new guy from Dixon

Hunting and fishing since a Kid.  Turning 53 next week, play hard age early.  Looking mostly at the delta following a xmas present to myself in the form of my first yak.  Still undecided on which one, more interested in stability than speed.  Joined the group for info, camaraderie and fishing partners.

Welome to NCKA lightfoot 

Hunting and fishing since a Kid.  Turning 53 next week, play hard age early.  Looking mostly at the delta following a xmas present to myself in the form of my first yak.  Still undecided on which one, more interested in stability than speed.  Joined the group for info, camaraderie and fishing partners.

Lots of stability can be found in the new larger kayaks. Complete with lawn chairs for comfort. They also come with extra weight. Keep that in mind as you choose your kayak, esspicially if you need to lift it up onto the top of a vehicle. Check out the port of sacramento, it's an easy place to get started and not too far away. Welcome to the madness.

Welcome to the best club i know! Great advice here. What Traildad just said is so true. Finding a blend of something you can manage yourself and is stable is a perfect fit. Also, the port is minutes from your Dixon, so a good destination for sure.

My son and I started with a tandem wildneress system used kayak. It was a great start. We moved to a hobie outback and that is so much more stable.

-Quinn

me too

Welcome to NCKA. 

more interested in stability than speed.

Me too, and I paddle lots of miles - mostly salmon trolling on the ocean as well as paddling up and downstream on the Eel, Mad and Klamath rivers this time of year.

I've been paddling on Malibu X-Factors for almost 10 years.  Extremely stable, very roomy and tracks well without a rudder - I love my boats.  Take your time with the decision and paddle as many boats as you can.  Lots of guys start out on a boat that was a deal or more affordable - most of us did that and then ended up on a better boat later.  This sport is so addicting, my advice is to get the awesome boat right up front instead of wasting a year or two on the bargain boat.

If you're up in Humboldt I'll get you on one of my X-Factors for a free demo.

Best of luck with your decision.   

I graduated from Humboldt state in 1989 and spent a lot of time fishing the Mad.  I assume you paddle in the tidal estuary section of the river though I realize from the hatchery down there really isn't any "rough" water.  The big rock on the left on the hard right just before the 299 bridge could be an issue?  Lots of big stealies out of that hole.

I didn't realize Headwaters in Lodi offered test paddles, thanks for the tip.  Lodi is under an hour drive so that's a plus.  I'm working (electrician) close to Adventure sports in Sacramento the next few days as well.

My yak options for vehicles right now are a little Honda Fit or a modified Jeep.  Welding up a trailer might be a better option for me versus loading on top.  I've been doing my research on that as well. 

I assume you paddle in the tidal estuary section of the river

I get bored in most estuary settings.  I've paddled everything from the mouth to a couple miles above the hatchery on the Mad and spend most of my time up there away from the crowds.  Paddling upstream is not difficult, and it's a great way to preview all the spots and any technicalities that you'll face on the way down.

Paddling up from Klamath Glen to Blue Creek in 4 hours was fun, and the way back down is always a blast.

I do use one of my smaller boats for the Mad, but I use my X-Factors on other rivers.