GloryDaze Posted August 20, 2015 Posted August 20, 2015 Took me 3 different boats before I found one that is exactly what I wanted. Had a 12' sit on top to start, sold it. Picked up a sit in kayak next, sold it. Settled with a 15' canoe and have used it for the past 5 years. I would recommend buying used for your first boat. Simply because it may not fit your needs and you can usually re sell it for little if any loss. Just my .02 Follow me on Twitter @DazeGlory
grizwilson Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 I took off Al's design, but use the Plano Guide Series 3740 waterproof boxes (because I forget to hook the holding cord more often than not) to hold I use a square bucket that sunflower seeds or cat litter come in, with a bungee cord hooked on velcro rather than the battery box. Just FYI with Al's battery box the Plano waterproof 3640 fits perfect. I have rusted too many baits and love the waterproof Plano. They are less expensive at Academy or on Amazon and pay for themselves. (yes Ham makes fun of my "redneck tackle bucket") “If a cluttered desk is a sign, of a cluttered mind, of what then, is an empty desk a sign?”- Albert Einstein
Al Agnew Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Griz, I never get any of my Planos wet on the inside...even when I let them slide out of the box. I tried waterproof boxes, and the problem I had with them is that, if you put a wet lure in the box, especially one with a skirt or a bucktail, or if you just happen to splash some water in the box when it's temporarily open, it never dries out. The box works to keep dampness in as well as out. I had lures rusting out worse with waterproof boxes than with the regular ones. I guess you're more conscientious about not getting the inside of the box wet. grizwilson 1
grizwilson Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Griz, I never get any of my Planos wet on the inside...even when I let them slide out of the box. I tried waterproof boxes, and the problem I had with them is that, if you put a wet lure in the box, especially one with a skirt or a bucktail, or if you just happen to splash some water in the box when it's temporarily open, it never dries out. The box works to keep dampness in as well as out. I had lures rusting out worse with waterproof boxes than with the regular ones. I guess you're more conscientious about not getting the inside of the box wet. you are correct Al, I am very careful and use the extra strips from my zrust boxes. But of little value when a fellow forum member sits on my boat sending my open box in creek. I have a tray I put wet baits in too dry. Enroute to pick up a new to me royalex wenonah wilderness. Everyone needs 4 canoes and 4 boats. Thanks for your help. G Gavin 1 “If a cluttered desk is a sign, of a cluttered mind, of what then, is an empty desk a sign?”- Albert Einstein
Al Agnew Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Can't go far wrong with the Wilderness and Royalex. If I didn't already have 8 canoes I'd be looking for one!
Members OzarksExtremeOutdoors Posted August 22, 2015 Members Posted August 22, 2015 I respect Al's advise on a solo canoe, I have spent many miles out of a solo OT Guide and loved it for the overnight river trips on the Ozark Rivers we all love. However I have also spent many days and overnights on the river out of many different styles of sit on top 12' kayaks. I ain't going to lie the seat is everything when spending that amount of time on the river, but there are so many options for seating in today's kayak brands and rod storage should never be an issue with some creative thinking as I have seen in many of the pro canoe post. Not all rod setups stand straight up and you can rig a kayak for rod storage with them lying down or in rocket style rod tubes that position the rods leaning backwards towards the skeg of the kayak. One kayak that I can recommend that is easy to get in and out of, has high seating (the seat also doubles as a camping chair), has plenty of deck space to lie rods down or rigging options for rocket style rod tubes positioned backwards, is stable enough to stand up and turn around in and fly fish out of, will float in four inches of water, has a #500 pound weight limit, weighs less than 80 pounds (I am 5'6" and can load it by myself on a Jeep Wrangler with a 4" lift and 35s"), and sells for $999 is the Diablo Amigo. I know we all have our preferences and canoe guys love their canoes and that is respected, I still love them for certain trips and outings. Just know that there are tons of options in kayaks today and those options lists are getting longer every day in the kayak fishing market my advise is to demo demo demo. And lets not forget creative thinking goes along way on both sides of the canoe and kayak fence.
Al Agnew Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 I realize that not everybody fishes like I do, and for many a kayak such as the Diablo will be a great craft. Here's why it wouldn't work for me: 1. Weight--sorry, I'm used to lifting a 40-45 pound canoe up onto the racks, and I ain't getting any younger. I own two kayaks out in Montana, and although they are light as far as kayaks go, around 55 pounds, they simply aren't easy to grip and lift. Fortunately I only have to lift them enough to get them into the bed of a pickup, not onto racks atop a vehicle. I don't want to have to lift nearly 80 pounds, period--even my tandem canoes weight less than 60 pounds. And as has been pointed out, a canoe's gunwales give you a great place to grip; there's nothing like that on kayaks. 2. I carry at least five rods. On this last overnight trip I carried 6 rods. NO rod rack that allows the rod tips to be above or outside the gunwales of the canoe is going to work for me. I've broken rods before when a tip outside the canoe got snagged on a log or brush as I was going down a fast riffle. It doesn't even have to be a narrow riffle; there are plenty of times when there is little margin for error with the current pushing you too close to obstacles. And how many times do you have to go under a downed tree hanging out over the water. If it sticks up higher than my seat back it's in danger. If it sticks outside the gunwales of the canoe it's in danger. I don't want to have to worry about it. AND...I've lost big fish before when I had to swing the rod tip around the front or back of the canoe as the fish went under it, and a rod tip sticking out was in the way. Hey, if you only carry a couple of extra rods you might be okay with some of the rod stowage setups I've seen in kayaks. But not five or six rods. 3. I neither need nor want to stand in (or on) the boat. The higher you are the more visible you are to the fish in the clear streams I fish. I'll stand to stretch my legs now and then in calm water, but other than that I'm fine with sitting. 4. I also don't want to have to be creative and spartan with overnight gear. This last trip, I had a four person tent (because I hate feeling crowded when camping by myself), two sleeping pads for extra comfort (a folding one 3/4ths inch thick and a foam inflatable two inches thick), a big camp pillow, and a ground cloth in one big waterproof bag. In the second big waterproof bag I had my sleeping bag and clothing, and personal items, flashlight, book to read, and dry camp shoes and a towel. I had two coolers. And that was traveling light for me...no cooking gear. I had plenty of unused room in the canoe, and the clothing bag wasn't anywhere near full. And that's not including the tackle box, six rods, a spare paddle, a fly rod that I didn't use and a big fly box. And none of it stuck up more than a couple inches above the gunwales. Again, a kayak might be just the ticket for many people. Just not me.
Gavin Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Open Mind when it comes to watercraft always a new one to try. 17'Tandem canoe still gets the most action. 2 kids and all the gear while wifey floats the kayak. No problem. Extra full size coolers or a dry bag that won't fit in your yak for 2-3 nights...... No problem but will enjoy your beer.
Members Archery1 Posted August 23, 2015 Members Posted August 23, 2015 Just to muddy the waters with more options; Look into the "hybrids" that are gaining popularity. I recently purchased a Wilderness Systems Commander 140. It combines the kayak hull with open design of a canoe. It has a low and a high seating position. I also have the ability to stand (handy when sight fishing beds in spring). The boat has 475lb capacity and room for camping gear. If you are sold on solo canoes or kayaks you probably won't like it. But if you have paddled both and weren't completely satisfied the hybrids may be your answer. Nucanoe and Native also make hybrid styles. I live about 20 miles north of Springfield. If you want to paddle my commander just let me know. I'll be more than happy to take you out.
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