SuperDuty

Man A-Jay, That dude was a beast. Well done!

Panic is what gets most people. The human body is very buoyant and will float. It doesn't take much effort to stay above and survive and that's exactly why I say 600 yards is doable by most people. Swim until you need a break and then turn over on your back and float for a little bit to take a break, then swim some more. Mix in some back swimming, just do whatever it takes to get there. I'm not talking about just arm over arm nonstop swimming. I also had a run-in once with unexpected large waves and that was a game changer on swimming. There are definitely variables that can make a challenging swim that much more challenging. ***** my comments are about swimming in general, not cold water swimming ****

As I've said a couple of times now, my comment was about the distance only, not the water temperature. I have zero experience swimming in very cold water. I do have experience swimming great distances and know that 600 yards isn't that bad. I've actually done lots of long distance swimming in my time. I use to snorkel off my boat in the gulf of Mexico for scallops and could be in the water for a very long time. I remember one time having looked up and the boat was so far off I thought it was gone, it was barely a speckle. Regardless, there are countless of true stories of people swimming extreme distances out of survival. When the human mind is in survival mode, it takes on overwhelming strength and determination. When I did the Navy aircrew survival training I was in my early 20's, just a kid. Who knows if I could still do that at almost 50. I think I could still do 600 yards, though.

Man, that must really suck! The only restrictions I've ever seen on some lakes around my area would be no gasoline engines. That's about it. If there is one thing we don't lack, it's outstanding fishing.

Explain to me how it would make a difference between a SIS or SOT? Might be common in your area but it certainly isn't here. Both of the reservoirs in my area that supply towns with water allow swimming and boating. The water doesn't go straight from the lake to the faucet. That's just plain silly...

Congrats on the new yak. Something has got to be wrong with the regulation that the kayak must be a SIS. Maybe it's just an old regulation that's not been updated yet. It just makes no sense whatsoever why it must be a SIS over a SOT yak since the SOTs are much safer. My guess is you could have gotten a SOT and nothing would have ever been said about it. At any rate, enjoy the fishing!

Not bulk storage but other storage that many other kayaks do offer. Things like tackle box storage near the seat, pods for mounting FF batteries or for junk gear, built in cup holders, etc. I see the wahoo as just a bare minimum offering with no extras that you get on some of the other yaks. Also the yaks that have the removable pods make it super simple to add FF to and keep everything easily accessible and hidden. No so when dealing with scupper holes. I think wahoo makes a great product which is well built. I think it would really shine in a river setting. I'm starting to think I need two yaks. One designed mainly for river fishing and one for lake fishing. I think the wahoo would be a contender for rivers since it wouldn't be running a FF or a TM, and the ss127 for lakes. Those two would be on my short list.

My post was in response to tnrivers post about a 200 yard swim to an island being tough. That's assuming he's done it in ideal situations and not 40 degree temps. ?

If y'all get a chance to have an Upland wheat ale, give it a shot. It's a very good beer with a unique flavor. One of my favorites. Also, the Michelob Amber Bock is a good beer if you've not tried that one yet.

You sound about like me. I drink a wide variety of beers. I'm not faithful to any particular one and typically don't stick to one brand for very long at a time. Natty light has always been a regular for like deer camp because it's cheap to buy in bulk. Us guys can easily put away a few cases over a deer camp weekend. I've cut back a lot lately, however. I've had my diet in check and been pumping the weights a lot lately so watching my calorie intake quite a bit. During the warmer months I can eat or drink whatever I want with no worries but the winter months, gotta pay a little attention.

My thoughts too. I did a mile and half swim in the ocean when I went through air crew survival training in the navy. 200 yards I could do in my sleep.

I'm sure they're a fine yak, I just don't care for them. You certainly don't see many out there.

It's all a trade off. I've lived where it's sunny and warm year around and also to where we have 4 seasons. I don't mind 3-4 months of cold weather as it allows me to get stuff done in my shop. I also love the fall and spring weather. Not to mention I couldn't even begin to think what it would be like hunting in warm temps. But it's been cold here since December and I'm about over it.. hunting season is over for the most part other than hunting dogs, so now I'm ready for some spring fishing, cookouts, and camping. Hopefully one more month and it's good weather here.

I've tried but I just can't like the Nucanoe's. There are several things I don't like about them. The lack of hull access, their appearance reminds me of a canoe, they don't have storage or handy pods for mounting FF easily, they just seem as bare bones as it gets. The flint is on the skinny side for stability and the wider model is so dang wide it'll paddle like a sofa. I've read several people who like them but they just aren't for me. I think there are better options on the market for me.

Yeah that's not good. I will have a few beers when I'm in my shop working or outside working. I haven't sat inside my home and drank a beer in years probably. I don't do the get drunk and mad/depressed thing. I know my limits and stop before I get there. On a rare occasion like when we have a pool party or something and an entire day of firends & activities, maybe I'll have more than my limit, but even then I'm not a mean drunk but a jokester being silly. Alcohol can absolutely cause problems for people, that I'm not debating. It doesn't for me or my family/friends.

Sounds like you've definitely had some poor experiences with alcoholism in your family that's left a bitter taste in your mouth. That's too bad. I've never experienced this myself. The drinkers that I do know are just every day kind of people that don't take it to any kind of extreme. it doesn't hurt their families, jobs, or health. They aren't "self medicating", either. You see that thrown around a whole lot by people who don't drink and I find it rather funny, or maybe just ignorance. I enjoy the taste of beer just like I enjoy a good steak. I suppose too much of either could be bad for my health. There are lots of people living healthy normal lives who enjoy a a few drinks on a regular basis that aren't self destructing their life, or the lives around them. This has been my experience. Unfortunately for you, yours sounds different. Good luck.

I can usually only handle 1 or 2 of the real dark beers and I've had enough. They're very filling so I'll get my fill rather quickly.

Addiction is a bad thing. It can be anything from a cell phone, work, beer, drugs, sex, or even fishing. It's too bad you had first hand experience with someone and an addiction that destroyed lives. I've had my experiences too, not alcohol or drugs, but an addiction that destroyed people. Honestly, I think cell phones are destroying families. Ever look around these days when a family is out together? They hardly even speak to one another because they're too busy with their face in their phone. It's sad.... Hey I've been known to enjoy a good Irish scotch as well. Say a single malt 12 year Glen Morangie... good stuff!

Man this brings back memories of several years ago (like 20) when a very expensive home was at risk of going i go the lake due to bank erosion. I ended up having ro put a 35k retaining wall in for the homeowner to keep the house from sliding off it’s foundation. The AC unit was only being held in place by the wiring. It was hanging away feom the house.

Poor feller!

What a wonderful Friday night topic ? so who here really enjoys beer? I’m not talking about you fellers who choke one down every now and then to help keep your masculinity in check, but the guys who just really loves beer. Im a beer lover. I switch it up quite a bit, too. I drank Bud Lite religiously for two decades and finally just started drinking various ones. Sometimes I’ll get one that I’ll drink for weeks on end and then switch to another. My father-in-law and I both love beer so we always are trying new ones, especially when we go to different countries/cultures. Im typically good for at least two beers every single night. Occasionally, I’m known to really throw them down when it’s just a fun day. I can easily hold 12 beers and not act like a fool. The wifey may disagree with that statement, however. lately, I’ve been on a Corona kick. It started after an infatuation my wife had with a particular Mexican restaurant 6 hours away. It’s just got a very unique and enjoyable flavor that I’ve came to appreciate. luckily for me, two of the area’s liquor stores has a shelf with hundreds of singles in a variety of brands and flavors so I’ll often stop in and buy a beer for the evening. beer and salad....holy snikeys!!! might Just be one of the best pairs god ever made. anyways, cheers!

I've researched both of these boats quite extensively and owners seem to thoroughly enjoy them. Either one will be fairly easy to mount a FF to but the 107 may be a tad easier going out the bottom of the pod verses going out the front scupper on the 117. Both will be stable. I haven't read anything horrible about tracking but a rudder can make any yak track well for a minimal cost. I think the chair is a tad better on the 107 verses the 117 from what I've read. Good luck on whatever you choose.

This spring I'm going to search high and low for places to demo some of the kayaks that are on my short list. I want a paddle kayak for the exercise and so I can use it in very skinny water. I also want one stable enough that I can easily stand and fight fish. But I want one that paddles well enough that going long distances isn't going to kill me. That's the hard part, finding that perfect balance of stability and paddle ability. For the longest time I had my heart set on a Bonafide SS127 because they're so well made and stable. Also really liked the FeelFree Lure. But I'm just afraid they would be so difficult to paddle that maybe I wouldn't enjoy them. I'm use to paddleing skinny yaks that move through the water with ease. There are a few I have on my short list that I really want to try out and see how they paddle. Bonafide ss127 and RS117 Kaku kayak wahoo and Zulu WS atak 120 Feelfree lure 11.5 and the Moken 12.5 OT predator And finally, I am also giving thought to a Hobie outback and the native propel max. The reason being is I have fished a lot while paddleing and sometimes it can be a real chore trying to deal with the paddle, the pole, and staying where I want to be. Having my hands free would be nice.

I've read they're slow and heavy but that is part of the tradeoff for going super stability. So what's your next yak gonna be? I'm still so much up in the air on what I'm going to get. I'm seriously starting to feel that I need two different yaks - one for creeks and rivers and one for the lake. I'll probably be buying my first one in March.

I've spent quite a bit of time in the Everglades and that's definitely a water I wouldn't want to spend a couple of days floating in.