Thoughts on this buy/sale

Looking for a used kayak as my first fish killing vessle.

I found a Scrambler XT in like-new condition for $300.00.

Just curious if this would be an ok fit for me, it is within price range and not too short.

I am 5'8" 165 (wet). Will use mainly for bay and open water use... no fresh water or very limited.

I have looked around and searched but all I can seem to come up with is it is stable and slow.

Anything else to add?

Thanks in advance...

JTF, you yak hog... if you got one for sale LMK... Dustin you too!

I have never paddled a Scrambler before but I think stable and slow is probably a good summary. Probably a good boat for the bay and short rockfish trips, not so fun for long salmon trolling. One thing to keep in mind is that speed not only helps moving around in flat water but really helps when you get into headwind situations.

If you buy it you might want to get some repair material from Ocean Kayak; they sent me some for free.

"Within price range" was a killer for me when I bought my yak. I decided to suck it up and save for a new prowler 15. Ultimately, you will be sitting on a chunk of plastic a couple miles offshore and its at that time you're glad you held out for the better boat. 

Stable is also very subjective.  I think traditionally the trade off has been stability for speed and vice versa.  I feel my prowler has both and I'm roughly the same dimensions as you.  You can get used to the stability but you can't make a slow yak faster.....unless you add a motor.   

"Within price range" was a killer for me when I bought my yak. I decided to suck it up and save for a new prowler 15. Ultimately, you will be sitting on a chunk of plastic a couple miles offshore and its at that time you're glad you held out for the better boat. 

I agree with Art on this 

ah, gp, if your lookin for a used yak, save your money and check your computer every day, every hour, then pounce on the deal.  honestly, I know you, so I'm gonna have to say the scrambler will not make ya happy.  I actually sold my hobie looking for something a little more comfortable on long range paddles.  in my opinion, these are worthwhile yaks to look for used.
ok prowler
ok scupper pro
anything cobra
tarpon 140 or 160
necky perception
I believe all these kayaks will accomodate you at your size.  I know guys 40 lbs heavier than you that roll in the prowlers, although, I always hear they have wet but at the end of the day.  I tried some yaks one time at jack london and found that I really liked the wilderness systems tarpon 140.  funny thing was that the shop didn't carry the tarpon, just happened some guy there let me paddle his while he tried the yak i was demoing. 

one other thing, there is an rei paddlefest coming up somewhere near san jose 3rd weekend of this month. check it out.  Its posted somewhere on this site by mooch.  JTF..

I think the XT for $300 is not too bad.

my surf bud is 5'10, 190 and uses one, he caught a lot of fish last year.

I'm a few lbs lighter and used a scrambler (smaller than the xt) and pulled up a couple
halibut including the one in the avatar plus some lings. the regular scrambler is smaller than
the XT.

I did sell the scrambler and by a scupper pro TW with a rudder after one year cause I wanted to
try for salmon.

So don't bother customizing the XT, but you could buy it, use it for a season, and sell it and get
something you really want without much difficulty. it takes some time to figure out what you
really want.

Best,

J

Don't forget the color fishfinder blue 

I always pictured you blasting wagner from your yak.

"I love the smell of chovie in the morning."

maybe I had you all wrong!

a seat for the wonder woman brunette you posted would be good.

J

one other thing, there is an rei paddlefest coming up somewhere near san jose 3rd weekend of this month. check it out.  Its posted somewhere on this site by mooch.  JTF..

It's on the "calendar"  

These days for myself I'm thinking the speed thing is highly over-rated

next thing I look at will be serious comfort, like a Zodiac

with a little trolling motor
a pillow and a little pad to roll out on the floor for the siestas
stereo to blast the mozart
a nice little ice chest
a bimini top

Blue....say it isn't so... Before you "retire" your yak....I need a guided trip from you - at Bolinas - where you caught your 37# King  

one other thing, there is an rei paddlefest coming up somewhere near san jose 3rd weekend of this month. check it out.  Its posted somewhere on this site by mooch.  JTF..

Yeah I saw that... Too bad the Catalina Pier Fishing event is going on that weekend. Already have plans to visit the family and fish down that way.

Thanks for the recommendations JTF. You know my crazy @ss would be out all day and night and probably farther than should be.

I spoke with Alan, he has a 12' caper he plans to loan me for a few trips. I may tool around with that in the bay later this week.

If the weather holds, it looks like I will get out with Mooch and Bill Sun. If you are around, join up... I'd like to try a tarpon. Though they seem just a little pricey for me.


JTF = John Thug Fisherman... 

The Caper is a good little boat, but does not handle chop very well.

I'm 6'1" 210lbs and it holds my big ass fine.

But I want a Marauder!!!

I might try and hook up with you cats on Sunday.

Sounds good D. See you and John then. Now where's Red!? 

Don't forget, little yellow OK Caper's won both GWKC Tourney's last year. 

As for Scrabbler XT's , my friend Levi caught a 20 lb salmon, a 20 lb ling, and a 20lb halibut last July out of his.

A more expensive boat isn't going to catch you more fish.   Find something you're comfortable with in terms of how it paddles as well as how it affects your wallet.  The nice thing about a cheap used kayak is that you can buy it for $300, use it for a season to see if you enjoy the sport and if you want something better you can probably sell the used boat (assuming you didn't destroy it) for the same $300 you spent on it.

Don't forget, little yellow OK Caper's won both GWKC Tourney's last year. 

VERY valid observation Bsteves!

Joey, haha, very funny! actually stands for john thumps fishies! no wait, johnthefisherman, harvester of the sea.