Buying a yak in ak

Looking into buyin a fishing yak here in anchorage. I'm wondering what my options are for getting a good deal. Is there any sites that offer good shipping prices to ak or is REI the way to go. It seems they have a limited selection. Price is a huge factor.

I was lucky enough to get a sit on top fishing kayak from craigslist. I believe that Alaska Raft and Kayak will start selling Hobies soon. I think that Bass Pro Shop has some fishing kayaks, not sure though. A couple people have ordered from Austin Kayak and they seem to have enjoyed the experience.

If price is a huge factor, you're probably not looking at the Hobies -- yet. If you are, then the news that Alaska Raft and Kayak may become a Hobie dealer here is good to know. The shipping will be worth comparison shopping on, if that's the case. Compare with Kayak Shed in OR too, as in my experience they do a better job on getting the number on shipping as low as they can.  REI is always a good deal for avoiding the shipping cost, and they carry Ocean Kayak. 

Have fun shopping! Hope to see you on the water soon.

Okay thanks. I found a ten foot wilderness systems for under 600 new but 10 seems a bit too short. What length are your boats? I was hoping for at least 12ft but prefer 14

Mine is 13.5' -- feels good now but initially seemed short. Lots of guys here have Outbacks, which are even shorter than my Revo. Longer and skinnier is more efficient and tracks better than wide and short.

I thought I had replied to this thread.  I'm not much help.  Got both mine at Alaska Raft and Kayak.Can't go wrong there but you can probably go cheaper.  Outbacks.  I brought a mini-x up from WA>

The mini-x is 9ft long and I caught a ton of salmon and halibut off of it.  I would have never changed had it not been for the other people I found myself going out with me in 12 to 14 ft kayaks were just smoking me on the water.

I have never tried a revo versus an outback.  I LOVE my outback.  But it is a barge relative to some off the sleeker models.  I will say I am not sure where you would have put a limit of 6 cohos or a 105 halibut on anything smaller than an outback, but I am sure it can be done. 

I have a 14' Hobie Mirage Pro Angler which I love but it's pricey. It's very stable but a con is it's not as fast as sleeker models. I can cruise at 3-4 knots depending on wind and current which seems to work pretty well for the silvers. It's a bit annoying to paddle versus using the pedals though.

Yea if I had the cash the hobie would be the choice. I think I'm going to aim for a sleeker boat at 14 ft. Hatch covers for sot yaks are typically another issue for me. They usually leak and don't have replacement parts.

Call up next adventure or kayak shed in Oregon .  They have cut me some good deals on getting stuff up to AK.   Or you could buy my 2010 PA

What's your 2010 PA? I'm not familiar

What's your 2010 PA? I'm not familiar

Hobie Pro Angler.  Great boat.  But it's huge for a kayak. 

It's a great thing to fish out of in lakes and the salt (on nice days with little wind and no surf).  Kinda heavy and not easy to paddle though.  Like kard said....more of a small boat than a kayak

Call up NextAdventure in Portland and Kayak Shed in Hood River I'm not sure who ships that far but I'm so sure somebody would ship a hobie up to Alaska. They've done it before

Okay more thoughts on this . I've narrowed it down to either a wilderness systems tarpon 14 or 16 footer. I previously owned a 16 footer when I lived in Trinidad california and it was great for stacking traps on and diving out of, also going far offshore. I am wondering if I'll be heading multiple miles offshore here in south central ak. That may be wishful thinking considering the dynamic ocean we have. Seems that a 14 footer would allow for some kenai river floats but the 16 may be too big? Any more advice? I found the yaks through rei so I can get free shipping. I was thinking of waiting for a 20%off sale but not sure if that discount would apply towards a boat?

  Seems like a solid choice. I don't think two ft will make a huge difference in the Kena. Maybe on the Swanson or running through a boulder field.