Cuda 14 vs. Big dudes/Ocean

I have been reading through the forum about Cuda 14's and they seem to be sea worthy. My question then falls to how are they with big dudes in the ocean? Are there any larger framed Cuda owners who paddle the salt regularly? I have seen the video of that guy playing in the surf(and he was a light weight) which was the only decent video I could find of Cuda in surf. How do they handle in chop and wind, preferably with larger paddlers? Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

I'm 5'11" and 200. She rides like a dream for me. If you want to take her out for an adventure your welcome to give her a go. I'm willing to meet in SC this weekend.

I'm 6'4" and weigh about 250...I took the Cuda 14 out on a pretty big surf day and it handled great...unfortunately I lost my GoPro coming in that day cuz I'm a big dummy, but the conditions were pretty much the same the next weekend when I made this video on my T15:



I felt the Cuda handled really well both going out through and coming back in through the surf. I also had all my dive gear and weight belt and later on a decent stringer of fish and didn't feel like I was bogging the boat down.

Attached is a pic of me on the Cuda after the dive.

Once I get mine delivered I will post vids of me out and about in it....I will also be up at GS7 with it so you are welcome to borrow it and see if you like it.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

LipRipper I appreciate the offer very much but I live up here in Humboldt. I am not even sure where SC is? (Oh Shelter Cove). I do plan to demo one very soon, thanks again. BigJim if you were out in surf like that, that is what I needed to know. I am 6'2" and 265 but I don't catch as many fish as you , so I should be o.k. Thanks for the comments guys and I will keep you posted. I was thinking the Malibu X-factor but the Cuda just keeps calling to me.

LipRipper I appreciate the offer very much but I live up here in Humboldt. I am not even sure where SC is? I do plan to demo one very soon, thanks again. BigJim if you were out in surf like that, that is what I needed to know. I am 6'2" and 265 but I don't catch as many fish as you , so I should be o.k. Thanks for the comments guys and I will keep you posted. I was thinking the Malibu X-factor but the Cuda just keeps calling to me.

No worries dude. Demo one for sure and see what you think...everybody is different, so it's important to find the boat that works best for YOU.

 

Looking forward to seeing you up at Shelter Cove.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

If we get a chance you're welcome to try one of my X-Factors too.  May be tough at Shelter Cove, but we should have an opportunity around here.   

PS - I want a ride on one of those Cuda's!   

220lb, and I love my Cuda on the ocean.

I'd really like to try a Cuda 14 myself!  Those seats are very attractive    I'm a lil' bigger than the others here though...  My X-Factor works really well for me though, especially for crabbing and rockfishing.  Welcome to give it a try anytime!

Thanks for the offers to try your X-factor's guys. It is very nice knowing I have a large pool of people to ask advice from and who are even available to let me try your kayaks, that is a very nice gesture on your part. I have been shopping around for a while but still do need to demo a Cuda.

Ask at adventurers edge if they would demo a Cuda for you. They offered when I bought a big tuna


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I'm very happy with my Cuda in the ocean. At 6'-3" 240#, its a very stable sea worthy kayak. Very comfortable too.   [just make sure the drain plug is in  ]



Tim

Hey BB,
All JK dealers should have a demo for you to try. The Big Tuna is their tandem kayak but can be paddled in single position. That might be an option too.
I'm not sure if you're gonna make it to GS7 but I'd be more than happy to let you paddle mine.
I'll be showing up around noon Thursday.
I'm hoping to have a 2nd cuda14 with me so anybody could take it for a test paddle.

Personally I do not care for the Cuda 14 in the ocean. I had one for a couple months and was not happy with the performance in lumpy conditions. The high center of gravity gave me an uneasy feeling.

The primary stability is great but there is very little secondary stability. I also found it slow to accelerate. This is a problem when trying to punch through the surf. My one attempt in medium to heavy surf took me three tries to get out. I have only ever been stopped once before and that was in much bigger conditions. The other down side is the seat is not really fixed to the boat so if you do roll in the surf you have fumble with the seat before you can hop back in.... Usually after eating another wave or two.

For reference my other boats are a prowler 13 a trident 13 and an Adventure. I am 6'3” about 220.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Yah I have been trying to find a green Malibu X-factor in Northern California but all the dealers have to call Malibu kayaks and the time limit keeps getting pushed further out  .  So I decided to demo a Cuda at Adventures Edge in Eureka today but have to wait till Monday to talk to someone that can make it happen . I try to buy locally as much as possible but as of now this isn't happening for me in Humboldt .