Feedback on a Yak?

[rasrob]

I think I found my first kayak and would appreciate any feed back on it. I like the Native Ultimate 14.5 Tandem. I feel it will work best for me and the times that the kids would like to go too. My questions are is it that easy to go alone in it, and how do the owners of this model like the kayak? I feel good about this one and plan on trying it out soon.

[4x4fishin]

I only have the single 12, but with a little adjustment to the seat position the 14 should be awesome solo. I wanted the 12 for a light rooftop boat but seriously considered the tandem 14.

[GreenWave]

The tandem is just the solo with an extra seat. Very easy to reconfigure. I don't have one, but I have fished from one. Great boat. Fast and very stable. Just keep it out of the big water, since it doesn't self bail.

[rem]

I solo fish out of the 14.5 tandem. If you install a bow spray skirt it really helps keep out unwanted water. I marsh fish and let the rest fight over the deep blue. I keep rigging to a minimum but would be glad to answer any questions.

[snake doctor]

Here is a good Austin Kayak article on choosing between a tandem or solo kayak. There is other good info on picking a kayak and other tips on the site.
http://www.austinkayak.com/blog/2011/07/to-tandem-or-not-that-is-the-question/

I chose the Hobie Outfitter (tandem) as my first kayak, thinking that I would be fishing with family members or friends, but it turns out that about 95% of the time it is just me in the kayak. It has been hard to get the wife or kids up at 5 a.m. to go fishing, friends have to work when I get time to fish, etc. So I probably should have just bought a single instead. A new tandem can be more expensive than a single, and will be longer and heavier too. You could get two used kayaks for about the same price as a new tandem. You would need a pick up, a good heavy duty roof rack, or a trailer to transport both of them.

[oldsaltnewsalt]

I had that exact same boat..loved it

[rasrob]

Thanks for the link, I will take another look at the Hobie too. I just think the Native has its grips on me.

[yak-aholic]

That's the only downfall IMO to the Ultimate. It isn't self-bailing. That being said, my dad has an U-12 and really likes it. Although he has switched to using the Pro Angler these days. His main reasons for switching are extended range and hands free to keep his line in the water more. Both due to having the mirage drive.

[rasrob]

what models are self bailing? Here is a stupid question...how much water do you take on out there? I have never been in a kayak in big water, only rivers on Oregon.

[snake doctor]

what models are self bailing? Here is a stupid question...how much water do you take on out there? I have never been in a kayak in big water, only rivers on Oregon.

Sit on top kayaks can take waves and then drain themselves through scupper holes. Canoes and sit in kayaks need to be bailed or pumped out when they take on water. Most of us use sit on tops. Sit on tops are a bit wetter ride sometimes, but they don't sink.

Usually we don't take on much water. But occasionally the wind kicks up or the wake of a motor boat can catch you. When it's bad it can get worse quickly in a sit in kayak or canoe.

[rem]

People seem to be worried about sinking with a sit inside kayak. I experimented with this possibility in my tandem. Just to be safe I made custom air bags that fit into all the unoccuppied space. This is a lot of extra flotation when fishing solo. I flooded the kayak with as much water as it would hold. Bottom line I was able to remove all the water with a scoop and sponge without heading back to shore. My advice is for you to paddle around in what feels right . You can always find ways to make it work for you.

[Branch_Office]

That is good that you have tried the scenario. On the other hand, while on the LSU lakes on July 4th I saw a guy sink one trying to get his dog inside. He go out and tried to bail it and flip it but it had too much water in it. He had to walk it to the bank and get someone to help him pull it out and flip it to get all the water out. Luckily he was able to stand up where he was located and he had help otherwise could have been a tough situation.

[jpoucher]

I have that exact kayak and I bought it for those exact reasons. My kids are 4 & 5. I don't even add the extra seat when I take them with me. They are so small and I'm not small at all so I don't want to sit in the back without a good bit of weight in the front. Changing it back and forth is a breeze. I have had it for over two years and have yet to actually change it solo for our own personal use. I have let a couple people borrow it to use as a tandem and it works great. Without scupper holes you could get in some trouble. I took a friend that fell out of an ultimate and it filled with water when he tried to get back in. If he would have been by himself he would have had to swim it back to shore to get in. You could just do what I did...and a lot of others too. Buy two yaks. One for the family outings, which the ultimate is perfect for. And another for solo and go where ever fishing. If you or anyone else is interested in seeing and test driving the U14.5t I will probably bring it to Family day. If no one wants to try it out I will just leave it at home.

[rem]

I think this thread is headed in a negative direction. I suggest people try different survival techniques before just heading out. I have always found comfort in the knowledge that any kayak full of water can simply be paddled back to shore with you sitting in it. So don't be afraid. Just develop some new skills and have fun in the process.

[GreenWave]

You're right to point out that a full set of survival skills is a good thing. We should all review our contingency plans BEFORE we get wet. However... Good luck paddling an Ultimate 14.5 full of water very far at all. Particularly in the winter. At the very least, it will ruin your fishing day.

None of this should scare off the original poster from checking out the U14.5. It has high gunnels that keep water out in most conditions. On a moderate day you'd probably take more water from paddle spray than anything else. Just something to think about, that's all.

[GreenWave]

Update: Psycho Joe is selling his Native Magic on another thread. If the lack of self bailing on the Ultimate concerns you, the Magic is a true, self bailing sit-on-top, with a similar configuration to the Ultimate. His is a newer updated model, which is not prone to the hull cracks that plagued some of the earlier models.

Also, Psycho Joe is, well, psycho about rigging and caring for his boats. You'd be getting a good one!

[jpoucher]

I think this thread is headed in a negative direction. I suggest people try different survival techniques before just heading out. I have always found comfort in the knowledge that any kayak full of water can simply be paddled back to shore with you sitting in it. So don't be afraid. Just develop some new skills and have fun in the process.

I never meant for my post to be negative...just informative. I have and love that kayak. It is perfect to bring kids out and to stand and fly fish out of. I just no it's limitations. I will probably never take the Ultimate in lake ponchatrain or do a surf launch even on calm conditions. I know how things can kick up in just a few minutes. The ultimate is not for everyone but it is for me. If you plan on doing surf launches or fish big open water I would get something else. I have no regrets getting my ultimate tandem. If I take anyone for their first trip...I give them the ultimate. It's super stable for a new person.

[ReelThrill]

I think this thread is headed in a negative direction. I suggest people try different survival techniques before just heading out. I have always found comfort in the knowledge that any kayak full of water can simply be paddled back to shore with you sitting in it. So don't be afraid. Just develop some new skills and have fun in the process.


This would maybe be ok in perfect conditions. But I imagine paddling a boat full of water 2 miles back to a launch in 3 foot seas and 20 knot winds could be a lot different. Conditions can be perfect when a person leaves the launch and quickly change while on the water.

[Cobia 1]

It's amazing to me that when someone points out potential problems with various boats, it turns the forum to "negative". People with experience are taking the time to pass on these events either good or bad and should be viewed as such.
In the past people have slammed Malibu for various reasons and most of this information has helped those in making a decision in purchasing a yak.
Demo one, fill it with water and see how much fun you can have, I did it with an Outback just to test the capacity rating.
Don't believe what the sales guys tell you or what is printed, try what is of a concern to you BRFORE you purchase.

[swampninja]

It's amazing to me that when someone points out potential problems with various boats, it turns the forum to "negative". People with experience are taking the time to pass on these events either good or bad and should be viewed as such.
In the past people have slammed Malibu for various reasons and most of this information has helped those in making a decision in purchasing a yak.
Demo one, fill it with water and see how much fun you can have, I did it with an Outback just to test the capacity rating.
Don't believe what the sales guys tell you or what is printed, try what is of a concern to you BRFORE you purchase.

+1, I like to hear the good, and the bad. more information never hurts.

[swamppro]

Don't just think that a sit inside is hard to get back into. We were at Seabrook a couple years back and an x factor got swamped. Try bailing that out and pull yourself back on it. Aint gonna happen. Have your life jacket on and be prepared to swim along side the kayak. x factor had to be towed to the launch as everytime you tried to climb on it, it would roll or sink and disappear.