Long story short I recently bought me a fishing yak (F&S eagle talon 12) yeah I know it's not great but I have a bass boat and that's all I could afford on the budget given by the warden. I get it home and the oldest boy is stoked because he thinks it's his. ( but dad you have a boat!) so I've talked momma into letting me find a "cheap" one for him. I've been searching Craig's list off and on and today while in Walmart I noticed they had a Sun dolphin 10 sit in ( mommas rule it has to be a sit in) that came with a ore for $219. I was just curious if anyone has ever paddled one. The boy just turned 12 so I don't want to drop more than $250 or so on it but I also don't want to drop $$$ on a total turd. He won't be doing any long trips or anything extreme. He just needs something he can fool around with and hang out with dad on. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance guys!

12 huh? Get it, put him in it and tell him to keep up...good times

How big is your 12 year old? Strong? Good swimmer?
Why the rule on the sit in? Sit on tops won't fill with water (scupper holes); are easier to get in and out of, and are easier to fish from

As far as brand new kayak under $300, I'd recommend the Lifetime Tamarack from Sports Authority


Brand new Kayak under $400, I'd recommend the Perception Sport Pescador from Academy

From the Good Deals Thread--don't know if this deal is still going on

He's a pretty solid boy for 12. About 5'6 130ish. Plays sports year round so he's pretty strong / in good shape and swims ok. The deal with the sit in is his mommas thing. She feels like he is "safer " in it than on it.

Ronnie,

Mom is wrong on this one.

Take her to a lake or pool and have her try to sink your sit-on-top.

Craig

Ronnie, there is nothing wrong with sit in kayaks. I'm betting you will use yours the same way I use mine. Small waters, relaxed, easy fishing.

I have a bassboat too. I have sit on and sit in kayaks, and I use both. Each has it's strengths, and weaknesses. I don't use them on Ray Hubbard or Fork or Athens. Small waters, moving waters, relaxed fishing on days when I don't want to tow the boat to the lake.

The Field and Stream Eagle Talon 12 is what I have and it was a great buy for a first kayak. It has a high weight capacity, which is key, and comes decked out with a lot of stuff that you would have to add later if you bought a lot of other boats. I don't plan on standing in mine and the seat isn't very comfortable for long paddles, but I like that it came with a Scotty and two other rod holders, anchor trolley and anchor, bottle holder, paddle keeper, dry storage, etc. I got mine last summer for $400 ($150 off) and I've really enjoyed it.

Good luck with finding a boat for your son. If you can convince your wife, being able to look at SOT yaks will broaden your options for him.

I have both a sit in and sit on kayaks. I would highly recommend a sit on. If/when you flip a SOT you just flip it back over and crawl back on. You might lose some gear but you can re-board. If/when you flip a sit in kayak it will immediately fill with water. It is extremely difficult to flip and you will have to use a bilge pump to remove the water before you can re-board. Since most folks here in warmer climates don't use spray skirts you can not just do an eskimo roll and keep going. Flipping over in my experience requires towing the kayak to shore and dumping it out. My buddy (who is a good swimmer) flipped his sit in kayak in the middle of the lake and he had to be rescued by a guy on a jet-ski while I towed his kayak to shore. Regardless of which type you get, a good PFD should be worn at all times.

when he turtles his SIT IN KAYAK, he may not b able to get back in or in very easily.
if he cant, he will need to swim it to the bank and drain it then get back IN.

a sit on top yak is a different story. let Mom see these videos so she can see the difference for herself.

also a SOT (sit on top kayak ) will self drain. where as a SINK (sit inside kayak) will need to be pumped or dumped out

HE SHOULD PRACTICE REENTRY & GET GOOD AT IT.
B sure and buy that boy a NICE "paddlers vest" so he will wear it.

Good point guys! As a newbie my self I never really gave much thought to him dumping it.

Does mom know the difference between a sit in and a SOT?

Sit on tops are WAY SAFER!! if you take on some water in a sit in you wont be able to get the water out then you will be soaked and mad
also it seems sit on tops are aimed more towards fishing while sit ins are more for cruising..
you have more storage space on a sit on top as well.
I would suggest getting him something like a used pelican for around $200
Good starter Yak and pretty stable