Are kayak design trends going the right direction?

 I've been thinking about something like the  Kaskazi kayaks  only with outriggers  so that it rows.   Oars are about as expensive as a whole sit on top tho.
  It would sure be a difference to average  8mph.

  Always had a row boat as a kid  and loved the trolling set up.  Maybe it could sail as well.

Also:  The emphasis within the industry seems focused on getting non-yakkers comfortable ON the water, where perhaps the focus should be on getting comfortable IN the water.  

easy, lets start up a skishing business. somehow need to attach a fishfinder to your wet suit.

Ben,

I meant that the trend seems to be higher freboard, drier cockpits, (along with more accesories)=tougher self rescue.... targeted towards people who are not water people to begin with...

Put it this way, if you have some water in the cockpit you will dress for immersion, and a low freeboard+fewer snaggy accesories=easier self rescue. 

Ben,

I meant that the trend seems to be higher freboard, drier cockpits, (along with more accesories)=tougher self rescue.... targeted towards people who are not water people to begin with...

Put it this way, if you have some water in the cockpit you will dress for immersion, and a low freeboard+fewer snaggy accesories=easier self rescue. 

I was thinking of this same thing while looking down at my PFD the other day. its an extrasport fishing model with a bunch of pockets. My old extraport had 2 pockets only (so I never loaded the pfd up with much) and was much sleeker. I think I will, for the first time, modify my pfd by removing a few of the extra pockets-on-pockets.
I certainly don't want the bottle of fishing scent in the pocket to hang up while I'm trying to climb aboard.

Also:  The emphasis within the industry seems focused on getting non-yakkers comfortable ON the water, where perhaps the focus should be on getting comfortable IN the water.  

easy, lets start up a skishing business. somehow need to attach a fishfinder to your wet suit.

you don't want to know how you you store a rod in that set up!

Jay -

My P15 is still my favorite yak for surf launch, commando fishing and long distance paddling. I own a T15 which I use when fishing live bait. The only other yak I would consider for salt water is the Tarpon 160. For freshwater, the Hobie Revo. The P15 was the best all around OK kayak for ocean fishing IMHO. The rod pod of the Trident is convenient but another place to lose hull integrity.

Scott

The emphasis within the industry seems focused on getting non-yakkers comfortable ON the water, where perhaps the focus should be on getting comfortable IN the water.  

Nice observation. Yeah, they're thinking lets get more people who never thought they could do this into it so they can sell more yaks. They make yaks drier and "safer" and before you know it they're selling a lot more yaks.

One thing I think a lot of makers may have already noticed though... most kayak fishermen are cheap!! We're not exactly a crowd that they want to even market to since they know most innovations would end up with us saying "I could make one of those myself". In the case of making $$ they're making the right decision.

Z

It also depends on what you use the yak for. I like to fish and dive from mine. Sometimes I do both without coming back to shore to switch gear. Ab gear, fishing gear, spearing gear, large freedive fins etc.

I liked the Adventure but there wasn't enough deck space. I have the Trident 15 and the rod pod is very helpful. I also like the weight capacity for a 200 lb guy and all that gear, abs and fish. Maxing out a boats weight capacity in rough seas is not a good feeling.

The stability is nice when I let new divers use my Trident. They are able to get in and out of the water fairly easy.

I'm glad to see I'm not alone on this one! 

My P15 is still my favorite yak for surf launch, commando fishing and long distance paddling. I own a T15 which I use when fishing live bait. The only other yak I would consider for salt water is the Tarpon 160. For freshwater, the Hobie Revo. The P15 was the best all around OK kayak for ocean fishing IMHO. The rod pod of the Trident is convenient but another place to lose hull integrity.

I was interested in the T13 for a while, but the more I've been around them, the more I'm glad I didn't go that route. The T160 and Hobie Adventure have been the only boats that have tempted me to trade in my P15, but the weight and cost have changed my mind. Lifting my wife's T140 on top of my truck is quite an effort, never mind what a T160 would be like.

Also:  The emphasis within the industry seems focused on getting non-yakkers comfortable ON the water, where perhaps the focus should be on getting comfortable IN the water. 

I agree. Manufacturers are making super stable and dry barges with lot's of extra features, which is intended to lure in new kayak fishermen, but leaves me unimpressed. A T160 or a P15 with a rod pod sure would be nice though: Efficient paddlers, clean decks, storage for my fishing rod during surf launch/landing.

Hi Yakers:

  How about Light, Fast and Cheap ($500.0)!
                                                        E

Jay,

IMHO I think we as people who live on the coast think our version of fishing is the only way. Many folks who live on coastal states may have to a lot of paddling on resivoirs in some less than ideal conditions. A motor may make sense to some (except that torquedo thing, to damn expensive).  I aso think we suffer from the American way of doing things: bigger is better.  When you see that many of the ayak compaines are owned by bigger companies you get thepicture that they are looking at how many of these plastic boats can I sell?  We as fisherman are sold on the geewhiz factor. few of us fish with bamboo poles or handlines, we go for higher end stuff.  It is a chicken vs egg scenario.  If no one buys it, there isn't a market for it, and it fades away on a clearance table. 

I really like paddling my T-160.  Fun and fast.   Now that I have a GPS, I'd like to test the speed against a Scupper Pro.  Not sure which is faster.

This is sort of a thread jack (excuse me if it is), but is anyone aware of a faster SOT than the T-160 or the S. Pro?

Dave

I have not paddled both side by side, but having owned both I'd say T160 is faster.   Seemed to track a lil straighter, too.

agarcia and pacifico smoked me easily on their T160's when I paddled the Scupper.

I was actually on a P15.

Yeah, I don't know if thats a fair comparrison Eric....benchpressico is from the valley and boasts a world championship title in tractor lifting.  Needless to say, his paddling skills definitely benefit from his supreme upperbody and core strength.