Jim Hatch's kayak article

[jalama]

count me in on the s.c. fishin!

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Coach Robb,

While you wouldn't want to raise the
seat due to a loss of stability, you can
do as I often do and draw your knees up and
brace them against the cockpit coaming.
I am currently paddling a Walden Adirondack
and I find this posture quite comfortable
to me for hours on end. If I try to use
the foot braces and keep my legs
extended, I suffer problems similar to yours. The Adirondack has a reasonably
plush adjustable seat and I find this
posture quite comfortable. Hope this helps.
Warm regards, Jim

[anglerdave]

I'm with Jim on drawing your knees up agaist the coaming. That was how I was taught when I took some yak lessons. I never paddle with my legs in any other position than this. If I do straighten my legs, it is while I am at rest enjoying a cold adult beverage. Or water which ever the case may be. *G*

[jalama]

THANKS FOR THE GREAT ARTICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO E-MAIL YOU FOR MORE INFO BUT APPARENTLY FAILED. I AM 6FT 6 IN 300 POUNDS INTERESTED IN A YAK, CONCERNED ABOUT LEG ROOM. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS SIMILIAR TO COACH ROBB. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? SMALL PONDS, LARGE LAKE, SLOW MOVING RIVERS.

[anglerdave]

My recommendation would be to find a local dealer and try out as many different models as you can. I must have paddled at least a half dozen different boats until I found one that tracked well, was easy to get in and out of and was stable.

Recreational kayaks are normally more stable due to having a wider bottom. Also, I would not get a boat shorter than 12'. The shorter the boat, the less efficient they are at tracking when you are paddling. When you try out different boats, I would take your fly rod with you and make a few casts. Also, the material that the yak is made out of can be a consideration. On the low end is roto molded plastic, followed by therma formed and then kevlar. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Roto molded is the least expensive, may be a little heavier and subject to warping if not properly taken care of. Thermaformed is lighter will last a life time and is twice expensive. Kevlar is the top end. I paddled one kevlar boat, but the price was way out of my reach.

Good luck! Yaks are cool to fish out of.

[jalama]

DEMOS ARE NOT AN OPTION FOR ME, NEAREST DEALER IS HOURS AWAY AND THEIR SELECTION IS LIMITED. MOST BOATS I FIND ARE SIT ON TOP. WHICH IS BEST?

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Jalama,

Please don't shout.*G* I agree with
Angler Dave on a kayak of about 12 foot.
I would personally recommend a sit on top
kayak for ease of entry, exit, and recovery
in the even of a malfunction.*G* As to
which particular one, there are quite a few
to pick from over a broad range of prices.
Personally, I like the Necky sit on tops.
If camping might be a consideration, make
sure you consider the volumn and weight of
your gear when you make a decision. Warm
regards, Jim

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Dave,

You made a good point I missed when
I first read your post. Lots of folks may
think of kayaks in a generic term as a
plastic paddle boat with two pointy ends.
Generally, those boats of the "Recreational
Class" are going to be better suited for
fishing. They are a more forgiving craft.
I'd hate to see someone find a "deal" on
a whitewater squirt boat and discover that
every time they made a hookset, they got
their hair wet.*G* Warm regards, Jim

[This message has been edited by Jim Hatch (edited 15 March 2005).]

[anglerdave]

Jim

I am no expert by any means. And I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to paddle different boats. Mostly recreational and touring. I found the touring boats tracked a little straighter, but they also had a narrower bottom. Which caused them to be a little tippier. Not all recreational kayaks are alike either as I'm sure you know. That's why I recommend if at all possible to try different boats.

jalama. Since you don't live close to a dealer than I would suggest visiting different manufacturers web sites. Look at their recreational kayaks. There are also some web sites that are dedicated to kayak fishing. I'm not familiar with SOT kayaks so I can't help you there. But from what I understand they are designed more for recreational use and are very popular for the salt in warmer climates.

[swamp rat]

Hey, Jim. I'm in for the SC fish in!
Althought I'm typically a jon boat kind of guy, I really enjoyed your article. I do have a pirogue that I built and have fished from a bit, but its quite tippy. Maybe I can add fromt and rear decks and pretend its a 'yak.
Swamp