Crazy Talk... Sponsons?

Anyone ever use sponsons with a SIK for inshore fishing ? I know it's not optimal, but I already have a very nice SIK that doesn't see enough use, and that my wife things is "hers", and would have a fit if I sold. I'd also feel a lot more comfortable in this boat than any SOT I've ever paddled, should conditions turn nasty.

Sponsons run around a C-note. I could do this now, versus waiting for about 3 months to squirrel away the loot for a new SOT.

I also spent about 5 hours in Cobra Navigator last Sunday, fishing for rockfish out of HMB. Didn't get skunked, but only landed a single Olive of about 12 inches or so.  I let it go to get bigger for next time. Most of the time, I was thinking "this boat is such a pig".  If I had to make a run for it, I'd have been hosed.

Regards,
Scott

You'll be thankful you have a pig of yak when you nail a truly big hog. Ok enough of my bacon joking.  Try looking at the scupper pro's or some of the other skinny boats out there.  I fish a WS freedom and been very happy.

-Brian

The sponsons might improve your stability, but it'll cost you in speed more than a SOT kayak with built-in sponsons.  I don't think fish-hooks, fish spines, knives, gaffs, rocks and inflatable equipment are a good combo either.  

If anything, I think a SOT kayak is more seaworthy than a SIS kayak because it's far easier to get back on it if you fall off.  One couldn't abalone dive off a SIS...

When thinking about yaks for fishing, you need adjust your assessment from those of your traditional kayak and think more like "human propeled fishing platform".  Just like a rodeo boat would suck for paddling long distances, a Navigator is going to meet your touring needs either.  Navigators do however, make a great human propeled fishing platform.

But, has anyone out there actually tried sponsons and have them fail miserably?

Regards,
Scott

Not sure what a SIK is but I have a closed deck kevlar kayak that I have been fishing out of using sponsoons and it works great. I've had some KILLER weekends catching rock cod at Stillwater Cove, Ive lost count of how many fish I caught on several occasions.  I'll get some pictures of my rig posted soon hopefully. I figure the sponsoons saved me from buying another kayak. They dont slow me down much either so its a good deal all the way around, Ive paddled in some pretty nasty conditions and feel pretty stable.  I wouldnt try to fish without them.

Dear Scott:

               People are using surf boards, tubes and just wet suites for fishing. Use what ever you have.  You'll soon discover what works for you. It's a subjective thing. I personally like the extra deck space and, the cost of SOT.

 See how I'm able to strap in my 27Lb Halibut on a SPTW so, I don't get a ticket from the Gamie for fish not strapped in. I can also piss off my Yak!
                                                                                      Ernie

My first kayak fishing was done from my Necky Tesla, a closed deck kayak.  I did not use sponsons, but the Tesla is a rather stable sit inside.
I personally enjoy the ability to have ready access to so much flat space on my two SOT fishing kayaks.  That and the ease of getting back in if I ever end up swimming makes these my now preferred fishing platforms.
Pat

But, has anyone out there actually tried sponsons and have them fail miserably?

I have seen a bunch of stability add-ons used, but mostly where people like to stand on kayaks to fish.  They are regionally popular. I say go for it.

But, has anyone out there actually tried sponsons and have them fail miserably?

I have seen a bunch of stability add-ons used, but mostly where people like to stand on kayaks to fish.  They are regionally popular. I say go for it.

If anything, I think a SOT kayak is more seaworthy than a SIS kayak because it's far easier to get back on it if you fall off

I totally agree   I just can't imagine trying to get topside on a SIK - if and when you flip - especially when the conditions are rough (and even worse when you're out there by yourself). I'm sure it could be done - but it would require a seasoned paddler to get back in and pump the water out of it. And the way I look at it is that a SOT kayak maybe slower than a typical SIK - but you will surely develope more muscle tone just paddling one.

I paddled a few SIK (REI demo) - and I would never trade in my SOT kayak for any kind of kayak - there's just so much more things you can do with a SOT....BUT...if I ever plan on going the distance (for touring purposes) I'd get on a surf ski....these bad boys can move!!!

just my two cents....

General rule of thumb,  what ever works for you is what you use and do.


I have seen a SIK ( sit inside kayak for those who were wondering)   that had an outrigger arm that was attached to one side of the yak that would fold flat to the yak when not in use and then you could expand the wing to act as an outrigger. Very interesting design and I am fairly certain it was a home fabircated design but very professional in appearance.  I can draw a picture if your interested.

-Brian

Marvmars - SIK is shorthand for Sit Inside Kayak. Are you using the Voyageur sponsons? I did some more reading on what ppl up north are doing when fishing from SIKs, and ordered a pair from REI.

Brian G - Yep, there are folks/companies out there with two outriggers and a sail, or a single outrigger and a sail, or a single outrigger and a casting platform.   I've seen pictures of SOTs with two RAM ball mounted rod holders holding pontoons, The pontoons could be folded up and out of the way, or stowed on deck and then the rod holders re-tasked to holding rods.  The Brits have a long history of making "sailing canoes". Canoe=kayak if you are from the UK. Talk about one heck of a fishing platform. These boats are quite wide and initially stable, and some carry up to 10 square meters of sail.

Mooch and promethean spark - I figure that it will take me a couple seconds more to get in my SIK, without sponsons, than it would to take you to get into your SOT. With sponsons, time should be identical. Just a scrable on up. This is assuming that you two practice enty and exit. If you don't practice, I'll be in my boat before you. With a bit of practice, one can "cowboy" on into a SIK pretty quickly, even in open ocean. If I'm traveling with gear stowed, I'll just roll upright. Sponsons will probably only be deployed when I need to get into a hatch. As for seasoned, I've been open ocean kayaking in a SIK since 1993, have a roll by various techniques on both sides, paddle class 3+ whitewater, first fish caught from a kayak in 1994...

Anyway, time will tell. But enough reading has convinced me that this is a decent halfway step towards something I'll really be happy with. If I start saving now, who knows, maybe I'll have a Kaskazi Dorado for 2006

Regards,
Scott

http://www.kayak.co.za/kaskazi/dorado.htm

Very interesting SOT kayak. Are these available in the U.S.? I have never heard of them.

Check out some of the posts on the kayakfishingstuff forums. Just search for "Dorado".

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x

One of the members there is getting one, delivered, for $1750 US. But that number sounds a bit high to me. So perhaps he's getting the carbon/kevlar layup. Theoretically, 7000 ZAR = $1034 US, approximately.

Then of course, there are the Tsunami boats being produced here in California, but they are perhaps even more obscure. And I'm not sure how well they'd fish.

Regards,
Scott