Ascend Kayaks

[vonreed]

I'm looking at getting an Ascend FS12T kayak. Is this a kayak that a person can stand up in and fish? I'm tall, but athletic. So if it is reasonably doable, I'd like to know. Also if any of you are tall and have been in one, Is there plenty of room for my legs?

[Wayne SW/MO]

If I'm not mistaken it is a copy of the older Tarpon. Ham would be the guy to ask about that, he's very tall and has/had a Tarpon.

[Fish Ogre]

Definitely not the same as a tarpon.

Leg room shouldn't be an issue unless you are over 7' tall.

I certainly wouldn't try to stand up in mine.

[Nick Williams]

I haven't even gotten to see one yet, but Ascend released a new FS128T recently that is wider to be used to stand up in. Not sure how much wider, dimensions, etc. but it looks like a pretty sweet kayak for the price! May not hurt to check it out.

[vonreed]

Yeah I got the new Bass Pro ad in the mail and seen the new ascend fs128t and was thinking the same thing. I like the looks of it to, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to know about them vs other models. I went and looked at the Coosas at Ozark Mountain Kayak store and I can't see the big difference in them compared to the Ascend, but I then again I've never used any sit on top kayaks. I definitely want one I can stand in though.

[Wayne SW/MO]

It looks like the FS128 is a stand up model. The problem I see real quick is 84 lbs! It would be hard to decide if it would be a better craft than a canoe at that weight? In fact there are some jons that would rival it also. It might depend a lot on where you would use it and how important it would be to stand?

I have a Tarpon 12' and a 13' solo canoe and neither is something I would want to try and stand in, but a 16' canoe isn't a problem and and they weigh in at that or less. The OT Guides aren't any heavier and you could dance in the 160. You can also throw a trolling motor on them for when you get tired.

[vonreed]

Well after lots of looking and researching I went on a whim and went to Bass Pro. I bought the Ascend 128T. I had asked about it being able to be stood up in. It isn't my intention to stand up in it a lot, especially when in current. It was just more of a luxury of the overall picture as far as balance is concerned along with always having the advantage of standing up whenever I deemed it necessary or helpful. I took it for a 20 minute paddle on the James at Hootentown today. It sure isn't like my Old Town otter. I paddled upstream with my son on the deck of it. So combined there was almost 300 pounds, plus the kayak. It went upstream ok, not as well as I had hoped though. But it was easier than paddling a canoe upstream with the current. I'm going on the Finley tomorrow to give it it's first real test. Thanks for you guys replying to my post.