Kayak Troubles

[sava]

I want to get a 2-man kayak for my dad and I.
I've used the search funstion and read up a little on them...
Can you guys help me out and give me some tips, things to look for, brands, and recommendations???
It will be used here on the North Coast. My dad is 6' 210, and Im 6'2" 195.

Thanks
Stan

[JDoe]

Hobie tandem with peddles.

[zenspearo]

malibu 2?

[Lino]

Cobra Kayaks are awesome.
I know some guy's that recently upgraded to Cobra they have great hatches and designed well.

[sava]

What happens when you exceed the weight limit?
Does the thing sink, or jsut tip?

How about advice on what to look for when buying a kayak? What do we need up here in Nor-Cal?

[LabMan]

What happens when you exceed the weight limit?
Does the thing sink, or jsut tip?

How about advice on what to look for when buying a kayak? What do we need up here in Nor-Cal?

Sava,

The typical Sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks are hollow bow to stern. If they flood they will fill totally except for any trapped air. When this happens it will float bow up or stern up depending on the trapped air. At this point it is unlikely that you can right it. Foaming the mid section will render it unsinkable, floating upright even when totally flooded. Carry a hand pump, bailer (I use a gallon milk bottle), and a large sponge.

As for tandems, I've been on two. The Ocean Kayak is a longer version of the Scupper Pro. It's bulletproof but very heavy. The more expensive Tsunami of ABS construction is lighter and more manuverable, but not as rugged.

Consider beach entry. A tandem (vs single) will require alot more launch and landing coordinated timing between sets. Added weight doesn't help. They are fun. Two good paddlers may exceed the speed of a single. I also think a rudder system is very helpful with tandems.

Hope this helps.

Brian Ishida

[Otis Driftwood]

Have yo considered two singles?
easier to launch in the rough stuff
more space for gear
dont have to dive right next to each other

[sava]

Well, how much more would two(used) singles cost than 1 2 man?

[sava]

Is this good????

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/537266174.html

[Lino]

I think it's short for a tandem but I don't have a tandem to know this for a fact.
Keep searching.

[rojodiablo]

Well, how much more would two(used) singles cost than 1 2 man?

Look at it this way, get 2 yaks, and you won't be sorry. Tandems royally suck with one man on them if you were ever to want to go solo. And, scupper pro/ ocean kayaks are the way to go for spearfishing. Look for them used. Figure between $200 and 500 used, depends on condition.

[Holy Mackerel]

You guys are pretty big... I'd look into a cobra triple if you are gonna dive or fish off it... otherwise, you may want to look into two single kayaks... A tandem would work, but I feel tippy with two guys over 6', and ~200lbs... Add equipment, and it gets trickier...

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/CatPage5.jpg

[halibutmike]

[QUOTE=Holy Mackerel;632715]You guys are pretty big... I'd look into a cobra triple if you are gonna dive or fish off it... otherwise, you may want to look into two single kayaks... A tandem would work, but I feel tippy with two guys over 6', and ~200lbs... Add equipment, and it gets trickier...
QUOTE]

HM is dead on! - you need 2 yaks! (unless you just want to paddle around a little on a lake).

MOST IMPORTANT - dont just buy something without a full blown try out. Even a single - a lot of yaks do not handle (well) 200#s - no matter what their advertising or sales guys say!

I've had a SOT for about 5 years and it's great - but size and design matter!

good luck,
mike

[Erasmus]

Scolinos and I were out on my tandem, its a typical kayak and we did not have the skirt with us. Since we had so much weight (two men + fish + weights) meant that the kayak sits low in the water and all wave chop slowly adds water to the kayak. The kayak becomes unstable and you can easliy tip and lose your gear.

I'm saving for a summer purchase now, sometime ago spearboard had a thread and people suggested a cobra double or even triple due to the weight load. I know its heavy, I know its harder but I have a child on the way and a wife who loves to kayak as long as she doesnt have to paddle. Thus, cobra triple here I come. I wont take it far but for playing just offshore or an islandpackers trip it will work.

Mike is right, the best route is two yaks, but from experience the double still gets crowded with 2 grown men and gear. My situation just does not allow it, cant really say "suck it up honey and paddle harder!" =)

[Trimbandit]

My buddy has a Ocean Kayak Zest Exp that we have taken out many times in Monterey. I think the max capacity is 600 lbs. It is very stable and has good storage for 2 people. He has done tandem tank dives off it as well. If you go out in windy conditions I think it might not be the best choice. Also, it is almost impossible to paddle with one person.

[sava]

Okay.
What singles kayaks are good for oceans?
The sit-on-top ones?
The sit-inside ones?
Which brands are seaworthy?

Thanks for the help:thumps:

[Holy Mackerel]

For a guy your and your Dad size..

All ocean worthy, and in no particular order...

Malibu Extreme

Malibu Explorer

Malibu Xfactor (kinda slow)

Cobra Maruader

Cobra FnD (big n Slow)

Wilderness Tarpon 160i

Wilderness Tarpon 140

Wilderness Tarpon 120

Hobie kayaks ( I am not too familiar with them)

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13

Ocean Kayak Prowler 15

Ocean kayak Trident

Ocean Kayak Big Game (slow as well)

Ocean Kayak scupper Pro, although I find it a little tippy, and tight on my arse in the seating area...

Remember when buying a kayak, you will learn balance, but never gain speed... it is like riding a bike.

For reference, I am pretty much your guys size a little over 6ft, and 205 lbs...

chris

[YakAtak]

You guys are pretty big... I'd look into a cobra triple if you are gonna dive or fish off it... otherwise, you may want to look into two single kayaks... A tandem would work, but I feel tippy with two guys over 6', and ~200lbs... Add equipment, and it gets trickier...

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/CatPage5.jpg

I was thinking the same thing...and the Triple is easy in/out and with the two of you..it goes reasonably fast.

AL

[bluesquids]

Malibu Xfactor (kinda slow)

For anyone looking into X-Factors.
The first generation X-Factors had a smooth hull and were just about as fast as the extreme.
If it was a drag race start the Extreme would jump ahead the first few yards easily
because of the EX's flat bottom vs. the XF's deep keel but otherwise they were very similar.
What happened was the XF had such a large wide hull that if it was roto molded with any thinness near the scuppers,
the scuppers would bow out of the bottom a little. The bottom of the Hull would look like it had boobs.
I actually don't think they really effected performance.
However, I looked at 8 yaks off the first run and 2 had that problem pretty good, 2 a little bit and 4 not at all.
To solve the problem they molded rails in the hull.
IMO, it adds a little extra drag.
The first reviews of the XF said it was about the same speed as the Extreme.
I have a 1st gen. XF and a Extreme and can also say they are very close.
Also, I paced my XF against a buddys New XF and I kept pulling away from him easily.
This was with me having extra weight onboard and pulling a jumbo bait tube in the water.
I thought it might of been the carbon paddle making the difference, but that was not the case either.
So, if anyones looking for a used XF, I'd recommend smooth bottom/no boobs.

[rhyne]

just incase you're interested in some more good kayak advice before choosing check out...
www.kayak4fish.com
there's a ton of info and knowledgeable people on there.

[seahunter]

Here are two toher sites to check out. Norcal Kayayk anglers http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/

and www.gwkc.com I bought a Cobra murader from GWKC and I am very happy with it. The center hatch makes it really easy to dive out of. Sean helped me set it up with rod holders and a fish finder.

From HM's list I would look at:

Cobra Maruader

Wilderness Tarpon 160i

Wilderness Tarpon 140

Wilderness Tarpon 120

Hobie kayaks ( I am not too familiar with them)

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13

Ocean Kayak Prowler 15

Ocean kayak Trident

Ocean Kayak scupper Pro

I don't like slow kayaks in the wind. Scupper pros are probably going to be the easiest to find used. If you can get a scupper pro two hatch instead of a tank well they are a little better for freediving.

[Kale]

I have a OK Caper. I'm 6'4" 225 and it is perfect for me. I can fit all my stuff in the big hatch and tank well and ride very comfortably. It's not a speedboat, but it gets me there as fast as need to go. I'm totally comfortable paddling 7 or 8 miles on it. I admit I'm a bit of a minimalist and I don't bring a ton of extra crap with me though. My gear probably wieght 25lbs total. I'm glad I got this boat because it was cheap, durable and I can carry it with one hand. Some of the places I've launched it are a little bit of a walk, so having a slightly smaller lighter boat makes a huge difference. Go to rental place that sells them used and they should let you test ride them and give you a good deal.

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

probably the most stable kayak for a 1 man i have used is the frenzy by ocean kayaks though a little small for diving you can still get the job done in it. by far the most stablr kayaks i have used though and they arnt that expensive