The ultimate versatile yak...experiences?

[Samrenny]

Recently I have found that I am barely using my tinnie, as I enjoy the freedom and flexability a kayak gives. I've moved away from the original plan of purchasing a bigger outboard for the tinnie, and decided a dedicated fishing yak better suits my interests. I currently have an Ocean Kayak Mysto, which cost me nothing and has been a great begginner, but I feel with how often I use it I am beggining to find its limitations (I work a 2 week on 2 week off roster...go figure  ). I've been putting in a lot of research trying to determine which yak best suits my needs, but there are a couple of criteria it must meet:

 

-Something around the 4m mark to allow use in open ocean as well as fresh creeks

-Must be able to be put on top of my car, by myself...being a pajero with 2" lift, it isnt the smallest... (basically, hobie is out)

-Have space for storage, possibly camping gear

-I will be fitting a sounder/GPS combo to it

 

I particularly enjoy freshwater fishing, and want a yak I can just chuck on top of my car and take anywhere, including long trips. But at the same time, want something I could take out in the bay without a huge degree of difficulty. As i mentioned earlier, due to the hobies significant weight and paddles underneath, ive pretty much decided against one...as cool as they are, I'd probably end up snapping the paddles  :whistle:

 

At the moment I am pretty keen on the FeelFree Moken 12.5, which comes in at just under 4m and weighs around 30kg. It also has a casting platform and reviews state it is quite stable. Ticks all the boxes for versatility too.

 

I have also come across the malibu stealth 12, which also looks to be decent, but havent really heard too much about them.

 

My budget is around $1000-2000 or so, plus sounder and battery. Preferably enough to go off shore chasing snapper and palaegics, but good in the fresh chasing bass, Murray cod etc.

I'm not set on anything yet, so I'd love to hear a few opinions and experiences from experienced yakkers on what they believe is a good yak/would suit my needs. Any guidance would be much appreciated, as I want to consider all the options first so I can get the yak that will give me the best experience on the water...and help me catch the most fish :whistle:

Cheers!

[Binder]

Moken is a good choice for what you describe. Dont know that stealth. The prowlers are another good option. Most yaks will be around the 30kg mark in that size, if you want to go out in open water, definitely look for a rudder.

Unless your a ballerina, forget the standing up to cast, just take an extra half a paddle stroke and you can reach anywhere sitting down you can standing up. More useful to learn to cast with both hands, forward and back, get a lure in to any tight spot then - quick..

[kmcrosby78]

Yeah I was also going to say check out the Prowlers based on the research I did (ended up with a 4.5m Scupper Pro - yet to try it). If you haven't already signed up on KFDU or AKFF would probably be worth doing that and asking the same question on there as they are specialised kayak forums.

Good luck!! Oh and if you are considering 2nd hand keep a close (daily!!) eye on Gumtree and KFDU - some GREAT deals pop up reasonably often.

[Luc53]

IMO there's no such yak.

At the very least you'd be looking at 2, one shortish one for tight water and one at 4M or more for speed and capacity in open water.

While a rudder makes life easier, correct paddling technique gives you the best control.

The hull shape for yaks made for covering distance at a decent speed should be such that they should have pretty good straight line tracking.

Look at white water kayaks, slalom yak are very agile but a pain to paddle straight whereas the down river racers have lots of buoyancy track straight very well but are a bitch to turn.

[kmcrosby78]

Just had a quick look on Gumtree for interests sake (am chasing a couple of rod/reel combos ATM) and there is a newly advertised Prowler at a good price. The other one below it would also be a great buy however is probably already gone. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/nerang/kayaks-paddle/prowler-13/1041073328

[Dinodadog]

I would hang onto the mysto for a bush basher in the creeks and get your choice of kayak for the open water you want to fish in. I have a fish bandit for the creeks and a hobie outback for the larger fresh water areas, a mate made me a loader which helps.

Dino

[Samrenny]

Yeah I was also going to say check out the Prowlers based on the research I did (ended up with a 4.5m Scupper Pro - yet to try it). If you haven't already signed up on KFDU or AKFF would probably be worth doing that and asking the same question on there as they are specialised kayak forums.

Good luck!! Oh and if you are considering 2nd hand keep a close (daily!!) eye on Gumtree and KFDU - some GREAT deals pop up reasonably often.

It's funny you should mention gumtree...there was recently a moken 12.5 on there for an awesome price, i procrastinated too long and missed it, definitely need to check daily, and be quick at that! Will definitely check out KFDU though.

Have also looked at the prowlers, but basically I plan on using it 80% in rivers and impoundments, and the other 20% offshore. The extra length in the prowlers made me decide against one. I can see them being excellent offshore rigs though!

Dino I think you may be on the money there, I always planned on keeping the mysto so I had a spare for brothers/mates/girfriend to come fishing with me. I got quoted $1749 on a Moken with the optional rudder kit...not sounding too bad to me

[Surfingant]

My opinion is you could do a hell of a lot worse than to look at the Viking Tempo. I've had one for a few years now and I'm yet to come across a situation it hasn't handled, I've had it up ultra skinny creeks, dragged it through scrub, had it out on dams, in rivers and in the bay and it has done it all with no fuss. Stability is also unbelievable and it gets along at a fair clip with the correct paddle stroke. The only negatives I can come up with for it are it can be affected by wind and in hull storage is virtually non existent. Like the other guys have said you will struggle to get a "one size fits all" yak, but for mine, the Tempos are as close as you'll find.

[billp]

If you are series about quality, you can't go past either the Ocean Kayak Prowler 4.1 or the Tarpon 120 in the sizes and prices you want. Both can be picked up fully kitted out for around the $1000.

I have the ULtra 4.3 and there is nowhere I would not take this yak.

[Samrenny]

billp and kmcrosby78 the prowlers do look very nice, how do you find the layout when sitting in the cockpit? Sucks that its so hard to try before you buy with yaks :pinch: I did look at the 4.3, i think that may be a little to long for my liking for freshwater creeks though, but the 4.1 could be an option. How does the tarpon 120 compare? From some searching I did the prowler seems to be aimed at the salt/offshore market and the Tarpon at more fresh/flatwater use?

Now call me crazy, I know this is totally different to the other kayaks mentioned...but the new Old Town predator 13 seems like it could be up my ally. I sat in one the other day and the layout felt unbelieveably comfortable! It weighs around 33kg so not too bad, and hooked up with a rudder or even an electric outboard, it seems to have the potential to be a very versatile yak? Any thoughts?

[billp]

Before spending your hard earned, talk to Craig at adventure outlet on the goldy. They have just about all brands and do demos. They also get traded yaks all the time.

[Samrenny]

Alright cheers mate, might try and check them out in the next couple of weeks

[billp]

This deal has come up on one of the Kayak Fishing sites. Rod is also a member here, and his gear is always top notch. it's one of those bargins that don't come along to often.

/>http://www.kfdu.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=37709

[Inspiredbyfishing]

I would say that a hobie or feelfree moken 12.5 is ideal for going snapper fishing but they both still have the ability to go into smaller waters without any compromise in comfort. I have a 2.83 meter eBay special which i feel quite comfortable going to the shallow reef on.

Dom

[Samrenny]

Well thanks for all the responses guys, very helpful and much appreciated. However I have to thank billp...as nice as that prowler was, I took your original advice and gave Craig at Adventure Outlet a call...

And I am now the proud new owner of a Jackson Cuda 12 X in forest camo!

I Couldn't go past the features that came with it, and it seemed to fit the bill for what I wanted to a tee! I'll be taking her for a paddle/flick tomorrow morning, I'm itching to get her out on the water!

[Inspiredbyfishing]

good choice, good luck

[billp]

Nice. If you are ever heading around Wello let me know, and I might come for a paddle, don't get enough time anymore. Bloody family . Used to go every week, now I am lucky to get out montly.