I've seen some pimped out cheap kayaks...

My advice is to test drive several then save up and buy the one you want and more importantly one you'll use. Trust me I'm old and have had buyers remorse more then once

Bought my first kayak for $299 from sports authority
Ended up adding everything including LEDs, trolling motor, and two separate fish finders (one 2D and one Down scan/gps)
Fully support going barebones and diy with safety first in mind
You will make mistakes, and might end up learning that the simpler, the better (less is more)

Link to some of the mods
Lifetimemantakayakmods

TY....For me it's about the challenge of building a awesome kayak for cheap and all I can afford so my son gets to buy the kayak he wants.. Remember not every kid can buy a $800 or more Kayak...If I can inspire or show a youth a great safe kayak for $300 and they get to fish then I'm on a mission now...Because there are 18-25% of kids at the High School level who can't find a captain to bass fish for the HS and if they see what can be done and get to fish some youth tourneys(Working on putting together a few this summer and fall) then it grows the sport...Yes I have fished out of a kayak before

That is a worthy mission, Thecrankster! Maybe if you had a flyer made up for what you are trying to do and have it circulated by the kids that are interested, they could knock and leave a note on the doors of every waterfront property owner of a given lake. I see so many older stripped down versions of unused kayaks that would suit their needs on just about every lake I fish. I'm sure there are plenty of owners that just haven't gotten around to getting rid of or haven't taken the time to upgrade them. If they knew it were going to a good home they might be interested in letting them go a little cheaper. Maybe tell them they would be "sponsoring" the kid or program. When I lived on the coast of Florida I had folks I didn't even know approach me about buying their kayaks just because I was using one or they noticed the j racks on my car. Anyway, just a thought to get the ball moving for anyone in any area that's looking for the best bang for kids getting started.

I have an older Featherlite; been using it for several years most recently today. Posted today's outing on the Lake Lavon thread.

Here is an old blog post that provides a couple of videos of the kayak I use. Hope this helps.

84....TY for that as this thread moves along I'm gaining hope that a solution for the youth that want to kayak bass fish can at a reasonable entry price point

TY Iconn

Cabela's has Emotion Stealth 11 kayaks on sale for $350. Normal price is $450. Its only 10'3", not actually an 11 footer, but seems like a nice kayak for that price.

FYI: Latest iFishNews is posted - April 10, 2017. Has a couple of kayak fishing links that may be of interest to some!