looking at yaks

[codking]

Thinking about a yak for the wife and myself. I was told to get a 12-14'. We will be using in a lake for the most part. I may fish a bit out of it but she will be paddling with the neice and nephews (they have otters). Do you reccomend sit in or on? What are the main advantages to both styles?

I was looking at the heritage featherlite angler in 12 and 14' lengths. Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks,
CK

[SamRiley]

Are you looking for a single or a tandem?

[notime]

SOT are safer and easier to get in and out of.

[averagejoe]

briefly-

Sit ins
- dryer, warmer
- faster for the most part- (but at 12-14 feet not so fast-but faster)
- will partially fill with water if you tip
(not so easy to get water out if you flip in deep water- believe me I've been there)


Sit on tops
-wetter
-colder (but you won'te get much shade o nthe really hot sunny days (sunscreen on legs)
-slower (unless you have a long kayak like a Tarpon 160 or a peddle kayak)
- won't fill with water if you tip it
- easier to mount multiple rod holders

Kids will have fun in both but make sure you have plenty of PFD's

[WeeHooker]

Averagejoe hit it on the head.

I Also agree on the length.
Any longer and you'll be fighting it in wind, tight coves/turns.
Any shorter it will waddle and give you trouble staying on course.

Best advice it to try a few out before you buy. It's amazing on how one can feel great and the other like your getting ready for a swim. What looks good on paper isn't always the best choice.

[dlangan]

There's already been some great info posted. The only thing I'll add is that at camp we have 8 yaks (2 families, 4 each). A mix of brands, lengthes, SIK and SOT. One of which is an Otter. It is the short straw - last chosen. So, like others said, trying before you buy would be best.

[BluesCruiser]

I would tend to agree with sit ins offer protection from the sun/rain/wind and you stand less chance of dropping things over the side.http://www.reel-time.com/forum/images/smilies/brow.gif

sit ons more fun for the kids jumping diving flipping all with easy recoveryhttp://www.reel-time.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

sit-ons weigh a ton and are hard to movehttp://www.reel-time.com/forum/images/smilies/coco.gif

pungo pungohttp://www.reel-time.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gifhttp://www.reel-time.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif

[codking]

Thanks for your input. I ended up with a 12' perception sundance. Got a sweet deal on left over. Hopefully it will warm up enough to get out soon.

CK

[E-Glades]

I bought a Islander Ventura in 2002. It is a 14'11" boat which is actually made by Perception - very similar to the newer Bimini model made specifically for fishing. I was EXTREMELY HAPPY with this boat. I thought it handled waves well, was really quiet, and allowed me to pop off it and wade really easily. Hopping off to wade comes in really handy - caught a lot of fish like this. Basically it seemd like a good combination of fast and stable. I also invested in a really good Werner paddle and made
8 mile paddles seem like nothing. I have fished other shorter SOT's and recreational sit insides. I liked the Wilderness Tarpon a lot - bit it seemd a little harder to turn - but the rudder made up for that. Now - Granted i was fishing in Florida where hypothermia is never and issue so the SOT's were great. Even did numerous overnites in the SOT's.