Newbie Questions

Hello All!

I'm looking to get into this sport, primarily to do a combination of fishing + light to moderate touring.  I was hoping to get some questions answered so I can avoid making any newbie-type mistakes!

1) After doing some research,  I'm leaning towards either an Ocean Kayak Trident 13 or a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140.  At 6 ft tall + 190 pounds, are these good choices?  Any other suggestions?  I'll be starting out in flat water - local reservoirs (I live 15 minutes away from Lexington) and high country lakes.  Down the road I'll also like try out the Bay + the big blue. 

2) I'll be demoing these boats in the next few weeks - any advice on what I should be looking at when I take them on the water?

3) As far as transporting, after reading other threads here it sounds like pads on a roof rack are fine (I have factory-mounted racks on my Toyota 4-runner).  How wide do they need to be to pad the kayak?  What length straps will I need to hold it down?

That's all I have for now, although I'm sure I'll think of more in the future.  In the meanwhile, thanks in advance for any advice you can send my way!

I Made the same comparison you are considering. Ended up with a tarpon 140. I'm 250 and 6' tall. great in the water. I think a bit faster than the OK.... I might get a tarpon 160 soon just cause Racinrob smokes me on the water with his. Can't really go wrong with either yak... Try the t160 before you buy and go to ALBION and see all the setups and the great group of sports(women)men before you buy... No better way to scope out a boat for you than to see them all rigged and next to each other on the beach. Welcome to the madness and see the acronyms post for site translation... 

Mark, welcome.
I won't make a suggestion re: which yak might be better for you since I couldn't give a balanced comparison but it sounds like you're on the right track by trying 'em out before purchasing. You really have to get a personal feel for a particular boat IMO, and some guys have paddled the same model for many years while others have had many boats in only a few years (talk to Darius  ).

Factory racks on a 4Runner are probably fine for a kayak. Straps don't have to be too complicated - long enough to wrap around the yak & bar, cinch snug and will hold tight while on the road. Depending how it sits up there, you might also need bow and/or stern tie-downs. Always make sure the boat's strapped down nice & tight so it won't slide around, blow away, or shoot off the roof like a missile when you slam on the brakes and you're good to go!

Also, it's worth investing in a Wheeleez cart with balloon wheels if you ever need to cross sand or soft surface. (I use a Wheeleez strap for one of my roof tie-downs, too)  http://kayakfishinggear.com/wheeleez-kayaktote.aspx

As far as other stuff, read the safety threads and follow the sage advice there and have fun.

Yes, WTTM!!!!

Factory racks on a 4Runner are probably fine for a kayak.

Yup, I used my factory Ford Explorer racks for several years and just threw the yak upside on top of them.  I only recently switched over to Yakima racks because they're wider and now I can put both of my kayaks upside down on them.

Straps don't have to be too complicated - long enough to wrap around the yak & bar, cinch snug and will hold tight while on the road.

And I shy away from the ratchet style straps as it's possible to over tighten it.

Depending how it sits up there, you might also need bow and/or stern tie-downs.

A definite for me!!!

Also, it's worth investing in a Wheeleez cart with balloon wheels if you ever need to cross sand or soft surface.

+1, don't bother going cheap here, you'll regret it later when you splurge and end up buying the reel thing anyway.

WTM Try it before you buy it

Go with the t-140. It is a great boat. Get the wheeleez with the big wheels.

I'm sure you'll do fine in either boat. I chose the T-15 because I thought it tracked better when paddling without the rudder. Hull shape seemed better for waves. YMMV. Don't forget the PFD, Wheelez, and fish finder. I roll with a Yakima rack on my Prius, which carries two very nicely. But these boats are tough and lots of carry methods are OK.

Good paddling!

I'm in the same boat as you; yak shopping. I, however, paddled a Trident 15 (and a WS tandem) today. Let me tell you first that, until today,  I had only paddled long, narrow, sit-in, FG touring yaks. The T-15 was scary stable. Any kayak you can flip around in the seat and face backwards is stable in my opinion. It also tracked well (no rudder) in a 10-15 mph wind in Corte Madera, and was very maneuverable for a HUGE boat. 

Speed wise, it was as slow downwind as it was upwind  . This whopper is two feet shorter than my old yak and I felt like I was paddling a plow.  Sit on tops, apparently are completely different animals. A couple of folks here on this board warned me about this. 

I'm paddling the Trident 13 and Tarpon 14 tomorrow as they were out on rental duty today. I'd definitely take a shorter boat over a longer boat if the stability, maneuverability, and carrying capacity are similar; I think speed really is a non-factor with this type of boat. Speed comes with experience and a good forward paddle stroke.

The WS Tarpon Tandem I paddled today needed a motor in the front seat. My son wouldn't have any of that paddling responsibility...He enjoyed the view.

Thanks for the tips, all.  Sounds like either of my choices would be good.  Been a bit busy lately, so I haven't had a chance to demo yet.  Will probably get out in the next two or three weeks.  JimDaddy, I'd be really interested in what you think of the Trident 13 + Tarpon 14 once you had a chance to ride them.

Another newbie; lurking, tagging along and appreciative for everyone's assistance.  YosemiteMark; good initial questions - thanks!

Thinking down the road, the tridents, and the Cobra Marauder, and some others have a large long center hatch that allows you to stow rods with reels attached below deck.   After snapping a rod in half on a bad surf landing I probably won't be buying anything without the convenient below deck storage, besides rods with those big center hatches things like bilge pumps, extra paddles, dry tops and pants, fish finder batteries, and a bunch of other stuff can be stored out of the way but still be at your finger tips.

Welcome to the Board...don't forget a radio...and it helps to turn it on...LOL...been guilty of that...buddy up with someone funner, safer and u get to show off your fish!!! and if you were @ Albion u could've won this like zingthing his first meet...scored!!! but don't skimp...I drug my yak down paved roads, payin for it now with hull leaks...   Wheelez rule...and don't forget the NCKA discount @ Hook 1  when u make it to the blue hope to cya OTW have fun!!!!