NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Santa Cruz => Topic started by: Btommy on November 17, 2017, 08:16:47 AM
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Hi all! I'm writing from the Portland, Or area. I'm a 54 year old longtime fisherman and newb kayaker who's 6'3" and bounces between 250 and 280 depending upon my eating addiction...[emoji37]
I want a stable boat for the Columbia and area lakes. I've been thinking of the PA14 and Outback for a freshwater kayak.... However, I would LOVE to learn to salt fish up here which generally means pushing through the surf and coming back through again at the end of the day.
From what I understand, neither of the Hobie yaks are very good with our rough surfs in Northern Oregon.
I sure like the idea of the Raptor and have seen about every Raptor surf video made and was thinking of buying one for my wife and me using it when I go to the salt.
I'm even thinking of buying two if I fit well into it; instead of buying a Raptor G2 and a Hobie. I really want to fish and crab with peddles.
We don't have many SC G2s in my neighborhood and I thought I'd reach out and ask you all what you think?
Thanks so very much!
Btommy
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Would a Hobie ama sidekick provide the stability you want on a Hobie? There are other pedal kayak brands. Maybe Ben (BMB) can weigh in on some options.
Good luck.
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You might want to chat with Nicholas Chin about surf launching. He's from up your way and has a Native Titan that he takes through surf.
I think the biggest issue with surf launching kayaks (true surf launches) with pedal drives is the pedal drive itself. Native's drives are super tough and could potentially be a hazard in the surf zone if you were to become separated from your kayak and it was to roll over you.
That would leave you towards a few choices:
Hobie Outback - should be sufficient for a man of your size, drive can be stored
Hobie Adventure/AI - can be surf launched
Hobie Revo 13 - you would fit this kayak, although it may not be the most stable for someone of your size, and I would not bring sidekicks through a surf zone.
Wilderness Radar 135 - I think this may be a good fit for you, as it is a capable craft, the drive can be pinned to the hull and is less of a murder risk than our drives are.
Hobie PA - guys in Socal launch theirs through surf outta la jolla. its plenty doable for them, and could be for you. But hauling one a long distance is a pain, even on wheels
Native yaks - while the Slayer Propel 13 would be a good fit for you, the drive cannot be stored so that its out of the way. You can definitely leash it down to the deck, which is what I do whenever I go through any sort of surf.
Old Town PDL - decent stash system for their pedals, but also a super heavy kayak, up there with the PA, Titan, etc in weight.
Ocean Kayak Malibu pedal - this would seem to be a decent fit for you, good price, decent design for surf, a bit bare bones, and it has the weight capacity you need. but i've never been on one as a demo. From a spec standpoint, it seems like it would be a good fit, but they're not really fishing designed kayaks. Still, worth consideration.
It really depends on what type of surf launches you're doing. Are you talking about ankle biter -1-2'ers? most any pedal drive can handle those. if you're talking about big stuff, you gotta be real careful to protect yourself in the zone. you want a kayak with a bit of an upswept bow that will allow you to ride through relatively unscathed, as kayaks in general these days are having less and smaller scuppers to drain the deck.
I personally almost never launch through surf anymore. I prefer the more protected launches and pedaling to where I need to go.
Also, be cognizant that while crabbing, any sort of pedals can get in your way when pulling gear. That includes hobie and any other brands. probably the wilderness one would be best at staying out of the way due to their pivot.
Of all of the kayaks, for your specific purpose and size, I'd probably recommend the Radar 135 first, and maybe the Malibu Pedal second, if you get a chance to demo one and like it (I've never been on one)
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Hamachi and bob---thank you very much for your responses! As I believe you stated, id paddle going through the surf and peddle while I fish... Most beaches around here don't have many protected launches which is something that worries me down the road when I want to fish the salt. The PA and Outback would be perfect for fishing the Columbia, bays and lakes around here--transport wouldn't be a big issue as there are so many boat ramps. I just worried, maybe unnecessarily, that these boats wouldn't push through the surf, 1-4, when I needed them to. I got that impression while watching a lot of them crash on YouTube and from some info a salesperson told me about getting them through a surf...
I want to buy my wife a kayak too that would accommodate her and her 40lb dog (she's not a fisher person), and was hoping that her kayak would handle my size and push through the surf when I was salt fishing. The SC surf videos looked good which is why I asked about those in particular as it looks like several NorCal folks have them....
I will take a harder look at the yaks you listed--really, really appreciate your time with me!
Thank you!
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I have a ride 135 to part with if you’re interested
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Why don't you ask this question in the NWKA forum where the folks who do what you hope to do are doing it all the time?
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Thanks Tinker, I will... I had questions on the Raptor which is why I asked down here--folks don't have them up here...
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AT 6'3" 280 you might be big for the G2. I'd take a look at the predator pdl.
Your surf launches are at PC for the most part and a handful of beaches if you get a little more adventurous. You have protected launches at Depoe Bay, Newport, and Tillamook Bay.
There isn't any rush to buy a kayak right now. Rockfish is closed, it's nearly winter. Come out to a gathering or two. Do a demo when Next Adventure offers them of if Kayak Shed comes back online and starts doing demo days again. My offer to let you try out the G2 next month stands. December 16th at the Swan Island boat ramp (known to local kayaker anglers as Jurrasic Park for the 15+ sturgeon days that are possible there). We launch at 8.
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AT 6'3" 280 you might be big for the G2. I'd take a look at the predator pdl.
Your surf launches are at PC for the most part and a handful of beaches if you get a little more adventurous. You have protected launches at Depoe Bay, Newport, and Tillamook Bay.
There isn't any rush to buy a kayak right now. Rockfish is closed, it's nearly winter. Come out to a gathering or two. Do a demo when Next Adventure offers them of if Kayak Shed comes back online and starts doing demo days again. My offer to let you try out the G2 next month stands. December 16th at the Swan Island boat ramp (known to local kayaker anglers as Jurrasic Park for the 15+ sturgeon days that are possible there). We launch at 8.
Thanks much! I'll see you there!
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I would agree that the G2 m/b too small for you. Not just a weight-capacity issue, but the footwells are too narrow in my opinion. You should definitely consider the Outback.
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Your height should be OK, but I am not sure about your weight. Maybe Baitman can chime in? With that said, I think the G2 is a true surf launch champ.
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I'm not as tall, but I weight about 210 and have a G2 Raptor. I've had no problems with the launches so far, but haven't been out as much as I'd like (anybody here who has?)... The Hobie pedal pods are still available for about $120 for the G2. You still have to supply the pedals, of course. Contact Brent Rutley via the link on the Santa Cruz Kayaks website or at santacruzkayak@gmail.com. He can give you the weight rating specs and other info you want. The Raptor is a bit heavier in the water than some other kayaks in terms of paddling, but I'm an old geezer who needs to join a gym, so take that in context. I would recommend it for you. It has a lot of cargo room on back for crabbing gear/fishing stuff, or even that huge lunch you were trying to avoid.
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Nicholas Chin just posted his titan for sale on LCKA (lower columbia) facebook. Take a look.
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Nicholas Chin just posted his titan for sale on LCKA (lower columbia) facebook. Take a look.
I bought his last boat “13 Slayer propel” beach launch out of PC as often as I can with no issues or worries about eating the drive in the spin cycle, Depot bay is also protected. I have been out in some good size 3-4 swells with no issues and I’m 5’9 245lbs no stability issues either at least for me. Also have an older Mariner propel that’s stable as well.
Sort Native but thé Titan even with its pop up wheels ain’t a beach launch boat in my opinion. If you don’t pull the trigger before the weather gets better and I’m available you can test ride one of mine (NOT FOR SALE) EVER!