NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Jackson Kayak => Topic started by: lightfoot on December 29, 2015, 09:47:28 AM

Title: no perfect yak
Post by: lightfoot on December 29, 2015, 09:47:28 AM
I've read this over and over again on this and other forums.  It seems everything is a compromise.  Primary stability, secondary stability, freeboard, rocker, standability, tracking, turning, weight, speed and the list goes on and on.

It's got me thinking about the negatives more so than the positives for a particular use.  I'm a new member here and don't even have a yak at this time.  I was going to head over to Lodi to test paddle a few and also look at Adventures sports in Sacramento but back spasms have me sidelined for now.

As stated in my new member intro, I'm planning to primarily fish the delta.  Yeah the wind can really whip up and going against a tide can bring on some nasty rollers.  With that said, the delta certainly wont be the only location I plan to fish.  I'm looking at a couple of btb trips every year, lakes such as Berryessa, Englebright, and Pyramid but also a few rivers such as the lower Yuba, high flow sections of the Feather and the Sac below Redding.  Punching into the tulies with a shotgun and a dozen decoys has crossed my mind a time or three as well.

Yeah I still need to paddle a few but right now I've been researching the Cuda14 and the Kraken 13.5.  Initially I was looking hard at the OC Prowler big rig 2 simply because of storage and load capacity.  So the main negative concerns...

Kraken--does the narrower bow cause issues in transport for things such as decoys or crap nets/traps?
          --In a river setting is the turning ability lacking to the point of unpractical? 

Cuda14--is it  going to hold its own btb?  Way too slow?  With high primary stability does it suffer getting hit broadside to the point of tipping v rolling?

Is it really going to make a lick of a difference?
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: CaddyChris on December 29, 2015, 09:56:54 AM
I have the Feelfree Moken12.5 and am very happy with it. Works very well in Delta and small rivers. Big payload, I think it's around 425#'s. I do a lot of stand up fishing and paddling in it and have no issues. When you go to Lodi, see if Dan has on you can try out.
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: BigJim on December 29, 2015, 10:05:48 AM
Sounds like you are thinking of the right things, especially your idea to demo and compare.

I've owned two Cuda14s, 2 Kraken 15.5s and also now have a Kraken 13.5.

I am strictly an ocean guy so can't really comment on FW stuff, am on the JK prostaff, but here's my input for whatever it's worth.  :smt002

I like the Krakens way better than the Cuda. They paddle better, are quicker, and have better and more features.

The Kraken 13.5 turns really well and I like it for being able to be nimble around kelp beds and wash rocks...I imagine that would equate to better turning in a river as well?

I've had no problems with the bow being too narrow, but am also not trying to stack stuff on front...I usually use my tankwell for gear that doesn't fit inside center hatch.

This video I made last year has come Cuda14 footage:

http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2014/12/28/four-jackson-kayaks-fourteen-species/

And this one has some Kraken 15.5 and 13.5 footage:

http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2015/12/27/norcal-2015-jackson-kayak-kraken-pathos-spearguns/

Hope that helps, best of luck with whatever way you go, and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: Fishing_Folsom on December 29, 2015, 10:08:18 AM
Send a note to Big Jim. Oh...on second thought, he just replied.  :smt044 :smt044

Jackson kayaks rock!
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: FishingForTheCure on December 29, 2015, 12:16:57 PM
+1 on Try, Try, Try.

Next is "what fits YOUR intended needs & budget".  No onekayak has everything.
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: Sailfish on December 29, 2015, 12:56:40 PM
That is why many of us here own more than 1 Kayaks .
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: novofish on December 29, 2015, 01:02:46 PM
Start building your quiver now :smt003
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: FishingForTheCure on December 29, 2015, 01:03:29 PM
That is why many of us here own more than 1 Kayaks .
Sonny has a typo.  He ment to say "more than 10 kayaks"  :smt044
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: novofish on December 29, 2015, 01:08:47 PM
That is why many of us here own more than 1 Kayaks .
Sonny has a typo.  He ment to say "more than 10 kayaks"  :smt044

 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: Sailfish on December 29, 2015, 01:23:17 PM
That is why many of us here own more than 1 Kayaks .
Sonny has a typo.  He ment to say "more than 10 kayaks"  :smt044

I'm down to 8 now  :smt003
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: FishingForTheCure on December 29, 2015, 01:24:46 PM
That is why many of us here own more than 1 Kayaks .
Sonny has a typo.  He ment to say "more than 10 kayaks"  :smt044

I'm down to 8 now  :smt003
Only 8.  :smt044
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: lightfoot on December 31, 2015, 03:05:46 PM
Well, had to talk my self out of buying a Kraken 15.5 today, wasn't easy for the price given the accessories that were with the yak.   I think the length would of given me problems.  Ocean, bay and sloughs would have been perfect but I think a smaller river such as the Feather or Yuba would have been problematic with turning.

Beautiful and very comfortable, I could have easily reclined the seat and taken a nap.  Original plans/idea was to rig up something on my Jeep to haul it on top.  There are probably some tricks to making that happen but the 15.5 was no light weight.  The shop has my name and number for a 13.5 when it arrives.  I see a trailer in my future.
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: SBD on January 10, 2016, 09:23:09 PM
No one yak will do it all well.  I have a 15.5 and a Coosa and that does cover pretty much everything!
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: Baitman on January 11, 2016, 07:11:14 AM
     Check out a Santa Cruz Raptor.   13' and 66 lbs.     Unsurpassed stability,,, you'd have to deliberately try to flip it.  Easy to paddle, has a comfortable boat seat ( not a lawn chair),  Light enough to easily load/ unload especially with the single wheel cart.  You won't need to add a rudder !    And cost is significantly lower. 

     Check out the user reviews.    We've been top rated kayak on the list for several years, despite being a micro size kayak mfg ( compared to the others).     http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/santa-cruz-kayaks-list.html

    Jim
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: novofish on January 11, 2016, 07:13:53 AM
     Check out a Santa Cruz Raptor.   13' and 66 lbs.     Unsurpassed stability,,, you'd have to deliberately try to flip it.  Easy to paddle, has a comfortable boat seat ( not a lawn chair),  Light enough to easily load/ unload especially with the single wheel cart.  You won't need to add a rudder !    And cost is significantly lower. 

     Check out the user reviews.    We've been top rated kayak on the list for several years, despite being a micro size kayak mfg ( compared to the others).     http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/santa-cruz-kayaks-list.html

    Jim

really an innovative design Jim, I still want to try one :smt001
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: dustyboots on March 13, 2016, 09:11:00 PM
santa cruz is a cool design
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: pmmpete on March 13, 2016, 09:17:44 PM
That is why many of us here own more than 1 Kayaks .
I agree with Sailfish, and currently own two fishing kayaks, four whitewater kayaks, a canoe, and a cataraft.  You can't have too many watercraft.  And you need them all.
Title: Re: no perfect yak
Post by: Weimarian on March 13, 2016, 09:35:22 PM
Hahahahah, don't go crazy or you'll start buying trucks and using others garages to store them all :smt005 :smt044  i'm up to 13 or so? lost count, doesn't matter though, my tribe can fill them all +++ Demo them all then pull the trigger on what works for you. Then later get the semi auto and pull the trigger on as many as you can store. I used to have 10 BOATS here... now down to 3 and they sit dry while I kayak. It is so different and wonderful in the kayak. Fell in love first time out