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Help deciding #12264274 05/26/17 05:00 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Follow up to my last post:

My wife is now pretty set on a Viking Reload and we're probably getting my 11 year old daughter and 7 year old son a Tarpon 100 to share (and me to use at the river here but don't tell them that!)

So that leaves me. I originally was set on a Tarpon 160 because I love fast, long boats. But I have done some research over the past few days and now can't decide between the Ocean Kayak Trident 15, the Tarpon 160, and the Jackson Kraken 15.5.
My first kayak years ago was a Trident 13 and it looks like they have fixed what I didn't like about that one (seat, weird shaped tank well, etc). The Tarpon 160 is supposed to be the fastest and is most comparable to my Hobie Adventure (not Island) that I used to have which was my favorite kayak ever. The Kraken is pretty slick but I've never been in a Jackson and it is the most expensive.
Which do y'all like best?


Also, I have seen some complaints on the forums about the Viking seats but they were all from 2014. Have the seats gotten better since? Looks like they come with yak gear seats but I don't know anything about those.
Finally, how does the Tarpon 100 paddle?

Thanks

Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12264343 05/26/17 05:38 PM
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IslandJim Offline
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I test paddled a Viking Profish Reload Z at the Corpus Demo last Sunday. It didn'have a seat in it(it was privately owned), the pedals were way too far forward for my short legs, and I couldn't really steer with the rudder. But, boy was that a long, fast kayak! It paddled really well. The first time I saw Vikings, I was really impressed with them, but I didn't paddle one until Sunday.

You can find good deals on T-160's, so that might be a good path for you. I know they're fast.

Good Luck! IslandJim


I'm an Eighth Day Adventist. On the Eighth Day, God went fishing!
Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12264419 05/26/17 06:09 PM
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Struggle Offline
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I've been looking at the reload and was curious about the seats as well. I am looking forward to the responses.

Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12264496 05/26/17 07:01 PM
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There is no way I could convince my wife to try one of those "sit on the floor" seats. Actually we have one, a Heritage, and she hates it.

My wife has a Jackson Tupelo 12.5, comfortable, stable, and fast. Ours is the 12.5 version, they also make a slightly smaller 12 footer that would probably be good for your daughter.

The Vibe Yellowfin is going to be the most bang for the buck, $650 with a comfy seat.

For you, out of what you listed I'd go with the Kraken. Also look at the Jackson Cuda.

Re: Help deciding [Re: Warhawk] #12264537 05/26/17 07:23 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Warhawk
There is no way I could convince my wife to try one of those "sit on the floor" seats. Actually we have one, a Heritage, and she hates it.

My wife has a Jackson Tupelo 12.5, comfortable, stable, and fast. Ours is the 12.5 version, they also make a slightly smaller 12 footer that would probably be good for your daughter.

The Vibe Yellowfin is going to be the most bang for the buck, $650 with a comfy seat.

For you, out of what you listed I'd go with the Kraken. Also look at the Jackson Cuda.


Thanks for help. I'll look at the tupelo online.
My wife and I were fine with our thin hobie seats so I don't think a flat one would be that big of a deal.

Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12265559 05/27/17 03:38 PM
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christian myrick Offline
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Any 4 point seat will work in any viking. We have the reload,440,400 lite,gt,and profish 35. Soon to add a 2+1. We use the yak gear manta ray seats and like them. As far as your yak, the t16 is very cool.


Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12265599 05/27/17 04:33 PM
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Fish ZoMbiE Offline
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Thing i really like about yaks 13.5' or less is they're not too bulky to store or awkward to transport. If that's not a problem, then i say u go with what is most comfy n fast. Because, it sounds like u like speed.


Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12265738 05/27/17 07:21 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Besides mariner sails and ACK, does anyone know a place to get viking and WS kayaks for less than msrp?

Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12265750 05/27/17 07:36 PM
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Re: Help deciding [Re: wh2004] #12266748 05/28/17 06:37 PM
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Jimbo Offline
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Maybe some day Viking will place more priority on comfortable seats without having to buy one.


Just one more cast!

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