does anyone on here use it i was thing about getting one how stable are they how good are they overall what do yall recomend over the castaway 116 and the pescador 12

From everything I have read and heard, the Pescador is better without question.

I have two of the Pescador 12s. Good boat for the price. It is stable as I can swing legs over the side and fish with ease. I have had mine out in 2 foot swells and it took on very little water.

I have both at this time. The pelican I bought a couple years ago and I have caught a lot of fish from her, I have not turned it over but did turtle her trying to pee once. LOL! The Pescader is a better yak IMO. I can get into the front hatch while on the water to get poles out. The Pescader is the way to go on a budget or not. If you were closer I would throw both in the water and let you be the judge. There are a lot of folks here who love the Pescader and brag about it all day. Between the two, leave the pelican at the store and load up the Pescader. I have seen on here that some store had the Pescader with trollies and rod holders for $499 or $599 new, I can't remember who.

Castaway by Texas big redneck, on Flickr

Jan 7 2012 by Texas big redneck, on Flickr

Started off with the Pelican and it gets the job done, but the pescador is waaaaaaayyyyyyy better! I'd say save up the extra 200 or whatever it is and just get the pescador

pescador is same hull as 2008 tarpon 120. rated one of best yaks off all time i read

i've heard some horror stories about the Pelicans leaking due to the way they are made.

I've also heard plenty of people say they haven't had any problems though.

Doesn't seem worth the gamble to me : ]

Lot of people own and have owned a pelican over the years, and they are what they are.

Side by side if I were to pick the better yak looking at performance and reputation, I would have to give the nod to the Pescador.

I guess I'm getting the pescador

Many Pescador owners on here, and I don't think you'll hear much in the way of criticism. I love mine. Sure, I plan to upgrade someday, but I'm not in any rush. It's a great boat for the price.

Owned a castaway for two weeks and sold it. I was expecting more. Having played around in a Tarpon 120 before I bought, the bar was already set pretty high, and it just didn't deliver. You get what you pay for.

Pluses:
You are on the water.
It's cheap

Negatives:
Tracks poorly
Seam around the hull seems weak(didn't have it long enough to test that.
Paddle that comes with it sucks.
Extremely wet ride.

I now fish out of a Cobra Navigator XF.

I think that the Pelican kayaks have gotten more people in to kayak fishing than most will care to admit. I bought one with upgrading on my mind so it ended up costing me more money, even in the short term because I upgraded after a few trips and sold the Pelican used - obviously at a loss. I'd say if you can, buy used. You can get a lot of boat for the money going that way. Between the Pelican and the Percetion, Perception all the way in my opinion.

I have the Pelican Castaway 116 and don't have a problem with it at all. I bought it used last year for $200. I've since added an anchor trolley system that works perfectly, an extra rod holder, upgraded seat and built a crate system with rod racks. I'm 5'11" and 210 pounds and have no issues. I'm sure there are better kayaks that cost a lot more but I'm very happy with this yak.

Had a Pelican castaway and that thing tracked about as straight as a drunk on Saturday night. HORRIBLE in a decent cross wind. Notice how the front of the yak looks the same as the back??? This is what makes the tracking in a cross wind horrendous. If you do get one, try and find some way to mount a skeg on it.


IMHO