LMBO Jimbo. I do not know my limitations on my kayak (YET) LOL. But I do know my physical ability. So not that I am afraid of going further. i just know that the way I fish. I will have to cut it a little short if the wind picks up. but getting into fish sometimes makes me not think correctly.

I like this topic Sirjet because it helps me remember how many times I've had a trolling motor let me down.
If it's not spinning a prop off and not having a spare, to a wire harness having a bad connection to a battery dying at the worst possible time, you name it, it's happened to me.
That had a lot to do with my decision to scrap the TM idea and not look back!

You shouldnt feel it in your arms very much. It should be felt upper shoulders, back and abs.

Sooo did you put a trolling motor on it ? I fished Freeport a few month back and this guy came flying by me in a trolling motor kayak. I watched him go out of site in little time, about three hours later I was headed in to the launch and he was already there . What I’m getting at is he covered a lot of ground in a short period with little effort. BUT what’s he gonna do if the motor goes dead or the kayak flips over . I enjoy paddling and do very good , I have learned to pace myself and not to hurry . I always pack a lunch and drink and snacks so if the trip gets long it’s not a problem I’ll be able to take my time getting back.

Trust me. I do feel it all over. All I need to see is a little progress on every stroke. I am starting to go out further and further. I am just a forward thinking. On that one time the wind wants to mess with me. LOL

I try to use paddling as a workout. Almost every time out at some point I'm going into an all out sprint to hit a certain speed and try to hold it until I'm worn out. If I'm struggling to hit my number for the conditions I'm in that day, I'll pull my transducer arm out of the water and pick up an extra 2 tenths of a mph. I'll usually move up to a mile or two between spots I fish and sometimes its just to exercise or to see a different part of the area I'm in, if the fishing is slow.

You're a Marine, Sirjet... push, push.

That is all I know Iconn4. I Love making it a workout.

Christian do you think this is the case with heavier wider kayaks? When I paddle my Profish 400 it's my shoulders and back that get a little sore. I've had to paddle my 150 lb 38" wide Pro Angler a mile or so and my arms, shoulders and back were toast. I think the wider platform made me use my arms more.

Yes. Educate us. this might help someone in what Yak to get.

Longer and narrower kayaks paddle best. Wider kayaks are more stable. You need to evaluate your specific needs; how you fish, how far you paddle, how much weight you carry, and decide where in the scale you need your boat. Some folks can stand up and fish in a 28" beam kayak. Some aren't comfortable standing up in a 34" boat.

A boat that paddles well is not all that hard to paddle. I used to have a Wilderness Tarpon 16, very old one. No way I was going to even attempt to stand it in, but it was stable enough that I could sit side saddle with my feet in the water and fish. Paddling was effortless(well almost) and fast. Tracking was superb. Hauling it was a nightmare.

A boat that doesn't paddle well sucks no matter. Trolling motor would be a blessing on one of these. My first Kayak was a Feel Free Lure 11.5. That thing was a barge. Paddling it was miserable. Standing up to fish was awesome, Tracking when using the rudder was good for a short kayak.

I now have a Hobie Outback. I CAN stand, but not very comfortably. Hands free fishing will spoil you very quickly. The only down side to a Kayak like this for most people is cost. Tracking is better than the Feel Free, not nearly as good as the Tarpon. Hauling it is a piece of cake. It is a little hard to load in the truck, but I am 73. You young guys would just throw it in there.

Wayne

My first kayak... Perception Illusion.. 14'3 and just under 27 inch beam. It is actually a touring kayak but after trying out almost every kayak made for fishing in 2003, it paddled so much easier than any kayak I tried. At only 62 lbs, its like a feather on the water compared to most of the "fishing kayaks". Never had any problem with stability as you sit so low to the waterline. Its not a big guy kayak, I weigh 170, but for anyone under 200 lbs its a winner. I find the surf to summit high back seats much more comfortable for paddling than any of the high chair seats.

How many times have you paddled your p.a.? My guess is very seldom. Could it be your just not used to the proper tec when paddling it? The style of seat also is prob a bit to blame. The taller wider backrest doesnt allow for good torso rotation.
My paddle tecnique starts with my toes. I push with my leg on the downward swing, forcing my butt to rotate in theseat. I also almost a crunch type motion keeping my chest and shoulders parallel to my paddle shaft. Only in really high wind situations do i use my arms more than just a little. I have puney arms and if i had to rely on just them to move me in my yak i wouldnt get anywhere. I use everything from my toes to my shoulders and can paddle as far as long as anyone i feel like. I also always use a very high paddle swing. Since i came from a canoe many years ago i tend to swing a paddle similar to that. It is the most efficiant swing. Less lateral movement. Low angle may be more relaxed but is less efficiant. Just my 2 cents.