Your two cents. Frontier12 v slayer12 v cuda

So after tons of research and careful contemplation I've narrowed it down to wanting all the boats. Since I couldn't get that job as a trust fund kid, I'll have to settle with one.
I'm really liking the nucanoe, but I kinda got a crush on the cuda and slayer, too.

Need to go paddle each one (if you haven't yet)that your interested in and determine what one fits your needs.
Demo, Demo,Demo.

Need to go paddle each one (if you haven't yet)that your interested in and determine what one fits your needs.
Demo, Demo,Demo.

Yep! Nucanoe is a barge.

If you plan on fishin the salt, I'd say no the nucanoe. There are so many different types of SOT fishing yaks on the market nowadays...hard to figure out which one is best for you until paddling them. So it's a good idea to "try before you buy." Or just be an impulse buyer like me and buy the first $300 yak that gets posted in the classifieds LOL! That's how I started this ridiculous obsession years ago. Since then, I've owned 14 yaks...

Btw Monterey Bay Kayaks had their demo sale last wknd...might still have some deals on used yaks and you can demo them. And Kayak Connection has a lot of different brands to test drive at Santa cruz harbor if you're ever down this way. Good luck & happy hunting!

I love my Jackson cuda but like everyone else will tell you demo demo demo and find exactly what YOU want ..see you on the water 

I love my cuda 14. But yea demo demo demo. We're having a Jackson and Kokatat demo up in Redding this weekend if you want to try some Jackson's.

Demo, demo, demo, it really is like picking wife, isn't it?

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I love my cuda 14. But yea demo demo demo. We're having a Jackson and Kokatat demo up in Redding this weekend if you want to try some Jackson's.

Thanks for the invite. Where in Redding might this demo be?

like picking a wife 

The BEST part(s) are:

1.  You can legally own more than 1 in the USA
2.  You can loan it to your friend to ride every once in a while ... and not have a bad side effect.
3.  Having it with a little blood on it more than 1x a month is a GOOD thing
4.  They have a good resale value, where getting rid of a wife will cost you.
5.  You get to test drive one, while you still own one without fear of persecution.
6.  Then DON'T nag!

~Bill

I agree .... test drive, test drive, test drive.  There are soooo many choices out there.  What works for me or him, may not work for you.  Remember, it's a first kayak .... not you're last.  It's normal to own more than 1 ... and you WILL.  Oh yes, you will........

Hahaha.   Awesome!

Another one to consider, depending on your budget is the Santa Cruz & the Old Town.  Personally, I'd want one of each; S.C., O.T. & Cuda .....  but that's just me 

I have a confession to make... I didn't demo before I bought. I simply couldn't wait any longer to have a kayak. I'd had enough of the day dreaming, fantasizing, Googling, reading NCKA fishing reports... I just couldn't take it anymore.

Happy to report, I totally love my Jackson Cuda 14. I don't have much to compare it to, but I have absolutely no regrets.

I guess my only advice is, if possible have enough money left over to buy a set of wheeleze (large size), so you have more access to ocean launch sites.

You're welcome to give my Cuda a paddle this weekend if you want.

JW

as everybofy says demo first.

I recommend to call Dan at Headwaters Lodi. It's about  hour drive from Oakland, but he might have both Cuda 14 and Frontier to demo. if we put a side that his a great NCKA supporter you will have a chance to talk to great person and none pushy salesman who did a very good deals for many of us.

Thanks Igor, between what everybody here is saying and what I've seen online, headwaters is the place to go.
As luck would have it, I got off work early today. Can you guess where I'm going this afternoon?   

JW, that's a very kind offer, I thank you. I think I'll try to hit up this demo happening this weekend, though.

I wouldn't mind hooking up for some fishin once I'm rolling though. Gonna have me a lot of learning to do.
Cheers.

Thanks Igor, between what everybody here is saying and what I've seen online, headwaters is the place to go.
As luck would have it, I got off work early today. Can you guess where I'm going this afternoon?   

Glad I stumbled across this? What time will you be here? I have a trip going out at 4:30, but if your around I have no problem throwing a couple of boats on the trailer for you to try out. The shop is open till 5:00PM. I don't have a Slayer, but between the Slayer and the Cuda I would recommend the Cuda. Better deck layout and way more internal storage. If your looking for something between the Cuda and the Frontier you should check out our Oldtown Predator. Slightly more bulky than the Cuda, but defiantly more sporty than a Frontier. I do sell a ton of Frontiers to people looking for a stable stand up platform. Most people install trolling motors on them.

Look forward to talking to you. We actually have some really sweet rigging projects going on with both those kayaks right now to give you ideas.