Does anyone have any experience with these kayaks? They have some on ebay, it seems the company is selling them through ebay at good prices, but the negative is the shipping, they charge 140 dollars and it is shipped to a receiving center. It is only 25 dollars if you pick it up in Minnesota at the factory. They seem like really good kayaks, and even with the shipping price some of the prices on ebay would be less than a newer kayak. It also seems like these are made for fishing, so that would be a plus. Thanks for any info.
Drew
Interesting looking boats. I’m not sure why they call them kayaks though. They look to me as if they have excellent initial stability, almost zero secondary stability, and would require a lot of muscle to move along at the speed many kayakers and canoers paddle. That square stern has always made paddling canoes tougher, just as a comparison.
I wouldn’t want to be out in anything with poor secondary stability unless it was a jon boat and had a motor.
Another place to ask opinions is the fishing or general advice forums on paddling.net
Good luck with your purchase!
Diane
Hi Drew,
I’m with Diane on this one. Looks like a “pig in a
poke” to me.G Never seen one, don’t know anyone
that has. Not a pure kayak design, absolutely no
idea on performance or stability. It bothers me that
the company is selling out on ebay. Personally, I’d
take a pass on this one. Warm regards, Jim
Thanks for the input. What would you reccommend then for a starter kayak? I have read with interest and have heard people talking about the wilderness system kayaks? What would be a good inexpensive but not “cheap” kayak to start out with.
Drew
Drew… what size are you (height and something between size S and 5XL ??), what kind of fishing, what kind of water (small freshwater streams, Gulf of Mexico, fast rivers, big lakes with standing waves)? Any problems with lifting a kayak up onto the top of your car? Are you planning on paddling a long distance or a short distance when you go out to fish? Are you going to be trying to keep up with another boat and, if so, what kind of boat/paddler? Do you have any mobility problems like a bad hip or back or something else that would make it difficult to enter/exit a kayak?
Answer those questions and we can get closer to a recommendation for you.
Diane
Diane has some excellent questions. I have a wilderness systems Pungo and their newer Duralite. The Pungo Classic or Pungo Superlite (?) with the older deisgn that has a raised bow is a great boat. mine is a 12’. Good for all around use, ponds to Saltwater. Large cockpit for easy entry. I tricked it out with a rod holder, anchor system and paddle clips and now I’m ready to go.
jed
Hi Drew,
I put “Kayak Missouri” in google and this is but one
of the replies: http://www.kayakonline.com/missouri.html
There are others as well. By all means, go talk
to some of these folks and let them put you in a boat
and explain some of the details up close and personal. It really is just that easy.G Warm
regards, Jim
Zimrx,
Most of your decisions will be based on the availability of kayaks in your area. Many people suggeest you try a few kayaks before you make a decide what you need. I didn’t find that easy to do, even in the KC metro area. I went to the big box sporting goods, sat in a couple of yaks in their floor and picked the one that was most comfortable for me. I imagine you’ve read my [Warm Water article[/url:f1e6c] and know the rest of the story.
If you’re willing to buy online, I recommend you look at [url=“http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com”]www.kayakfishingstuff.com](http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/warmwater/:f1e6c) or www.outdoorplay.com and compare pricing and products there. Pay very close attention to shipping costs!
I know it is an unpopular view but how about an inflatable. The inflatables that are being made now are great. The have almost the same preformance as a hardshell and many are a lot cheaper. They are durible since they are made from the same things as whitewater rafts. Best of all is the portability and easy storage. They pack down to something the size of a duffle bag. I love mine and it is by no strech of the imagination a top end model. In fact it is entry level priced.
Sarge :tieone:
Wilderness Systems makes some nice boats. I liked the Pungo sit in, and the Tarpon 120 is a great sit on top. If you plan to do a lot of camping, I’d also look at solo canoes. My wenonah vagabond is almost as fast as a yak, weighs less than most kayak, and holds a lot more gear. Just something to consider. Cheers.
Crow Wing kayaks are pretty cool, actually. In response to the poster who said that he would stay away because they’re “selling out” on eBay, that couldn’t be further from the truth. They are in their first year of selling kayaks and used eBay to get them out there across the country. They’re selling tons of them. They are nearing the end of the process of setting up a dealer network and will soon stop selling them on eBay. They will probably appear at sporting goods stores across the country over the next year.
I have been looking for a SOT kayak fishing platform for some time for fishing on small lakes where motors aren’t allowed, and small slow streams. The Crow Wing boats aren’t made for fast water or surf, so it’s like comparing apples and oranges to compare them to, say a Tarpon 120 or an Ocean Kayak.
For me, as a fly angler, they seem to be perfect. I can tote them (45 lbs) to a small mountain lake when I’m in Montana and fish in a lot more comfort than a float tube. I can use it as a sneak boat in duck season, and I can float the Otter Tail river near my home for smallies. For a lazy float or anchored up in a back bay on some crappies, I’m quite sure they will work just fine.
Quality wise, the fit and finish on the two I just bought is superb. The thickness of the material and the rigidity is right up there with the other SOT kayak manufacturers. I also really like the backrest and the fact that you sit a bit deeper into them–there is no need for an expensive add-on seat for back support. Another nice thing is that they can sit upright in the garage since they are only eight feet long (or fit very nicely in a pickup bed).
The upshot: they’re a totally different animal. There isn’t much out there like them, and they may or may not be right for your specific purpose. I love the fact that I only had to pay around $225 apiece for both of mine since I drove to pick them up. My brother heard about them and instantly ordered two more, so I’ll be driving north again soon!
Wade
Hi Wade,
First of all, welcome to FAOL. I see this is your
first posting here. Hope you like it as much as I
do.
You certainly sound like a satisfied customer. With
four of the boats in the family, perhaps you might
consider a review of the craft and perhaps some
comparisons with other boats you’ve paddled. At a
price of about 1/2 the MSRP I can see where many
might want to give this craft a closer look.
You know I’ve gotta ask. Any association with
the folks at Crow?G Warm regards, Jim
Jim,
Nope, no association with the folks at Crow Wing other than being a fellow Minnesotan.
My verbose response is mostly because I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I want in a kayak for a couple of years, but I’ve not been willing to put down 800-900 dollars to try out something that didn’t look quite right for me.
The size, comfort, price, and features sort of came together and I thought I’d give these a try. I haven’t been able to paddle them yet because it’s a little chilly here. I’m not a yakker so I won’t have anything to compare them to, but I don’t know that they are very comparable to any other kayak I’ve seen. I’m sure as others have stated that they’re not a speed demon by any means, but if they’re reasonably maneuvarable, they should fit my needs.
Hopefully, when spring has sprung, I’ll be able to give a full report. Right now mine is sitting in my living room getting rigged with a fishfinder, anchor line, etc.
Off to prepare my ice fishing tackle!
Wade