Tarpon 160 time - input please

I honestly like the tarpon hull better than any other SOT. multi-chine and a keel give it such better performance than the others. Quick to respond to edge and strokes, and a good turn of speed with less effort because of the length.

Good to hear, Nanook, but I've got zero "buyer's remorse" anyhow, after paddling my Tarpon 140 a few times. It is quick to accelerate (I weigh about 170), and has fair glide. I can paddle it all day.
Thanks again for advising me to hold off on getting the rudder kit. I can paddle fine in a cross wind without it. I honestly can say that right now I can't see the need for spending $250 for a rudder on one of these T-140's. I have been practicing using the chines for turning (leaning to the outside of the turn) and can turn it fairly well, now.
Once I get a gps, I will run some speed trials on a lake, where there is no tidal current to bugger the mph reading. Or else just cover the same stretch in the salt, retracing in exactly the opposite direction, and then take the average. I'll find the #s for my "comfortable cruising speed,"  "long-distance-powering speed," and "wide-open throttle."

You don't need that stinkin rudder do ya?! Rudders are for people who don't know, or want to learn how to kayak.....or people who pedal.

We'll see how many people that gets fired up!

J

You don't need that stinkin rudder do ya?! Rudders are for people who don't know, or want to learn how to kayak.....or people who pedal.

We'll see how many people that gets fired up!

J

Guess I wouldn't need the rudder if I put another downrigger out the other side.

OK rudder will make downriggers easier, but you still don't need it. If the downrigger is on the right, tilt the boat down to the right and it will go straight.

Can you tilt the boat to the side and sit comfortably?  I'm not seeing that, and when I go out, I'm out for a while.  Sounds like lower back pain in the making to me   

I bought my Tarpon 160 a few years ago, it has a rudder, I've only used it just to see how it worked. I went so far as to drill a hole in it and bungee it straight. That being said I'm still glad I have it. This year I'm going to start fishing for large sturgeon and salmon and think it will help a bunch when fighting larger fish. Being able to turn the boat sideways with my feet to add more resistance against the fish. Also the wind where I live can come up to crazy speeds in a matter of minutes, getting across the Columbia in wind like that would be easier in an emergency with a rudder.

Here's messing around up on the ice at the mouth of the Yakima just before Christmas.

Cheers,
Jay

Can you tilt the boat to the side and sit comfortably?  I'm not seeing that, and when I go out, I'm out for a while.  Sounds like lower back pain in the making to me  

Yes, I'm referring more to "edging" which you do while underway to help steer or keep the boat strait in wind or current. It's more like shifting your weight to one butt cheek or the other to affect trim. Doesn't take much effort, and the Tarpon responds to it better than most SOT's

If your trim is off balance and you are going to go out unbalanced, a rudder will help, but you'd be better served by adding weight to balance the boat & downrigger. Even with a rudder, you want the hull to sit as evenly as possible or you'll be fighting it the whole time regardless.

J

Very stable too!  Zero problems lowering/raising downrigger.  Sliding forward to get to my rod is easy too. 

Hey Lee, you got a picture(s) of the downrigger mounted?
holt

OK rudder will make downriggers easier, but you still don't need it. If the downrigger is on the right, tilt the boat down to the right and it will go straight.

Sorry bruddah, a rudder is mandatory for kayak fishing with downriggers deeper than 20'. Well, that is unless you're using a 1/2 oz. weight on a tiny pond w/ no wind. In that case you're right. All kidding aside there's a lot of drag pulling your yak off course and unless you like paddling on one side of the yak you're going to need the rudder to correct it.

I'd also highly suggest you do not tilt your yak towards the side the DR is on. Well, unless you're thinking of practicing self rescue. We're not all Jedi paddlers like you 'Nookie.

Z

Very stable too!  Zero problems lowering/raising downrigger.  Sliding forward to get to my rod is easy too. 

Hey Lee, you got a picture(s) of the downrigger mounted?
holt

In this thread  http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3504.15.html

Thank you Lee, I messed some of that link earlier. Very helpful
holt