Thread: Concerns about Yak Length - 9' Kayak

First let me say hello . I am Gary Ribet I own froggy waters outdoors Home I am a kayak fishing guide I help people who are interested in buying a kayak find the one that fits their needs. I would say you can fish out of anything. However the more comfortable you are the more you will enjoy it. That being said I would recommend a larger kayak. Every body has a minimalist intention when they start. However some maintain that but most grow beyond. The smaller kayaks in short order. I am sure you will have many replies on this post with varied opinions. I recommend a sit on top for safety reasons. 11.5 and larger. Things that need to be taken into consideration in purchasing a kayak are. Stablity comfort transport and storage of gear and storage of the boat itself.
Boat design is also important pelican is a good unit but there are some flaws in the designs. I suggest a rotomodled unit not the vacuum formed design from pelican they can seperate and sink potentially costing you gear or even your life

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Well - I'd certainly take the advice from an experience guide and professional over mine. I'm still a kayak noob - but got into it cheaply to see how I'd like it. didn't wanna sink $2-3K into a unit and find out it wasn't for me. Plus I wanted 'extremely portable' (aka - lightweight) for where I was using it. (lotsa ponds I go to you have to portage it in - so the longer, heavier units ruled that out too. Mine are both in the mid 40's weightwise and both are 10 foot - but so far (with admittedly low number of trips and non on a stream yet) so limited experience there and never in bad weather. I can certainly see the advantage of a SOT (my next purchase) as both of mine are SINKs - but I'm 58 and would envision having to use a light trailer to transport. That's fine - but don't plan to get rid of my cheap lightweight ones at all. I got my Aruba 10 for $150 brand new - Have no idea if it's roto-molded or vacuum formed or what any of that even means. (so - Froggywaters - I'd love to hear more about that and why one is a risk for separation? ) I always wear a PFD - regardless of temp or inconvience - and at some point - I need to practice a deep water 'wet exit' to get familiar with how to handle that event. Don't care of I lose my 'gear' as I don't take much and never any of my better equipment.

I still have my 18' Bass Boat - but really love the solitude of the smaller waters and the simplicity of chasing fish with the minimal equipment needed. Just really relaxing and a bit of fun exercise as well...

But - to answer your question - I'm probably never gonna consider less than 10 as that seems to be my minimum size - but would a 9 work? Probably - there's a lotta folks using down to 8' models - that just seems very small to me - but it's whatever you're comfortable with.

I would say (like I would tell someone shopping for a bow, or a gun or bicycle - about anything) - if you can - try out the model you're looking for and make a more informed decision. Hard to envision from inside a store...
Good luck

Originally Posted by froggywaters

First let me say hello . I am Gary Ribet I own froggy waters outdoors Home I am a kayak fishing guide I help people who are interested in buying a kayak find the one that fits their needs. I would say you can fish out of anything. However the more comfortable you are the more you will enjoy it. That being said I would recommend a larger kayak. Every body has a minimalist intention when they start. However some maintain that but most grow beyond. The smaller kayaks in short order. I am sure you will have many replies on this post with varied opinions. I recommend a sit on top for safety reasons. 11.5 and larger. Things that need to be taken into consideration in purchasing a kayak are. Stablity comfort transport and storage of gear and storage of the boat itself.
Boat design is also important pelican is a good unit but there are some flaws in the designs. I suggest a rotomodled unit not the vacuum formed design from pelican they can seperate and sink potentially costing you gear or even your life

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froggy appreciate your insight the sit on top do you get wet from being there? in colder times, doesn't seem appealing.

I fish from mine regularly depending on location it dictates the attire. River with swift water i wear a dry suit or waders. They break the wind and keep me dry. Nice and cozy. No worries of drips from paddling r wet fish in my lap. If I am on the lake I may relax and just put in a rain suit. Far less expensive but it still keeps me dry that is what is needed to maintain a comfortable feeling.


As for rotomodled
Thermo formed
And vacuum forming

Rotomodled..
There is a big mold they place pellets of plastic is is rotates and spins and heats up to near liquid and the boat is made .
Kayaks typically heavier and thicker .
Thermoforming is a sheet of plastic heated and pressed into a mold creating a shape. Type of plastic dictates price. Typically Shiney. Thin and light weight

Vacuum forming is heated plastic sucked.or vacuumed into a mold .
Very light weight typically very thin mostly dull in coloration. Not always the case

Thermo forming and vacuum formed require a kayak to be made in 2 parts. When this happens the parts he to be glued togther. Or sealed . They're many ways to do this. However this also means it can seperate.
.
Rotomodled boats also have 2 parts however they become welded togther so they flex evenly

The thermoformed or vacuumed . Units are truly 2 seperate parts after being glued one side gets hot in the sun one is cd in the water. Expand and contract differently.

So let's say you float down the new river early summer and mid rapid have a collision sideways with a rock. The 2 parts are already stressed and the outside force of the impact can break the Seal .causing a leak or a separation in the joint. Which. "CAN " cause the unit to sink. Theoretical situation here . But you are investing in a lifestyle of happiness. You should know the facts. Rotomodled kayaks are heavier. Depending on the design you choose..they are repairable . If you have an issue. And if budget restrictions is the sole reason. I recommend buying a used kayak. More boat for less money. Better features.


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Our introduction into kayak fishing. Trip offers you an opportunity to try Kayaks you are interested in .in the environment where you plan on fishing most of the time to see how the kayak fits your needs. We offer alot of options to choose from. However . Pelican is not a brand I work with .

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Look for rentals from outfitters. Most of mine are on white water rivers and they have the same brand and size. May check another outfitter on the same river or if you beach for a while during your trip another kayak-er may let you try theirs. I hear of some in city outfitters offering a lease of different models to try before you buy. Others may have a sales day on the water for you to try their models.
I have 3 10' sit in, 1 9' sit on, 1 10 sit on, 1 11' sit on and 1 12' tandem sit on. The tandem has 3 seat positions, can move a seat to center if one person is going. A 3rd seat can be added if within weight limit.
I tow a second yak to hold my tackle.
I bought an grab anchor, folds out. It hangs up to much. I used it one trip. A 1 lb lead ingot or a 10 oz plastic bottle filled with sand and rocks holds me very well over spots without tearing up the habitat as much as the anchor.
Check your state laws and states that you may visit before leaving home. MS law is a PFD must be worn at all times while on a craft less than 16'. Got an age law in there too. A PFD must be worn while craft is under power.
Registration and bearing numbers is required in some states. If not under any form of power other than paddles no registration needed in some states.

I have two ten foot, sit in, kayaks and one 13 ft sit on top. The ten footers are trophy 126's. I'm 6'1 212lbs and fit in them nicely. I fish small lakes and ponds. Strong winds are a problem with control so you have to pick your days and location. I don't kayak any white water and I don't think these are made for that kind of water. They have concave bottoms so you lose a little speed but they have excellent stability. All three transport on the back of a pickup, the tailgate needs to be down with the thirteen footer.
i have a trolley system on each of them for the anchor and drift sock. I tried the commercial anchors but they didn't work near has well as a five pound weight.

So far all the insightful information is great. I will add trolleys work well as long as you are not in current current can cause the kayak to tip when anchored from the side allowing water to come in. This is not a good practice on a sit inside .

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