Anyone out there paddling a Bonafide Kayak? I am looking at the Bonafide RS117. I had been strongly considering the Perception Pescador Pro, but I came across the Bonafide Kayaks, and they look pretty good. Haven't been able to to test paddle one yet, but thought I'd get feedback here.

Thanks. . .

Never paddled one. From what I've heard from dealers and watching videos on them they are stable. That's the one constant I always hear. Other constants are they track horrible and the hull is thin. Bonafide actually came out with an attachment you can buy that will help it track better . The seat is really comfortable and sits high on the kayak. That's good for being able to see better but bad if you're in a paddle kayak as it'll catch more wind. IMO very well laid out kayak. I personally think the Perception is as good of a paddle kayak. Obviously not as fancy and won't be as stable but there's give and take with that. I rarely see them in the bay which tells you something about how it performs in the wind.

Down the road if you decide to sell the Perception will be a lot easier to sell than the Bonafide simply because it's cheaper.

Great Info! Thanks a bunch. I'd love to get a Hobie, but gotta stick to a budget!

Look into Vibe Kayaks. I absolutely love mine!

There is a dealer in North Richland Hills.

Pic of mine.



It is a Vibe Seaghost 110.

I've never heard one bad thing about the Vibe kayaks other than they won't float in 3 inches of water- that's it. I agree can't go wrong with a Vibe. The 130 is seaworthy too.

They certainly are in the right price range. Do you like the 110, or do you think you would have like the extra length of the 130?

I kinda like the open hatch on the front of the 130. Does the closed hatch give you any problems getting into it?

I correct myself. I like the open front hatch of the Yellowfin 120.

I like the 110 due to fitting in my truck and the weight. I can carry it with some struggle.

The longer length will help you in the wind. Longer kayaks in general are easier and take less effort to paddle. But transportation is an important part of it. With the 130 you would need a bed extender if you have a truck.

Yep, I have a bed extender. Currently my wife and I have 2 Dagger sit inside kayaks that are 14' and 16'. I've tried, but that sit inside is so difficult fish out of.

Up in Rowlett there is a company called KI Kayaks. They sell kayaks that are made the same place Vibe kayaks are. I know nothing else about these kayaks. I did talk to the owner Dave and he's a nice guy. You can go test them out in Rowlett if you're interested.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/d/rowlett-ki-pedal-fish-wrangler-10/6891677036.html

I have a bonafide and it padals pretty good. Sure there are much faster kayaks. But I'm not racing (unless I'm out of beer). The key think with the Bonafide is comfort and the ability to get up to fish and back down so easy with the high seat. It's just so comfortable. Using an anchor trolly and anchor wizard then paddle, anchor, fish, repeat. No complaints.

Craigfish. . . That's great to hear about the comfort of the Yak. For me that is HUGE. Ain't nothing like being uncomfortable for 3 or 4 hours, and I have been there in a Yak. Which model do you have, and how is it standing up?

I have a problem with my faith in that brands products. Not just bonafide but yak attack too. I see him push using screws for an anchor trolley, this makes no sense to me at all. On possibly the most structural component on your kayak using screws shows a lack of experience and if not that it shows a lack of quality control. You couldnt pay me to use that yak.

There have been some concerns with the boats, but they are trying to fix them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xIF0ddc_KI

They are not tracking very well and this is their response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzC8Nw4RZUU

For me, companies like Hobie, Jackson, Native and others have been making boats a long time and they have already worked through many of these new company growing pains. The company is just a couple of years old. I like that they are trying to fix issues that come up, but I just as soon spend my money with a company that doesn't have these issues.

Oh Wow! ! ! Great Info from you guys, and good YouTube videos. That's the insight I am looking for.

Thanks a bunch.

Looks like they want to make a good Yak, but are just starting out so they have a lot to work out.

I agree and they are pricing their kayaks up there with the competition with the flaws included.
Those flippers on the rear of the kayak seem to be a band aid fix and look a little
Kind of surprising since they've had some big time kayakers pushing the brand, after jumping ship from Wilderness Systems.

Bought and paid for buddy. He will pull known guys because of his name not because of the quality of his product. Seems kayak fishermen of today are not honest anymore. Its all about recognition not truth. What brand will make them a bigger more known name. Its a shame. In every other sport the pros are the best of the best, kayak fishing is very different. The pros seem to just be idiots with gopros who are willing to make the most noise on fb and youtube. Most of them,,,,,many ive fished with couldnt paddle in a bath tub much less do any real world fishing. Ive had to tow a couple of the most known people in water my 13 year old could handle, and had arranged to fish with them one other time and was told they dont go out in any waves over 2 ft. I see other guys title their videos wih stuff like 9 miles offshore in my 2019 hobie outback and clearly not make the 5 mile mark all while whimpering about the rough conditions....and zero white caps. I see so many today act as if they have this long list of credentials when infact they have none and its just video editing. Just my opinion. There are many great guys who have really earned the right to teach, to share something valid but they are lost in the flood of mdmr's, 30milesouts, and many others who arent even worthy enough to mention. Fact is, test paddle what kayak you want in the conditions just a little windier or rougher than you would normally go out in, get the kayak that feels best no matter what the brand name is. Heck, ive got yaks from near 3000 all the way to 300 and love them all for different reasons. Dont buy a boat because you buy into the brand b.s.

And by the way, i paddled a vibe seaghost 130 before they had the lawn chair seat when i was a part of santa cruz kayaks. I paddled well, i stood and paddled in some wind and the person who i went with was thinking about buying a santa cruz or a vibe and it was my responsibility to be honest and tell him the vibe was a better fit than our raptor was. He was right at the limits weight wise of our boat and the vibe would carry him better. Im only saying, dont buy the boat a salesman tells you is good, buy the one a real fisherman,,,and your body tells you is good.