10 footer for lakes and some crabbing in bays/hood canal reasonable?

I'm trying to pull the trigger on a kayak, but I'd like some opinions from the experts.  I am living with my girlfriend in her place.  We have a one car garage that is pretty packed with bikes, snowboards, tools, etc.  There is enough wall space for a little over ten foot kayak. I don't think I could squeeze an 11 footer in.  Are there any ten foot models that would hold a 6' 195 lb. guy plus gear for crabbing around hood canal or other areas around south sound?  Most of my fishing would be in lakes around here probably, but it would be nice to get some crabbing in.  My other option is to get a longer kayak on a trailer and store it in the community RV parking.  That would entail a new car that can tow a trailer (my Honda Fit probably shouldn't tow) and a monthly fee. 

Thanks!

Wilderness systems makes a Tarpon 100 that has a 325 pound capacity.  Hobie makes a 9 foot inflatable mirage drive boat. It's a barge, but could haul crab rings.  Ocean Kayak has some slightly longer and sexier.  But, the OK tetra 10 may be a little low on capacity for you. I believe Malibu makes one just over 9 feet.

But, the easiest thing may be to find a girlfriend with a bigger garage. 

Wait 'till she goes to work and sell all her stuff in the garage...
That way you have room for the new kayak that you're gonna buy with the money from her stuff...

Great ideas, but she's a keeper and half of the stuff is mine.  She likes to go fishing with me, so I might have to find room for two yaks.  I'm reassessing our layout to see if we can lash one to the ceiling and one on the wall.  If that is the case, I might be able to get a longer yak. 

Inflatables may be worth looking at.  That hobie i9 is sick!  A buddy of mine rides an Xtra Cycle, eschews cars, and bought an Advanced Elements inflatable for use on nearby, bike-abley distanced waterways.  The boat is slick, and was a lot cheaper than the Hobie.  Takes up as much room as a duffle bag.  But those small rigid Malibu are nice.  If you have long legs, however, the short boats may be a wee cramped.  Especially the pump ups...

I love my Mini-X. It's a great little worker of a kayak.

True

Inflatables may be worth looking at.  That hobie i9 is sick!  A buddy of mine rides an Xtra Cycle, eschews cars, and bought an Advanced Elements inflatable for use on nearby, bike-abley distanced waterways.  The boat is slick, and was a lot cheaper than the Hobie.  Takes up as much room as a duffle bag.  But those small rigid Malibu are nice.  If you have long legs, however, the short boats may be a wee cramped.  Especially the pump ups...

The advanced elements are actually pretty decent kayaks. Sure they don't have much room inside because of all the air but they track pretty well. I am 5'10" or so but my legs definitely got cramped in the advanced frame model.

Baldy is there a shop nearby where you live that will demo kayaks?

I can probably try demo some of the hardshells.  My buddy has a couple of the Advanced Elements models.  He has the tandem, which can also be paddled solo.  I thought about that one because it would have a good amount of room with only one seat.  I was a little worried about taking it out crabbing without the self bailing capability.  Anyone have experience with this?

I can probably try demo some of the hardshells.  My buddy has a couple of the Advanced Elements models.  He has the tandem, which can also be paddled solo.  I thought about that one because it would have a good amount of room with only one seat.  I was a little worried about taking it out crabbing without the self bailing capability.  Anyone have experience with this?

The advanced elements are ridiculously stable and will float if full of water. However I would suggest bringing along a bilge pump just in case. I did plenty of crabbing in my advanced frame in the sound although I should note that I was using ring nets not pots.

  But, the OK tetra 10 may be a little low on capacity for you.

But, the easiest thing may be to find a girlfriend with a bigger garage. 

outdoor emporium in sodo has a tetra 10 angler model in sand color for 699$. which is 50 off msrp I believe... the bow is pretty short but you should be able to fit a crab pod or two in the rear well.. but weight capacity is rated 225-275

Which ones have you paddled?  I have a mini I would let you paddle, but I am in Shelton.  If I was just gonna roll the dice, had to have new, and wanted a chance to be able to return it, I would buy this...

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Canoes-Kayaks-Small-Boats/Canoes-Kayaks%7C/pc/104794380/c/104710680/sc/104252580/Emotion-Renegade-XT-Kayak/1329263.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-canoes-kayaks-small-boats-canoes-kayaks%2F_%2FN-1100570%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104252580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104710680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104710680%3Bcat104252580

Thanks for all the input everyone.  I think at this point I will start with asking my buddy to take out his Advanced Elements.  Besides the ride, I'd like to see how much of a pain it is to inflate, deflate, and dry.  I'm going to keep my eye out for opportunities to try out the Tarpon, Mini-X, and Renegade.  Shelton isn't too far for a Saturday/Sunday, revjcp, so maybe we can meet up sometime to do some fishing.