fishnbear Posted August 15, 2005 Report Share Posted August 15, 2005 I've decided to take the plunge(so to speak)and buy my first kayak.It will be used primarily for fly fishing in salt water on the No shore of Ma.I'm a pretty big guy,6'4 and 235lbs.I've noticed that some boats reviews kind of went south when it came to big guys paddling them.Obviously I'll try to paddle as many boats as possible before choosing but,I'd be interested to hear anything folks had to say about yaks better suited for bigger paddlers.Thanks in advance for any input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yak too Posted August 15, 2005 Report Share Posted August 15, 2005 Cobra Fish-N-Dive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted August 15, 2005 Report Share Posted August 15, 2005 Fish-n-Dive is too slow for him. He only weighs 235 pounds, so he doesn't need a battleship! AMMO ><))))))))))@> *AMMODYTE* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baccigalup Posted August 15, 2005 Report Share Posted August 15, 2005 FnD is a little slow, but you really have to work to tip it. Some guys stand in it and use it for flyfishing, I don't flyfish but tried to stand and I could not keep my balance. Then again, I cant keep my balance on a sidewalk, let alone a yak. I don't have much of a problem keeping up with my partner in his tarpon, but we are not racing, just casual fishing in the bays. I guess it all comes down to how much you expect to be out there - if you want to travel more than a couple of miles to fish - then get something that tracks better, if you are only going to be close and want the stability over speed- Don't rule out the Fish N Dive. Plus it has the most hatch space out of most of the Yaks out there I'll BE PULLING ON MY ROD - TILL THEY LAY ME IN SOD!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy g Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Think my OK Drifter is the best, I weigh about 250lb and checked the weight of the gear I was taking, 75lbs, that stuff really adds up fast, thats alot of weight to handle, but make out fine, that was for flounder fishing, don't take quite that much when fly fishing, have tried a lot of different yaks [i was thinking about buying a new one], but decided that the Drifter suited me the best, my 2nd choice would have been the Tarpon 140. I really don't have to paddle too far maybe 4 miles on a nice day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrell Posted August 17, 2005 Report Share Posted August 17, 2005 fish and dive is not slow. That false rumor continues to get spread. Its not the fastest kayak on the market but it s far from slow with someone that knows how to paddle. Barrell BARRELL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Salp Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 In addition to the yaks listed above, if you get a chance, check out the Emotion Fisherman and the Malibu X-Factor. The OK Prowler 13 would probably also be worth taking a look at, but it does not have quite as much capacity. [the 15 probably does not have enough legroom for you at 6'4."] CS Dozens of people spontaneously combust every year...it's just not really widely reported. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 fish and dive is not slow. That false rumor continues to get spread. Its not the fastest kayak on the market but it s far from slow with someone that knows how to paddle. Barrell I can't think of a SLOWER kayak than FnD. (except perhaps my Malibu II). C'mon, enlighten me ...what is slower than a 35" wide kayak? AMMO ><))))))))))@> *AMMODYTE* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottO Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 I'm the same weight, and paddle the T120 and the 160i. Love the 160. Despite what others say, it is not sinking with my weight in it. Does ship some water in the footwell, but it is a kayak. It travels well, stable, good yak. The FnD is ok, used on the west coast alot, but you;re going to want faster. Not the 140, as it does ship too much water at your weight. Also the Prowler 13 or 15, just not an OK fan, fair quality, and fair components. Get a Rudder. Malibu X factor and extreme, but fairly weighty. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrell Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 He wants to fly fish. The fish and dive allows the paddler to spread their legs and strip line on to the deck. I would think that is more important benefit to him than speed. The tarpon 16 and the emotion fisherman (whch is probably the worst designed fishing yak ever made) Are very long and much harder to transport than a 12-6 fish and dive. Barrell BARRELL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Mac Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 He wants to fly fish. The fish and dive allows the paddler to spread their legs and strip line on to the deck. I would think that is more important benefit to him than speed. The tarpon 16 and the emotion fisherman (whch is probably the worst designed fishing yak ever made) Are very long and much harder to transport than a 12-6 fish and dive. Barrell I have looked at all the Hobie decks and without blinking an eye can say that the Hobie has the worst designed deck ever made for a so-called fishing kayak. Its good for a quick peddle and maybe to eat your lunch out of, however hobie has a long way to go in fishing deck design. Sincerly, Terry Mac The village, which had stood for maybe 1,000 years, didn't know we were coming that day. If they had, they would have run. boB was at the eye of our rage. And through him, our Captain Ahab. He would set things right again. That day, we loved him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottO Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 The FnD does allow a fairly spacious open deck area, but difficult to mount things to, although fly fishing you want to keep it to a minimum. Also it's another freaking heavy weight, going to be 70 plus easily, the T160 is a tad lighter, but you really need to go look at them and see which deck out you like better. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted August 24, 2005 Report Share Posted August 24, 2005 In all fairness to FnD, a 12'6" kayak that weighs 57 pounds cannot be compared to a 16' kayak even if it weighs 63 pounds. The FnD is 36" wide, while T-160 is 28". If you want to compare to a Wilderness Systems model, T-120 weighs 55 pounds, is 12' long, and 29.5" wide. Of course, when you factor in PAYLOAD, you'd need TWO T-120's to carry what one FnD does! (THAT would be interesting! A catamaran made out of two SOT kayaks!) The only problem with FnD is that it carries that payload S-L-O-W-L-Y. Remember, it's 36" wide! AMMO ><))))))))))@> *AMMODYTE* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltyh2ofly Posted August 24, 2005 Report Share Posted August 24, 2005 I had two FnD's and they were not slow, I wouldn't race them but I could easily keep up with everyone else. With two hatches it was close to or just over 70lbs and at the end of a long day on the water it was too heavy to drag and lift. I have the Prowler 13 now, great leg room, it is easier to paddle but not as stable as the aircraft carrier but for fly fishing it's great. I never used the storage much with the FnD so without all the hatches the kayak is lighter and easier to handle after a day on the water. If they made the FnD lighter I would buy one in a second, I could stand easliy to cast. Lots of good kayaks out there you just have to find one that fits you and your style of fishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottO Posted August 24, 2005 Report Share Posted August 24, 2005 FnD at 57 pounds!!!!! Maybe with all the cutout's removed and no hatches installed yet with a couple of helium balloons in for bouyancy....it;s a great yak, but not 57 pounds!! PS, I two F15's I launch from my FnD for recon sorties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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