Need a 2nd Kayak... maybe a 3rd

If one kayak is good... just think how nice it will be to have 2 or 3; and I know some of you out there have done it.

I bought the Predator 13. Big, heavy, wide, stable, slow, etc. One of my favorite haunts requires about 1 1/2 miles of paddling each way. Wouldn't be so bad if the boat had some glide to it, but the wide fishing kayaks just don't glide like a narrower boat might. Opinions are needed if any of you have tried or own both the wide and narrow hulled craft. When I've narrowed the selection some I'll do the drive to make test paddles; for now it's an arm chair thing.

I do not have the balance of my youth so I've found stand up fishing is not as important as I once thought it was. I'm thinking a kayak no longer than the 14 foot range at 28 to 30 inches wide. Short list includes the Jackson Cuda 14 and Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 both are advertised as fast. and both have seating that looks to have good back support.

For now due to recent back surgery I have to stick with paddle boats. It will be lots of P/T and likely next spring before a new Hobie peddle boat is a possibility; sure like the looks of the 2015 Outback!

If one kayak is good... just think how nice it will be to have 2 or 3; and I know some of you out there have done it.

I bought the Predator 13. Big, heavy, wide, stable, slow, etc. One of my favorite haunts requires about 1 1/2 miles of paddling each way. Wouldn't be so bad if the boat had some glide to it, but the wide fishing kayaks just don't glide like a narrower boat might. Opinions are needed if any of you have tried or own both the wide and narrow hulled craft. When I've narrowed the selection some I'll do the drive to make test paddles; for now it's an arm chair thing.

I do not have the balance of my youth so I've found stand up fishing is not as important as I once thought it was. I'm thinking a kayak no longer than the 14 foot range at 28 to 30 inches wide. Short list includes the Jackson Cuda 14 and Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 both are advertised as fast. and both have seating that looks to have good back support.

For now due to recent back surgery I have to stick with paddle boats. It will be lots of P/T and likely next spring before a new Hobie peddle boat is a possibility; sure like the looks of the 2015 Outback!

Ocean Kayak Trident 13

Thanks for the suggestion FlyGuy. I had thought about the Trident. Not sure if it will change for the 2015 model,  but for now it appears they are retaining the regular kayak style seating which is not comfortable on my back.

Need one of the newer style more comfy seats; if fact, the new seating is a big part of what I like about the new Hobie.

Cuda 14 is $1400 (no rudder).  Trident 13 is $1100 (also no rudder).  You can get a heck of a nicer seat for a lot less than the $300 price difference.  Just sayin'.

Granted the Tarpon is cheaper than the OK T13 before seat upgrades.

Speed is only one factor to consider.  Look also into how the kayak will handle the water you want to fish.  The T13 is hard to beat for open ocean conditions.  Also look at ergonomics.  Seat comfort is only one part of ergo, and you might find one kayak to be better laid out for how you like to operate.

Here is my current quiver of kayaks.

Old Town Predator 13 -  big, wide, stable - great for stand up bass fishing.  Did well using this on a multiday bass fishing trip on the John Day River last year.  Plenty of room from camping gear.

Ocean Kayak Ultra 4.3 - long, narrow, fast - great for getting out in the ocean or long trolls for salmon. I fish out of this kayak 80% of the time.  I have also owned the Ocean Kayak Trident 13 for this niche.

Ocean Kayak Caper - my first kayak, short, stable - great for swift water river fishing (coastal winter steelhead).  If I was to replace this kayak, I'd get an Ocean Kayak Trident 11

Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL - tandem - great family kayak for taking the kids out fishing.

Thanks folks, Looks like the Johnson Group is by far the most popular.

Thanks folks, Looks like the Johnson Group is by far the most popular.

As a sponsored Johnson Outdoors pro-staffer ... I'll have to agree with you. 

But seriously, the two main kayak brands in the area right now are Johnson Outdoors (Ocean Kayak and Old Town) for paddle based kayaks and Hobie for the pedal kayaks.    Other companies just haven't invested as much to penetrate our market here in the Pacific Northwest yet.

Thanks folks, Looks like the Johnson Group is by far the most popular.

As a sponsored Johnson Outdoors pro-staffer ... I'll have to agree with you. 

But seriously, the two main kayak brands in the area right now are Johnson Outdoors (Ocean Kayak and Old Town) for paddle based kayaks and Hobie for the pedal kayaks.    Other companies just haven't invested as much to penetrate our market here in the Pacific Northwest yet.

My Elie Gulf just feels so all alone and ignored and lonesome....   

Jim

Thanks folks, Looks like the Johnson Group is by far the most popular.

As a sponsored Johnson Outdoors pro-staffer ... I'll have to agree with you. 

But seriously, the two main kayak brands in the area right now are Johnson Outdoors (Ocean Kayak and Old Town) for paddle based kayaks and Hobie for the pedal kayaks.    Other companies just haven't invested as much to penetrate our market here in the Pacific Northwest yet.

My Elie Gulf just feels so all alone and ignored and lonesome....   

Jim

As does my Jackson Big Tuna 

Wasn't sure there would be comments by anyone who doesn't recommend Ocean.

Don't think Ocean has anything for me; the very first criteria is a comfortable seat. May not make sense to some; but extremely important for me. The Predator is great for my back. I keep the seat in the high position, sit up straight and use the pegs to push into the seat back... kayak seat bad - chair good. That sentiment may change after a few more months of physical therapy; we'll see.

So far, the best looking chair in a narrower kayak is on the Jackson Cuda 14. Inflatable lumbar, high and low positioning and similar looking to the Predator chair, but that boat is just 3" narrower than the Predator. Wonder how narrow one can go before it becomes unsafe to use a hi/low chair. The Cuda is the narrowest I've found so far. Got to find a Cuda 14 to demo within a reasonable distance of Salem, OR.

The new W/S Air Pro Max lounge chair will be available in a month or so and Jackson has their removable chair. Either of which could be put into any kayak with a flat cockpit well. Slayer has a track mounted chair in their Slayer Propel. Here's a guy who put a turkey hunting chair in his Hobie Outback: http://www.stripersonline.com/t/913113/upgraded-hobie-outback-seat-diy

I will throw the Wavewalk into the mix.  A lot of folks find it much more comfortable than most paddling positions.  It is a unique kayak and I am really enjoying it.  It will also depend somewhat on the water you are hitting.  If you have any questions let me know.  Good luck finding just the right boat.  www.wavewalk.com

How interesting... Just happen to have a 2hp Honda from a past small sailboat (Potter 14). I was thinking it wouldn't work then found the page where they discuss the motor mount which if mounted one way fits long shaft and the other way fits my short shaft motor; how ingenious. Also have a MinnKota 40 Max electric collecting dust with a 90 Ah Gelcel battery. Motorizing at 8MPH, would certainly fix my speed concern.

I considered it wouldn't be ocean worthy, then found the page of people surfing them. Some of those people were preteens, surfing and going out with 4 foot plus waves. Would have to install lots of floatation or maybe whitewater canoe bags in the pontoons. Not something I may ever do, but it's fun to dream.

One of the pages is devoted to back pain and why the low kayak seat troubles my back so much. Made perfect sense to the why I need a high seat... finally vindicated... LOL

My closest W dealer is in Hood River I sent an E-Mail to see if I could demo one next week. Also E-mailed Kayak Shed to see if they have a Cuda 14 to demo. I hope to set up both demo's on the same day. If the plan works out I'll post a review or show off pretty pictures of my new boat.

Thanks for the link Widgeonmangh, it may be just what the Doc ordered for the second kayak.

P.s. the Cuda is prettier... but the W may be more useful.

Cool.  He is a great guy.  Tell him I sent ya. 

If you ever head up my way (Gig Harbor) we can do a test drive as well.  You can check out our page for the way I have it rigged.  (Northwest Downriggin').

Thanks for the demo offer.
I'm hoping the Hood River shop gets back to me today.
Promises to be fun...

I know I am still very green, but I will chime in here.  I read everything I could on this site before buying my boat.  I decided on a Trident 13.  So far, I am seriously impressed.  I have some white water experience,  and although this is no swift water boat, it can handle easy white water. Just make sure to know where in the current the keel is....:-) 

Just since June I have been in the sound, big lakes and some slack water, that I had to navigate some white water to access.  This boat really is super versatile.  I have read complaints about the seat, and I don't get the complaint.  Its fine for me..after all day I am not stiff or sore at all.   My criteria were essentially and ocean boat that could be used in smaller water...I have it.  If I get into fast water again, I might pick something shorter, but the reality is that the T13 give me access to about 90% of the water around here.