Hi kayak lords.
One of my mates is keen to enter the kayak scene and I am putting together a shortlist for him. After a bit of opinion/advice on what you think is great/suits the following: he is not a mad keen fisho like myself and wants the kayak for paddling for a bit of fitness primarily exploring and secondary an occasional fish (so it needs to be easy/effective for just going out for a fair paddle while still being flexible for a beginner to fish/explore from). It will mainly be used in small lakes to large dams and in the murrumbidgee. Unlikely it will spend much time if any in the 'big blue'. Im thinking he will have to sacrifice a little in the preferable longer lengths for paddling as a yak over 14ft would be not much good in the river etc. Am thinking if 14ft+ he will definitely need a rudder. Budget around $1500 give or take a few hungie. I am thinking a SOT primarily for safety and also for useability. I don't think a more dedicated paddle ski type setup would suit him being a beginner to both yakking and fishing.
I've shortlisted a few, (as for availability in his area I don't know though!):
Stealth Splash, Stealth evo 430
Wilderness systems tarpon 120, or perhaps a 140
Cobra tourer (maybe too big?)
Hobie quest 13 (maybe not that great to paddle?)
Viking javelin
Perception pescador 12 (if he wants to save some $$$, for buying a shimano biomaster which I will then borrow lol)
Moken 12/13
So I guess if anyone has has any similar yak knowledge of how good they are to paddle (especially if they are a bit of a barge) would be appreciated. He's tried my Tarpon 120 and liked it and while its quite nice to paddle I'm thinking maybe he can find something slightly better for his purpose or perhaps lighter.
Opinions/additions/ommissions really appreciated, Im a bit stumped by this whole 'My primary reason is not fishing' thing
One of my mates is keen to enter the kayak scene and I am putting together a shortlist for him. After a bit of opinion/advice on what you think is great/suits the following: he is not a mad keen fisho like myself and wants the kayak for paddling for a bit of fitness primarily exploring and secondary an occasional fish (so it needs to be easy/effective for just going out for a fair paddle while still being flexible for a beginner to fish/explore from). It will mainly be used in small lakes to large dams and in the murrumbidgee. Unlikely it will spend much time if any in the 'big blue'. Im thinking he will have to sacrifice a little in the preferable longer lengths for paddling as a yak over 14ft would be not much good in the river etc. Am thinking if 14ft+ he will definitely need a rudder. Budget around $1500 give or take a few hungie. I am thinking a SOT primarily for safety and also for useability. I don't think a more dedicated paddle ski type setup would suit him being a beginner to both yakking and fishing.
I've shortlisted a few, (as for availability in his area I don't know though!):
Stealth Splash, Stealth evo 430
Wilderness systems tarpon 120, or perhaps a 140
Cobra tourer (maybe too big?)
Hobie quest 13 (maybe not that great to paddle?)
Viking javelin
Perception pescador 12 (if he wants to save some $$$, for buying a shimano biomaster which I will then borrow lol)
Moken 12/13
So I guess if anyone has has any similar yak knowledge of how good they are to paddle (especially if they are a bit of a barge) would be appreciated. He's tried my Tarpon 120 and liked it and while its quite nice to paddle I'm thinking maybe he can find something slightly better for his purpose or perhaps lighter.
Opinions/additions/ommissions really appreciated, Im a bit stumped by this whole 'My primary reason is not fishing' thing