Need suggestions for another smaller yak

[Mark]

It's an easy drive to:

Centerville -- http://cdollaroutdoors.com/

and

Lewes -- http://www.delawarepaddlesports.com/

[nhunter344]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Jackson Skipper? Also a light weight rig.

It's 150lb suggested weight limit rules it out for a lot of us 'heavier' anglers. I looked at it as an option for my kid but nixed the idea after realizing that he would outgrow quickly.

[gliebig]

Didn't realize it was for kids. I'm leaning towards the native.

[john from md]

My Vibe is being dropped off tomorrow between 9 and 2. Someone commented on the seat so here is my plan. If it doesn't work, I have a great seat that I use on my Trident. I'll just put some 'eyes" to fit, if I have to, and use that seat.

I haven't checked the water temp yet but I hope it gets to 60* pretty quick.

[mchottie]

Ron reported 61* water temp this morning in St Marys

[john from md]

56* in ANP last time I checked.

[gliebig]

I wonder if the Ultimate is a faster boat than my Slayer?

[gliebig]

Jackson cruise angler 10? About 55lb

[Mark]

I wonder if the Ultimate is a faster boat than my Slayer?

I don't know but it paddles very easy.

In fact, I was side-by-side with a Hobie Revo in a DE pond a two weekends ago and the Revo peddler noted how fast I was gliding through the water at just a normal paddling pace.

However, as easy as the Ultimate 12 moves, the Ultimate 14.5 is faster. But the 14.5 is harder to pivot.

Tradeoffs -- Every kayak has them. There's no perfect boat.

[gliebig]

The only concern I have about the ultimate is the lack of scupper holes and the ability to right it and get back in in the event that I would roll it. Anyone have experience with that?

[Mark]

The only concern I have about the ultimate is the lack of scupper holes and the ability to right it and get back in in the event that I would roll it. Anyone have experience with that?

That's a valid concern. You'll never right it if swamped. The best you could do is push/drag it to shallow water and flip it to empty it.

That said, if you're judicious where you take it swamping should not be a problem. You'd also have to work real hard to roll it. The channeled hull provides excellent primary and secondary stability.

I reserve my 12 primarily for creeks and ponds. It's my small water boat. However I have used it to cross the Severn in relatively choppy water and actually taken water over the gunwales. The capacity of the boat is 350 pounds so a few waves breaking over the top will not seriously impact its flotation given my weight and that of my gear. I have never come close to swamping it. But again, I am careful to not challenge the elements in it while at the same time being vigilant about my surroundings, ever on the lookout for boat wakes and changing weather. (I do the same in my Hobie, by the way.)

The 14.5's capacity is 450 pounds and I have been in far harsher conditions in that model. It is very seaworthy due to its extra length and larger capacity. With water at roughly 8 pounds per gallon, it can carry a lot of water and me and my gear. I have brought the 14.5 back to launches with water sloshing at my ankles and the boat was still very controllable.

Here are two photos I took of fellow anglers in 14.5s in 20 mph winds and whitecaps starting to form while paddling in a 14.5 myself.

P1030429.jpg P1030430.jpg

We each took on water that day as we made our way back to the launch but we were never close to swamping the boats. Note that we wouldn't have launched into those conditions but they arose during the outing. That can happen on any outing and it's one of the risks of kayak angling. Again, leaving the water before the complete deterioration of the environment is wise. Or not launching into such conditions is even wiser. But it's good to know the boats can handle those conditions when forced.

So, if you anxious about rolling a boat, a non-scupper kayak is probably not for you. But if you want a light kayak that's stable, ideal for small waters and safe even in moderate chop, the Ultimate 12 is a good choice. The 14.5 is more seaworthy than the 12 and it weighs more than 12, of course. I believe the stated weight is 10 pounds more. However, I find it more awkward to lift, not because of its added weight, but because of its extra length. Nevertheless, it is far lighter than most 12 to 13 foot doubled hulled kayaks with scuppers.

[john from md]

A hand pump would come in handy in one of those. I even keep one in my Trident, not to pump out underway but in the event my hull filled somehow. It happened once in the Severn when a boat flipped me as I had the pod open while playing with my transponder. Try as I might, I was not able to right the yak and just swam it back to shallow water to empty it.

[gliebig]

Thanks. I fish 99% of the time up in the rocks below Conowingo. Sometimes they crank open the gates off schedule and it can get pretty gnarly up there. Only one time have I turtled my SOT, but that was mostly from me doing something stupid in fast water.

[john from md]

I got my new Vibe Skipjack 90 yesterday! They really pack it well from the factory and I found no problems with it. The package includes the Delux seat, paddle and scupper plugs. It is living in the living room while I get the hoist stuff to put it on the garage ceiling next to my Trident.

The seat didn't feel bad for the little while I sat in it. I will give it a try before coming to any conclusions. If I don't like it, my OC seat will drop right in with no problem.

Some mods I plan to make before getting out on the water.

1. Put some velcro or double faced tape under the seat as it tends to slide.
2. Put some skate board tape on the foot rests. (the smaller Vibes don't have peddals)
3. Put paddle grips on the paddle shaft as it seems thinner than my carbon fiber paddle. (the paddle is plastic but does not feel all that heavy)

It has two storage wells (maybe 8", I didn't measure) that will hold wallets, phone, a snack etc. and four rod holders. I can imagine John Veil trolling down the Severn with 4 rods in a 9 foot yak. LOL.

All in all, I am pleased with the selection. Thanks to the folks on this board who recommended Vibe kayaks.

[Mark]

John,

Congratulations.

I hope you enjoy your new boat.