Looking To Buy Fishing Kayak For Rivers

[tjulianc]

I was looking around on Wenonah's website and they have a solo canoe called a Fusion. Has anybody floated in one?

Ham- For overnight trips I am likely to have companions and will have a big tandem canoe along on the trip, or at least two solo vessels and we can spread out the gear.

Wayne- I didn't realize you could store your rods inside the tarpon. I have seen the Ocean Kayaks and they have a rod pod which is nice, but I prefer the Tarpon or Manta Ray.

I can see how I may end up in a few years with a couple of canoes, and a kayak.

[eric1978]

I was looking around on Wenonah's website and they have a solo canoe called a Fusion. Has anybody floated in one?

It would definitely be a good choice for Ozark streams. If you're going to pay that much, though, you may want to look closer at the Vagabond, which is a pound lighter and a foot and a half longer. The Vagabond will track a little better.

http://www.wenonah.c...tail.php?IID=34

And if you want to get something not quite as snazzy but plenty serviceable for less than half the cost of the Fusion, look at an Old Town Guide (Discovery) 119. They are a little less than 12' long, about 43 pounds, tough as nails and they get the job done without breaking the bank.

http://www.oldtownca...covery_119.html

You can usually find them at Dick's for $400.

[tjulianc]

Ok, I was wondering why I couldn't find your 12 foot Guide on Old Town's website, they now make it their Discovery. I have floated in the Old Town Discovery 169 several times, and really liked it. Old Town's Pack looks nice too. It is only 33 lbs which is very light, but it gets up there in price. I agree, if I get in the 1000 dollar range the Vagabond is hard to beat. Really they are all good choices, just depends on how much I want to spend.

[Guest]

Having owned a Kaynoe (Old town pack in different material) for going on three years now, it has some drawbacks. It is too short-I wish it was 14 feet, and it sits so high in the water that wind blows it all over the place. It has great initial stability but poor secondary stability and I still can't stand up and fish out of it all that much. Other than that it is a fantastic craft and a great starter solo canoe, and the price can't be beat. My next boat is going to be a mohawk odyssey 15t or mohawk solo 14, the ones I have paddled are fantastic fishing boats.

[Gavin]

Those Mohawks solo's look pretty nice...A definite upgrade from a Pack...Had an OT Pack years ago...It paddled pretty well, but it always felt a bit wobbly to me...I dont miss it.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I can put my 6'6" rods through the front hatch, no problem. My 8'9" fly rod will go, but it has to be just right to miss the drains.

[tjulianc]

If I decide to get a solo canoe, I will have a hard time deciding between the Wenonah Vagabond and the Mohawk Odyssey 14. They are both great canoes and those who own them speak highly of them. My understanding is that the Odyssey is a bit more maneuverable, maybe handles rapids a little better, where as the Vagabond tracks better and has a little more speed. My main concern is fishing, and being able to get to and from the fish. And sometimes that means getting into some rough water. So I am kind of leaning towards the Mohawk. I think the odyssey may be a little cheaper too, even with shipping. If I found a good deal on either of the two I would take it and not look back, and that may be what it amounts to, the best deal.

If I get a kayak, I am thinking about ordering it from Ausin Kayaks online. Anyone ever use that site? They have a good reputation, and they deliver to your home, which is nice. The shipping fee is less than sales tax, here in Fayetteville, and I can order just what I want.

Whatever I decide I will post pics and a review here. It probably won't be for another month or so.

[Ham]

Before you order, consider Appomattox. ARC I've found them to be a low cost, high service outfit. They'll be glad to discuss boat options on the phone.

By all means, choose what's best for you.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I also purchased my kayaks from Appomattox and I agree, great prices and service. I'm sure it would be worth the trouble to compare.

I have a Mohawk Solo 13, not sure how the hulls compare, it is very agile, but tracking is so-so.

[eric1978]

If I decide to get a solo canoe, I will have a hard time deciding between the Wenonah Vagabond and the Mohawk Odyssey 14. They are both great canoes and those who own them speak highly of them. My understanding is that the Odyssey is a bit more maneuverable, maybe handles rapids a little better, where as the Vagabond tracks better and has a little more speed. My main concern is fishing, and being able to get to and from the fish. And sometimes that means getting into some rough water. So I am kind of leaning towards the Mohawk. I think the odyssey may be a little cheaper too, even with shipping. If I found a good deal on either of the two I would take it and not look back, and that may be what it amounts to, the best deal.

You might want to wait for Al to chime in before you buy the Mohawk. He'll give you some reasons why he thinks the Vagabond is better for the Ozarks...I haven't paddled either of them, so I won't speculate.