New style kayak ?

Anyone seen these before ?
I'm looking for something more stable than a std yak.
Looks better for motor options as well.

http://gilligansboats.com/index.php/santa-cruz-kayaks-for-sale-at-gilligans-boats



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Been advertised before and it won't take off for some reason. looks kinda like a prostitute with her legs open.

There is a fella named "Prof Salt" who fishes the oilwell stand pipes off the coast of Corpus Christi out of one, and he is a sponsor.
His Youtube videos are pretty cool.

From watching the videos the kayak seems to ride pretty low in the water which possibly means it dosn't have a high weight capacity.
I would feel uncomfortable riding that low in the water especially offshore with all the sharks, but that's just me.
Check out the videos!
https://www.youtube.com/user/wgmadden1

A number of people like the Santa Cruz Raptor, but the weight capacity is not great, only 360 lbs. There's a newer model just out, the Raptor G2. It uses the Hobie Mirage drive but is also designed to paddle well.

There are a number of stable kayaks you can stand up in, but they tend to wider and slower. Everything is a compromise and balance of different characteristics.

Just get a PA12 and be done with it lol

I didn't know that.
Didn't see the ad either.


I saw the video.
Sharks are not for me.
I'll be using a kayak for freshwater so only limited use during the winter-spring white bass run.
The G2 looks good but still trying to find the price for it.
The std Raptor is $1000.



If you're referring to the Hobie, I'll have to pass.
For $3000. I would be better served getting a boat.



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There was a guy showing one off at a kayak tournament in San Diego I was at. I drew a lot of attention. He let me try it out and it paddled well. Good primary stability, if that's what you're after.

Yep that would sum it up.
Since the factory motor bracket is already installed, maybe a set of small floats at the rear (like outriggers) would make a trolling motor a worthwhile add on.
No sense in paddling while trying to locate the fish at the same time.



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I have had several of the raptorsincluding the g2. The original sot raptor is a solid platform for a day of fishing. I have caught shark and tons of trophy size fish from mine. Its designed to sit low in the water to minimize wind resistance. As far as standing goes it is as solid as a rock. It is faster than most of the really stable fishing kayaks out there. Space is the biggest issue i have noticed. The front is pretty narrow but its part of what keeps the speed up. They also track as straight as an arrow without a rudder. They are definitely worth a demo. Currently i paddle the viking profish reload. That is fast as lightning and have a weight cap of 440 lbs. I paddle it around 5.5mph on a leasure paddle. That coupled with all the factory options and space in the cockpit its an amazing fishing platform.

I fish in these and love them. Click the links to learn more and feel free to contact me if you ever want to take one for a test. I have fished in just about everything including several different kayaks. I like these much better for fishability. In fact, no other small load-n-go craft is even a close comparison. IMO of course.

I found this little jewel yesterday.
Only 10' long.
Would be better at 12' or 13'
Very pricey at $3000.

http://leannsteerkayaks.com/



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As Jimbo pointed out above, contact Prof Salt (Glenn Heddon). He spoke at the P.A.C.K. (kayak club in Houston earlier this year and brought his Santa Cruz kayak. He says it is stable and a very good paddle. Contact him off of one of the fishing forums or on his Facebook page. He seem very open to talk and help fellow kayak anglers.

A buddy of mine has a SOT Raptor and loved it, but when I bought my Soloskiff he fell in love with it and got himself one. Now his Raptor and his Ultimate are gathering dust.....