Need some input

If you are going to join us at clear lake, I will have my ultra 4.7 and my ultra 4.3 avail for demo. I will also have my very lucky Trident 15 for sale ( with rudder ) . This yak has proven to be a great fish catcher with some great mojo. 

See ya soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Sent from my phone cause I can

Joe, give the RTM Abaco a test drive. You can try mine or give Spike a buzz.

Is that your "sales pitch" haha, I was actually goin to ask if I could at berry but seems I forgot. I liked the look of that thing, how's stability and speed?

Joe, you better check you glove box compartment. Mr. Chad loaded mine up with RTM catalogs...it was so packed that it exploded once I hit a road bump....catalogs were flying all over my trucks cab which caused me to swerve and hit a family of squirrels. I also had to go to the ER after for multiple paper cuts in the face as well. Chad is a dangerous fella  and a very bad man

Joe, give the RTM Abaco a test drive. You can try mine or give Spike a buzz.

Is that your "sales pitch" haha, I was actually goin to ask if I could at berry but seems I forgot. I liked the look of that thing, how's stability and speed?

Joe, you better check you glove box compartment. Mr. Chad loaded mine up with RTM catalogs...it was so packed that it exploded once I hit a road bump....catalogs were flying all over my trucks cab which caused me to swerve and hit a family of squirrels. I also had to go to the ER after for multiple paper cuts in the face as well. Chad is a dangerous fella  and a very bad man

Poor squirrels.

Here's another option for you Joe. Since your learning how to fly fish, this might be a stealthier craft for you to use......

That's nuts the way I cast It would have multiple holes within minutes

Joe, give the RTM Abaco a test drive. You can try mine or give Spike a buzz.

Is that your "sales pitch" haha, I was actually goin to ask if I could at berry but seems I forgot. I liked the look of that thing, how's stability and speed?

Joe, you better check you glove box compartment. Mr. Chad loaded mine up with RTM catalogs...it was so packed that it exploded once I hit a road bump....catalogs were flying all over my trucks cab which caused me to swerve and hit a family of squirrels. I also had to go to the ER after for multiple paper cuts in the face as well. Chad is a dangerous fella  and a very bad man

Sounds convincing, which one are you getting?

If you are going to fish in windy conditions on the ocean you will need a rudder to correct for windcocking. Not so much for drifting but the paddle out and home.

I think I just never used a rudder cause the one on the T120 looked so janky on the early models that I just took it off and forgot about it. What's the method of steering the rudder on the trident? Is it like WS where you push one pedal forward to turn.

Sandbag; yes - the OK T13 uses the pedals to steer the rudder.  When I first got mine; took me about 30 minutes to disconnect my hands and feet in my brain so I wasn't working against myself 

Didn't notice that center hatch missing, that could be a deal breaker for me. The T15 actually has my greatest interest at this point. I've demo paddled one freshwater and at that point didn't like it but with salt on the mind it keeps poppin up.

I've been looking at the Ultra 4.3 (on sale through ACK; however, local purchase is my preference).  Losing access to the hull has been a concern of mine also.  Last night, noticed they make a rod tube you can install in the rear part of the hatch to stash up to two rods (they say).  That said, rod tubes are 5' long - so in my mind - you would be limited to a 6' pole if you had a FF in the hatch also - or 7' if you didn't have a FF.  I could be wrong - its all mental thoughts - no personal experience.  The other compromise I would have to make - I like having an extra paddle in the hull and and during transport its a great place to stash your kit (life vest, paddle, etc); albeit some of that could go in the front hatch.  I'm realling liking that flip over console and the method for which you strap and unstrap it down.  Looks as though it would make life a little bit easier.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/6679/Ocean-Kayak-Ultra-43-Rod-Tube-Kit.html

If you are going to fish in windy conditions on the ocean you will need a rudder to correct for windcocking. Not so much for drifting but the paddle out and home.

I think I just never used a rudder cause the one on the T120 looked so janky on the early models that I just took it off and forgot about it. What's the method of steering the rudder on the trident? Is it like WS where you push one pedal forward to turn.

Sandbag; yes - the OK T13 uses the pedals to steer the rudder.  When I first got mine; took me about 30 minutes to disconnect my hands and feet in my brain so I wasn't working against myself 

How are the rails that the pedals slide on? The problem on the WS is a lot of dirt and sand got in there and on the rudder making them lock up plus it was hard to clean, pretty much had to disassemble to do so. Dirt and sand are hard to avoid so I guess my question is are they easy to clean and has anyone ever had them lock up?

Didn't notice that center hatch missing, that could be a deal breaker for me. The T15 actually has my greatest interest at this point. I've demo paddled one freshwater and at that point didn't like it but with salt on the mind it keeps poppin up.

I've been looking at the Ultra 4.3 (on sale through ACK; however, local purchase is my preference).  Losing access to the hull has been a concern of mine also.  Last night, noticed they make a rod tube you can install in the rear part of the hatch to stash up to two rods (they say).  That said, rod tubes are 5' long - so in my mind - you would be limited to a 6' pole if you had a FF in the hatch also - or 7' if you didn't have a FF.  I could be wrong - its all mental thoughts - no personal experience.  The other compromise I would have to make - I like having an extra paddle in the hull and and during transport its a great place to stash your kit (life vest, paddle, etc); albeit some of that could go in the front hatch.  I'm realling liking that flip over console and the method for which you strap and unstrap it down.  Looks as though it would make life a little bit easier.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/6679/Ocean-Kayak-Ultra-43-Rod-Tube-Kit.html

That looks like it could work but it does say it hold only two rods, didn't see width dimensions but it doesn't look very wide. If the hatch offers it on whatever I get I will put the FF in it, so space would be limited. I hope to demo yakhoppers 4.3 at clear lake which will give me a better idea.

I have only had one season and a dozen launches (3 from beach) of experience to share.  That said, I have not had any issues with dirt and the slide rails are open enough to get a good hose stream in there to rinse if needed.  I rinse my kayak after each use - dirt has not been a factor.  That said, I'm 6' tall (pretty much average user height) and if I fully extend my legs and adjust the pedals based on that length - there are times (exception rather than the rule) that I push the pedal all the way to the end of the track which sometimes "snags" or "hangs-up" - quick double tap resolves, but I think the slide rail should be longer. 

Agree with you on the rod tube.  I was trying to envision two rods w/reels shoved into that narrow tube and the hatch also seems a bit narrow for reels.  So without experiencing it - I can only imagine what a pain it the butt it would be to shimmy two rods and reels in there.  Unless I was pleasantly surprised, I would say 1 rod and reel would be max.

(somewhat reluctant to join the dark side though)

Why?

(somewhat reluctant to join the dark side though)

Why?

Most of their crafts don't interest me, I find it hard to figure out why. I'm not a big guy and the outback felt like a floating lazy boy, I couldn't even hang my legs off the side. So I tried a revo 13, It conformed to my size very well and was comftorble, I could definately peddleit faster than I could paddle anything else. I just don't like the feel of them compared to most others I've been on.

Buy Yakhoppers 15 you wont regret it ever. The total access to the hull interior is paramount for me in decision making. Access to everything you need. But want to keep below deck.

I am gonna cut through all the buulshit. I am sponsored by no-one and am gonna give you the truth as I see it...................Buy the t-140 or an RTM if you want to paddle. Get a Hobie if you got the money to peddle.