From all the reading I have done regarding choosing a kayak, I would suggest you seriously consider this:

Yak pickin'

I've been doing some yak research too, thanks for the info..

Oh my gosh!!! I've got to put in my three cent's worth! The first time I went Yaking my son and I rented yaks in Port A Texas. We went across the Aransas channel into the Lighthouse lakes of the South Bay to do some Red fishing. We spent all day in the yaks in pretty shallow water. But coming back across the channel we were paddling for our lives when some 60 foot racing boat of some kind came flying down without a pilot at about 60 knots... my son made it across the channel, I had to back paddle to keep from getting hit. Now... this boat didn't just make little waves, it made GIANT waves, and in no time I was under three feet of water.

Here is where the yak comes in to play... This was a 13 foot Wilderness Ride SOT, and did not have any tie downs for rods or anything... I had all my gear in my lap, I just knew that everything including me was overboard, but much to my surprise with three feet of water on top of me and nothing but my head above water, the yak rose straight up through the wave without capsizing, just like a bobber popping up out of the water. Then we went through two more waves just like the first one from the back wash of the boats wakes. The SOT's are made to stay afloat, and drain water.

In my opinion, they are the best for ocean yaking... however, these new open SinS Native yaks have the same bottom as the Wilderness Rides did, and they have more storage for trips and camping, so I'd consider that if I were into that type of trip once in a while. This is more of what you need to consider... You can keep dry with dry sacks and the like if you really need things to stay dry. The only thing is, if I'd been in a Native or Canoe type SinS I'd have been bailing water in my situation.

A "60' racing boat without a pilot?" C'mon there has got to be more to this story than just that! What happened to the boat and how did it happen to not have a pilot? anyone drown?

yeah yeah- tell us more

He was down in the galley fixing himself another gin & tonic.

OK, a 60' pilotless boat running a narrow channel, and a kayak at water level....Hummm, could it have been if you couldn't see the pilot waaaaay up there in the cockpit, that he might not have seen you waaaaay down there?

Poor Chuckwagon, I do think these guys are trying to scare you!

hey bro, it's easy. been yak fishing for quite some time and i can simplify it like this,

Most sit on tops are more stable when moving around to reach stuff and have more storage, plus it's almost impossible to sink one. I'm 250lbs and can stand on one like a surf board no problem. Also, if you're tall it's nice for leg room. What sucks about them is their lack of dry stowage and no wind protection.

I currently have a sit in 10' fishing kayak. It's sweet for camping/fishing trips when you hit rivers that may have some rapids, and need to store tents and gear. Also, more dry stowage and protection from wind. They also have a smaller cross section that makes it easier to paddle in the wind. Downside, everything is not always easily accessible when you're in it, and stabilty goes to [censored] when putting in our taking out. If you bail in deep water it's a real pain to get back in.

rent one of each from Heart of texas KAyaks in grapevine and try it out.

Oh and 10' is perfect if youre not packin out for a week trip by yourself, plua add a spray skirt and it's whitewater ready!

Trying? Nope!...it's already DONE!!

Got nothing but good times to tell for the last 10 years in my Old Town loon 111 (sit inside) 45# total weight with a 275# capacity. I'll be 50 in May and have no mobility issues and am in good condition overall and always have been which is a very important consideration. I have fished freshwater rivers and lakes everywhere from Texas to Michigan and have never even come close to swamping it ever... yes you do get wet from paddling or big waves but mostly it is a dry ride especially good for cold conditions.. People do stupid things all the time but somehow I've managed to stay in the yak and out of the water all these years. The hardest part with any boat is getting in and out and that is when most people get wet. Most often times I just use the yak to get me to areas where I get out and wade fish, but I do fly fish out of the yak too. The loon is a fast paddle, meaning it takes less effort to go faster and further then wider more stable yaks so there are some trade-offs.

If I were a warm saltwater kayaker I would get a SOT for the aforementioned reasons (unsinkable) and I'd get a yak that I can stand up in for sight fishing..

I doubt if you will get 10 years out of a Pelican if you use it as much as I use my Loon which is still going strong..

MAN! You have sold me on a Loon! I am going Loon hunting!

I want a craft for Hagerman Wildlife Refuge at Lake Texoma. I had a 12 foot Jon boat that was fun but the canoe or kayak would be much better. What is the length of the Loon you have?

I am really looking forward to some fishing and photography at Hagermans. Looks like I need a waterproof camera from what I hear but that's ok, no problemo!!

I'm not sure if they still have my loon 111 but Old Town has many choices including those for fishing. Expect to pay more for better quality.

see: http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/product_list.html


Loon 111 Classic
Length 11' 1" / 3.4 m
Width 28" / 71.1 cm
Cockpit 17" x 55" / 43.1 x 139.7 cm
Depth 14" / 35.6 cm
Weight 45 lbs / 20.4 kg
Capacity 275 lbs / 124.7 kg
Suggested Retail $589.00 US

Thanks for the info!!

hey man olypus has an awesome 10 megapixel waterproof camera you can get at walmart for around a 150. it goes up to ten feet underwater and can take photos underwater I freakin love mine.

Thanks for the info, interested in a good waterproof camera.