Thanks for all the great responses!

I definitely don't want a heavy kayak or canoe

I have a short bed, full size GMC PICKUP TRUCK. I want to be able to haul it with that vehicle and NOT have a trailer, go-cart thingy, bob-along two wheeler dollie or ANYTHING other than a fishing rod and reel, small tackle box, sandwich, coke, paddle and a life jacket.

The complications of packing for an outing in a motor boat just got too BIG for me. Now I want simple....TOTALLY.

I am looking at an Old Town but I think it is too big...like 15 ft or so. I don't think it would fit in my truck without mods.

Also looked at a 300 dollar canoe at Academy but I forgot the length.

The canoe seems to be more "roomy" than the kayaks. I have definitely ruled out a SIT IN KAYAK.

I like the idea of the unsinkable feature on a SIT ON TOP kayak. I have swamped twice but been near shore both times. This was in a 12 foot Jon boat in rough water.

The little 10 foot jon boat is still looking good but those kayaks fascinate me!

Thank all of you again for the input, it has been most helpful.

If you think of anything else that might help, let me know.

I love to fish
I don't worry about going fast
I always wear a PFD
I have 1100 dollars to spend......I did have 1300 but the grandkids got to me for 200.

Chuckwagon

You can get a real nice yak completely outfitted to fish for that kinda money, CW.
Heart of Texas in Grapevine is the closest outfitter to you I'm thinking. You got a granger mt there in sherman but for what you're looking to spend I think you'd be better off going down to Grapevine and letting the experts help you pick one and rig it out.
PM HOTKayak here on the forums and tell them your coming and they will hook you up w/ a discount I believe.

You can find their exact location on the website: http://www.hotkayaks.net/

Are Kayaks "just for the under 40 crowd"?


Oh man I HOPE NOT!!!

One thing that will help the over 40 crowd and even the younger guys is get a good seat.

Upgrade if you have to, but get a good padded seat.

I went with a cheap seat and all I could take was two hours, and my tailbone was screaming for mercy!

I have a Hobie Mirage pedal drive in the kayak I built and I have no trouble at all hitting and holding 4 knots.

malibu mini x is very stable . never even came close to flippin. its 38 lbs and 9 foot 3 can throw in back of truck. 400 used. great 1st yak

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-286/Malibu-Mini-dsh-X-Kayak/Detail

For freshwater only, you don't need or want anything over 12 feet. For ponds only, the Malibu Mini X would be fine. If I were going salt water, too, I'd probably get a 14 footer. But, obviously, the longer the heavier, so don't get longer than you need.

i take my mini x out on the big lakes in north texas. its just not a fast kayak but stable as can be

Goin out in the yak is the best way to make you feel like your under 40. If you enjoy it...Do it...

I disagree about length. I wouldn't have a kayak under 12 feet. I think you will find that the pro around here provides 12+ footers (i.e. OK Scrambler XTs) for his clients (in the rivers). If you are going to paddle a couple of miles the extra length will mean more speed and more lateral stability.
As far as what you can throw in the back of the truck. I haul my 14 footer in the back of my Chevy S10 with nothing other than a little pad on the tailgait and a couple of ropes to hold it down..
Paddle hull cruising speed can generally be calculated as the square root of the length in feet = cruising speed in MPH. (Peddling can move you much more quickly.)

Gander mountain in Sherman just got these 'yaks in and they are awesome! if I hadnt gotten a sweet deal on my emotion that's what I would have gotten

I agree I'm 14 and in decent shape and my back was killing me after a few hours on the water before I got a good seat.

I have a friend (who will be 70 in Sept) who paddles a mini-x. He loves it. It's not always the driest ride (as previously stated) but it is sweet.

I can also arrange for him to bring it down to say, Waterloo in Denison and then you can test drive it and my OK Scrambler XT.

Thanks for all the offers of test rides and advice.

I will have to work through this thing somehow on my own.

I want it to be said of me....sometime in the near future.....

"Hey, old Chuckwagon got that ------------ and NEVER LOOKED BACK!"

Yeah, that's what I would like to hear.

Thanks again.

Chuckwagon

If you are looking for comfort I would seriously look at the native boats. There "First Class Seat" really is just that. I've sat in it for up to about 12 hours and was never uncomfortable and I have some mild back issues.