Sit on top vs sit in?

Oh ... It is well known I love myself

I want to see some one do this from a SINK

What the picture doesn't show....the SOT kayaks were transported 60 miles by boat to this remote Alaska location.

Jim Sammons catches (er, ahem) a lot of REALLY big fish using this same technique.

OK how about this one launched and landed from Washington beach that all I had to do was drive to....

Your kayak looks like it is sinking.   

-Allen

When it sinks you'll know. Trust me, I've seen it. And when I say "it" I'm talking about that particular boat.

Just for the record, it never sank.
Just no longer floated right side up.

But that's what happens when you have holes in your boat.....

Oh ... It is well known I love myself

haha yes, this is no secret.

Ya know, I kind of feel for our original poster. He was asking the age old question about boat selection  and look where it went.

That being said, can we continue our annual science lesson? This is almost as good as the one regarding the physics of fishing rod leverage we had a few years ago.

My ocean boat is much more suited for the river than a sit on top.

RB making sure I understand your statement.  Are you saying that this boat.....


Is better in a river than sit on top boats like the...

Dagger Torrent


Fluid Do it Now

Not at all. I'm talking about boats that people really intend to fish from and I believe people have taken quite a few of my comments without considering the context. I am basically asserting that the sea kayak is the most versatile boat for fishing many different mediums. While it may not be ideal in several applications, overall if you are looking to buy one boat, it is definitely worth consideration. While you might be capable of fishing from those two boats above, they are probably going to a lot more limiting than a sea kayak for fishing rivers.

Not at all. I'm talking about boats that people really intend to fish from and I believe people have taken quite a few of my comments without considering the context.

Speaking for myself ... I think I have considered the context.  At the same time, I was hoping to try to clarify it more.

I am basically asserting that the sea kayak is the most versatile boat for fishing many different mediums. While it may not be ideal in several applications, overall if you are looking to buy one boat, it is definitely worth consideration. While you might be capable of fishing from those two boats above, they are probably going to a lot more limiting than a sea kayak for fishing rivers.

Which sea kayak are you paddling?

-Allen

-Allen

I am basically asserting that the sea kayak is the most versatile boat for fishing many different mediums. While it may not be ideal in several applications, overall if you are looking to buy one boat, it is definitely worth consideration.

I think depending on the "medium" you spend most of your time in a SINK or a SOT could be the best option and both should be considered.  I'm curious what you think of boats that are a blend of SOT deck and SINK hull shape, like a Kaskazi Dorado or Skua AR.  Best of both worlds are worst?

While you might be capable of fishing from those two boats above, they are probably going to a lot more limiting than a sea kayak for fishing rivers.

Again I think a lot depends on the "river".  We have a local river with great resident wild rainbow fishing that would probably give you a lot of trouble in an ocean touring style SINK, but is easily navigated in smaller SOTs and white water SINKs.  The overall length of your touring boat and the effect it has on your maneuverability would be the challenge.  It's not really a SINK vs SOT argument, but more about what hull types and lengths the two different deck layouts have.  Long and fast with good glide characteristics vs short nimble and focusing on maneuverability.

If I were to choose one boat to do everything it wouldn't be the longest and it wouldn't be the shortest.  I'd bump up from the middle length a bit because of my size and say 13' would be the ideal length for me.  I'd want a boat that had good glide but still had some rocker for maneuverability.  Thigh straps for running rivers and surfing.  For fishing I'd want a deck layout easily accepting of all the accessories needed.  It would have to be a paddle boat because I do like rivers.  I do a lot of fishing by myself so it would have to be a sit on top for ease of self rescue.  It turns out all this describes the first kayak I ever bought, the T13.  For me I couldn't have picked a better do everything boat to get started with. 

Over time I've added boats to the stable so having one boat to do it all has been replaced with more specialized rides for specific conditions.  Not unlike the approach I've take to skiing and snowboarding.  Could I ski everything on one pair?  Sure but it's more fun to have boards matched to specific situations. 

If I was limited to one ski or one kayak I would choose based on versatility.  For most of my fishing a 17' SINK wouldn't be the most versatile choice.

Let me make an interesting supposition.  For most kayak anglers, paddling skills makes as much of a difference as kayak choice does.  And of course the 2 are integral.

A good paddler in a SOT can do much more than a bad paddler in a SINK.  And visa versa.

Corollary ... most kayak anglers are not the greatest paddlers.

Thoughts?

-Allen

Agreed.  As with most sports equipment discussions, the old "It's the archer not the arrow" saying does apply.

Again I think a lot depends on the "river".  We have a local river with great resident wild rainbow fishing that would probably give you a lot of trouble in an ocean touring style SINK, but is easily navigated in smaller SOTs and white water SINKs.  The overall length of your touring boat and the effect it has on your maneuverability would be the challenge.  It's not really a SINK vs SOT argument, but more about what hull types and lengths the two different deck layouts have.  Long and fast with good glide characteristics vs short nimble and focusing on maneuverability.

If I were to choose one boat to do everything it wouldn't be the longest and it wouldn't be the shortest.  I'd bump up from the middle length a bit because of my size and say 13' would be the ideal length for me.  I'd want a boat that had good glide but still had some rocker for maneuverability.  Thigh straps for running rivers and surfing.  For fishing I'd want a deck layout easily accepting of all the accessories needed. It would have to be a paddle boat because I do like rivers.  I do a lot of fishing by myself so it would have to be a sit on top for ease of self rescue.  It turns out all this describes the first kayak I ever bought, the T13.  For me I couldn't have picked a better do everything boat to get started with. 

I find this interesting and don't mean to hijack the thread, but I can't imagine running a river that has draft for a mirage drive (say 50% plus) of the river, without the Hobie.  Outback isn't an ideal paddle boat but its sufficient for hopping gravel bar to gravel bar when its shallow.  Skinny waters, for sure, I love my mini-x.  But the hands free element comes into HUGE play when hitting rivers and not having to paddle, I can slowly slip down stream maintaining proper distance from the shoreline. I can easily pull plugs without losing a quarter mile drifting while I deploy.   Its like being in a drift boat but you only need one operator.  I will say that with the swirling river hyrdraulics, the big turbo finds and sailing rudder has caused some pucker factor.  I mainly fish mid to larger glacially fed rivers so its not like the smaller streams I used to fish in say like Western Washington other than the Chehalis. 

I find this interesting and don't mean to hijack the thread, but I can't imagine running a river that has draft for a mirage drive (say 50% plus) of the river, without the Hobie.   

When I was describing an ideal do everything boat the ability to navigate shallow and faster moving rivers is why I wouldn't choose one with a mirage drive if I could pick only one.  I spend 90% of my time fishing out of mirage drive Hobies, but they don't belong in whitewater like this fun little class II.  The T13 handles it fairly well.

I find this interesting and don't mean to hijack the thread, but I can't imagine running a river that has draft for a mirage drive (say 50% plus) of the river, without the Hobie.   

When I was describing an ideal do everything boat the ability to navigate shallow and faster moving rivers is why I wouldn't choose one with a mirage drive if I could pick only one.  I spend 90% of my time fishing out of mirage drive Hobies, but they don't belong in whitewater like this fun little class II.  The T13 handles it fairly well.

THAT'S not a river...that's a ditch...creek at best. lol. Just kidding. Looks like a BLAST!!! I completely agree with your assessment. The rivers I want try my kayak on are slightly bigger. More like
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u7iCY5eXLmQ/TjDvo3QqTxI/AAAAAAAABas/l-rJUfE51To/s1024-no/Kenai%20River.JPG