Kayak companies in trouble

I made a post on this board a few days ago about canoe and kayak stability and received some replies which made me have more questions. I called French Creek Outfitters where I purchased my Wilderness Ride 115 the beginning of last year because they also were listed as selling Sportspal canoes which I am interested buying. When I mentioned about purchasing my Wilderness from them last year the salesman told me they were no longer selling Wilderness products as they were in trouble financially. He said as a matter of fact most of the higher end kayak companies are in financial trouble due to a bad last year due to the bad weather and so many cheaper kayaks on the market. Was wondering if anyone else has heard anything similar? Thanks, Pop

The boat business is tough . They come and go. Big and small



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

WS is part of larger conglomerate (Confluence Outdoor | Leading Manufacturer of Kayaks, Canoes and Accessories. Located in Greenville, SC) which is doing well. Often emphasis of brand can shift in those large groups. However, I am guessing your local dealer or WS decided not to renew the dealership. It is getting harder and harder for small dealerships, getting squeezed by both lower price point kayaks at the mega sporting goods store and by the larger kayak dealers that have huge volume and can offer discounted shipping/online presences to move large numbers along several different kayak types (i.e. fishing, rec, whitewater). Small dealers often offer great advice that is sorely lacking at the chain stores.

EDIT to add: I think many kayak companies run thin, but WS is not one of them, especially when trying to compete against imported brands.

Like anything else when they become popular the price goes up. 2000 bucks for a roto molded chunk of plastic seems quite high.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Granite

Like anything else when they become popular the price goes up. 2000 bucks for a roto molded chunk of plastic seems quite high.

---

Yeah, they've kind of priced themselves out of their own market. A big part of the popularity surge in kayak fishing is that it was simple, and relatively cheap compared to buying a big fishing boat. Now, most of the kayaks that people consider "good" and recommend to newbies cost at least $1,000 and likely a lot more. I mean, I'm floating around in a $400 Field and Stream kayak, and loving every minute of it. I'll upgrade eventually, but I'm not going to spend more than I'd pay for a decent used boat with motor to get a nicer kayak.

As with anything else you get what you pay for. I have had several WS yaks and wouldn't hesitate buying another. Matter of fact I'm looking pretty serious at a Radar 135 for a paddle kayak. I have a Hobie PA 12 and have over 4000.00 invested in it with the extras and I love it. The 300.00 chunks of plastic are just that. Super easy to turn over, not a lot of thought went into storage, ect. Earlier this year I pedaled up between two $50,000.00 plus bass boats and stuck a 9.49 lb bass. Drug me around a bit but was it ever fun. Would I rather pay a couple of thousand for an engineered piece of roto molded plastic or $50,000.00 plus for a gas hog that has to be registered every 2 years, needs to be kept under cover to keep it in good condition, insured, maintained at a pretty high cost for service, and what ever else. I have owned several bass boats and fished a lot of tournaments, so I'm not just shooting from the hip. Sure maybe I can't run to the other end of the lake 60+ mph, but I can get on the other side of that structure your fishing allowing me to hit it from all sides. It has forced me to slow down and fish more deliberate which equates into more fish. If you are new to kayak fishing you can buy one of those thousand dollar kayaks used for a few hundred dollars and upgrade from there if you want. If not sell your used yak for pretty close to what you paid for and try something else. Kayak fishing is still cheap compared to the cost of even a good used boat.

I see very few kayaks in Florida compared to years past. The paddleboard market has taken over. I see at least 10 paddleboards to every kayak it seems. The kayaks I do see are either older or the Hobie peddle yaks. I sold my kayak and if I was to buy something again it would likely be a paddle board.

Wonder why that is? Are paddleboards better???

Seem alot easier to fish off and easier to paddle. Guys use their coolers for a seat and stand to fish when needed. College crowd seem to be all into doing yoga on their board in the middle of the lake or river. They seem very stabe. Just a gigantic surf board. What was kayak tours in this area have become paddle board tours.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Seem alot easier to fish off and easier to paddle. Guys use their coolers for a seat and stand to fish when needed. College crowd seem to be all into doing yoga on their board in the middle of the lake or river. They seem very stabe. Just a gigantic surf board. What was kayak tours in this area have become paddle board tours.

---

Interesting. On some of my Florida trips, I've seen paddle boarders, but I've never seen anybody fishing from one. I wouldn't have thought they'd be that stable. I will be watching this trend.

How do they keep there stuff dry? I would think a kayak would keep you dryer and in cold weather that's a huge plus.

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.

You guys have piqued my interest on paddle boards. I will have to check them out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

How do they keep there stuff dry? I would think a kayak would keep you dryer and in cold weather that's a huge plus.

---

Same as sit on top.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Interesting. On some of my Florida trips, I've seen paddle boarders, but I've never seen anybody fishing from one. I wouldn't have thought they'd be that stable. I will be watching this trend.

---

DBD they are all over here. Stand Up board with a cooler to sit on, rod holders mounted to cooler and a small tackle bag and they are off. I do not have 1 or even tried 1, but the guys I talk too are super high on the stability. Now the offshore crowd fishing beyond the breakers are still using yaks, but inshore has all but transformed to paddleboards. Lots on youtube.

Here ya go DBD

YouTube

SUP Fishing with Bri Andrassy | Salt Life - YouTube

There wasn't ever much I brought aboard that needed to be dry: I did keep a poncho and rain coat in a dry bag in the front hold normally. But, normally everything on board I was prepared to let get wet.

Biggest thing with a paddleboard is learning the paddle stroke. A full stroke is basically like doing a crunch. It comes from your calves and ends in your fingers. It's a great exercise, SUPing.

I've been fishing out of/off a paddle board for about 6 months. Good standing up, bad it is slow to paddle, lots of hull slap. Definitely wetter than a katak.

The cost of a SUP is what holding me back from purchasing one. A SUP can cost just as much if not more than a decent kayak. If I had to choose between the two, a kayak would win every time due to its flexibility for me. If a decent starter fishing SUP was $200-$400, I might pull the trigger since I already own a kayak. Also, the family can use it when we head out to the lake since I have to convince the wife why I need to purchase one. I might look on getting a used one once everybody and grandmother buys one. It will be a hoot to chase spawning crappies in the shallow with one of these.

I'm waiting for the fishing fail videos on youtube for SUP of people falling into the water. Anytime you're standing, kayak or SUP, your chance of falling into the water increased vs sitting down, IMHO. Also, I think a lot more gear would accidentally slip over the side since a SUP, think surf boards, doesn't have "edge" like a kayak.

A. I. I. I. G. A. R. I. R. A. !!!!!m

there are a lot of really nice kayaks they sell new for the price of a real nice used boat ,just saying

Looking to make deal this weekend on used kayak. Still pretty expensive but once bought, no more cost or maintenance really, and can throw in truck and go.

I have toyed with it a lot ,but I still want to run a lake easily if need be .
but I might do it just because .

At 68 and a bad back, no kayak for me.
I do have a Bass Tender and a trailer though.

I’m out at the word Yoga, LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DonaAna1

At 68 and a bad back, no kayak for me.
I do have a Bass Tender and a trailer though.

---

I'm 60 and have a very bad back. I have been fishing on a SOT kayak for around 5 years now and still loving it. If you put the money into a good kayak and then set it up for your needs they are really amazing fishing boats. I enjoy the fact that I can pull up to the bank and take a rest if needed and a lot of times take a lunch break. I have to trailer my kayak as there isn't any way I could left it and it makes it very easy to launch it.

Having a boonedox landing gear or similar really helps out but still need to lift at some point but only half the kayak weight. Having a trailer and loading like a boat as Stump said really would be the way to go if back issues and against lifting. I love kayak fishing but it has plus and minuses like everything.

Man, I hear you guys! I know I can do a partial lift and then slide of my Mini-X, which is why I’m going to buy that Sher-pak lift helper that attaches to the rear window of our SUV. At 73 I just can’t lift it anymore without doing some serious damage. The nicks and dings of life definitely come back to haunt you, LOL. $40 is not that big a gamble, and the kayak would really bump up the fun factor. I have been scouting water of late to use it on. Anyway, I enjoy hearing all of your stories as it keeps up my interest!
Paddle on!
Bob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Granite

Like anything else when they become popular the price goes up. 2000 bucks for a roto molded chunk of plastic seems quite high.

---

I agree with you

Paddleboards are decent to fish off of but are wetter than a yak. Generally. Here in NC paddle boards are used a lot in the Marshes but Yaks still rule where you get into wind and of course in the ocean. generally IMHO canoes are better than yaks in freshwater and yaks better than canones in Salt marshes but you have to stay away from the cheap yaks. Small yaks are not as stable as a long paddle board but my WS ATAK 140 is. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.