Travel Yak

Hi evertone,
I've been Yak fishing and diving down in SoCal for a number of years, never really thought anything positive about inflatables yaks. But, I saw the high end Sevylor at a boat show and was impressed at how rigid and sturdy it looked and folding into a suitcase.
My question mostly is for scwafish, since I've seen on other sites that you've had some experience with the SVX models.
The larger SVX200 model is 13'8" x 38" 34lbs (about $500) and the SVX500 is 16'7" x 38" 45lbs(about $700) and said to have a max. cap of 800lbs!.
I would be using these mostly for freediving, traveling to places where I would only need to paddle out 1-3miles and back.
How seaworthy are they really? I've read a skeg can be added greatly improving it's tracking.
Does the 17 foot model perform significantly better than the 14 foot model?
I've read the Boston valves are not really very good..Are these an issue?
How pucture resistant are they vs. spearheads and/or fish hooks?
I'm just trying to decide between models and if It's a waste of money to begin with.

I understand you guys are down my way right now for the Chef Memorial. I don't know if anyone will be hiting Lajolla Sunday, but maybe I'll see you out there. Mango X-Factor.

Cheers....raise one for me too,
bluesquids

Has anyone tried one of these ... http://www.advancedelements.com/straitedge.html?

I tried one recently.  I paddled the double with the seat in the middle.  Not a bad ride for an inflatable.  Heck, they even come with rod holders (nothing more than a tube attached the the storage bags in the bow and stern).  I think it would do just fine as a "travel yak".

-Allen

Straightedge is very similar, price is more friendly on Sevylor I think. Here's the SVX line. http://http://inflatablesstore.stores.yahoo.net/canoeskayaks.html

I have an inflatable raft that I fished out of frequently. Albiet for bass and trout. I was feaful that the spines on bass and/or catfish might puncture the raft so I made a small board to place the fish on while handling. It is just a 2X1 foot piece of plywood with a 3 inch riser around the perimeter with a big 'potato chip bag-type clip' permanently attached. The clip was recycled from an old fillet board that was designed for filletting catfish---you just secure the tail in the clip  and the fish is immobilized.
Granted, I hardly ever used it. But I imagine it would be a must-have accessory if I chose to take the inflatable in the ocean for rockfish...because those lingcod can be dangerous!
I can see it now: catch a big lingcod; lingcod punctures the raft; raft sinks; and the lingcod escapes while I swim to shore!

PK

bump..
and also dimensions of yak while folded up(info not really out there).
SVX200 28"x23"x11"
SVX500 30"x23"x13"

I have a friend who's got an Innova inflatable yak and can't say enough about it. She's been all over the world with it and brings it as a carry on on airplanes!! It packs up into a backpack sized bag and inflates pretty fast. She has the Helios. Check it at: http://www.innovakayak.com/helios-2.htm





They also make a double... may have to check this one out!



Z

I have owned and used lots of SVX kayaks.  Tough and durable, but kinda sucky to paddle...didn't stop me andJelly from killing a PILE of fish off of it.

Way back in the day...

I have owned and used lots of SVX kayaks. 

Have you paddled the SVX500? It's almost 17' long. Wondering if there's any real performance improvement over the shorter SVX200.

I have and it aint really any different.  None of them track worth a damn, but one you get the hang of it they are workable.

The SVX 100 is a blast for whitewater.  The newest version, the yellow ones, are really nice!

Thanks for the replies. I just ordered one. I plan on making some type of skeg to attach to it to help with the tracking. Now, I have to work on packing all my other fish/dive/camp gear in a minimalistic way.