Thread: First ever kayak need advice.

I started with a tamarack paddle kayak. I now have a native Titan pedal kayak. Much much better ride! More stable, easier and faster to travel and keeps hands free more than paddle kayak. Only negative which is easily fixed is harder to spin 45 degrees. I bought a backwaters hand paddle and that easily solved problem. I have no desire for powering my kayak so can’t talk on that. I recommend getting pedal over paddle but cost really starts going up with options.

Well, you eventually need a lighter kayak and reallized adding a bixpy or a torqueedo to your kayak is not a bad idea. Titan is good one, but it is too heavier. If I have to use a trailer, I would have Hobie PA 14 or old town PDL.

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

I started with a tamarack paddle kayak. I now have a native Titan pedal kayak. Much much better ride! More stable, easier and faster to travel and keeps hands free more than paddle kayak. Only negative which is easily fixed is harder to spin 45 degrees. I bought a backwaters hand paddle and that easily solved problem. I have no desire for powering my kayak so can’t talk on that. I recommend getting pedal over paddle but cost really starts going up with options.

How much are you actually going to use this kayak?
Both are great. The only way you can wrong would be if you don’t use it.

I have both a paddle and pedal. Mine are Jackson.
I’ve caught more fish out of a paddle kayak. Why? Cause They’ve been around a long time. Paddle yak will be much cheaper.
The pedal kayak is much friendlier to fish but hard for me to place where I want without a sculling paddle. As Dave mentioned, doesn’t turn sharp.


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You could also buy a paddle kayak and add the pedal later with some models. I have a Feelfree Lure 11.5 and the base model is a paddle kayak. You can add the overdrive (Pedal) and even upgrade that to the motordrive at a later date.

Some other manufacturers may offer similar setups.

This sound awesome the ability to upgrade if you want later down the line, I may have to look into something like this who offer this kayaks?.

Originally Posted by markedman1132

You could also buy a paddle kayak and add the pedal later with some models. I have a Feelfree Lure 11.5 and the base model is a paddle kayak. You can add the overdrive (Pedal) and even upgrade that to the motordrive at a later date.

Some other manufacturers may offer similar setups.

I don't know how much I'm going to be using it I usually bank fish every weekend but i have never owned a kayak so don't know if I'm going to like it or not, I can go pedal if its worth the extra money what's your recommendation ? .

Originally Posted by Blackjeepjk

How much are you actually going to use this kayak?
Both are great. The only way you can wrong would be if you don’t use it.

I have both a paddle and pedal. Mine are Jackson.
I’ve caught more fish out of a paddle kayak. Why? Cause They’ve been around a long time. Paddle yak will be much cheaper.
The pedal kayak is much friendlier to fish but hard for me to place where I want without a sculling paddle. As Dave mentioned, doesn’t turn sharp.


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I will be looking at some pedal kayaks I'm 5.8 170lbs how big of a kayak do you think I need or what kayak would you recommend for me since I'm a smaller guy ?

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

I started with a tamarack paddle kayak. I now have a native Titan pedal kayak. Much much better ride! More stable, easier and faster to travel and keeps hands free more than paddle kayak. Only negative which is easily fixed is harder to spin 45 degrees. I bought a backwaters hand paddle and that easily solved problem. I have no desire for powering my kayak so can’t talk on that. I recommend getting pedal over paddle but cost really starts going up with options.

I think FeelFree makes the kayaks with optional drives. How will you be transporting the kayak? Where will you store it? I think if you have the option you should go to a kayak store and see some and even test them on the water. 12’ and 14’ kayaks sounds nice but are really big and you will have to consider that. I prefer a 10’ kayak but I’m not on any big big lakes or ocean. I can pickup and throw in the back of my truck and launch almost anywhere. I would also highly suggest you pay good attention to the seat comfort as this makes a huge difference. Check around on YouTube, tons of good videos out now on kayaks.