I'm looking to replace a Lifetime Sportfisher kayak due to a defect. It is very stable at 10' long and 36" wide. I just don't know if I want to try another one. Anyway, I'm looking into a few other SOT kayaks. I want a kayak between 10' and 12' long. Does anyone own any of the following? Where is a good online dealer to order from, in case I can't find something locally? I weigh about 235 if that matters. Thanks for any advice.

1) Ocean Kayak Prowler 11' - 11.5' long, 30" wide. This seems narrow to me. Will it be stable enough?

2) Feel Free Moken - 10' long, 35" wide

3) Emotion Renegade XT - 10' long, 36" wide

Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game (PBG) si 12'9" and 34" wide.

Wilderness Systems Ride 115 is 11'6" and 33" wide, wonder why they don't call it a Ride 116????

Mike

I am in the market for a fishing kayak to close out this season or start the next.

If stability is the key factor for you (it is up there for me, as well), here is what I have been told:

The Wilderness Ride series is supposedly ridiculously stable. If you spend a little time on YouTube, you can find several demos of people standing on the boat and shifting weight back and forth in an effort to flip.

The Ride series is a sit on top.... If you prefer something a little different, Wilderness also makes a hybrid boat called the Commander (half yak, half canoe). It is supposedly even more stable than the SOTs. Another company, Native, has a comparable series called the Ultimates which has similar reports of stability.

Finally, Jackson Kayaks Coosa and Cuda series are lauded for their stability and comfort.

Bottom line: get to a dealer and get time in a boat. There are lots of very stable angling platforms on the market right now. Finding the one that feels the best to you requires time behind the wheel. Er, paddle, that is.

One other note.... At your size, I wager stability will be less of an issue. It seems that most of the angling kayaks are now being designed with stability in mind for a 250lb+ angler and their equipment. I think any of the major offerings (including the ones you listed) would probably be fine unless you have no sense of equilibrium. :-).

Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game (PBG) si 12'9" and 34" wide.

Wilderness Systems Ride 115 is 11'6" and 33" wide, wonder why they don't call it a Ride 116????

Mike

Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game (PBG) si 12'9" and 34" wide.

Wilderness Systems Ride 115 is 11'6" and 33" wide, wonder why they don't call it a Ride 116????

Mike

The Big Game is too long. I know I said up to 12' but even that is pushing it. And why is the Ride 115 so heavy, 79 lbs? I'm leaning more toward the 10' kayaks. The one I have now, I can still close the tailgate in my mini van.

The Emotion XT at 36" wide is rated for 325 lbs, The Ride 115 at 33" wide is rated for 500 lbs. Just sayin'. The seat is 8 lbs. I just fished in that seat on a test ride and it is very comfortable.

Mike

The big game is long and heavy. But it is very stable. I love mine.

Stability is all relative to a point. True that some of those boats (the Ride for sure) is like standing on a dock but, I have no problem standing and fishing in a Tarpon 100. FWIW I'm 5'11" 200ish lbs.

Thanks guys. I'm not ready to buy yet, but I'm leaning toward the Feel Free Moken 10'. Do the online dealers such as Austin Kayaks normally reduce the prices in the fall? If so, would it be Sep. or Oct? Thanks.