Thread: kayaks vs one man boats

we use pelicans for portability 10’

I've kayaked a lot, sit inside, sea kayaks, sit on tops and I fished from a kayak for a while. Never used a Warrior or Caimen (sorry to break that criteria) . I was looking at them and Creek Boats before I bought a Gheenoe. That said, either a kayak or one man will suit your needs but since you mention pulling a camper trailer, I'd guess it really comes down to a few things.
First, is weight and ease of use. You're gonna have to car top or load it in the back of a pickup.
Second, a powered boat (trolling motor) requires registration, and consideration for battery and motor when car topping.
Third, nothing is more seaworthy than a kayak, it won't sink and can handle heavy rain, wind, rough water if you can handle it. Let me specify by saying a sit on top that is. I wouldn't consider a sit inside for fishing any longer. I just can't sit flat with my legs straight out for long periods any longer.

Because of their popularity for fishing there are many nice seating arrangements and very comfortable seating with the sit on tops. Please don't even consider one without a raised and somewhat adjustable folding seat. Built in/molded seats blow, and you end up with the same problem as a sit inside, those legs straight out and flat. Some you can even stand up on fairly safely. Bass Pro Ascends look pretty nice. Listen, seating comfort is everything, trust me.

As I said, I fished from a sit on top for a while. I just got tired of paddling which cuts down your range and when you're actively fishing you have to stow your paddle, but at the same time you need it for boat position. I believe that paddle is more stealthy than a trolling motor though. I rigged my sit on top with a trolling motor and foot steering + small depthfinder, and anchor trolley... then immediately sold it, with my sights set on a Creek Boat one man. I felt the one man boats were a little more roomy & liked the live well and motor controls. Loading a large-ish kayak in a pickup got kinda old to me, and difficult on a sloped boat ramp, I had decided I was going to have to have a trailer. But then switched gears and bought the Gheenoe.

[QUOTE=Bigtrout;4364300]I've kayaked a lot, sit inside, sea kayaks, sit on tops and I fished from a kayak for a while. Never used a Warrior or Caimen (sorry to break that criteria) . I was looking at them and Creek Boats before I bought a Gheenoe. That said, either a kayak or one man will suit your needs but since you mention pulling a camper trailer, I'd guess it really comes down to a few things.
First, is weight and ease of use. You're gonna have to car top or load it in the back of a pickup.
Second, a powered boat (trolling motor) requires registration, and consideration for battery and motor when car topping.
Third, nothing is more seaworthy than a kayak, it won't sink and can handle heavy rain, wind, rough water if you can handle it. Let me specify by saying a sit on top that is. I wouldn't consider a sit inside for fishing any longer. I just can't sit flat with my legs straight out for long periods any longer.

Because of their popularity for fishing there are many nice seating arrangements and very comfortable seating with the sit on tops. Please don't even consider one without a raised and somewhat adjustable folding seat. Built in/molded seats blow, and you end up with the same problem as a sit inside, those legs straight out and flat. Some you can even stand up on fairly safely. Bass Pro Ascends look pretty nice. Listen, seating comfort is everything, trust me.

As I said, I fished from a sit on top for a while. I just got tired of paddling which cuts down your range and when you're actively fishing you have to stow your paddle, but at the same time you need it for boat position. I believe that paddle is more stealthy than a trolling motor though. I rigged my sit on top with a trolling motor and foot steering + small depthfinder, and anchor trolley... then immediately sold it, with my sights set on a Creek Boat one man. I felt the one man boats were a little more roomy & liked the live well and motor controls. Loading a large-ish kayak in a pickup got kinda old to me, and difficult on a sloped boat ramp, I had decided I was going to have to have a trailer. But


Thanks so much for your reply, that was the kind on info I was looking for; however please explain your last sentence "changed gears and bought a gheenoe" how do you like, do use it for fishing santee-like lakes/areas??? Why did you choose it over the Warrior boat?

Originally Posted by polarcrafter

Thanks so much for your reply, that was the kind on info I was looking for; however please explain your last sentence "changed gears and bought a gheenoe" how do you like, do use it for fishing santee-like lakes/areas??? Why did you choose it over the Warrior boat?

I was pretty set on a two man, 12' Creek Boat M12 Model — Creek Boats I chose it over the warrior just because it was a 2 man and I don't think warrior made a 2 man. Anyway, I decided I'd still need or want a trailer since I have to travel wherever I fish and was struggling with wrestling the kayak into the pickup. So I started looking at small jon boats. The Gheenoe sort of falls between and considering the cost, I could get the Gheenoe for close to the same as one of the larger one man boats including a trailer, and for additional I could also add an outboard and not be dependent on just electric. It opened up a whole lot of possible water while keeping small. So that's why and what I ended up with.

Yes, I've had the Gheenoe down at Santee and spent a lot of time back in Stumphole. Also been multible times on Black River near Andrews. It is very maneuverable back in the swamp, through the cypress and can get in tight spaces. Great for one man, a bit crowded for 2 fishing but doable. It is not a rough water boat by any means, just like a one man or small jon boat, you have to be mindful of the weather. I sometimes think I would like to have a bigger boat, but the Gheenoe fits my needs and then some. It was my "step up" from kayak fishing, and in my mind I sort of jumped right over the Warrior types, and yet maintaining the advantages of the small boat. Mine with my 9.9hp will push me and my gear around 18-20mph and two people around 14-15.(depends on whether you're going upwind or downwind!) Also easy one man self-launch and recover. I can fit the whole works in my garage in the dry.

If I lived on one of the Santee lakes, or one of the slow blackwater rivers or even just down in the lowcountry, I'd have me one of the Creek Boats or Warriors just to buzz out for a few hours (in addition to my Gheenoe) I'm still intrigued by them and personally, if I decided to back up, I'd go that route over a kayak. I was at Eutaw Creek a couple weeks ago and I guy pulled up to the gas pumps with a Caiman Boat on a trailer. I had to run out and look at it. It was a slick setup & I'd love to have one but absolutely don't need one!

The 10' Creek Boat is only 50 pounds so definitely a plus if loading or cartopping. I think the 11' is 70. A large sit on top kayak can weigh 70+ pounds. The 12' Bass Pro Ascend kayak = 77lbs, (definite factor of consideration) not sure what the Warrior weighs. And I don't know if you can stand safely in some of the one man boats. The ability to stand while fishing or just to stretch is a premium when talking small boats. At least at my age, staying cramped in one sitting position wears quickly.

Here's my Gheenoe on the Black River a couple years ago. There's a few changes, I no longer have that front seat, instead I sit on a cooler or drybox. The rear seat has been replaced with a folding Millennial seat and that 6 hp has been replaced with a 9.9 I'm not advocating a Gheenoe for your needs as you outlined. It isn't a car topper by any means.


Attachment 457546

Oops, wrong picture. Here it is on the Black & with front seat gone and 9.9 on back