More Yak Questions

[Ray]

I think I have narrowed down my selection to either a Pungo or Pamlico

A few questions for the gallery though.

12 vs 14 feet
rudder vs. skeg
hard vs. soft chine
49 vs 60 pounds

I'm leaning towards the Pamlico because it has an optonal rudder. But the Pungo offers a hard chine and therefore greater stability. 12 vs 14 is really a weight issue, but includes LWL and speed.

I will be fishing most everywhere from Joppa Flats to all over the Cape to the Vineyard. (no Sam I will not be making the passage from Woods Hole to the Vineyard just yet)

I'm going to go to the Sakonnet Boathouse to try each boat in a couple of weeks (or ice out, which ever comes first)

Thanks in advance,

Ray

[Wes]

Not considering a Pungo 140? Supposed to be abt 50 lbs. I think the new Pungos have more of a multichined hull than the hard chines of the original. Do any of these actually offer a skeg option?

[SamRiley]

Originally posted by Ray
no Sam I will not be making the passage from Woods Hole to the Vineyard just yet

Hey... I need someone to bring the car back on the ferry:D

First off, I'd go longer than shorter. Wes is right, look at the 140.

Another thing to think about when making your decision is where you are going to stow all your gear. Great part about my dry storage in back is that I can reach most everything inside it while on the water. I can easily change layers, grab food, extra flies and lures, etc. Also, where are you going to keep your rod(s)? When your paddling long distances (say for a little Bunker rustling) or making a quick turn and short sprint (say to breaking fish at the tip of a small jetty)?

When it comes to test driving them, really put them through the ringer. I'd even recommend tipping and righting them if you are up to it. Lastly, as I recall the Pungos have more freeboard than the Palmico. This is not good for windage but good for breaking waves.:

[ruge13]

If I were buying a new boat...
I would compromise the stability for the length. I personally like the longer faster boats and don't care as much about stability but thats just me...there are times when I wish I hade a wider more stable boat but those times are few and far between.
As for the rudder, I would want it when fishing to direct the boat without a paddle (for drifting and current, not fish), but for just paddling to and from spots it makes no difference to me.
The weight is not a big deal to me either. I will work a little harder to carry a heavier boat if I had to as long as I liked the way it handled in the water. After all its a boat not a backpack.

[Ray]

Thanks Guys.

I am leaning towards the Pamlico 14 with the rudder. I will test out the Pungo 14.

Ray

[joev]

Ray
I scan alot of kayak boards and the 14 Pungo is getting great reviews.Dont worry about the stability it is close to the Palmico.I would rather have the speed.Due to the keeled shape of the hull Pungos track very well in most conditions without a rudder.

When I say speed it just means its alot easier to paddle.Less strokes for the same distance.

Ray I was wondering how you narrowed the field down to those 2 yaks ?Not trying to bust your chops just want to know how your thinking from your perspective.

Did you consider a SOT ?
Tarpon 120 & 160 are very nice yaks to.IMHO better suited for fishing than a SINK.

If you want a SINK I would stick to the Pungos.I had the 12 footer and it was a great yak.I just found the 160 Tarpon to be a much better fishing machine.

Jim I think he meant the shape of the hull .Especially the old 12 footers with the flat back.kinda like a skeg.


JoeV

[FishHawk]

I have a Necky Santa Cruz which I like very much. I they have one give it a test ride. I would go with the longer yak.
FishHawk

[Ray]

Joe,

The reason why I have been concentrating on the Wilderness System boats is because they seem to have a wide variety of designs in the price range I want. Also I have heard nothing but good remarks about them. I was looking at boats from Perception, but they are several hundred dollars more than the WS ones.

I decided I do want a SINK not a SOT. I just feel more stable in them.

Ray

[joev]

Ray WS does have a good selection of yaks.
During a Demo day last fall I paddled the Pungo 10 then the Tarpon 120 there was no difference in stability.

Did you get a chance to try one of the WS SOTS ?
They are as stable as most of the Sinks.
My first yak was a Pungo.After fishing that for a year I wanted something faster.I also wanted something that I could easily get on/off when fishing submerged shoals and bars.The tarpon 160 fit that criteria very nice.
Also rember that once you get a few hours in a yak that tippy feeling goes right away.

Any how thanks for your reply and good luck getting a yak.
Let us know what you get.

JoeV

[Wes]

Ray,
There's a shop across the road here, I went to look at some kayaks last week when Shaun and I were discussing crossing the rudder cables. The Perception Carolina 14.5 looked like an outstanding boat in this class, but you're right, they ain't cheap. Lot's of different ways to look at kayak stability, don't get stuck on how they feel first time you sit in one. It's a dynamic thing, so as Sam says, show them a good time and see what they do.

SOT vs SIK:
I got one of each, fish from both. My 2 cts is you can't beat SOT's for safety. If you avoid the grossly short and wide ones they paddle pretty good, too, as well as what you're looking at. I like thigh straps for my SOT in rough stuff, you get a good connection with the boat. I haven't dumped the SIK except to practise but getting back in needs to be practised and if it takes you a few tries you are pretty well knackered .

[ruge13]

north shore kayak (http://www.northshorekayak.com)

The place where I got my boat has a sale every year in the spring where they discount all boats sold. They also sell and discount used boats off their retal and demo line. They have used perception Carolina's and America's (Sam's boat) for under 450. I believe that during the sale they will be marked down another 10-30% from that if I remember correctly....

[RJ]

Ray,

If you weigh under 150#, test the Pungo 120 out. It won't slow you down and it will be more efficient for your weight.

A Pungo 140 will sit to high in the water and the chines won't perform at peak efficency. Turning will be a bitch and you will get more wind interference because of the higher side exposure.

Weight between 125 and 150 will sink a Pungo 120 to its optimum performance envelope.

You will actually be quicker in turns and faster in straight runs in the shorter Pungo. Paddle reach factors into the effeciency level too! And it is 44 # vs 50# for the Pungo 140.

The rudder option on the Pamlico is a $100 option in most shops. It is heavier and wider than the Pungos. Compare the weights and liftability of all three at a WS dealership.

Longer, doesn't translate in to speed if the boat isn't cutting the water as designed. Just a thought. Not mine, but a pro's who's knowledge I respect.

Your the engineer, you know more than the rest of us on how design and performance have optimum parameters. The only way to know is do the tests.

Just my thoughts! See you at the Hummock in May. I think there is a Paddle thingy going on at the U of NH late this month. might be worth the trip to check out the fit and get some opinions on the wt. ratio and paddle reach for the size of the vehicle.



:cool:

[Ray]

Bob,

You will be happy to hear that I am giving the Pungo 14 a lot more thought. If the weather holds this weekend I will be going down to The Sakonnet Boathouse in RI (tax free RI) to test a few boats.

They sell the Pungo 14 for $616!! If it tracks as well as they say and is stable to my liking I may order one.

Going to get a car rack tonight.

Ray

Ps. I am working on a Herring scented hull wax!!! Speed and fish attraction!!