Thread: What would you put me in?

OK, as an FYI Sportsmens Warehouse is going to discontinue carrying at least the 14.5' Ultimate, and they had the 12 footers marked at $599 I think, but the Angler version is stupid-overpriced for no more than is added to the basic Kayak. I'm thinking they're going to discontinue carrying ore then just the 14'5, but it don't matter to me, 'cause I won't be back.

Don't rule out buying online once you know what you want. I got my Native Manta Ray here. They shipped it from Virginia to South Louisiana by Old Dominion motor freight for $75 and it beat anything local in total price by a bunch. I think I saw the one you are looking for in there. Great people to deal with, but the last one I got my local dealer price matched them.

Thanks for the link bumpaw, their price is actually the cheapest yet, though shipping would be added. Still, that leaves hope. lol. Bummer is they have them on clearance, so probably won't last long. I'll get one, just have to wait until I'm back in Indiana and start looking again. In the meanwhile (back in IN) I can start working on the trolling motor, so I'll be that much ahead of the game when I get one (Kayak).

Bummer. I've been wanting the 14.5 Ultimate myself ever since reading slabsrus praises. Family finances have left it out for now. Good luck with your continuing quest Neon and hope your tour of southern waters and campgrounds yields good fishing and more friendships.

Originally Posted by Cricketcage

Bummer. I've been wanting the 14.5 Ultimate myself ever since reading slabsrus praises. Family finances have left it out for now. Good luck with your continuing quest Neon and hope your tour of southern waters and campgrounds yields good fishing and more friendships.

Like myself, you'll get one, just a bump in the road. I'm actually looking forward to adding the trolling motor, and will be much better able to do that back home anyway, since I park the bus at a Machine Shop

Thanks, CC! While I don't want it to end, I could be forced to pack-up and head for home tomorrow, and wouldn't have a single complaint (well, except for maybe this Kayak deal ), I've had a blast, met some great folks, seen some new places, learned a whole lot, and caught some nice fish along the way. Don't know what else a feller could ask out of life.

Bumpaw, thanks again for that link! I was pretty tired yesterday and didn't get much of a chance to look around on it. I did this AM and saw this:

Native Watercraft - Native Watercraft Ultimate 16 Kayak - 2012

Same Kayak in a 16' Model.....makes me even less bothered about not getting a 14.5' yesterday.

I figure what the heck, just as well go all-out. The 16'er has a 600 pound capacity at 80 pounds weight. With the plans to add the TM, I figure with a tandem I can remove the rear seat, fishing from the front so I'll have more of a 12' rod over the bow after I'm set-up for spider-rigging (as opposed to setting in the middle of the Kayak).

This way I can mount the battery for the TM in the rear, offsetting the weight of me setting forward. This will leave a ton of room behind the front seat for gear, cooler, etc., and with a 600 pound capacity (vs 450 for the 14.5'), I'll be nowhere near that, and can have less (more like none) concerns with whittling-down the TM battery size/capacity for weight reasons.

Shipping was $100, so that ain't bad.

Other plans besides the addition of the TM are:

On the TM, I haven't had any time to plan the steering mechanics, so not sure if it'll be foot-controlled or stick-steer, but I'm kind of leaning towards the stick, I think it'd be pretty cool. It (the TM) will have the ability to be deployed/raised from the seat.

I'm sure I'd do something of a dashboard, hard to say without having the Kayak, but that wouldn't be a problem to add. I'd seen some neat pics of guys using an add-on console you can buy, those like set on the transmission/driveshaft tunnel in a vehicle.

Upgraded FF, fishing with these guys down here, I never realized what I was missing using a cheaper one (and certainly not knocking them, I've pretty much strictly used them my entire life).

The addition of both spray skirts, though I may have to have the rear one cut and stitched to accommodate the TM mount.

3 rod holders for spider rigging. Regarding rod transport, those 12' rods would easily lay inside the 16' Ultimate, or ride horizontally in the rod holders (with the tips sticking over the bow).

Doubt I'd go the anchor trolley on a 16' Kayak, so anchors at each end, also controlled from the seat.

Transportation:
As far as hauling a 16' Kayak, well, bigger box on the trailer. Thinking about (to simplify description) adding another 18" of height to the trailer, not removing the existing roof, but sheeting over it, and simply extending the sides (with a new roof), then rubber roofing the entire "extension". One side could be for the Kayak, and the other would have panels which would slide-out (like a drawer) with rod holders on them for my long rods. Maybe center the Kayak, and smaller spaces on each side. Haven't spent any time with paper and pencil on it yet. I have some major repairs to do on the trailer anyway (due to the tongue bending), and was already considering a heavier suspension (addition of 2nd axle) which wouldn't be too costly, then I'd have no concerns during travel.

As far as a Kayak Cart, a heavier duty model for sure, something to allow for a position to "balance" the weight of the Kayak, or maybe even a bit light in the front, since it'd be easier for me to hold it down as opposed to lifting it up.

What do you guys think of the 16' vs the 14'5'?

I mean if I'm gonna go, just as well go big, right? I want to have to change my user name to King Kayak

look at the WS Ride 135 again, its 85lbs, shorter, close or comparable in weight capacity and may not have to rebuild the trailer box, same thing about the WS Commander. 16' of yak is a lot to deal with, if you fish "open" water alot, won't be a problem, but the longer yaks are more difficult to manage in more narrow water. TM is a possiblity on both, especially the Commander. It even offers the option of a higher seat just by sliding the lower seat back out of the way, don't have to "re-engineer" anything if you don't want to. A 16' yak would almost certainly require a trailer to haul it back and forth even on home waters, while you could probably haul any 14'er way desired.

Check out ACK.com, they offer free shipping on most yaks, some exclusions apply.

Here is my .02.

I have a 14.5 ultimate. It is the convertible, so its a single or double. It handles a lot of weight very well. My son and I packed it for a multi-day trip camping and fishing and it worked great for that (Easy close to 400# loaded or more). As a single handed boat it tracks very well, OTOH it doesn't turn as easily as my 12' (I also have a Pescador 12 sport), nor is it as fast. The ultimate is very stable, I have stood in it and went through a few very mild rapids (I did say mild didn't I?). I have capsized it getting crossways to a log in moving water though. I believe the maneuverablility issue played a part in that though (at least thats my story). I have also been in the ultimate 12 which is also very stable, quicker and more maneuverable but doesn't track as well.

So, IMO, the 16' Ultimate would not be a boat I would want to have as a primary boat to fish out of for just 1 person. Even if the weight is not an issue, the size is pretty cumbersome to handle, on and off the water. My 12'er is great by my self, easy to handle, quick and pretty stable (I haven't tried to stand up in it, not sure I want to). That being said, I will not trade my Ultimate as it is a great all around boat that can easily handle 2 (or even 3 teenagers) and is great for my kayaking/camping/fishing trips with all the room. But just fishing, I'm constantly trying to bring less and less gear not more. Of course I usually only catch 1 or 2 fish anyway so I don't need much gear.

The other side is that it would be considered a sit inside as it is not self bailing. Keep a sponge handy for the splashes to get the water out. You need to be carefull in big water for that fact. The upside is that when filled with water it will find a neutral spot and float while filled with water.

So I hope my rambling makes some sense. The Ultimate is a great boat, I'm not sure I would go with the 16 as a single handed boat.

Daily Fishin