sugestions for a yak

Hey everyone been racking my brain about this for awhile and been getting no where so I thought it time to ask the experts here on nwka... this past year I had talked to the wifey about trying kayaking and to my amazement she said shed give it a try... now here in is my dilemma, she has NEVER been on a kayak before so I definitely know I need to take it slowly... now I have my OK PT13 that Ill put her in but Im not sure if this will be a good fit for her or not... I just don't wana give her "to much boat" (if that's even possible ) gonna try to have someone watch the kids and take her down to lake meridian this summer and have her give it a go... and if she likes it enough probably get her a kayak as well, but theres the other problem... if she likes mine do I get her one like mine or should I look more into something like the OK Venus or something similar that's made for the ladies?  Please help me so I stop tearing my hair out!  LOL  I have a feeling the kids are gonna want one sooner or later but since they are 2 and 5 I think I have some time to find ones for them... hell or I could just get a HUGE tandem like the OK Zest Two EXP and just take the whole damn lot of us at once LOL

being in the same boat as you with the younger kids, I've been pretty happy with my Malibu stealth 14.  the front hatch has a small seat molded into it facing backwards, and my 3 year old fits perfect up there - she's close enough I can take care of everything she needs, but still gives me room to row/cast ect.  the 9 year old rides directly behind me sitting on the flat hatch facing backwards - other than re-tying she handles everything herself, which is good because it is a little more difficult to turn around and help her much.  this last summer the 3 of us did quite a few trips for trout/squawfish and had a blast.

the down-side...the stealth 14 is a barge.  extremely stable, holds a great line even in wind, but is very large, and hard to move around out of water.  the stealth 12 also comes with a seat in the front hatch, but they saved the 2 feet off the kayak by removing the flat hatch (make shift 3rd seat surface) directly behind the main seat.  If your wife can handle the OK13 - maby it's time you get a new kayak  .

Take you wife out when someone is doing a big demo day. Then rent the one she likes for the day. It more expensive then just having her try yours, but it gives her the opportunity to find what she likes best. It also means she would get some guidance from someone who is an expert. I don't know about you, but I find it beneficial when I'm not the one teaching my wife hoe to do something.

But if that a no go, I don't think you can go wrong with a t13... Paddles easy enough that my 11 yo little girl can make it go.

You might check out a Wavewalk.  Different style of boat, but much more beginner friendly and kid friendly.  Parents can easily and comfortably  take kids in them. They paddle really easy and you can stand up and fish out of them.  You also stay dry which tends to smooth the way for more adventures not less.  If you ever want a test paddle zap me a note.  Since you stay dry you don't have to wait until summer to get out.

Take you wife out when someone is doing a big demo day. . . .  It also means she would get some guidance from someone who is an expert. I don't know about you, but I find it beneficial when I'm not the one teaching my wife hoe to do something.

Excellent suggestion, even if you know more about kayaks than the salesperson from the kayak shop!

Another suggestion: have her try out a Hobie Outback and/or Revolution.  She may decide that she likes pedal kayaks better than paddle kayaks.

redfish85,
I started my family out with a OK Malibu 2 tandem. That's, wife and two kids 6yr & 9yr. old at the time. I paddled my T13 or Cuda 14 and let them have at it in the tandem
That kayak worked out very well with 3 people in it. Now that my oldest kid is almost 12 she has her own kayak to paddle.
If you have a place to demo kayaks that would be a great place to  start. Then everyone's HAPPY.

Thanks,
Tim

I'll just chime in on the OK Venus 11 specifically; I got my wife one of these used on Craigslist for Christmas, and she just took it out yesterday for the first time, and she really likes it. It was kind of an impulse buy as she hadn't demoed one but I know what type of boats she likes so when I saw a good deal I went for it. Anyway, it seems like a good, stable boat and she didn't have any problem moving it. It didn't look like it tracked very well to my eye (I haven't paddled it) but she said she liked the way it paddled. That said, it is probably undersized for beyond-the-breakers action if that is one of your goals. I think on a calm day with small waves it would do OK but it looks pretty small for the ocean.

Good luck! Wife who wants to kayak = good problem to have!

At various times in the past I tried to get my wife involved in kayaking, rafting, telemark skiing, and pistol shooting, so we could do things together.  We got her the gear, but she never stuck with any of the activities.  I don't know anything about your wife, but based on my experience, here is my suggestion:  Consider buying a kayak which is complementary to, or better than, your current kayak.  That way, if your wife doesn't end up using the kayak, you can use it.  You won't have a crappy recreational kayak or a "woman's boat" cluttering up your garage, and you will gain a nifty new fishing kayak.

I would second what Pmmpete said.  To be honest this is basically what I did when I started to get my wife out.  She took over my OK P13 and I upgraded to a Hobie Outback.  This worked out for us because the Hobie is Awesome for fishing but I still have a great kayak for different applications. I can even tie her up to me in the p13 and pull her around easy for days she wants to be out with me but just wants to sit back and read. (There's no way I would want to paddle like that!!)  It sounds kind of silly but atleast she still gets out with me on occasion. Not only that but I have my main fishing kayak in the Hobie, but I also have a great kayak if I want to paddle or go hunt. 

those are good ideas I hadn't thought about it like that before... man you guys are so sneaky lol

Since we have picked up a few used kayaks recently, my wife graduated from her inflatable to using the T13. She's 5'4" and has no problems and prefers that since it doesn't blow around like her inflatable.  Meanwhile, here I am fishing out of a T-11. She really got into reading the fish finder, too. Just got her a fishing license yesterday  so I expect to be outfished soon because that's just the way things work out.

Since we have picked up a few used kayaks recently, my wife graduated from her inflatable to using the T13. She's 5'4" and has no problems and prefers that since it doesn't blow around like her inflatable.  Meanwhile, here I am fishing out of a T-11. She really got into reading the fish finder, too. Just got her a fishing license yesterday  so I expect to be outfished soon because that's just the way things work out.

Aint that the truth lol

It's true, the women out fish the men.....my daughter-in-law and wife are classic examples.....

Never pass up an opportunity for an upgrade! 

 -Spot-