Showing posts with label old town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old town. Show all posts

Peer Pressure Kayak Purchases

Please stop.
Take a deep breath.
Count down from 10.

I'm going to save you some possible headache if you'll take 5 minutes and read this. I hope you take this advice to heart because I sure didn't. I've bone headed this scenario twice and finally learned my lesson. I'll try to save you the same trouble.

Here is how it starts:

Talking heads (yes me included), start telling you about all these cool new kayaks that are coming out. We show you fancy pictures. Then maybe you find a walk through video. "Man, that's a cool yak." You see some pretty cool features you like. "I might buy one of these!," you think while you try to figure out when the next lump sum of cash is coming in. Tax return? Christmas cash? Returning all the crappy gifts you got for your birthday and the three extra blenders from your wedding gifts.

Then you go look at the fishing forums. I wonder what the kayak guys think of this boat? So maybe you ask the question but you ask it too vaguely. Typing in "What do you think about a Great Fork Spearyak 13?" is too vague. What do you want to do in the kayak? What limitations do you have? I could go through a big long checklist here but I have already created it. Check it out:

Think about these questions and think about the answers specifically to the kayak you think is so cool. Does it fulfill my wants list? If so, it could be great. If not, better keep looking.

At this point you may be too deep in the hype and advertising to even listen. I know I was. I had decided that even though it wasn't everything I wanted and it might not deliver, I was going to buy Boat X. So I did. I bought into all the pomp and circumstance surrounding it. While it is a very good kayak for some people, for me it was awful. I hated it. It didn't do what I wanted it to do, I felt some of the things talked about were oversold, and the hype sucked me in. I was more attracted to a brand name than the function. 

What could have avoided all of this headache? A demo. 

I should have paddled the kayak first. That would have told me everything I needed to know but I didn't. I was anxious, in a hurry and didn't want the deal to get away. Whoops.

People who own a certain brand will inherently recommend the kayak they paddle (or pedal). It says they really enjoy the kayak they have and it fits what they want to do. A little quieter are the people who don't really like what they are in but made a HUGE ordeal when they bought Boat X so now they are a bit bashful. Somewhere in that mix are people who are looking for something else but don't want to say anything because they so highly recommended a different boat. 

The plain truth is, sometimes when you think you know what you want, and then you go paddle it, you change your mind. The time to change your mind is BEFORE money changes hands. Getting recommendations will be easy but it will be diverse. If you are going to ask questions on a public forum, make them as specific as possible. 

"How does the Spearyak 13 handle in wind on large open water?"

That is a direct and specific question. 

Additionally, make sure the person giving you the advice/opinion has actually paddled the kayak you are talking about. I've had a couple of dozen people ask me about the Predator from Old Town. I have looked one over and only paddled it once. I make sure they know that.

If at all possible, please demo a kayak before you buy. If you need to find someone who might can help with that, message me on Facebook. I'll try to do my best to find you a shop or person within an hour or so that has that kayak. If nothing else, I can find you someone to talk to about it. 

Be smarter than I was and be happier in your kayak. Don't peer pressure kayak purchase. 


Four Kayaks You Should Try Under $600

Let's face it. Not everyone has tons of coin to drop on kayaks. I'm one of those guys. I've horse traded my way to where I am and it's taken almost 11 years to do it. Don't think for a second that it's all glitz and glam here. For you, the guy slugging away 50 hours a week for 50% of what you're worth, I know that money in your pocket is never enough but the sweet release that fishing gives you keeps you going. I know what getting off the banks and on the lakes could do for you. With that first paddle stroke you'll know the sweet bliss of kayak fishing. I do however want to make sure you spend your hard earned money wisely. You may have this kayak for quite a while. You'll want maximum resale if you do need to sell it and a good fishing platform if you keep it.

So here is the deal. I've made a list of my four favorite kayaks that you can get into for less than $600. I've paddled every single one of these and owned a couple of them. They are good kayaks. Do they have lots of bells and whistles? No. Will they get you on the water? You bet. People can always find used kayaks but this is for those folks who want a brand new kayak. (Please also keep in mind you'll have to buy a paddle, life jacket and whistle in most states if you don't already have them.)

Without further ado, the four kayaks you should try under $600.



1. Perception Pescador 12 Angler- $499



"This stable, easy to paddle sit-on-top kayak comes fully rigged with fishing features needed to hit the water right away. Anglers love the versatile hull design that’s good for tracking on lakes but also maneuvers easily on rivers. The extra large cockpit opening provides plenty of room to work with your tackle and offers easy entry and exit."- from Perception



2. Heritage Angler 12- $499




"The Heritage Angler 12' Sit-On-Top Kayak is designed with a Scotty Spin-Cast vertical rod holder in front of the paddler and 2 recessed, flush-mount rod holders behind the seat to offer a variety of fishing positions. The kayak also features small and large storage compartments and a stern tank to hold your valuables while you fish, while the back band allows you to stand upright."- from Academy.com



3. Old Town Vapor 10 Angler- $399



"Anglers looking for a compact kayak that can carry a load will love the Vapor 10 Angler. This kayak offers a stable, yet efficient ride. The large cockpit opening is designed for a comfortable yet reassuring ride. Equipped with a comfortable seat, flush mounted rod holders, and an anchor trolley system, the Vapor 10 Angler goes beyond the basics. Perfect for anglers and sportsmen, the Vapor 10 Angler is great for those just learning how to paddle."- from Old Town




4. Native Watercraft Redfish 12- $599





"Light, agile and comfortable, the Redfish 12 can easily get you and all your gear to the best fishing spots. Explore the areas denied to larger watercraft or enjoy the open water. The scuppers even let you quickly drain away water when paddling in the surf. Performance Promise - Stable ride - Sit-on-top convenience — easy on/off - Comfortable support for rear end and lower back - Seat self-drains and vents - Boat self-bails - Ideal for flat water and rivers" - from Native




Is there something on the list you think I missed? Let me know about it in the comments section or on Facebook. The link is in the top right hand corner.


Five Kayaks Everyone is Talking About

Most of the 2014 kayaks are starting to arrive in showrooms across the country, while a few are being shown as pictures only for now. Leaking photos, excitement about arrivals and new reviews are fueling the growing buzz for several kayaks. Energized by the Holiday Shopping Fever that is so rampant this time of year, kayaks, and these five especially, are being mentioned in almost every forum and Facebook group across the nation. Innovative designs are leading the excitement and for good reason. These are not listed in rank order. You'll have to decide for yourself which is tops on your list.

1. Native Slayer Propel



Since its first "accidental photo leak" earlier in the year, the Slayer Propel has been seen as a game changer by many. A narrower kayak than its brother the Mariner, the Slayer Propel offers the hull of the original Slayer (with some improvements) but the versatility and speed of the Mariner. Native still hasn't given the Slayer any real underdeck storage but I'm just one guy asking. The price: $2,399


2. Jackson Big Rig



At just over 13 feet long and 37 inches wide, the Big Rig from Jackson is exactly that. Designed for superior stand and fish capability, it should deliver. It's still listed as a prototype but is available for preorder now. The estimated weight capacity is between 550 and 600 pounds which should bode very well for larger paddlers who want to stand and fish. The price: $1499 w/o a rudder and $1699 with a rudder. 


3. Old Town Predator




In two models (13 and MX) the OT Predator has made a splash in the kayak market. Combining lots of sought after features, Old Town is causing people to look their way. A three position frame seat option, rod pod and six removable mounting plates bring comfort and customizability to a big water boat. The smaller MX removes the Rod Pod and is a slightly smaller boat for river running which makes a great fly casting option. The price: $1299 for the 13, $1199 for the MX.


4. Wilderness Systems Ride 115X




The 115X offers a new twist on a current favorite. The removable electronics bay in the front has been a huge hit with fishermen this year. Having a single box that all of your electronics fit on and in (for single transducer models) that are easily removed when needed has been a major draw. With an already proven stand and fish capability, this just adds another reason why people continue to buy Rides. The price: $1059. 


5. Feelfree Lure



The Lure has seemingly taken the lawn chair seating craze one step further. The leaked photos seem to have the Lure posed with a cushioned, lumbar cradling, four position seat that should rival any competitor on the market. Add in molded handles, tri-lock hatch and available rudder and Feelfree is swinging for the fences. Little in the way of thoughts and reviews are out yet on the Lure but it is burning up the internet with talk of what could be. The price: $1099 w/o the rudder, $1249 with the rudder.



Love the list? Hate the list? What should be on the list that's not? Let everyone know!