New guy here!

 :smt006Hi folks, I am planning on getting into kayaking and kayak fishing, both angling and spearfishing.  I have no kayak experience and very little fishing experience, but I am PADI certified and have some scuba experience.

Anyway, I need some advice on a kayak.  While I think eventually I may want a pedal kayak, I think I will get a paddle kayak first to make sure this is something I am into.  I will pretty much only be doing this in the ocean.  What is a good length/width for a newbie kayaker with emphasis on stability, especially since I want to scuba off of it. 

I will be doing most of this around Santa Cruz in the Monterey Bay.

Thanks,
BD

Test-paddling and reading the archives are probably the places to focus.

I paddle a Malibu X-Factor.  It's way bigger, slower and more stable than I need, but I like that.  It's all about liking how it feels and having the ability to do the things you want to do.

Good luck and welcome to the Madness.   

I forgot to mention, I am 6 feet tall and 190 pounds. 

I used to own a Cobra FishNDive kayak and love it.

The cobra fishndive XF looks good.  I like that it isn't too long but all the reviews I have read say it is stable as heck.  Also they look pretty cheap (a bit under a grand msrp) as far as kayaks go I think.

I'll second Abking ...  read through the archives and find a place locally you can try a few out.

I have an OK Scrambler and went cheap to start - found mine on craigslist for $350 and will be a perfect backup for a buddy or family when I upgrade.  I liked it because it was cheap and in good shape so I could rig it the way I wanted allowing me to spend a few extra $$$ on a good seat, paddle, FF, and a new rod.

The trident 13 or hobie outback are tops on my list - also kinda waiting to see if hobie comes out with a pro angler II in the next couple of years ... a reduced weight and a reduced price tag would be a big selling feature for me.

Keep an eye on craigslist as summer ends there will be some good gear available - hope to see you otw

I check craigslist every now and again and see what look like some decent deals.  My brother works for one of the largest national boating supply companies and gets massive discounts, so I am thinking of just getting a new one because his discount usually works out to 40-50% off.  That'll have me paying about 600 bucks for a brand new one. 

The Hobie Mirage looks a little expensive for my first kayak I think that I like the fishndive more than the trident 13 because it is a little wider, which I assume will translate into more stability.

honestly most fishing specific yaks are gonna be stable enough fro you. one inch wider isn't gonna really make a diff. I don't think you can go wrong with a OK, Hobie, or Malibu. All seem to well in the blue.

I check craigslist every now and again and see what look like some decent deals.  My brother works for one of the largest national boating supply companies and gets massive discounts, so I am thinking of just getting a new one because his discount usually works out to 40-50% off.  That'll have me paying about 600 bucks for a brand new one. 

The Hobie Mirage looks a little expensive for my first kayak I think that I like the fishndive more than the trident 13 because it is a little wider, which I assume will translate into more stability.

The FnD is one of the most stable SOT kayak in the market.  If you can get a brand new one for $600 I bet you won't loose a dime if you want to resell it next year for upgrade to another yak.

That is kind of what I am figuring, if I feel the need to get a different one I should be able to sell it without too much of a loss.  What about hatch options and rod holders? 

The options on their website are:

1030   Basic   Eyelets, Handles & Drain Plug   $799.00
1030-R   Recreational   Same as Basic + LRG & O Hatches   $959.00
1030-S   Super Pkg Deal   Same as Basic + LRG, (2) O Hatches, (4) Rod Holders, Cobra Hi Back Seat, 2-pc Powerflex Paddle w/DR & Side Handles   $1,240.00
 
I think I will want the maximum number of hatches, but I don't think I will need 4 rod holders.  Are hatches kinda like boxes that fit into the general kayak body and I can get them later, or are they built into the kayak when it is ordered and I need to get them now?

I'd get all the hatches and rod-holders included with the original purchase.  You will need 4 rod holders.  I was going to suggest the Cobra F&D...

I'm 6', 195#.   

H BDD:
       
       I would go with a Scupper Pro TW. They are easy on the pocket Book, fast and light.
       The SPTW is not as stable as some of the Configs. but, it's NOT a Log.
Try paddling into the NW Wind and you'll get the Picture. The Down side is
they are hard to find used.
       
                                                                            Sea-ya
                                                                            Ernie
     

So I went to the local kayak store today and the girl there was really talking up the Ride 135 over the fishndive.  She was saying it was even more stable than the fishndive on account of a pontoon style hull design.  Does anyone have any experience with both of these kayaks?  Their other store (about 30 minutes away) has the Ride 135 in stock so I am thinking of going down there tomorrow and testing it out.  Unfortunately they don't have a fishndive to compare with.

Taking into account my transportation, I am pretty sure I am going to go with a 12.5' yak.  While I am liking the fishndive, I also like the looks of the Cobra Navigator XF.  Does anyone have any experience with the Navigator?  Especially scubaing off of and getting back on to it.

Thanks.

I owned, fished from, and free dived off of a Cobra Navigator XF for several years.  It's not a bad boat.  It isn't as stable as the Fish-n-Dive and you give up a bit of desk space for a front hatch.

If you think you'll be mostly diving off the kayak, I'd say a Fish-n-Dive or even an OK scrambler are your best best for price and easy of reentry with scuba gear.  These were some of the original SOT diving/fishing kayaks and you should be able to find a used one.

Brian