Kayak for three?

Hi All,

New to site and kayak fishing!!  Trying to see if there is a good option for a triple kayak?  My boys and I like to go out poke poling and what not, but want to move up to kayaking.  Not sure if the two plus one is big enough for one adult and two kids, 9 and 12.  If any one has experience with this type of set up, please let me know.  We probably would not be headed out to far, looking at places like still water and other semi protected water to start off. 

Also, are any of the bigger boats legit for one person to paddle?
 
Thanks,
Aaron

A Cobra triple would work if you can find one.

I believe the Jackson Big Tuna can be configured for three.  Also the Nucanoe can be set up that way.

An Ocean Kayak Malibu Two has three seats and paddles fine for a single paddler in the center seat.  It might be pushing it for you and your two boys though (and they're not gonna get any smaller).  The Two XL might be fine for three (never been in one).  Not sure if it's too big for a single paddler.  I'm sure someone else here has experience with one.

We have a Perception Tribe 13.5 that will seat 3 fairly comfortably.  Another option might be a Hobie Adventure Island or Tandem Island.  While not officially considered seating areas, trampolines attached to the outriggers can support the weight of people.  There are youtube videos showing it and some members have given rides to their family members that way.

Thanks All,

I have been looking at the Viking Nemo 2+1 and the Perception Tribe 13.5, They look like good boats, Better start saving some $$!!

Has any one used the Viking?  Looks to be a new import and the video on their web site makes it look like a good 1-3 person boat.

Thanks
Aaron

eelkram,

Have you fished from the Tribe?  I almost got one during the REI 20% off, but held back.

Thanks

Our family gets three on the Ocean Kayak Malibu two XL just fine, but we are up in high sierra lakes.  Ocean may be a different story..

Our family gets three on the Ocean Kayak Malibu two XL just fine, but we are up in high sierra lakes.  Ocean may be a different story..

Where about?  I Use to live up in Plumas County, miss that area, great fishing with fam from a canoe. 

Aaron

We usually take it out up ebbetts pass.  Lake alpine, spicer, union and Utica reservoirs.  Beautiful places to kayak.

I haven't fished salt with it. Only on some calm water lakes.  It was fine for that as long as only one or two had poles out.  I can't imagine the chaos that would ensue with three with fish on... especially out in salt with big fish.

sounds really dangerous for fishing . especially w kids.

Dude, three on a kayak trying to fish sounds frustrating. Snags, tangled lines, people leaning different ways, paddle splashes. I'd say just get three cheapo yaks if you can. Or you might want to think about a boat if you really want everyone on the same craft.

Dude, three on a kayak trying to fish sounds frustrating. Snags, tangled lines, people leaning different ways, paddle splashes. I'd say just get three cheapo yaks if you can. Or you might want to think about a boat if you really want everyone on the same craft.

Jeff, you are not a dad yet so let me tell you, you can space kids out by 20' and they will still find a way to tangle lines. 

The Cobra Triple can be paddled solo and Abman does it all the time. He is a big guy though and a strong paddler. Given the age of your kids, you will quickly outgrow a Malibu 2XL which is my favorite 3 seat tandem. If you take them out one at a time, the 2XL would be my recommendation. Weight is a huge issue with tandems and triples so make sure you can throw it on the roof at the end of a long day of untangling lines.  The zest is maybe the fastest paddle tandem as far as what I have paddled but fishing with kids is more about stability than speed. All that said, I learned how to kayak fish with my son in a 2Xl and it was some of the finest days of fishing in my life. I will cherish them forever.

scott

Haha, true Scott, that didn't even occur to me. My bad!