If you do decide to get the OK Scrambler DO NOT get it at Academy. I'll probably open a can of worms here, Academy sells what are called box kayaks they are cheaply made and have no warranty for that reason.

Go to a OK dealer and get the same yak for $50 to $100 more with a warranty, also add a rudder they make a world of difference!

Pelican Castaway was my first kayak! It was a nightmare, on my first trip I paddled 3 miles across the bay and it took me 3 hours. With a paddle stroke on the left side I would push the boat to the right 6" and same for the right hand, when you do that it's wasted movement and turns a 3 mile into a lot longer and strenuous paddle. The paddle blade was like paddling a broom stick with two dinner plates on the end. Needless to say I got rid of that kayak after 3 or 4 trips.

Hey Scout, my Scrambler seems to track OK, just a little sluggish,would the rudder make a difference? I don't know, I've also got two Old Towne Otters that I use in the rivers, maybe I,m just used to them.

Hey Scout, my Scrambler seems to track OK, just a little sluggish,would the rudder make a difference? I don't know, I've also got two Old Towne Otters that I use in the rivers, maybe I,m just used to them.

Sputterfuss the rudder just makes it easier tracking straight in open water and into the wind! As for me I have to have a rudder and use it as much as I can! With a rudder I like that I can control my drifts and if I see a school of fish in the distance I can start turning my rudder to set up to get a good cast on them!

My kayak experience is all in open water paddling a long way where my yak can get blown all over the place! It's different on a river, for one you are paddling a lot shorter boat and can turn and maneuver easier because the boat is so short.

Roger that Scout. My Scrambler is exclusively a bay boat. Really too big for the rivers here, I think. Would work in a pinch, I guess. Next boat will probably shorter SOT that could be used for both. Any suggestions are welcome.

Well what I am looking for is the following:
1. A kayak to take my shark baits out (practically every kayak lol)
2. One that can be stable enough for me to go out into a little deeper water, hang my feet off and just cast. (I don't need a whole angler setup, like 1 or 2 rod holders and a place for a small tackle box).
3. One that could make long bay trips in calm conditions (just for the fun). Maybe 10 miles travel max.
4. Something that I could spear stingrays from, this is also practically every kayak (i don't need to stand or anything).

When I got rid of my Castaway I got a OK Scrambler and used that for a couple years paddling baits out and also in the bay. It worked great and did a lot better than the Castaway. Now that I have moved up to better boats like the T-140 and Search 15 with rudders it makes a world of difference! I am not nearly as tired and cover a lot more water in a shorter amount of time.

I guess the best thing for you to do is go somewhere you can demo different kayaks. If you have no experience with kayaks you won't know how bad a yak is until you paddle a better boat! The problem is not many shops let you demo boats before you buy them with the exception of a few places. Shop around see what you can find out!

VinnyV, if you're in the metroplex area, we have our demo day for our Grapevine shop coming up on Sept. 12th.

We'll have about 40 to 50 boats (wildness systems, ocean kayak, native, heritage, perception, liquid logic, freedom hawk) out at the lake to test drive...including a new boat that Perception is coming out with that has a super basic layout (no hatches, etc) but tracks great and has enough rocker for the surf...and retails under $500 for the 9.5'.

I live in the Pensacola, FL area so I don't think that would be a choice for me lol. Sorry . Im still collecting money for that.

Vinny, check the yak scene in Pensacola. When I was stationed there, I used to see a lot of people with their yaks. Talk to people, do some networking down there. Offer a six of beer so you can try a few.

The Castaway has mixed reviews but if you want to get in the water, then get it and if you don't like it, sell it at a bit of a loss. It is no big deal.