Need help choosing a kayak please :)

[Todddo]

Hi!
I have about $800 to spend on a kayak, For some reason I already bought a gps and a sounder first.

Are ebay kayaks any good? I'm looking at something like this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3M-CAMO-HUNTER-sit-OCEAN-FISHING-SEA-KAYAK-Canoe-NEW-/170782035394?pt=AU_Sport_Boating_Water_Sports_Wate rcraft&hash=item27c3670dc2#ht_7332wt_1139
I have never been in a kayak so I need it to be stable. I do have a pool to practice in though but I dont want it tipping over easily!
Ill only be using it in the Tingalpa and Lota creeks.
Any advice would be great as I have no idea about kayaks, thanks!
Todd.

[tunaticer]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/viking-tempo-kayak-petrol-motor-not-hobie-boat-fishing-kayak-/220948315840?pt=AU_Sport_Boating_Water_Sports_Wate rcraft&hash=item33718bbec0

much better kayak in your dollar range the motor is a bonus that isn't needed but might be handy one day.

The ebay kayak you posted is not really worth the dollars, it has many things they have overlooked in making it. Drainage holes for a start. you could effectively be paddling a wading pool around if the drainage is not adequate, quite a lot of cheaper kayaks are guilty of this point.

[Todddo]

Yeah I was looking at the viking. I'm sure I could wait for a bit and get a new one. I want to buy one that will last, not destroy itself in a year orso.
Any tips on what to look for?

[chop]

Hi Todddo,

This forum has some good advice http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/forumdisplay.php?95-Kayak-fishing-chat. If and when I will be asking in there :)

[BillyT2382]

Yea thats a pretty good deal if ya ask me..pretty much thinking about selling my boat to get a yak really thinking hard...

[Todddo]

Hey chop thats where I posted lol, I am looking through old threads though.
Yeah billy I think it would good just to go for a paddle to get some fresh air too :)

[BillyT2382]

Not only that mate but the cost of running the boat and all the possibilities that could happen as with a yak ya just paddle or foot paddle..lol

[tunaticer]

Key points for kayak selection.
Weight try to stay under 30kgs because when you load it with your gear and yourself you have to paddle it then often times against the currents and winds. Also plays a big part in loading and unloading off the car......more on that soon.
Length 3.5m is the minimum length that is suitable for a 5km paddle, any shorter and each paddle stroke twitches the kayak sideways, meaning a good percentage of each stroke is wasted effort for distance by correcting the last stroke's mis-direction. Ideal length for rivers and creeks is 3.5-4m open water from 4m to 5.5m.
Storage....they need enough room to store your gear for a trip. Lots of cheapies skimp on this detail.
Drainage.........you will at times get a wave over the side and partially or fully fill your cockpit, scuppers are essential to get rid of that water fast or else you will be in a floating pool that weighs a lot more then you bargained for.
Handles......be sure it has more than the usual fore and aft handles, you need handles midriff to be able to load and unload it off your car. They need to be at a balance point so you can load and unload solo if needed. Most kayaking injuries are from load and unloading and frequently quite serious injuries.
Be sure that any existing and future rod holders are well outside of your normal paddle stroke movements or else you will be unknowingly donating your rods to the sea floor.
A decent seat will make your paddling a whole lot more enjoyable.

Viking have good designs and reputations and will assemble your new kayak to your wishes. The Tempo is a good river and sea boat and well numbered in the rough stuff as well.

[Todddo]

Thanks alot for the info, thats the sort of stuff I was after.
The viking tempo looks exactly what I was after. Ill go have alook at one on the weekend, Thanks :D

[Yellowjack]

Heres two yaks I am looking at getting, just saving up more coin though haha :P

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa/

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/angling/angling_kayaks/angler_tarpon/tarpon_120_angler


A bit high for your price range but thought i'd share cause im in the market aswell for one :D

[tunaticer]

Heres two yaks I am looking at getting, just saving up more coin though haha :P

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa/

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/angling/angling_kayaks/angler_tarpon/tarpon_120_angler

A bit high for your price range but thought i'd share cause im in the market aswell for one :D

I have been watching the Coosa for a while now, has plenty of ticks but I feel it is still a bit short on being a decent open water kayak. Rivers, creeks, lakes and bays it will do very well.

The Tarpon series looks good, tracks well and fishes with ease. Son in Law has a 140 and whilst it is a fast yak with good glide and nice and stable, it is a beast to load and unload onto vehicles. He since upgraded to a near new condition Perception Swing and will most likely sell the Tarpon sooner or later.

[j_man_84]

hey mate viking kayaks are a great yak and well built, i have the 3.2 fishing nemo and its really comfortable and stable and out paddles all my friends cheaper yaks. hope this helps mate.

[Sheik]

Does anyone have a Coosa. Looks like it's been thought through with heaps of little wrinkles all the way around. Very good ideas!

[Todddo]

here are the things I'll be looking for (from a learners point of view)
Easy to load and unload on my car
Easy to fish from
Plenty of storage and a place to put a sounder/gps
Extremely stable
Comfortable to sit in for long periods of time

Thanks for the advice guys
tunaticer - Can you please let me know when he is ready to sell? Ill be keen if the price is right.

[Yellowjack]

Theres a sale on the 4th of March at a kayak place at southport.

Its also a test day where you can go and test out all the kayaks.

I think thats the day ill be picking up either the coosa or tarpon.

http://adventureoutlet.com.au/blog1.php/2011/04/23/fishing-kayak-demo-day-new-kayaks-from-native-watercraft-tootega-ocean-kayak-aamp-wilderness-system

Cheers,
Jack

ps. I hope posting here doesnt mean that they will be sold out of coosa stock when I go down there to try it out :P

[pipifin]

OK OK I'll tr4y and get my yak on the classifieds LOL. Have been meaning to advertise it for a while (to finance a motor upgrade on the tinny).
Have been putting it off because I will be sad to see it go.
Viking Tempo with all the standard rod holders etc, with 2 seats (one for my little girl up front) and two paddles. May be convinced to throw in PFD3 and other stuff..... sob sob.... I'll miss her though.
Will try get an add up, or PM me and I'll send you pics.

[pipifin]

Before buying I would try on for size
Some yaks look wide, but you sit low and actually IN the yak rather than on top... leading to a wet bum..... also have heard of people with larger rear ends having a tight fit, so sit in/on to make sure you will be comfortable.

[Todddo]

thanks for the tips :) I have messaged you regarding your kayak

[Gigantor]

Hi Tod,

Go and read this post.

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?180576-new-to-kayaking-and-after-some-advice

Some good info about buying your first yak for fishing here.

Cheers, Pete

[GBC]

If you've got a wet bum it means you're paddling something that has close to the normal bouyancy of a sit in kayak.It also means you'll get much better paddling balance, and it probably means you're paddling something that is way quicker than a dry boat. Quicker means tippier generally, but a lower seating position gives stability and the ability to fish a quicker boat.

[Just_chips]

The Jackson Kayaks look good, but they are fairly new to the market and only entering the country in dribs and drabs. Pretty much each time a container load come in they are being sold out just as quick. This is probably a pretty good sign of a well designed yak, and possibly an even better sign is the fact that there aren't any popping up 2nd hand in the usual spots yet.

Kev

[tunaticer]

The thing that baulks me on the Coosa is the mobile seating arrangement. For it to be mobile it must be lots higher than the normal moulded in seating on most yaks. The higher the seat, the higher the centre of gravity and the less stable they become in less than ideal conditions. The tarpon also has a elevated fixed seat and it is noticeable for stability in rough conditions between the tarpon and the swing. apart from the seating I think the Coosa is pretty good.

FWIW, having a wet bum in a kayak is to be expected with any less than perfect condition day and should not factor into your decision on the brand. There are a lot of wet arse yaks out there that are simply awesome fishing yaks, would you dump them for the fact of a damp freckle?

[Todddo]

I ended up purchasing pipfins Viking Tempo and will pick it up next week sometime :)
Keen to catch up with fellow kayakers!

[tunaticer]

A good choice there Todd, you will plenty of good hours fishing in a tempo and not be wanting to upgrade.

[Todddo]

Thanks mate, really appreciate the advice you gave me!