[GuruGrant]

Still trying to decide on the first yak. Am I too big for an Espri? Should I be looking more at yaks in the 4 metre range, like Prowlers or Swings? Basically want a Yak for Estuary/dam fishing with the possibility of the occasional short excursion offshore on a very calm day. Saw an Espri all kitted up with rod holders, seat etc and was very impressed.
Just wondering if any other big fellas out there own Espris and whether they wish they'd got something a bit bigger?

 

[YakAtak]

Hey Grant, I'm similar dimensions to yourself, and found the Espri to be perfect size for me, no need to add foot rests like some shorter members.
Weight is certainly no problem, and all up, the espri is a great first yak, and excellent value.

 

[Davey G]

Hi Grant,

I'm 6'3" and around 100-105kgs. I've had a Tarpon 120 (12 footer) for a year now and have found it to be a great yak. The Espri is a similar length and theres a few tall blokes that paddle them and find them great. The Swings and Prowler 13's are a little longer and would comfortably fit you no worries. These are probably the 2 most popular 'allround' yaks available in Australia.

It really depends on what sort of fishing/paddling you're intending. If you are mooching around dams/lakes/estuaries then an Espri or similar would be fine however if you want to venture offshore and do longer paddles then something longer may suit your needs better.

It all comes down to $$ and what you will be doing the most. Remember longer yaks are faster and probably a litlle more stable, but they're also heavier, harder to store and transport on your own. You'll find that if its a pain to carry/launch then you wont use it as much, so go with something that you are comfortable with.

Have you paddled any as yet?

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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[bazzoo]

Hi Grant, i am 6 foot and 120kgs and have an espri, i had the same concerns about weight carrying that you possibly do , no problems at all Grant, it carries the weight easily, and at 6foot 2 the lehgth would be ideal, there are certainly better kayaks on the market , but they are also a lot more expensive, i can thoroughly reccomend the espri, however , if i did not have an espri, i would have a swing

 

[andybear]

......and dont forget, if you go direct to the viking place up the coast, you will save some serious money in transport costs etc.

Cheers Andybear :lol:

 

[noboat]

I'm 6 2" and 90kg and have a Viking Tempo and it suits me fine for creeks ect. Have not taken it offshore yet but will only take it when the weather is good.
I can set it up with a lecky motor and the rudder system on it at the moment is worth having.
When I get to me fishing spot I can stretch me legs out, and even hang both legs over one side as it is a very stable yak.
I got a little bored half way home on the weekend and spun round 180 and faced bakward and paddled back to the ramp, I am amazed at how stable the thing is, and IMO thats a good thing in a fishin yak.

 

[Guy]

I'm 6ft 2" and 115kg. I was concerned at carrying capacity so bought a Viking Tempo direct from Viking on the Sunshine Coast
While not a quick yak its very stable for a mug paddler like me

 

[bazzoo]

hogans ghost , just going through these posts this must be the land of the giants, everybody seems to be 6 foot ninety four, :shock: :shock: must be something in the water that gets into the growth hormones while fishing, and it only happens to kayak fisherman , because we are usually wet

 

[Arcachon]

This post seems to be bringing out responses from all the big fellas

I am almost the same dimensions as you GG and sat in a few yaks before deciding on the P13. I liked the fact that I could extend my legs fully which is handy to stretch out on longer paddles.

Its a lot like buying a car and what is comfortable for one is not for another. Checkout the Espri and if you are comfortable then go for it but always try a couple of others to compare. They have a few different ones including Vikings at Peppertown and a tirp to Anaconda will let you check out the P13, Elite, Swing, Scupper Pro etc.

 

[GuruGrant]

Thanks for the advice. Have had a paddle in a Tempo, enjoyed it immensely. Enjoyed it so much I actually forget to think about stability concerns, so it must have been pretty stable!
Just need a towbar and trailer and then the first Yak may become a reality.

 

[Guy]

Bazoo wrote
hogans ghost , just going through these posts this must be the land of the giants, everybody seems to be 6 foot ninety four, must be something in the water that gets into the growth hormones while fishing, and it only happens to kayak fisherman , because we are usually wet

i get away fishing with some mates every year and I am only mid-size
Its not the water but the beer
We reckon anyone under a 100kgs is a throw back

 

[Peril]

Thanks for the advice. Have had a paddle in a Tempo, enjoyed it immensely. Enjoyed it so much I actually forget to think about stability concerns, so it must have been pretty stable!
Just need a towbar and trailer and then the first Yak may become a reality.

The tempos are more stable than most, so no surprise there.

What do you want a towbar and trailer for? Throw it on the roof. I put my yak on a corolla, using strap-on roof racks

 

[justcrusin]

Gday Gurugrant,
I'm the same size as you and around the 100kg mark i have only paddled the prowler13 and its a great yak.

If you only have a small car check out the diy section occy posted his car yak rack made from a bike rack and a abswing.

Cheers Dave

 

[Mallard Duck]

6'6" and 125kg!

I win! :lol:

Seriously though i think i am pushing the upper boundaries, both of them However i feel very safe in the kayak although the rear well is partially submerged w/o the scupper plugs. Still it is a water sport.

Good luck with choosing your kayak though. The guys on this site are great and really are helpful (except me, but i try).

 

[bazzoo]

hmmmmm, would get a pretty fair basketball side out of this lot, must be something in the plastic, or paddeling all the time with water in the footwells :? :? :?

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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[bazzoo]

good to hear leigh , you guys are getting squidder settled into canberra very nicely by the sounds , bet he will be keen to get back to see squidette and the little squids at christmas

 

[SteveFields]

Howdy,

If you're looking for a standard yak, I would suggest you test paddle a Hobie Quest! Sweet boat to paddle and fish from.

A number of AKFF members own them and I'm sure you could get a test ride from them.

If you're looking for a hands-free fishing platform, then the Outback would also work. The Lexus of the kayak world (in my view).

Again, a number of AKFF members own them and I'm sure you could get a test ride from them.

 

[GuruGrant]

Thanks for the advice. Have had a paddle in a Tempo, enjoyed it immensely. Enjoyed it so much I actually forget to think about stability concerns, so it must have been pretty stable!
Just need a towbar and trailer and then the first Yak may become a reality.

The tempos are more stable than most, so no surprise there.

What do you want a towbar and trailer for? Throw it on the roof. I put my yak on a corolla, using strap-on roof racks

I can't bear the thought of a salty, sandy, wet Yak getting thrown on the roof of the XR6
Besides, the Missus reckons she wants one too eventually, so I'm gonna sort out a nice little trailer set up!