Standing in my kayak

I have a Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5. For those of you who may not be familari with the craft, it has a tunnel hull, which makes it incredibly stable. While on a guide trip in Lemon Bay near my home in Sarasota, FL. I stood in the craft while sight-fishing for reds in 18 inches of water.

Wow! All I can say is my visibility was incredible. I could see fish easily.

I fould I could stand and sit with little problem.

Native Watercraft makes a paddle/push poles that's supposed to be very neat. I think I'm going to look into it.

Standing in a kayak is a definite advantage.

I've owned Wilderness System Kayaks and Heritage and I stood in both. However, they weren't nearly as stable, so I didn't stand often or long.

I had a 18foot folbot Kayak Double cockpit in the 1960s. It cost $480.00 big bucks back in the days of 75cents an hour minimum wage. You could either sit right down in it or the back rest flipped over level for a seat about the height of a computer chair. Or if I wanted I could easily stand up in it.
People who saw me out in it for the most part would tell me how dangerous it was because it would flip. I would bet them $20.00 that they couldn't roll it over by themselves without a paddle. Never got any takers but changed a lot of minds.
The major problem with it was it didn't steer worth a darn. And folbot didn't have a rudder kit for it. I had to jury rig one in it and then it was perfect. I note that the new ones (47 years later ) have a rudder.

It was so stable because of the hull shape. Very flat bottom. floated in 3inches of water so beaching it was a snap. You'd surf in on an 8 to 10 ft wave Hit the beach, Jump out quickly grab the bow line and run like heck for the High water line.
For better balance while fishing. I used to put one foot on the gunnel and sight fish Coho and Chinook easily. Any fish over 15 lbs could tow you around. I caught an 8 foot grey shark from that kayak. I did paddle ashore to bring that one in. Didn't think a fish like that should be in the same kayak as I was. :D
I often traveled to the nearest village in it 10 miles of open ocean. Everyone in Kuyukot BC thought I was nuts.

So really the Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5 is a catamaran? At least in function it seems to operate on the same principle of a South Pacific outrigger sailing canoe. It's just they've brought both hulls in close together.

Good idea. I like it. If I weren't building my own boat I would strongly consider this one.

I just picked up my Native Ultimate 12 last weekend. I cant wait to get it out and try it out and compare to to my WS angler yak but I will already know it there's no comparision. Waiting on the Dashboard til they get it out and see some pictures of it be nice.

Taking my U-12 out today! Report to follow.


Report:
It was windy(15-30mph) and I fished a large pond(small lake). Caught 9 bass and 3 bluegill. I'm kind of glad it was windy because it made me have to maneuver the kayak and fish at the same time. It was good for learning. One thing I will get soon is an anchor!
Did not try standing up because I was in a pretty public area and didn't want to make fool of myself :) ...........and the water is still pretty cold;)

Clickety click to enlarge:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...h_DSC02451.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...h_DSC02448.jpg

NICE, fish, BBW!
But, want to see this "Wolf Yacht", you purchased too! Still, thinking about one, would like to see pictures "Other than" from those that are trying to just sell it!!
Also, if ((I)) had to "wait until no public was around, to make a fool of myself near water, I'd NEVER get any fishing done! (But, I agree on the "Cool waters of March", thing!)

The Wullfyacht in all it's glory:

Click to make my yacht bigger:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...h_DSC02310.jpg

Flybinder check this site out. Go to the Ultimate Forum and you can see some that have been tricked out:

http://www.lwnog.com/forum/

Thanks, BBW!
Of course, wouldn't you know it...................... FIRST, Linda walks in, while I'm drooling over the picture of YOUR boat, but I sorta escaped that one, by telling her "Oh, it's a friend of mine, on FAOL's boat! Just, looking at the new boat HE GOT, that's all!"
She mumbled something, I probably didn't want to hear anyway, THEN, a few minutes late, she comes BACK into my tying room (I HAVE to get a lock on this door), and I'm now drooling over the LINK you posted!!
"Don't even THINK about adding one of those to your "arsenal" as you call it!" was the only,short and sweet comment I heard as she left my room.
YOU still have an awesome craft, tho', BBW I hope you get years of enjoyment out of it!

Nice report! :)
Can't wait to get mine out. Yea, anchor is important in the wind. I also got the anchor trolley for mine which will greatly enhance which way to point the boat to cast.

YOu know I didn't even put the skeg down! I mean it tracks fine paddling without it but I sure bet it would have kept me straighter while casting in the wind......duh!


flybinder: I know what you mean. I am thinning out my "arsenal" so I can keep this. I've been called 'Professor gadget' by people for having too much "stuff".

-skis
-dirt bikes
-golf clubs, back up clubs............. and a 5 handicap ;)
-DVD camcorder
-hard drive recorder with a remote cam....(hmmm may have to hook that up on the next voyage)
-camper
-bass boat(great to flyfish from!)
-enclosed trailer
-open bed trailer
-diesel VWs
-diesel Excursion
-mountain bike
-road bike
-

Oh crap and that's like half the junk I have. Trying to thin some of this stuff out to simplify my life. I've already sold some of the above but the diesel VWs aren't going anywhere! The average 42 mpg :) :)

Aye yi yi. I need profesional help..................

I've been looking for a local chapter of "Crap Collectors Anonymous" , for a LONGGGG time BBW and no luck yet.
"CRAP" is a "wife term". "Needed, Valuable, Collectibles" is the word I USE.