Need a Buddy for tomorrow.

[ful-rac]

I have another bit of advice. Just depending on how serious you are about this kayaking thing.....if you are serious...skip the 12' and get something that's 14' or better. When I started I started with a 12' and soon after wanted to upgrade to the larger model. A 12' model will generally be cheaper but not in the long run if you eventually want to upgrade.

The reason the bigger and longer kayak is better is that it can carry more weight, tracks better, more deck space for your gear and fish, better in open water, more visible to others, more internal storage...etc...

You want that extra capacity especially when you add a full bait tank, yourself, all your gear and a limit of WSB...



Oh like everyone else said..."stay away from Walmart kayaks".

[wiredantz]

Another tip:

Make sure you get a kayak with enough weight capacity.
you are going to be top heavy and the kayak is going to flip if the kayak is too small.



Kayak manufacture's do not usually tell you how much weight you can have,
it is simply that your kayak is too small. Legally, Kayak manufacturers do not have to rate their vessels on any type of "stability" factors - only capacity weight. So "technically" you could fill the inside of your kayak with 600lbs of lead (all down in the hull) and all would be fine. But add half that weight to the top of the kayak (rather then the inside) and it will capsize every time.

you are are pushing the very limit of the kayak if its too small.

If you weigh all your gear, equipment, beverage & beverage cooler, etc. you will probably find you are within 10% of the maximum load limit. If you are both broad in the shoulders, your weight is high, and the boat is low in the water. This of course makes it extremely unstable.

Loaded to within 10% of capacity, a lot of vessels (not just kayaks) would capsize if a few people more then half walked over to starboard. In fact, a houseboat with the exact number of people stated on it's mfg's capacity plate recently capsized because too many of them were on the upper deck.

I suggest you get a kayak made for "Tall & Large" kayakers...

[Bert Vega]

I am a beginner myself. Got a wapping 3-4 months under my belt. The best advise I could give is. Listen to what these guys are suggesting. They have years of experience kayak fishing. Their advise has helped myself and many others getting into this hobby.

[FISH11]

This is a perfect example of a great Kayak that has a huge weight capacity and is super stable. It large so if your not a bigger guy, it will be a little slow paddling. Check out the price you won't find a better deal for the quality. Jump on it and call to see if it's still available. It won't last someone will pick it up for a back up. Don't wait call now. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=21551

[Endlers]

I cant even fit a 14 foot kayak on my car. At least i don't think it would fit.

I recently lost my job so i was working with the budget walmart alloted me and since thats the only money i had tow ork with .. looks like i wotn be able to do this.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by Endlers

I cant even fit a 14 foot kayak on my car. At least i don't think it would fit.

I recently lost my job so i was working with the budget walmart alloted me and since thats the only money i had tow ork with .. looks like i wotn be able to do this.

You can still do it...just not now. When things start to turn around for you, come back buy a decent kayak (not Walmart) and pick up where you left off.

[Endlers]

I sent a message to the guy with the xfactor 14. I have 400$ available and have no problem paying the xtra 100$ when i can.


I recently lost my job.. So i am currently struggling to find money, I am looking for any type of work as well.

[kaya_one]

Originally Posted by Endlers

I sent a message to the guy with the xfactor 14. I have 400$ available and have no problem paying the xtra 100$ when i can.


I recently lost my job.. So i am currently struggling to find money, I am looking for any type of work as well.

$400 or $500 is plenty dough to buy a great kayak. Should I repeat...don't buy from Walmart. You can get a sweet ocean-ready kayak used or a new blem from OEX.

Call OEX Sunset Beach to pick their brains (562) 592-0800....please...and get a free test drive!

[buddha]

Originally Posted by Endlers

I cant even fit a 14 foot kayak on my car. At least i don't think it would fit.

I recently lost my job so i was working with the budget walmart alloted me and since thats the only money i had tow ork with .. looks like i wotn be able to do this.

Don't give up that easily. You should actually start in the bay. Start with a 12 foot kayak and then later on work your way up.

You can also rent a kayak first when you want to go out so this way you don't have to shell out all your money first.

This is also a good way to try out different kayaks.

There are several places in San Diego that will rent you a kayak in the bay.

Don't give up just get out on the water in a good kayak and get the experience.

If you want to come to Chula Vista after my baja trip there is a rental service here that I think is like 25 bucks to rent.

I will help you get started.

[FISH11]

Sounds good. Hope a deal can be worked out. You won't regret it. It already has all you need to get started and then some. Good Luck

[Endlers]

I need people willing to help me figure out whats best for me. I was tempted to buy the 12" kayak and maybe make some pontoon floats for it to help it become more stable. Is this an option? that might be dooable for cheap?

[DanaPT]

I bet you can track down something for $300-$400 that is fish ready.

this is a great board (good advice, info and sometimes good people ).


Try this... offer to bring beer and buy lunch if someone would meet you at a launch of their choice w/ their extra kayak.

Who knows what happens?

Don't give up that easily.

[buddha]

Originally Posted by Endlers

I need people willing to help me figure out whats best for me. I was tempted to buy the 12" kayak and maybe make some pontoon floats for it to help it become more stable. Is this an option? that might be dooable for cheap?

That won't be a good option. Get the malibu for 400 bucks if you can. Or rent like I suggested earlier. Don't buy anything until you have tried it out on the water.

[FISH11]

You won't need any pontoons with the X Factor it is a Fish and Dive model. It has a weight capacity of 600 pound, has 3 different hatches. The front is a large one, you could put you fishing poles inside for surf launching if you need (good idea when still learning how to launch and land through the surf). The other 2 are rectangular and have removable lids that latch with 4 rotating handles to secure them. The hull bottom has a camber to the edge that makes it more stable and less prone to rolling over. It is 33" wide and 14' 4" long. If you look at a lot of the pictures on this site from a few years back, most of the guys catching Yellowtail and White Sea Bass and riding an X Factor. It would be more Kayak than you could expect to start out with. Good Luck P.S. you could carry it on top of your car, just look at the listing for guys carrying a Hobie PA on top. You will see a lot. Those thing weigh 120+ pounds and the X Factor is like 64 pounds.

[Endlers]

Hopefully i can make it happen.. Id sell my soul for a kayak fishing experience

[easyday]

Still dont understand why you were so ready to give up after one bad day?

[WildernessWanker]

My first day was horrible! Took my used Tarpon to Carpinteria camping with my family. Had only been in a kayak one time approximately 10 years prior so "I knew what I was doing." I arrived to 4' surf and dragged my kayak down the beach to launch without pausing to look at the surf. I'd watched numerous YouTube clips of launching and landing in bigger surf so I figured I had it in the bag. After about 30 minutes of fighting in the surf, rolling my yak multiple times and getting nowhere near past the breakers I called it quits. Lost my sunglasses, hat, sandals, and swallowed more water than I wanted to. I waited an hour and attempted again, only to spend another 30 minutes wrestling in the surf before finally getting out. Once past the breakers I was absolutely soaked and beyond tired so I only spent a short time out before calling it and heading in. Landing was another cluster as I was rolled and again got my ass handed to me. It was at this point I decided to call it quits with kayaking and was ready to give my stuff away. After spending time on this forum as a lurker at the advice of my wife, I gave it one more shot in the safety of the harbor just getting to know the kayak and I was hooked from then on. My two pieces of advice would be to mind the words spoken by members on here, they know their stuff and have your best interest at heart. Also, you have to crawl before you run so start simple by launching in the harbor or marina, or even some of the nicer freshwater lakes. I'm glad I stuck with it and learned as much from experience as from the other members on here.

[octico]

Originally Posted by Endlers

I cant even fit a 14 foot kayak on my car. At least i don't think it would fit.

I recently lost my job so i was working with the budget walmart alloted me and since thats the only money i had tow ork with .. looks like i wotn be able to do this.

I put a 14 foot revo on my son's 2001 Honda accord last weekend. Unless you drive a mini you should be fine.

[VGB]

Just quit bro. It's all bad.

[Bert Vega]

Congrats on X Factor. It is night and day different then Walmart kayak.