Where can I get a test drive?

Hey folks, well my impatience got the best of me before Christmas, I impulse-bought a boat that turned out to have NONE of the characteristics that I wanted to buy a boat for, so besides selling that boat (post later,) I have decided NOT to buy any (ok primary fishing) boat without taking a test drive first…

I am looking for a boat that is A. Stable. B. Has easily accessible places to put gear, and C. floats my big butt high enough that small waves (under 6”) don’t gently lap my rear end while I am paddling….

I have narrowed it down to looking at an Ocean Kayak Ultra 4.7, a Jackson Cuda14 or a Hobie ProAngler (with possibility of a WS Ride 135.) honestly I am kinda hoping that I won’t fall in love with a Hobie,,, cause I am inflicted with the kind of virtual poverty that comes as a package with my three young kids…. Did I mention that the oldest boy eats like an Ethiopian at a Sizzler?

Anyway, does anyone have any idea of any shops within,,, say an hour and change of Sac, that might have any of these models available for a test drive?

Thank you!

Try Dan @ Headwaters for the Cuda.

+1 I am 200 and roll a Cuda 14 and my butt doesn't get wet.

Demo day this weekend at Big Break Marina in Oakley. Sat.  Hobie and WS for sure. Ill be doing a seminar or two. They have a Couple others too I believe.

How much do you weigh and how tall are you. I had a 360# guy in my Ride a couple weeks ago and he had no problem. Other boats should work also.

Paddle a Trident 15 if you are considering a 4.7. You will have the advantage of the rod pod that way and the sonar shield. Cheaper also. The ultras are made in NZ so the shipping adds cost to tag price. The ultras will be made in the US starting this year from what Ive heard. Adventure sports has the best price in the Sac area.

Adventure will have the OK's there too. I forgot.

How much do you weigh and how tall are you. I had a 360# guy in my Ride a couple weeks ago and he had no problem. Other boats should work also.

+1 i just bought the Ride 135 and that thing is really stable. I can even stand in it and cast, you can side sit on those things with your feet out of the water and it doesnt go over. I am 6' 280# and it keeps me up out of the water. well below the handles.,..

All those yaks you listed are great boats, and you are being smart about wanting to demo before buying to see what works best for you.

Yeah, Dan at headwaters would be a good option to demo the Cuda...or if you end up down Monterey way let me know and you could always try mine out.

Best of luck!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I bought 2 ride 135. I live in woodland if you ever want to test drive, also both equipped w down riggers. Love the room and especially the seat for back problems I've had. A little heavy to lug around but no biggiw

Hey TheDudeAbibes .. Check out kayak City in Oakley . They have the two yak that you mention you like to demo .. OK Trident 4.7 and Also Hobie PA angler .. Go see Jed or Erick (owner) their shop is located about fifty feet from delta water .. And it's free for demo ..

        Don

Wooo! You guys are awesome!! I think I know what I want to do for Father’s Day now!

Is it bad that what I want to do for Father’s Day is get away from the very beings that qualify my to celebrate the event???

Rob it’s not that the problems I have with the 160 are insurmountable, I could learn to move around on it eventually, it is just that I spent 3X what I did on my 14’ Perception Prism, and there is no appreciable change (except it is heavier and harder to transport) in the qualities that caused me to spend 3X more. I am at the same place I was before I bought it, with a loooooooonger boat..

I like the idea of being able to turn around on the boat and reaching behind me without hanging my legs in the water (something I can’t do on either boat I own now.) Standing up is just crazy-talk..

My wife claims I am picky,,, I try and explain to her that I am not picky, I am just into my mid 40’s, my dad died in his mid 50’s, I could possibly only have about 10 years left, and if I know what I want out of something, why should I put up with something that isn’t meeting those needs, if it is only a little effort to get EXACTLY what I am looking for? Because who knows if I will be around tomorrow to enjoy it? Putting up with things, and waiting for things to iron themselves out, are for kids in their 20’s who have their lives all in front of them,,, I have a deadline.. I want to enjoy this sh*t TODAY….

I am about the same as WBE, 6’ and too heavy for my own good.. I really should find and take some classes that teach self rescue, it has not been a huge priority to me because I am a diver (scuba and skin) and very comfortable in the water, I stack the deck by ALWAYS wearing my PFD and stuffing the yak with noodles, and also I am a wimp about WHERE I kayak, I generally go with sloughs and lakes, never tried heavy currents or the ocean yet, I have been pushed around by enough ocean tides and river currents to know that you are never really in control if mama don’t want you to be (mama nature that is.) At the moment kayaking is a fun diversion for between kids, but it is getting worse,,, and if I ever make it to the ocean (my cousin is an OGOK ocean ninja) I won’t go without taking those classes,,, and a radio,,, and a wetsuit….and a friend…

Thank you all for the great replies!! Sounds like I will be in Oakley (my old hometown) on Saturday!

Hey if you wanna meet up at the port tomorrow, I'll bring out my cuda so you can test paddle it. You said you live 5 min from the port right?

Hey if you wanna meet up at the port tomorrow, I'll bring out my cuda so you can test paddle it. You said you live 5 min from the port right?

Wow! very generous offer thank you so much!! Yeah I live about 5min down the road from the Deep Water Access parking lot, lemme check with the Activities Director and see if I am free tonight....

Sounds good. I'll be there around 5. Just give me a heads up so I can also bring my OK Scrambler.