Ive used paddleboards and kayaks over the years. I just recently went from a SUP to a Solo Skiff because I love small boats and I love ones that draft super shallow, as I am mostly a flats fisherman.
Paddleboards are honestly more stable to fish off of than kayaks I find, specially those designed specifically for fishing (YOLO Board, BOTE, and Kaku Craphuna). I have been able to do yoga off of them and fight fish off of the bow no problem.
Kayaks have started to become plastic boats. They have more to offer than most bataus. And the scary thing is, they have brand loyalty like Ive never seen. For example, if you ask a question in a kayak group what the most affordable but best bang for buck kayak there is, most will agree Vibe Kayaks offers a damn good boat for their price point. But, then the Hobie guys come in spouting that Hobie makes the best kayaks on the market, and if you don't like them, then you are just a hater. And these cliques go back and forth all the time.
My issue with the kayak market now is that some companies (I wont name names) are seeing other companies taking their designs and tweaking them and marketing them for a lower price. Yes, they aren't made as well and may not have the bells and whistles, but they offer a cheaper alternative. Then, the head of that company goes on social media calling out said other company, calling them thieves and saying "why not make your own design?"
Capitalism says that competition grows the economy. Maybe if your kayak didn't cost 2k when it came out, this other company wouldn't redo the design and offer it for lower. It makes things more competitive, and can help get more people fishing.
Im honestly glad Ive distanced myself from the kayak fishing community. I still help out my local kayak launch (PAC Kayak Rentals, the best kayak launch in the USA, shameless plug) and I support my local kayak shop (Pack and Paddle of Lafayette, La, again shameless plug) because I want to see my friends involved in these businesses thrive. But as for the brand loyalty, the boat hating, and the cutthroat competitiveness, the kayak community can have it; theyre just killing themselves.