Looking for suggestions

I'm out of town at the moment but just watched two guys fishing out of kayaks on a TV show.  One was using an Ocean Kayak and I don't think I want to try a sit-on kayak just yet.

The other guy was in a kayak that looked a lot like the Equinox photo posted by holg3107 (above), but without the knee braces.  It was a sit-in kayak, but the seat was in a long open hole (is it called a cockpit or just a hole?) - essentially only his lower shins and feet were inside the hull and you could pop in-and-out of that kayak with very little effort.  I couldn't see the brand name but I'm guessing it wasn't an Ocean Kayak by how carefully the camera stayed above the brand name...

Does anyone know who makes sit in kayaks with large cockpits?  That might be the style I'm looking-for.

And holg3107 - if I could find an Equinox 10.4 for $200, I'd be a mighty happy camper.  Lucky kind of a guy, ain't you?

Does anyone know who makes sit in kayaks with large cockpits?  That might be the style I'm looking-for.

The Wilderness Pungo have large cockpits, I have a Pungo 140 that I use for fishing.  I installed a pole holder behind the left side of the cockpit, it also has the optional deck and dual bulk heads.  I'm putting it up for sale, and it might be what you are looking for, pm sent.

There are some really cool crossover hybrids in the last few years with really open cockpits that you might like such as:

Nucanoe.com
Wilderness Systems- Commander (One of which I have and motorized)
JacksonKayak.com

Just curious why you wouldn't be interested in considering a sit-on-top? Especially for a beginner, the self-bailing aspect should be considered- especially for re-entry. Just about everyone will "huli" or fall out of their kayak at some point. Its very easy to lose your ballence... reaching around to get to your gear, roge wave, etc. Can you get back in? Could you paddle a swamped boat- if even if there is enough flotation to keep in near the surface? PolePole is right about skills being more important, and keep your odds for safety in your favor.

Just curious why you wouldn't be interested in considering a sit-on-top? Especially for a beginner, the self-bailing aspect should be considered- especially for re-entry. Just about everyone will "huli" or fall out of their kayak at some point. Its very easy to lose your ballence... reaching around to get to your gear, roge wave, etc. Can you get back in? Could you paddle a swamped boat- if even if there is enough flotation to keep in near the surface? PolePole is right about skills being more important, and keep your odds for safety in your favor.

I also think that you'd be better off with a sit-on-top.  They're wetter rides, but you should be wearing immersion gear in this area most of the year anyway.  They are major advantages when it comes to reentry.  They also more accommodating to storing "extras" on deck like crab pots, milkcrates, etc.

You also want there to be some keel or other shape to the bottom of the boat if you're going to be traveling any distance that isn't downstream with the current.  Short, flat whitewater boats are very maneuverable but don't track straight.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/spo/3915451184.html

this just popped up on craigslist for $200. Same exact kayak as mine.