people kayaking on the ocean with kayaks under 14ft?

Its me again. Still asking question about kayak lengths.( before I purchase) Curious to know how many people are kayak fishing in the moterey bay with kayaks under 14ft and darn confident about it!

Here she is. The first one to brake my heart. Now I have been led astray  by another. One who calls me to the sea. Like one of them thar sireens!! Fun Lake boat

If you're concerned about stability, it's not just length... it's beam as well... actually the combination of the two... in general, more beam equates with more stability, whereas more length equates with more speed (but at the expense of manueverability), ceteris paribus... two popular fishing yaks that I was attracted to for their stability (and payload capacity) are the Cobra Fish-n-Dive (12.5' long x 36" wide) and the OC Big Game (12.75' long x 34" wide)... those yaks will be slower and heavier than the longer yaks, but in general will be more stable...  I think the average 14-15 foot long yaks run about 28 to 32 inches wide...

From another noob's point of view (mine), when I was recently shopping, like everything in life, I found you don't get something for nothing... I'm very happy with my selection (P15, good all around boat, on the narrow side at 28.5"), but I can easilly see how those with a serious affliction end up with a quiver of yaks to exploit various sea conditions and strengths of various yaks.

   BC

understand the length and width thing. Kinda curious to how many people ocean fish with kayaks under 14ft.

That photo under your name reminds me of one of my in-laws!!

Thanks for the info. Alex

Hey Ocean,

IMHO I think a lot of people are fishing with Yak's under 14 ft.  I do. I have a scrambler xt which is 12', I know there are alot of people on this site with boats under 14',  a good example is the OK Prowler 13 which as the name implies is ~13ft.   
Dp

Thanks for the reply. Got alot of replies about 15ft or better. sharks wanting to eat me under 14ft. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate all the replies. Would just like to have some confidence if i purchase 12,13, or 14 ft!! . Do you fish in the monterey bay with your yak..   


                             Alex( Bulldog)

I don't fish on monterey Bay, but only because i live down in Grover Beach, I certainly would and will when I can get up there.  I have no worries about being out on big blue in my 12 footer.  IMHO I thinks sharks, such as the Landlord, are not going to go after something as long as or relatively close to their size, such as a Yak.  unless maybe  your leaving a bloody chum slick.   Usually humans on a surf board or in a black wetsuit are mistaken for some other tasty marine mammal. 

Thanks for the confidence booster. was gettin kinda bummed. I understand that with the shorter and wider kayaks i will sacrifice speed and have the landlord maybe visit me a little longer . But it is a space issue for tranporting too..
 
My palms are itching to due this kayak thing! Hope to see you guys out there soon.  Thanks Dogpound

Have you encountered any sharks?? Cause I eat sharks for breakfast!! knock on wood.

I try not to think about the fact that a big shark that is interested in a yak isn't going to know the difference between 12 feet and 15 feet... they don't carry yard sticks with them...  If your number's up, it's up...

...but the bottom line is that the #1 inherent (and preventable/manageable) danger in this sport is drowning, not the infinitesimally small chance of a shark encounter (dat's my mantra, and I'm sticking to it).  The odds of a shark encounter are also going to fall behind getting run over by a power boat or getting in a crash on the highway on the way to the launch.

Have you encountered any sharks?? Cause I eat sharks for breakfast!! knock on wood.

Not me....but we all know they are out there. Just remember not to leave your stringer in the water. Keep 'em on board. Leaving dead fish in the water is just an open invitation to "any" predator out there. "Any" being sharks, sea lions, elephant seals....other kayak fishermen

Just ask Brian G. 

More likely to be eaten up by an 18 wheeler than the landlord! If your insecure with a Kayak less than 14' than I suggest that you paddle the prowler 15 which I have been on and tangled with a whale. But with that said I at least understand that I had better be prepared for all occassions on the ocean.
If you haven't-sign up for a class in self rescue or at least surf launch and landing.There are a number of Kayak distributors out there who have these classes. Probably even the company your going through for your Kayak. When fishing I always prep for the species I am fishing for,  I highly suggest anyone that gets into this sport prep for the body of water they are paddling on.
I own a few Kayak's that serve me on different bodies of water but that wasn't the case when I first started. I owned a Hobie ( outfitter) that I used in all conditions but found that in some of these waters I felt the need for a different Kayak. I think the main thing I have learned is that I needed to become a Kayaker first and a fisherman second.
Have to agree with, the Mooch, on other Kayak fisherman being the biggest predators 

I'm still waiting on my GW sighting. I did however get checked out by a young male elepant seal about a month or so ago. I estimate he was about 12ft and over a ton of muscle & blubber. He dwarfed the usual sea lions I see.
My tarpon is 14.5 feet. I really enjoy the length for the speed, but I wish the thing was lighter, as most of my launches necessitate wheels & a substantial haul to the water's edge.
Sean

If you haven't-sign up for a class in self rescue or at least surf launch and landing.There are a number of Kayak distributors out there who have these classes. Probably even the company your going through for your Kayak.  

What Frankfishing said    Excellent advise. I do fish the Monterey bay with my two sons. I paddle a P15. My sons both paddle scramblers 12'. Never a problem. My wife doesn't fish but she does paddle with us at times in a P13. I recommend you test paddle different styles and choose what you are most comfortable with. If you are sure your going to get into this, sign up for a safety class. Be aware of large critters in the water. Don't let the fear of what could happen detour you from experiencing this great sport. You have a better chance of being involved in a serious auto accident daily than meeting the tax collector of the sea. Always respect the ocean. Know your limits. Hope to see you on the water soon.

Ben

I do have years of powerboating on the ocean. Definetly understand the importance of safety gear. Radios, gps, clothing,,etc.... That's probably the next thing I will need advice on. (proper clothing). Definetly have no problem with kayaking in monterey with 12 to 13ft kayak. Just wanted to know if others did as well. . Sorry for the late replies. Power was out in my neck of the woods. Salinas
                            Alex (bulldog)

How about trading kayak lessons for golf lessons??? Just kiddin my golf game isn't that great either! .

Side note. Just changed my screen name from oceanluvr to Bulldog. Previous Marine. HURAH!