[Zofchak]

I have fished many hours out of my canoes with minor discomfort.


I would love to try a kayak but I doubt that I could even get in and out of one with all my physical problems.


OH to be 30 years younger.

If you can still get in and out of your canoe then I guarantee that a SOT kayak will not be a problem. With the right setup you basically just down and then lift your legs into position, it's actually far easier than getting into a canoe.

The Native Ultimate's are a great fishing platform, but they really aren't a typical SOT kayak. They are more of a hybrid between a canoe and SOT so they have some of the advantages (And disadvantages) of both. The higher sides will make entry and exit more challenging than most other SOT's but they also provide a more secure work area.

Here's a video of someone launching and landing a typical SOT.

 

[finlander]

We bought our soy Moken 10's a year ago. Can't wait for season 2. Wish I had
that Native seat in mine. Was pursuing a style like that for awhile, but now I want to put a sail rig on our pair. I did not see a Native seat for sale separately.
We are 55 y.o. and aches and pains are becoming more numerous. Getting in
these soy yams is easier if you just wade out to deeper water to bring the yak
to knee level. Same when getting out. Wide and stable. Years back I had trouble standing up to get out of a canoe, after only an hour or so in one. Much
More comfy in the yak, just looking for a sling type seat. Kayak Corral might let
you try some different types out. Those Natives look nice!

 

[john warren]

My take is the OP is like me. He wants something stable and user friendly. It might just be me but I'm less flexible than I used to be. Give the old men a break! Sound like he just wants to drift around and catch a fish before momma wakes up!lol No doubt kayaks will get you into more fishable waters,but I don't care. it does not matter.

lol, that pretty much sums it up.

but i can also see the utility of a kayak in size and poundage they seem real handy. so i was trying to get a good take on if my legs would go to sleep, or stiffen up so bad we would have to call 911 to get me out of the dang thing. lol hate when the kids on shore point and make fun of me.lol

 

[john warren]

We bought our soy Moken 10's a year ago. Can't wait for season 2. Wish I had
that Native seat in mine. Was pursuing a style like that for awhile, but now I want to put a sail rig on our pair. I did not see a Native seat for sale separately.
We are 55 y.o. and aches and pains are becoming more numerous. Getting in
these soy yams is easier if you just wade out to deeper water to bring the yak
to knee level. Same when getting out. Wide and stable. Years back I had trouble standing up to get out of a canoe, after only an hour or so in one. Much
More comfy in the yak, just looking for a sling type seat. Kayak Corral might let
you try some different types out. Those Natives look nice!

hmmm thats interesting, of course when its chilly out wading in to launch anything isn't much fun.

 

[john warren]

That does look inviting. Just do not know if I could get in and out with out tipping it over. I got rid of a canoe I bought because of the way the seat was I had to put two throwables on the seat to get comfortable. hell to get old and worn out.

that does look like a nice set up.

 

[Swamp Monster]

That does look inviting. Just do not know if I could get in and out with out tipping it over. I got rid of a canoe I bought because of the way the seat was I had to put two throwables on the seat to get comfortable. hell to get old and worn out.

It is pretty easy to get in and out of but not as easy as a true Sit on Top. The Native Slayer Sit On Top I posted a link to has basically the same hull as the Ultimate and that boat is incredibly easy to get in and out of and has a similar seat. Plus you can raise or lower the seat in the slayer a few inches which helps entry and exit. That boat is also designed to stand and fish so it is very stable. The Jackson Cuda is a Sit on Top with a similar seat.

Non of these have any resemblance to the sit insides with small cockpits and cramped leg room that most associate the word Kayak with.

 

[finlander]

I forgot to add that we bought paddling suits so I am very brave wearing that
and a life vest.

 

[finlander]

Kokatat is the brand we bought, suits, and ACK sells a Native seat on a pedestal, $300. Ouch.

 

[spy1o1]

Most kayak shops will let you demo them before you buy, which I would highly recommend.
Most have a demo day in the spring where they bring all different kayaks to a lake for people to try out. Riverside Kayak Connection in Wyandotte has one May 10th. Summit sports does a few around the state. I know they had one on lake lansing, and Stoney Creek in the past. Franks Great Outdoors will let you demo them in their pond.

The Quiet Water Symposium is Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the MSU Pavilion. A lot of kayak and canoe manufacturers will be there.

Here are some quality fishing kayaks that have comfortable seats. These are also very stable so you can stand or stretch if you get stiff.

Hobie Pro Angler

Wilderness Systems Ride

Native Slayer

Feel Free Lure

Jackson Cuda

Old Town Predator

 

[fisheater]

I figured I would add my 2 cents. First I would encourage you to read Swamp Monsters well thought out and written posts. Not to disparage any of the other posters, I just have come to appreciate the Monsters posts. The funny thing is I prefer a solo canoe to the Ultimate.
I would ask myself a couple of questions. The first is do I want to spend a lot of time on the Great Lakes or the connecting waters? If the answer is yes then you should consider a 14' min SOT (even though I would prefer a Canak decked canoe). Do you like to stand and fish? If that is your thing you may want to consider a Ride or some of the other wide stand and fish kayaks. I will add at this point that I have been out in 15 knot winds in my solo canoe with SOT 's. I watched those fat SOT's in that wind and felt guilty for not towing them in. So be aware of paddle ability of whatever you purchase. I wouldn't want to paddle too many canoes solo if they were over 34" in the beam either.
Another consideration is weight. My 16 foot solo canoe only weighs 60lbs, most 14 foot SOT's weigh 70-80lbs.
There are a lot of choices. If you have the means it would be great to be able to have multiple boats for different uses. Go out and kick a few tires. Kayak Koral in Saline is a great dealer with nice selection. If you want to see a few solo canoes try Nordic Sports in East Tawas. If you can afford to buy a name brand from a canoe or kayak dealer I think you will find greater value in the long run. Best wishes and good paddling. Post catch photos, we all enjoy those!

 

[Swamp Monster]

I figured I would add my 2 cents. First I would encourage you to read Swamp Monsters well thought out and written posts. Not to disparage any of the other posters, I just have come to appreciate the Monsters posts. The funny thing is I prefer a solo canoe to the Ultimate.
I would ask myself a couple of questions. The first is do I want to spend a lot of time on the Great Lakes or the connecting waters? If the answer is yes then you should consider a 14' min SOT (even though I would prefer a Canak decked canoe). Do you like to stand and fish? If that is your thing you may want to consider a Ride or some of the other wide stand and fish kayaks. I will add at this point that I have been out in 15 knot winds in my solo canoe with SOT 's. I watched those fat SOT's in that wind and felt guilty for not towing them in. So be aware of paddle ability of whatever you purchase. I wouldn't want to paddle too many canoes solo if they were over 34" in the beam either.
Another consideration is weight. My 16 foot solo canoe only weighs 60lbs, most 14 foot SOT's weigh 70-80lbs.
There are a lot of choices. If you have the means it would be great to be able to have multiple boats for different uses. Go out and kick a few tires. Kayak Koral in Saline is a great dealer with nice selection. If you want to see a few solo canoes try Nordic Sports in East Tawas. If you can afford to buy a name brand from a canoe or kayak dealer I think you will find greater value in the long run. Best wishes and good paddling. Post catch photos, we all enjoy those!

I was hoping you would chime in on this thread! Your perspective and experience will be helpful to the original poster. There are so many good choices in each class it really boils down to what a person feels more comfortable with and how they plan to use it. As Fisheater mentioned, most of the wide stable fishing SOT's or hybrids can't match the speed or the glide of a well designed canoe. My Ultimate will never be accused of being fast! It still paddles relatively easy but even with the best paddle stroke, speed and glide is limited due to hull design. I'm a big guy so capacity and stability were two key aspects I wanted (needed!) I mainly fish smaller inland lakes so speed was not high on the list (and due to my size, would be hard to find in a boat that fits me). The trend in fishing kayaks is the ability to stand so with that, you are almost always going to compromise speed. My younger days, I stood in my canoes, but those were mainly wide aluminum canoes with rather flat bottoms. I've had the opportunity to paddle a nice high end canoe a couple of times (can't remember the brand but it was a lightweight royalax (sp?) canoe that was a dream to paddle. There is something that is just pure grace when paddling a nice canoe.....almost zen like for lack of a better description. Paddling a plastic SOT or hybrid does not conjure up the same emotional experience imho. However, that same plastic kayak is a great tool for the task at hand.

Definitely paddle as many boats as possible. Any good shop will take the time to demo some boats. I will second Kayak Coral in Saline. I purchased my current Ultimate from them and it was worth the 3 hour drive to do business with them. They are closed for a month or so right now but once they open they will schedule a demo with you if you give them some advanced notice.

There are a couple of Michigan specific kayak fishing forums as well. Most of us will allow you to test drive our boats. And even though they are labeled kayak forums, they don't discriminate so if you're paddling a canoe, your included.

At the end of the day, you have to find what works for you. I push the kayaks a bit but I find that a lot of people don't really know what exists in today's world of kayak fishing. Fishing specific kayaks have exploded in recent years and new designs are coming out each year. The days of modifying a touring sit inside to make it fish friendly are gone since there are so many models available. A lot of people are shocked when they see what's available.

 

[Tripleclean]

So you already have a canoe? Yes, then get a kayak..they arnt a big deal. I like canoes but hate trying to teach someone to be as good as I, so i kayak alot.

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[The Whale]

^^^ here he goes again,....what a tool.

 

[brushbuster]

Get a small solo canoe,basicaly a kayak without the deck. some have a narrow beam that you can use double blade with. some are only 25-30#s, some 12-14 ft long. They are very maneuravable. You can put a padded high back seat in.

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[john warren]

my thanks for all the input, and i will continue to study the choices.

at this point heres what i think i will do. of course this is subject to change with little or no reason.lol
much of our camping has more to do with travel and camping as an inexpensive alternative to a hotel. and not all trips have access to a lake
since this craft will be used mostly for camping with our camper trailer where i can access lakes for fishing, (i have a boat for everyday fishing around home), it needs to not be a major investment. i went and looked at some of the sot fishing kayaks and think they would be superb for fishing, BUT, easily over a grand to get a nice one and set it up. still waiting for a new one i heard to come out so i can check it out before i decide.
a small cheapo sit in kayak would be ok i suppose, but not sure if i would be happy with it in the long run.
which brings me to a canoe. i see quite a few used ones for two to three hundred. which make it cheap enough to only use a few times per summer.
so for the moment that looks like the way i will go. though i think if i spotted a good used fishing kayak at a crazy low price,,,my head might explode trying to decide. so will keep studying and put it in gods hands and see what oportunity he provide for me.

 

[bear5]

Look over the Native kayaks http://www.nativewatercraft.com/m.boat.cfm?id=19 they are really nice. More canoe like and you can stand up in them

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[slowpoke]

http://www.nativewatercraft.com/m.video.cfm?id=125

 

[LushLife]

some of the posters above make great points (particularly about trying out SOTs) so without being redundant, I will share some brief personal observations:

Canoe - with a good yoke, it can easily be transported great distances
- cumbersome to fish from and louder
- relatively slower and not as maneuverable
- with my knees above my waist, my lower back aches quickly
- can be launched (carefully) without getting a foot wet
- difficult to pee from
- water on the floor of the boat from transferring paddle

SOT - cannot be transported any distance sole without wheels or friend
- very easy to fish from and quieter
- lower back ache virtually non-existent with back rest
- butt aches after a couple of hours
- easy to get in and out of
- easy to pee in if there are scupper holes
- very little water to wet your gear (see scupper holes)
- many have water-tight compartments

Both are easy to transport, even solo

I've fished hundreds of hours from both and strongly prefer my yak

Also, keep you eye on Craigslist come springtime

 

[brushbuster]

Mad river solofreedom canoes will probably be in your price range. A little heavy at 50#s though. But a very versatile canoe that can handle both rivers and lakes and even do light tripping and run class 3 if you ever want to.

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[Unclered]

If you get the right one...........I only have experience with Native Watercraft but I'm sure there are a number of brands that will suffice.

Let it be known I am going to be 67 this summer and I didn't start kayaking until 2009. I bought my first Native Ultimate 12 in 2010 and then purchased the Ultimate 14.5. I added at Slayer 12 to my fleet last fall but haven't been able to use it much.

Trust Swamp Monster when he says you can sit in the 1st Class seat a long time. It can be raised or lowered to meet your requirements.

I tie a pull rope to the bow handle and it's amazing how helpful it is for getting up and down.

Good luck in your decision..........I don't know what area you live in but if you want to test drive mine in the spring you are welcome to give it a try. I am in Genesee County.