Is a 8.5' sit-on-top kayak good enough for near shore ocean?

Is there any minimum size for going into ocean to fish?

 

“Is a 8.5' sit-on-top kayak good enough for near shore ocean?”

Not IMO, I’ve gone out on a 9’, too much like a cork - no glide, very susceptible to small cross swell and chop, no storage.

I don’t think shorts, tank top and flip flops are appropriate for riding a motorcycle - still, people do exactly that

Buddy of mine uses a short 9Â’ kayak so he can store it on the deck of his apartment, I recommend a 13ÂÂ’, shorter kayaks are slow and donÂ’t paddle well.  Find a used ocean kayak prowler, they wonÂÂ’t break the bank.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Using a short kayak in the ocean is feasible, but it may mean that your risk level is increased.  Generally a minimum of 12' is seen as a more responsive craft with better tracking for dealing with changing conditions that may require fighting against wind, swell or current.

Once you experience being on big water on a larger kayak you're very likely to look at the small boat as way inferior, not as fun and possibly a liability.

Best of luck~

Using a short kayak in the ocean is feasible, but it may mean that your risk level is increased.  Generally a minimum of 12' is seen as a more responsive craft with better tracking for dealing with changing conditions that may require fighting against wind, swell or current.

Once you experience being on big water on a larger kayak you're very likely to look at the small boat as way inferior, not as fun and possibly a liability.

Best of luck~

Thank you all for the tips. Several factors come into play in my decision; I am looking to find the best compromise.

1. I am buying 2, maybe even 3; I have 2 boys and I am preparing for the possibility of all 3 of us going out together.  So cost is a consideration.

2. Storage is a consideration.  Even a few feet makes a difference.

3. Transportation may be limiting - I hope to avoid trailer, and in that case I can probably fit only 2 kayaks on top of my truck rack.

4. Need them as light as possible.  I have access to a beach but must descend 150'.

5. I hope to set one up so I can mount my small motor

Given these, I am thinking one 2-seater SOT, and one single SOT. 

The 2-seater should be long enough. My question on this one is whether people go out to ocean with 2 people on one kayak....  of all videos I saw, it's always one person on the kayak.

For the one seater, I am looking for the smallest feasible length.  8.5 is the shortest I've seen; I also see 10 footers. Is a 10 footer feasible? If in exchange for economy and storage and weight we have to limit to very calm days and stay close to shore, I think we can live with that.  Realistically we can't go out that often, maybe even only 2-3 times a year.

If you don't mind me me asking, how old are your boys? What areas are you considering fishing ? Folks might be able to chime in with more info with these details.

I too am on the side of 11 foot and longer. I once owned a 10.5 foot Malibu that had a 400 lb capacity. I think it was more geared for diving. So with out all of the gear it sat out of the water to high and was a little bouncy for lack of a better description.

Alex

I've been through this scenarios also - I have 3 kids and we enjoy family paddling together a few times a year.

I ended up with two middle of road tandems (cheap Lifetime Spitfire - the party barge as my kids call it, seats 2) and a Perception Tribe (pretty standard for a tandem, seats 2 + 1 small kid/dog). Both are affordable and very stable.

That said, portability and storage are difficult with those. They are both 13.5', and both weigh a ton. Any sit on top is gonna be heavy though, and if you are lugging it up 150' steep access trail, that's gonna be a limiting factor for sure.

Have you thought about inflatable kayaks? The good ones can be expensive, but they are lighter and easier to store and transport than regular plastic sit on top kayaks.

Finally, be careful. The ocean is no joke, and immersion gear is a must.  Maybe try a local lake/reservoir/river before jumping right into the ocean. Many places have kayaks you can rent for a day too - go try one out on calm water first, see what you like and don't like, and use that info to help guide your purchase.

Good luck!

I launch at a lot of unimproved launch sites, but a 150' descent to a launch site is pretty extreme, even on a safe and well-developed trail.  It would be bad enough if you were only carrying a naked kayak and a paddle down to the beach for some kayaking fun, but to fish you'll also need to carry a bunch of fishing gear down and back up, and probably will need a fish finder and battery on at least one of the kayaks. So you'll need to take multiple trips up and down the trail.  And depending on how old your kids are, they may not be able to carry a kayak by themselves, meaning they will need to have both kids carry each kayak, requiring more trips, unless the trail is wide and low-angle enough to permit you to take the loaded kayaks down and up it on carts.  And once you get all your gear down to the beach, you'd be taking kids out on the ocean in kayaks, and even in a protected bay, the ocean has a lot of hazards.  This is beginning to sound like the kind of situation which ends up getting reported on TV, on the internet, and in the newspaper (assuming any still exist in the area). 

I suggest that you forget about the 150' descent to the ocean, and take the kids out fishing on small lakes from easy and well-developed launch sites and in warm weather and water until they develop some experience, skill, and decision-making maturity.  They'll enjoy the fishing experience more, and are more likely to survive it.

If you don't mind me me asking, how old are your boys? What areas are you considering fishing ? Folks might be able to chime in with more info with these details.

I too am on the side of 11 foot and longer. I once owned a 10.5 foot Malibu that had a 400 lb capacity. I think it was more geared for diving. So with out all of the gear it sat out of the water to high and was a little bouncy for lack of a better description.

Alex

My boys are 13.5 and 16.5 now; younger one is still a kid but will be full grown in a couple of years. We canoe and row boat in the Oakland estuary often; and I take both of them free diving in Monterey a few times a year. They are accustomed to water; we just never tried kayaking in the ocean before and I want to start doing that.

With kayaks, I can see us launching at Monterey Breakwater beach if it is allowed there (don't seem to recall seeing anyone launching kayaks there). I see little danger there; every time wee went there the water was flat like a mirror. And when we do go out on kayak, I plan to have everyone wear our dive suits; so even if we flip over it should feel just like a diving experience.  In fact, I want to eventually dive from a kayak.

We will likely try Pigeon Point and Bean Hollow. That's where I used to go for rockfishing on my friend's whaler boat; the reefs there hold a lot of fish. I know the surf can get rough there; believe or not my kids and I dove at Bean Hallow before at a spot protected by rocks. While fishing there years ago I always thought it would be so nice to launch from shore there, saving the long drive from Pillar Point. Maybe I can finally make this happen.

Half Moon Bay would be most convenient for us as we live in Redwood City.

And lastly we occasionally go up to Mendocino, which has many little protected coves. The beach's waves are typically no more than 1'; and the middle of the cove just has very gentle swells; really would be perfect playground. The challenge is there is a 150' descend.

If you don't mind me me asking, how old are your boys? What areas are you considering fishing ? Folks might be able to chime in with more info with these details.

I too am on the side of 11 foot and longer. I once owned a 10.5 foot Malibu that had a 400 lb capacity. I think it was more geared for diving. So with out all of the gear it sat out of the water to high and was a little bouncy for lack of a better description.

Alex

My boys are 13.5 and 16.5 now; younger one is still a kid but will be full grown in a couple of years. We canoe and row boat in the Oakland estuary often; and I take both of them free diving in Monterey a few times a year. They are accustomed to water; we just never tried kayaking in the ocean before and I want to start doing that.

With kayaks, I can see us launching at Monterey Breakwater beach if it is allowed there (don't seem to recall seeing anyone launching kayaks there). I see little danger there; every time wee went there the water was flat like a mirror. And when we do go out on kayak, I plan to have everyone wear our dive suits; so even if we flip over it should feel just like a diving experience.  In fact, I want to eventually dive from a kayak.

We will likely try Pigeon Point and Bean Hollow. That's where I used to go for rockfishing on my friend's whaler boat; the reefs there hold a lot of fish. I know the surf can get rough there; believe or not my kids and I dove at Bean Hallow before at a spot protected by rocks. While fishing there years ago I always thought it would be so nice to launch from shore there, saving the long drive from Pillar Point. Maybe I can finally make this happen.

Half Moon Bay would be most convenient for us as we live in Redwood City.

And lastly we occasionally go up to Mendocino, which has many little protected coves. The beach's waves are typically no more than 1'; and the middle of the cove just has very gentle swells; really would be perfect playground. The challenge is there is a 150' descend.

You all sound more capable than I know but pigeon point and bean hollow are way more exposed and hold more danger than launching at a beach during the summer in Santa Cruz like cowells, MitchellÂ’s, the SC harbor or Capitola, the difference in the size of waves and wind exposure provided by the shelter of where Capitola sits is significant, winds can be ripping by 1130 on the west side of SC and can be non existent in Capitola.  IÂ’d recommend Capitola with a couple young kids learning the ropes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro hi

I checked out the Lifetime Spitfire - found this one 12' long, looks pretty nice and the lowest price is a reasonable 590.  Not much bells and whistles abut looks like can get us out on water.  Any comments on this boat?

https://www.sportsmans.com/boats-kayaks-canoes-boating-supplies/paddle-sports/kayaks/lifetime-kayaks-spitfire-12-tandem-sit-on-top-kayaks-12ft-lime/p/1394079?channel=shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw5dqgBhBNEiwA7PryaFQwDrZ7g0Vvn27xCWCPdOf7fDWf6d45PvQU7WXVbuvrBA4l9OSJdRoCzfQQAvD_BwE#smw_turnto_qa_title

I also found this Malibu at around same price same length.  Any comments on this one?  I'm still browsing for more, but any recommendation between these two?

https://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Kayak-Recreational-Sunrise-12-Feet/dp/B00HLD45C8/ref=asc_df_B00HLD45C8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198095337570&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2880813841459590026&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031929&hvtargid=pla-350038239520&th=1

Found something called "Perception Rambler", 13.5', $719:

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/perception-rambler-13-5-tandem-kayak-15ptnurmblr135tndpsk/15ptnurmblr135tndpsk?enteredSearchTerm=perception%20rambler%2013.5

The individual on a micro/mini kayak would probably be at a significant disadvantage. Having the ability of some self sufficiency would be a safety consideration on the water - if not oneself but also for the others. Sudden separation from platforms can be disconcerting or disorienting as well.

Would think a decent tandem would be doable along w/ another capable vessel. The mini kayak thing sounds sketch, unless one is a beast. Paddle boards seem sleek and on the lighter side

So many great options I found just glancing through Craigslist. Nice tarpon 120 for only 250.00. I would snatch that one up. It is in Napa.

There are also multiple tandems listed.

There is a perception 13.5 tandem in Portola district. Looks a little sun faded. One to check out in person for condition. 300.00 bucks

There are also multiple tandems listed.

There is a perception 13.5 tandem in Portola district. Looks a little sun faded. One to check out in person for condition. 300.00 bucks

Thanks I will check out CL and FB Marketplace too.  The thing with buying used kayaks is I can't test if there is any leaks or other issues, or if a scratch is about to become an opening.  How do people go about evaluating used kayaks?  And any fair value guideline?