Kayak recommendations for tall guy in NW Washington

I am pretty new to kayak fishing - started in early '09, but I spent alot of time on Lake Whatcom and Bellingham bay in my kayak.  It's a "touring" kayak that I rigged up with a depthfinder and a couple rod holders, and it served me pretty well, but I want to upgrade to something that's more designed for fishing.


One caveat is that I am super tall - 6'7".  I just barely fit into the kayak i have (it was bought used).  So for my next kayak I'm hoping for something a little more...my size.  That's my biggest need.

I'm expecting to continue to spend time on Lake Whatcom, Bellingham Bay and probably more in the Deception pass area this year.  In addition to being big enough for me, I want something that will allow good gear access (something I don't have now), and is pretty stable.  I won't be in any real open water, and speed is not as important. I don't have a price limit - I know that as with anything, you get what you pay for.  And I don't want to skimp on something I'll hopefully be spending alot of time in!

Also, can anyone recommend a good place to actually check out kayaks anywhere in NW WA (Bham, Everett, Seattle, etc.)?

Thanks guys!

Hey tall man Welcome to NWKA. I am a fellowtallie (6'6" 230#) so feel ya. Great news is that most all SOT yaks out there are tall person friendly. There's only been a few that were tight but they were short kayaks. I've ridden in all the Hobie line and other than the sport they all fit. Malibu kayaks are HUUUGE and will make you feel small. I know a few taller people that ride in OK yaks and haven't noticed them being tight fits either.

The best advice I can give being a bigger guy is don't fall into the "big guy" yak mentality. There's people out there who will tell you since you're big you need the longest fattest yak out there but it really depends more on your ability and what you're going to use it for. So rejoice! They're all made for us too!!

And as we all say, paddle a bunch of different yaks and compare before you buy.

Places to check out yaks: Hobiecats Northwest, Camano Island Marine, REI.

Z

You, my man, are in luck!  I live in B'ham and have a well outfit Hobie Adventure (the longest of the hobies) that I'd be totally willing to let you scoot around the water on so you can demo.  As for retail places to test boats out, we are surprisingly lacking in retailers who are actually on the water up here.  Camano Marine has several that you can take out, and you can head farther south into the Seattle metro area and hit up some of the other facilities.  I made my decision on a Hobie after experiences borrowing boats from friends locally, so I don't have a short list of the fishing sit-on-top retailers farther south than Marysville.  I'm sure others here at NWKA can help in that department.  There are several guys up here in Whatcom county who have different models of kayaks, but I can't speak to availability.  Send me a pm and we'll see what we can do about finding a few boats to demo.  I owe some beer to a few guys, so I might be able to hook you up with a borrowed boat.  Again, I can't speak for other folks and their willingness to loan, though we're all nice guys.

And if you do decide a Hobie Adventure is for you I do have one for sale. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/1539504301.html

Z

The Ocean Kayak Trident 15 angler would be a good fit for a dude your size & requirements. I know Hobie, Cobra, & Malibu have some boats that would fit you well too & be really stable.

Have you thought about looking into the Hobie Pro Angler? They are super stable and have tons of storage. Next Adventure in Portland Does free demo's of most of there kayaks on thursday evenings, but think they've started back up yet. I'm 6'4" and use a Hobie Outback. Fits like a dream.

Tall man is the happy new owner of a well used yellow Adventure.

z

Sweet!  Another B'hamster with an Adventure.... I see fishy goodness in the future!

Dang Zee you sold the yellow beast alrdy?
Did you get a 2010 model? Did they change anything I have been out of the loop

Dang Zee you sold the yellow beast alrdy?
Did you get a 2010 model? Did they change anything I have been out of the loop

Yeah, it was time get a new yak lined up. They haven't changed too much. The most noticeable is the seat. There's a new system that keeps it in place better and they made the seat back suuuuper cushy. They're starting to remind me of those nice office chairs with all the lumbar support and stuff. Ask SG as she was checking it out at the boat show last night and seemed to like 'em.

Z

Yes Zee.. i was checking out the seats. i like the middle support thats in the back of the seat securing it. I love the extra cushion and they seem to be a little higher seat back then the OK ones.

YessNoo. you will like the new lines. I like the boat they have come out with. but i agree with Zee would need a trailer or something to haul it i dont see me throwing it up on my pickup without help.

SG