Buying advice for surf launch

hi, I have been thinking about buying a sit on top kayak and need one that can carry crabbing gear out through the surf and back. I usually use my standup paddle board, but paddling it after getting it through the surf is a pain as the weigh of the trap makes it much less stable. Does anyone have experience surf launching and landing with a scrambler 11 or a Tetra 12? Those two boats are appealing because they are lighter (for sit on tops) hence easier to get down the the shore. I would only carry one danielson trap at a time.

Thanks,
Brook

Hey Brook, I have a bunch of experience surf launch/ landing a scrambler xt, in some real nasty short break stuff too. It was actually my first kayak I did use for surf stuff. In my experience I felt like it worked fine but later I bought a few other boats and realized it wasn't so great. Don't get me wrong, the scrambler is one tuff piece of plastic, that's for sure but with it's bulbous nose it breaks through waves rather than cuts. After that I got a necky13 and it handled ok in the surf but not a lot of room or rod storage.
I now own a T15 just for surf stuff and it's works well, can carry a bunch of stuff in and out. It's a bigger boat but handles well and pretty fast. Next I think I'm going with a wildly thresher 155.

If you live in Half Moon Bay, there is no reason to surf launch a kayak carrying crab traps and risk losing them overboard when you can launch in the calm waters of the harbor, either next to the old pier or by Half Moon Bay Kayak.

Ocean Kayak Scrambler 11 or Tetra 12 are light, but are probably a bit on the short side for the ocean. You can use PVC pipes to build a crab pot holder for the back of your kayak.

Thanks wingshooter for the advice. Btw, what brand is a t15?

Hi Krusty, yeah I could go to the harbor but I am always short on time. Want to jump out and drop a trap early morning and then jump out and grab it after work at dinner time.

Thanks wingshooter for the advice. Btw, what brand is a t15?

Hi Krusty, yeah I could go to the harbor but I am always short on time. Want to jump out and drop a trap early morning and then jump out and grab it after work at dinner time.

T15 = Ocean Kayak Trident 15.

Good luck surf launching. Make sure that crab trap is tied down or you will lose it.

If you insist on making a habit of surf launching and landing you will always be taking chances with your gear as well as your body, no matter what boat you have.

I've been heavy into this sport for over 15 years on a variety of boats, and one thing I try to do is avoid surf launching and landing. 

Best of luck.   

PM Boogiebrdrsteve he use to launch from the surf in front of the yellow can to go crabbing. He should be able to give you some advice. Saw him carrying his kayak across Hwy 1 once  Then again he boogie boards Mavericks.

Tell him Antonio sent you.

Going through the harbor is a haul but its a lot safer....Good luck

  I had a Scrambler for years that I'd used for diving... shore entries,  etc.     I can tell you ,it's  not even comparable to a Raptor for stability or ease of punching through a wave..    The Raptor was made for getting through the surf.     At 66 lbs, should be able to handle it.
     You can rent one at  HMB kayak.    Decide for yourself.

If you insist on making a habit of surf launching and landing you will always be taking chances with your gear as well as your body, no matter what boat you have.

I've been heavy into this sport for over 15 years on a variety of boats, and one thing I try to do is avoid surf launching and landing. 

Best of luck.   

Sounds like great advice to me...

Thanks for the input everyone. I really appreciate it. Will need to try a raptor.

Thanks for the input everyone. I really appreciate it. Will need to try a raptor.

They run over the competition

Thanks for the input everyone. I really appreciate it. Will need to try a raptor.

They run over the competition

 

I just assumed you were referring to Linda Mar. But if you're going outta hmb, then yeah the harbor is the way to go. Another option is to get a little surf yak (like a scrambler) then tow your SUP behind it (loaded up w/traps).

Instead of buying a new yak, you can just replace the Danielson with a promar collapsible and keep beach launching the sup.  They break down narrower than a Danielson and shouldn't be as cumbersome, the sup shouldn't have any issue hauling one or two. 

Launching out of the harbor is just gonna quadruple the time it takes to set in the zone you're fishing in.   

Instead of buying a new yak, you can just replace the Danielson with a promar collapsible and keep beach launching the sup.  They break down narrower than a Danielson and shouldn't be as cumbersome, the sup shouldn't have any issue hauling one or two. 

Launching out of the harbor is just gonna quadruple the time it takes to set in the zone you're fishing in.   

 Shhhhhh,,,   The man wants to buy a new kayak,,, Let him !