had to be picky. When paddling I feel very stable even in fairly rough stuff. Played around in some moderate surf and had no problems, just that reach back thing.

Only time I ever went over was trying to do something I shouldn't have been doing anyway. Answering the call of nature and kind of twisted and leaned over a little to far trying to reach over the gunwale. I think there is a joke bouncing around about that, I need something with a little more reach. When it went, it went quick it felt very similar to the instability we both mentioned when reaching back.

I did manage this year to get up to the front hatch open it, get something out and get it back closed with the help of my paddle. I did go in very shallow water before trying but it did work. Still really like the boat, nice kind of all purpose yak, especially considering the price.