Finally purchased a kayak

[Dalejam]

I went to the show on Saturday, I met up with ped579 and his family. he walked me around to different yaks  then he told me the most important thing everyone has told me SIT IN THEM. So after talking to Paul and asking questions he explained a lot to me about yaks.

So with this new knowledge i went off, Hobie is what i wanted but they would not lower there price at all even for last year model. Also for the fishing I would do I could realistically use a paddle.

So i went to Ocean Kayak, nice kayak but when i sat in the trident i found my knees would hit the center ramp part and that would be uncomfortable after a while.
so I tried other Oceans but just didn't do it for me.

Went to native WOW GREAT looking high seats a lot of room to maneuver. Only problem is it is wide so it is slower on the water to maneuver. i would like a little more than that almost bought it then. so i went a bought a life jacket to get my mind of it, then coming back i went to Wilderness again, nothing jumped put at me, was ready to leave and then there it was a WILDERNESS 11.5 RIDE, THE ONE I SEEN WAS BRIGHT RED gorgeous to me. Sat in it and I was sold. 33" wide and 76 pounds.

[Hotrod]

 

[IrishAyes]

Sounds like you got what you were after. Best of luck with it and have a great season. 

Kudos to Ped for his assist. 

[ped579]

Dale congrats on your new 'Yak".  It is one nice ride and above all you feel comfortable with it.  You will enjoy it even more once you get to use it.  One hint is make sure the seat back is adjusted tight enough that you don't slip forward.

You are going to wonder why you haven't done this way before this...

Happy Catching

Paul & Family

[Dalejam]

Hope o few invites out so i can learn from others and watch, one question with a smaller kayak is it needed to have a rudder? if you guys say yes then i will do it. here are some pictures of it from the show wrong color,
Again thanks to PAUL 

[ped579]

I have a rudder dale but my yak is a bit longer than yours but the rudder came with the boat.  I enjoy the ability to just paddle and turn sharper with the rudder.

Maybe Kayak1 will chime in, I don't believe his yak has a rudder.  What kind of hull does it have.  If it is a smooth one like the Hobie Quest the ruddeer will help with the tracking.  If yours has a decent keel the tracking will be okay and the rudder might not be needed.

Lets see if Dave comes on board today.

[ChrisL]

nice yak.
Good luck with it and enjoy 

[bugmannj]

Nice, Happy hooking with it.

[gymrat987654321]

Congrats on the purchase. Good luck with it.

[ped579]

Well it looks like I will be getting my freshwater license for sure this year.

[Dalejam]

Paul the hull is like the ole tri hulls, so there is something like two pontoons underneath towards the outside.
I looked it up on line on youtube there was a guy standing up in it balancing on one foot a little shaky but nice. so when i receive it i will post picture of the yak.

Thanks for all the congrats, but when summer gets her i hope we can meet up and go fishing in the back waters.
 Thanks.
Dale

[ped579]

You got it Dale for sure.  Once they open the areas behind IBSP the fun will begin.

[Reefsquatter]

Nice, that seat sits very high. Should make for some great fishing.

(IBSP launch is a great place, don't  be afraid to explore, I like to throw mine in the boat, anchor and launch at some interesting spots. )

[Ms Fish]

Congrats on your new toy! 

[Dalejam]

Any suggestions on a good fish finder with gps. so i could mark spots that i like. 

Dale

[kayak1]

Nice Yak Dale...... You asked about a rudder and being your kayak is small the rudder will only get in the way if your fishing......

I would go on the low end of a fish/depth finder.....your going to want to know how deep the water is at all times..... I have a small GPS that I use for both land and water.

On the kayak for a Fish/Depth/GPS all in one the price is going up.

Hope you have a blast with the new yak....

Enjoy
Kayak-1

[Dalejam]

Thanks for the info kayak1, I will shop around and see. No rush yet still waiting on yak to come in,    I did watch a bunch of videos and I build my dolly for the yak  . The kind where it looks like the yak rests on the boards underneath . Not through the scupper holes   .

Dale

[Hunter 2]

If you have a smart phone Navionics has a great GPS app for $10 many of us boaters have it as a backup. It also has tides and weather information plus other helpful locations such as fuel, restaurants and ramps etc.. 

[Mitlorp]

Time to purchase some accessories!  The fishfinder was my best investment for my yak.

[ped579]

I have a fish finder for my kayak and it has come in handy not for only locating drop offs and finding fish but it comes in handy when exiting the boat.  ...  If you are fishing in a number of places especially along the sedge islands there are a number of places that cut under and make a lip in the sedge.  If you were to exit the boat you will find your self in approx 8' of water not good for early spring fishing where the water is cold and you are wearing waders like I do.

Happy Catching

Paul