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Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
#11317947
01/02/16 04:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258
highcountry
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258 |
I am purchasing a tandem kayak for my wife and me within the next month, and would really appreciate your opinions. We are leaning toward the Nucanoe 12' Frontier with 360 Pinnacle seats. We will be adding a trolling motor and fish finder, as well as other fishing accessories.
Do you all like the Nucanoe, or is there another choice that would be more stable? What would be your choice of 55lb thrust trolling motors? I like what I'm reading about the Lowrance Elite Chirp series fishfinders, but what do you all think?
Thanks very much for your advice!
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11318005
01/02/16 04:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998
Tallgrass05
bill maher's protege
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bill maher's protege
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998 |
Will you have enough room? I have a pair of Native Ultimate Tandems that are 14' 7" long, and I thought that was a little cramped for tandem fishing and paddling. Also factor in weight of you + wife + gear and leave a good safety margin.
Have you considered a pair of solo kayaks?
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11318083
01/02/16 05:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 244
LSM
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 244 |
I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you try out a tandem rig before spending money on the described setup. My wife and I thought we wanted a tandem and are very thankful to have not gone that route. If you are really set on such a rig, with a trolling motor, I would suggest a small boat.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11318183
01/02/16 06:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258
highcountry
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258 |
Thanks for the replies, guys! Yes, I was concerned about the length, too, but this video kinda made me feel better about that... My wife and I total about 300 pounds, and top out at 5'9". We are not largemouth bass anglers, so no need of a ton of gear. Although we do throw some small artificials for crappie and white bass, we tend to use cut bait or live worms for cats, gills and bowfin. The reason for looking at kayaks is our desire to get way back in the creeks and trees where larger craft can't go. We are planning on testing them before we purchase. Who knows we may not even enjoy this type of fishing. The wife is antsy about being alone in a kayak, which is the reason for tandem. Do these facts influence your opinions?
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11318396
01/02/16 09:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998
Tallgrass05
bill maher's protege
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bill maher's protege
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998 |
Go for it. If it doesn't work out, you can always sell it.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: Tallgrass05]
#11318510
01/02/16 11:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,513
JOED214
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,513 |
The Frontier is a great choice no doubt. I do have an Ultimate FX tandem model for sale that I could throw in an aluminum trolling motor mount with if you are interested.....
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11318684
01/03/16 12:28 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120 |
Highcountry,
I'd only add that the NuCanoe, from my personal perspective, is more canoe than kayak, so it opens up your range a bit unless you trip over the terminology. If you want a really, really stable vessel, at least take a look at a Meyers Sportspal S-15 or S-16 canoe. The 15 has a flat stern, the 16 is double pointed. Either one would be much more stable than a NuCanoe and you could bring along a full sized ice chest, lawn chairs for super comfort, get back in really skinny water. Either model is light, >600 lbs. carrying capacity. Both can manage trolling motors.
Not sure what the cost of a Nucanoe 12 would be so that may be an issue. These canoes are in the $1200 range give or take.
Brad
Last edited by Brad R; 01/03/16 12:29 AM.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: Brad R]
#11319878
01/03/16 03:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258
highcountry
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258 |
Thanks, again, guys! Some great advice. Brad, is there a dealer for Sportspal in or near DFW. They look interesting online, but would like to see and maybe "test drive" them.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11320561
01/03/16 10:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120 |
No, no local dealer. I had to order mine and they sent it right away, drop shipped it to a shipping company down by TCJC South Campus.
But, I have it in the garage for now. I am near the Zoo in Fort Worth. If you want to see it, just PM me and I'll set it up for you.
A Meyers may be your best fit under the circumstances.
Brad
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11320653
01/03/16 11:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,736
christian myrick
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,736 |
I think tandem kayaks are way over rated. Imo a canoe is the best tandem option. They haul more weight and gear. They can be just as stable as a kayak also. Generally they are cheeper also.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11322118
01/04/16 07:01 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 78
Green Fish
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 78 |
Not only should you and your wife demo a tandem kayak...you should rent one a couple of times as well. My first kayak was a tandem because my wife wanted to go with me and she didn't want to be in her own kayak. You should also consider renting separate single kayaks to see if your wife can actually handle one by herself.
I spent 95% of the time by myself in that kayak...and eventually sold it and purchased a single kayak. I was lucky to find someone who was looking for a used tandem kayak...they are definitely not the most popular kayaks out there so the number of potential buyers is much lower than for a single kayak.
Another thing to consider, if you're not doing a lot of fishing or just doing simple live bait fishing, a canoe might be a better choice or a very small boat or small Jon boat.
A lot of this, of course, has to do with your intentions/use to begin with. "Form follows function".
Last edited by Green Fish; 01/04/16 07:02 PM.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11325387
01/06/16 01:38 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,362
Palovik
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,362 |
Not sure if you have seen the Jackson Kayak Kilroy DT tandem but is a nice option, have one if you would like to try it out.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11326046
01/06/16 01:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258
highcountry
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258 |
Thanks, again, for the advice, guys! Another consideration is that we do not have a place to "store" a boat/trailer. If we did, that might be our direction. We plan on toting the yak on top of my vehicle and storing in the garage. One of the features we really love with the Nucanoe is the new 360 Pinnacle seats. We also love the extra width and rail system for mounting seats/accessories in multiple positions. These "yaks" seem to be kinda a combination of a kayak and canoe.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11326116
01/06/16 02:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998
Tallgrass05
bill maher's protege
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bill maher's protege
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998 |
You can get a trailer with a collapsing tongue and stand it upright. I can still get my truck into the garage that way.
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Re: Opinions on new tandem yak and gear?
[Re: highcountry]
#11328437
01/07/16 01:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258
highcountry
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,258 |
Very cool! I cannot read the brand name on it. What is it? Thanks!
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