I need some opinions

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by taggermike

There's a fundamental difference between peddle and paddle yaks that I haven't heard mentioned before.

Hope I can explain it well enough. A paddled yak gets its propulsive force at the sides in alternating strokes. This causes the yak to 'snake wake'. A remedy for this is to make long narrow yaks that don't pivot left n right on their central point.

Ive used the extremes of paddle yaks. Cobra fish n dive at 13' x 36" to a 17' X 26" sit in side touring yak. The FnD tracks horribly as a good part of the paddle stroke drives the bow sideways as well as the boat forward. The touring yak drives forward and keeps a much straiter course.

A peddle yak has its propulsion at its mid line. This force is more constant as well. This puts the force in to forward motion and not in to moving the bow back and forth.

Ive used the extremes of peddle yaks as well. Hobie out back Vs Hobie adventure. I found they track the same; nice and straight. The 16' adventure did move faster for the same effort than the out back tho.

Sorry if this post got involved. My main point is that width is less critical to a peddle yaks performance than it is to a paddle yaks. Hope this helped. Mike

Thanks Mike, it all helps and you explained the difference fine. The answer I'm seeking though is which length is best. I'm going to try the Hobie and some of the propeller type of kayaks. Since I've spent a ton of time on recumbent bikes in therapy I like the rotation of the peddles on the propeller type of kayaks. Since I have these new knees I can do either type of motion without problems. There will be a bunch of new models coming out in the next few months. I know an 11.5' kayak will be lighter but is giving up the weight advantage worth it for better stability in rough water or does it make a difference? I know part of it is personal preference. Do the guys who peddle the shorter kayaks wish they were longer, and vice versa, do the guys with the longer kayaks wish they weren't so long and heavy?

[CR Yaker]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

I know an 11.5' kayak will be lighter but is giving up the weight advantage worth it for better stability in rough water or does it make a difference? I know part of it is personal preference. Do the guys who peddle the shorter kayaks wish they were longer, and vice versa, do the guys with the longer kayaks wish they weren't so long and heavy?

Depends on your range. That's why I have two. In the Revo 11, what I give up in speed/range, I gain in simplicity and weight, yet it's a safe kayak for extreme conditions. Whereas, in a longer, Tandem Island, I gain range and speed, but a needed trailer and greater storage space.
I say get the minimum size kayak for your fishing needs and hopefully it can just be thrown in the back of a pickup or car. Keep it simple.

[alanw]

I'm sure it's personal preference, but I feel the bigger the better in open water. I've paddled a 12' kayak and it always felt too short for me. I didn't like that the bow was only 3' in front of my feet, and felt like the short length contributed to it tracking horribly and having a slow speed. I went to a 14' boat and it felt much better, it rode over steep swells better and tracked better too. I wanted more speed though so I went to a streamlined 16' boat, and that felt perfect for length on the water, it tracked like a dream and handled swells like a boss. 6' of bow in front of my feet made it feel like I could punch through anything. If I was younger or a better paddler I'd say this is the perfect boat. But being streamlined it compromised stability, which wasn't bad but at 50 my balance isn't what it used to be and worrying about flipping every time I reached back for bait took some of the fun out of it for me. I opted for the 14' PA and feel that's it's a good length and of course stable too. Tracking isn't too bad and I can peddle it fast enough to be happy. Weight definitely could be an issue though. My advice is to go as big as you can, considering storage, transportation, weight, and cost.

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by alanw

I'm sure it's personal preference, but I feel the bigger the better in open water. I've paddled a 12' kayak and it always felt too short for me. I didn't like that the bow was only 3' in front of my feet, and felt like the short length contributed to it tracking horribly and having a slow speed. I went to a 14' boat and it felt much better, it rode over steep swells better and tracked better too. I wanted more speed though so I went to a streamlined 16' boat, and that felt perfect for length on the water, it tracked like a dream and handled swells like a boss. 6' of bow in front of my feet made it feel like I could punch through anything. If I was younger or a better paddler I'd say this is the perfect boat. But being streamlined it compromised stability, which wasn't bad but at 50 my balance isn't what it used to be and worrying about flipping every time I reached back for bait took some of the fun out of it for me. I opted for the 14' PA and feel that's it's a good length and of course stable too. Tracking isn't too bad and I can peddle it fast enough to be happy. Weight definitely could be an issue though. My advice is to go as big as you can, considering storage, transportation, weight, and cost.

Weight is my biggest concern, I'm 67 with a jacked up back. I can lift 100lbs but I don't like to. My camper shell is too high but I've made assists to help me load. I have a good kayak trailer I made but I prefer to not have the parking issues it brings, but it's great to use at Mission Bay, I back down the boat ramp and drop the kayaks right at the water and there is plenty of parking for the truck and trailer. I guess my main concern is going off shore, is 11.5' adequate or do I need longer? It's looking like most prefer about 14' for wave penetration and stability

[CR Yaker]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

I guess my main concern is going off shore, is 11.5' adequate or do I need longer? It's looking like most prefer about 14' for wave penetration and stability

I can only speak for the Hobie Revolution 11, not any other brands. Yes, it's more than adequate and I would feel good for anything out front within reason, no less than any of the other mono hull Hobies.

[tacmik]

Well. Now that everyone has given their opinion and everyone has told you that their kayak is the best for them. What to do. Go down to your friendly kayak shop (OEX) and talk to the people that know the different kayaks best. Try out the different ones until you find the one that suits YOUR needs best. i.e. weight, length, peddle, paddle ect. Only you will know by trying them which one is best.

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by tacmik

Well. Now that everyone has given their opinion and everyone has told you that their kayak is the best for them. What to do. Go down to your friendly kayak shop (OEX) and talk to the people that know the different kayaks best. Try out the different ones until you find the one that suits YOUR needs best. i.e. weight, length, peddle, paddle ect. Only you will know by trying them which one is best.

This has always been my plan, try out a lot of different makes and. styles. It won't give me what I need to know about open water but I will get a chance to peddle a bunch. I hope they don't mind if I bring a bass rod so I can see how they are to fish from. Brent at OEX Mission Bay has been very helpful with any questions I have asked and that means a lot when I decide who to buy from