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keeper · #1 03-26-2002, 05:06 PM

Hello Yakkers-
Well, spring is almost here again and this shore bound angler is getting the fever to buy a kayak. I've been surfing for information and see that the Pungo by Wilderness Systems seems to be a very popular yak for here in the northeast. Any suggestions on who a reputable dealer on the North Shore is for these? Also, the same company makes a sit-on-top called "The Ride." Anyone out there with experience they'd like to share on this model? I like to do a fair amount of wade fishing, and it seems like it would be best to get a sit-on-top that you can just hop on & off of. Oh- one MORE question- what's the best way to carry a yak on a small pickup? I checked out the prices on the Trac-Rac system & it's as much as the kayak would cost!
Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks!

thecanoe · #2 03-26-2002, 05:31 PM

I bought my pungo at Goose Hummock on Cape Cod because I could "road test" it. But closer to the north shore is The wilderness House on Commonwealth Ave in Boston. It's right near Boston University.
As far as transporting it,I carry mine on the back of an
El Camino. I use a foam kayak pad on the roof and one on top of the tailgate. It works just fine.
I also can't wait for the striper season to start. I fish Winthrop
or Dennis ,Cape Cod.

kcsmes · #3 03-26-2002, 05:50 PM

Keeper: There is a used ride for sale in the new england regional forum.

ekg · #4 03-26-2002, 06:25 PM

I tried a Pungo on the advice of several people. It wasn't a good match for me. I ended up with a Loon 138 with a rudder kit. The boat had a tendency to get sideways to the chop. and while I never felt unstable it was harder to control fish on light tackle. The Rudder cured that problem nicely.The loon has a huge cockpit and the seat slides to trim the boat. When I figured that out everything woked much better. The other thing is both the Pungo and the Loon are wide boats and benefit from a 180 cm paddle. The longer paddle made a huge difference in the fell of the boat, Try everything you can paddle and every paddle you can. Good luck you will have fun.ekg

FLYRODER · #5 03-26-2002, 08:46 PM

Most kayak(Sit Inside,Sit On Top)companys make different designs made specifically for paddlers of certain height and weights. I can't recommend any kayak for you since I don't know your height and weight. You also want to know of a reputable dealer but you didn't mention where you live. L.I.? All I can tell you from the information in your post is to try as many Sit-inside and Sit on top kayaks as possible till you find the kayak you like the most. The 3 top kayak companys for fishing is Ocean Kayak,Cobra Kayak and Wilderness Systems. As for Sit inside kayaks they are popular up north in MASS. But the Sit on tops are very popular on L.I.,N.J.,N.C.,Florida,Texas and California. If you can post more information I will have a more specific reply for you.

SamRiley · #6 03-27-2002, 07:54 AM

Hey Keeper -
I got my yak at The Goose too since I could test them out before I bought. They even threw in a lesson to get me started. The Kittery Trading Post also has a great paddle shop if you are up for a drive. Regardless of where you buy your new yak, do try before you buy. I've got a bit of a bad lower back and finding just the right seat was an important part of my decision. As for racks, I just flip my yak over on plain Thule bars and snug it down with rope. Holds it well on the highway and keeps the rain out too.

Happy paddling

keeper · #7 03-27-2002, 12:38 PM

Wow! Thanks for the great ideas & replies.

Thecanoe- Thanks for the tips.

kcsmcs- I'll try it out. Thanks.

ekg- Thanks. I'll look at the Loon also. I think they might be a bit more reasonably priced also.

Flyrodder- I'm on the North Shore of Boston. Maybe the sit-ins are more popular here because the water is a bit colder??? BTW- I'm 5'6" 165lbs if that helps with a reccomendation.

SamRiley- Good point to "try it before you buy it."

Thanks again everybody!!

Keeper

FLYRODER · #8 03-27-2002, 02:44 PM

Keeper the 3 sit inside kayaks you should try are:

1. Pungo

2. Perception Keowee ll

3. Old Town Loon 138

The Keowee ll and the Pungo are the most used in your area.

Also don't believe just because a kayak is a sit inside you will not get wet and your sheltered from the cold. Thats false. You can still get wet with a sit inside and it doesn't shelter you from the cold. And if you end up getting dumped in the water with a sit inside its a lot harder trying to climb back in a sit inside as compared to a sit on top. So when you do decide to buy a kayak please either buy a dry suit or where neoprene waders with a dry top this will keep you dry keep you somewhat warm and most importantly it will keep the water out.

ruge13 · #9 03-27-2002, 03:36 PM

North Shore Kayak in Rockport has Demo days where you can try any yak you like. If there are certain ones you want to try, call them ahead of time and they will make sure to have it in the water on the demo days. They have a web site but I am not sure of the address....Ithink its NorthshoreKayak.com but I don;t know. Also, there is a big paddle show April 5-7 at the University of New Hampshire. I am sure there will be tons of people to talk to as well as a checnce to demo yaks in the pool there. There are also alot of usefull seminars on paddling techniques....