Buying my First Kayak - Need input on my decision

Hello KayakAngler Community!

I just joined the forum today.  I've been wanting to get a Kayak for years now, and I love fishing (although I'm not very good...).   I recently took a trip down to big sur and was super frustrated that I couldn't get out on the water and do some fishing.  I decided to bite the bullet and really investigate this sport, and stop sitting on the sidelines.  That's when I found this wonderful forum and sounds like we've got a lot of pros here.  Since not a lot of my friends are "brave" enough to do this, I've turned to the internet.

A little background:  I've never owned a Kayak.   I have however rented Kayaks (open tops) in Tomales Bay and gone for an entire weekend camping on the penisula on beaches only accessible by boat.  That was a blast and I keep coming back...although it's getting expenensive renting it everytime.    Fishing-wise, I've always loved going fishing, although i've never been formally taught,  everything I've learned is from asking fellow fisherman here and there about their setups and what they suggest (although everyone seems to say something different) and I'm not having the greatest of success in recent years.  I think it's just cause i'm not going ENOUGH.

What I'm looking for: First of all, what am I planning on doing with this Kayak?  Well, My girlfriend loves joining me and I don't want to buy 2 Kayaks, so a tandem one is kinda in the stars for me.  That being said, I want to be able to go out myself and fish without her, so...something stable for a one person as well.   I'd like to take it to random lakes to explore, I'd also like to take it to Tomales Bay, Lake Tahoe and Big Sur.  I want it to hold my fishing supplies.   I want to make sure I can bring it on a coastal area with waves.   If I can take it down a river with a small amount of white water that would be an added bonus, but not a requirment what so ever.   

I do not have room to store my kayak nor do I have a roof rack.  I want this to be a very portable kayak for weekend adventures only. I do not need anything more.  For this reason I am leaning towards:

Decision: the Advanced Elements - Advanced Frame  - 1007 - Convertible.   The reviews have been great, and from what i'm reading the only draw back is drying it and folding it back into it's case.   

My questions:

1) Will this satisfy all my requirements?   Can I take it out to Tomales bay or even scarier, big sur/monterey areas?
2) This is not an "open top" kayak, you can have it covert so that it has skirts and such.  Not that I need skirts, but I like the closed top format.. Do I need to take lessons about getting back in from the water?
3) Is this a good solution for what I need and where I want to go (Girlfriend/Solo/Fishing options)?
4) In reading your Sticky notes for beginners, I'll need to invest of life jacket, wetsuit, depthfider, compass, radio...Anything else?

I saw this, so it seems like it can handle my fishing needs.


I just don't want to go buy this, and then find out from someone that i'm Insane and unsafe for considering this kayak in the open water in monterey (I just read about Dan and the Great white, although I know it's rare).   Will it serve me well on the solo fishing?

Any insight would be extremely helpful.

Thank you.

Ali

Go paddle one.

Then, go paddle some others that are comparable & see what you like/dislike.

If you haven't already, take an intro to kayaking class that uses SIK's & learn the proper rescue techniques.

Sounds like a folding or inflatable kayak is necessary for your situation. Check out the feathercraft. That's the only brand I have any experience with.

Just my opinion, but there's no way you'd catch me fishing in the open ocean in an inflatable kayak...pointy hooks, pointy gaff, pointy fins and teeth on the local inhabitants...yeah, no way.  For me at least.

Valid point usagi.  My understanding is that these inflatables are pretty darn durable.  That was my concern as well, but I've been seeing people use these in certain situations ( like the link I provided)  The instruction manual  refers to salt water cleaning as well.  Are these not intended for open ocean?

I guess you are referring more to the sharp fishing equipment.  Does anybody have any experience with this?

I'd say for lakes it may be OK. But I'd worry about taking a SIK (let alone and inflatable one) in the ocean. The real gating factor sounds like storage. I would really look into finding SOME way to store it. Got a friend with a side yard? Transport isn't really an issue for 50 bucks you can get "soft" racks. Some on this board used them for years. I'd really look at a rigid SOT boat. Oh and you do know tandem are called divorce boats for a reason right? Also you'r prob not going to have as many 'rigging' options for a inflatable.

Welcome and keep asking questions.

Oh and you do know tandem are called divorce boats for a reason right?

Welcome and keep asking questions.

A few years ago my GF and I were having dinner with another couple, they said "Hey you guys kayak, we were thinking of getting into it, you think we should get a double or 2 singles?"

 Before they even finished the question, the GF and I in tandem (ha,ha)  immediately replied 2 singles.......might be the only thing we agree on......

Hi Yakers:

        Go with 2 Scupper Pros TW version. The SPTW is Light, Fast, easy on the pocket Book.
The Prowler13 is also a nice Yak if you want more stability.
                                                                                  Good Luck
                                                                                  Ernie
SPTW
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/single_kayaks/scupper_pro_tw.html

Prowler13
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/single_kayaks/prowler_13.html
                                                                           

Lol... Really? Divorce boats? Why? what seems to be the issue when riding tandem? Just lots of arguing over paddling in stride? where to go?

So you guys are really against these inflatables it sounds like.   It's a shame, they seem very easy to transport and verstile. I really was hoping to use one..but if everyone is saying go with a hard yak, then I guess I should listen.  The prowler 13 looks pretty sweet.

It really depends on how intend to use it and your requirements.

Overall, the reason so many of us paddle plastic SOT kayaks is that, so far, they are the best compromise. Low maintenance, easy to modify/rig, easy to re-board in the event of capsize, & relatively inexpensive (at least compared to standard composite touring kayaks).

Don't totally write off other boats if YOU think they will fit YOUR use. Best advice I can give is to test paddle as many boats as you can to find what really does work for you. Up in Alaska I fished from a sit inside touring boat, and I fished with a guy who used a feathercraft folding boat too. You have many options...

First let me say Welcome to the board!!. 

Most of the guys that have chimed in are pretty die hard, surf launching lunatics that target very large, aggressive, toothy, spiky fish. Not to mention they fish waters with very, very,very large apex predators with teeth bigger than you would ever want to see near any type of hull material. And yes, I'm one of them.

An inflatable is fine for lakes and streams (IMHO). But there is always the issue of sharp things poking your boat.

I paddle a Prowler 13 and I'm a big guy. Its a very stable boat, and it won't pop like a balloon when I misjudge the timing of the surf and get buried into the beach nose first....

Doesn't this all sound like so much fun.. Its just the madness, it takes over your existance, it controls your thoughts, it bends your mind.. It is.... The Twilight Yak Zone....

Rod Surfling

I'll second most of what's been said.

To relate directly to your request, I'd say a Malibu2 XL (I think that's right). If I'm remembering all this correctly, it's a tandem that paddles well as a single and gets very good reviews. Andrew (Malibu2 on the board) had one worked out pretty well for fishing. This doesn't address your storage issues, and you have to go out of your way to mount a fish finder, rod holders, etc ... but you could see if paddling double works for you and you gf w/o breaking the bank.

Truth be told, though, I think you will end up with two yaks one way or the other. The good news is that the M2 would make a great second yak.

Ben

I used an inflatable Sevylor tandem DiveYak for three seasons. My buddy and I dove for abs, jigged for Rockfish and Lings out in the kelp . . . We used some pretty big iron, I worried about punctures tho, particularly when we were some distance offshore. The cover on the bladders is very tough.

Very forgiving in surf landings, waves rolled under it, it felt very odd, but we did not get pitched. It was built to have scuba tanks on it and such, lots of weight capacity/flotation. Crumby seats. It was cheap, it worked, we got to places we could not swim to.

We also used some OK Frenzys and a Hobie Lanai - too small for control in swell (like a bobbing cork!), not enough storage and difficult for rigging. Then we graduated. The bigger boats are more work to handle and transport, but I would not go back unless I had no choice.

Improved range, more secure, more storage, rigging and paddling comfort. As a cheap way in and as a stop-gap measure, the folding or inflatable units work . . . but if you know you want to kayak, maybe just bite the bullet, get the real deal. I hope this helps.

John

My first kayak was a Malibu 2 XL. I paddled it on lakes, bay and ocean for 2 years. When I started to paddle longer distances, I couldn't keep up with my buddies so I got a Prowler 15. Wasn't using my tandem much so I sold it to Naoki. One year later, I got a dog and the kids missed the tandem so I bought another Malibu 2 XL. Last year, Sandman and I fished the tandem at a very technical launch in Big Sur and did fine. With 2 people paddling, it is just as fast as a single. The Ocean Kayak Zest 2 EXP is faster than the Malibu 2 XL but 9# heavier and does not have a solo paddle option. The Tarpon 130T is another tandem to consider. Tandems are hard to rig for fishing, slow, and heavy but great for families, teens and dogs. A tandem is a reasonable starter kayak, but you eventually end up with 2 singles. I own 2 singles and a tandem and I am pretty happy except for some hobie envy. 

For a single SOT there are many good options: Hobie Revo, Outback, Adventure, OK Trident (13, 15), Tarpon (14.0, 16.0), Cobra Marauder XF and many others.

Spend some time paddling the different yaks before making a decision. Also, make sure you can lift your kayak onto you car before buying.

I would recommend taking a paddling class which inlcludes the surf zone and self rescue. I would also suggest spending a year on lakes before fishing the bay/ocean. Then spend a year on the ocean in protected areas like Monterey Bay before attempting Big Sur or the San Mateo coast.

My wife and I were up in Alaska on a cruise a few years ago paddling a tandem ...
almost ruined out trip...
when we paddle our solos we are the best of friends. 
That said, I too am looking for a tandem, maybe the Malibu 2 XL, for bringing my 11 year old fishing who is not strong enough to get himself very far in our Hobie Quests.
My wife and I have agreed not to be in that boat at the same time... been married too long and don't want to end it now.

what's your height and weight?  I ask because kayaks are like shoes, you gotta find the right fit.....