My yak

[biggin]

6 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

wide shoulders, big muscles? A lot of weight in the upper body? Physics is the reaction to the reaction of you leaning over and getting that weight off of the center line / balance point of your kayak. 

I know it’s common sense but a wider deck yak helps alot to alleviate this issue. Sometimes you just have to experience it to see. Someone said here at least 34 inches wide minimum. Mine is 29.

[flyfisher]

On 7/21/2023 at 10:21 PM, biggin said:

I know it’s common sense but a wider deck yak helps alot to alleviate this issue. Sometimes you just have to experience it to see. Someone said here at least 34 inches wide minimum. Mine is 29.

Again you are showing your lack of research before buying a kayak that isn't fit for you.  My first kayak was 29" wide and it was fine stability wise, I could even stand in it and fish if I wanted to.  It is about the hull shape as much as width.  

 

I hope you get it all sorted out and learned a little in the process because obviously you know everything because there is so much bad info out there lol. 

[biggin]

48 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Again you are showing your lack of research before buying a kayak that isn't fit for you.  My first kayak was 29" wide and it was fine stability wise, I could even stand in it and fish if I wanted to.  It is about the hull shape as much as width.  

 

I hope you get it all sorted out and learned a little in the process because obviously you know everything because there is so much bad info out there lol. 

Hull shape… from keel to main deck. Shape ? More like the degree of angle from keel to the water line or main deck. I get that. So far you’re the ONLY one who pointed this out. And any video or anything l read didn’t say what you’re saying. My yak tracks great alone, but shifts too much unless l gently paddle on the surface and barely shift my torso and just use my arms. I remember watching people compete and that’s all l see moving is thier arms. Give a try tomorrow thanks.

[Woody B]

Perhaps you should consider a bigger boat.  

[VolFan]

Have you considered a trolling set-up? 
 

Really no twisting, you just paddle and keep an eye on the rods.

[biggin]

36 minutes ago, Woody B said:

Perhaps you should consider a bigger boat.  

Eventually 

28 minutes ago, VolFan said:

Have you considered a trolling set-up? 
 

Really no twisting, you just paddle and keep an eye on 

Guess l could. I can install a bracket to mount it. Only problem is l push maximum weight

[VolFan]

Yeah trolling might be your jam.

[biggin]

been watching headwaters kayak you tube channel yak shop owner...

 

He only goes over features but no stability and tracking, only that "it's very sable but not what to look for to know about what goes in to it to be stable. Any you tube channels that cover in depth descriptions on various kayaks ?

[flyfisher]

Stability and tracking are very subjective.  A new person to paddling won't have a boat that tracks well no matter what really, even though some will be better than others and stability is also based on the individual as well.  This is why you see people touting width of the kayak.  On my ATAK120 i had a motor issue and I was able to stand up, step over my seat and go to my tankwell and adjust the motor.  Can everyone do that, I have no idea but I know I can and that is what matters.  

[biggin]

Today l felt comfortable with out the riggers. Have to get the knack of padding better to track straight and not tip side to side. When l paddled on one side and gave the yak time to go forward l was able to paddle on the same side and stay straight. I’ll probably use the riggers for a little while while l fish to get used to casting  and maneuvering until l feel confident enough not to use them. A guy and his dog was there and said oh you got training wheels? I said yeah got get used to this thing and it helps. Moving them up against the hull made a big difference. Another guy pulled up that was fishing and said he caught a 5 pound pickerel on a whooper plopper!  He gave me two of them. Nice guy! He was in a sit in yak complained he didn’t have the right seat cushion he normally has and his back was a bit sore. I was a little tuckered from the little bit l did, thinking l just need a little more time on the water and it should be good afterwards. Staying along the bank feels like you’re getting somewhere but open water? Nah. The guy said some use cordless drills with all thread and props. He got me thinking once l’m far away and just want to get back wouldn’t be a bad idea !

[biggin]

6 hours ago, flyfisher said:

A new person to paddling won't have a boat that tracks well no matter what really, even

Makes sense, considering 200 lbs guy pushing water and diverting a 50 pound plastic kayak off center.?

6 hours ago, flyfisher said:

This is why you see people touting width of the kayak.

Makes sense that an experienced paddler should make that conclusion based on a beginner could do as well.

[flyfisher]

Kayak fishing has a learning curve and just like driving, it is weird at first and you are feeling all kinds of things that are new and it overloads your brain.  Once you get some experience, those feelings will be normalized and only the out of whack stuff will make you wonder what to do next.  For paddling remember slow and smooth is also fast. You also use your torso not your arms to paddle.  Do a search for Jeff Little and his youtube channel,  he is an avid river fisherman and before he became a torqeedo rep he was all paddle and has some great videos on technique and the why behind it all.  

[biggin]

On 7/25/2023 at 12:36 PM, flyfisher said:

Kayak fishing has a learning curve and just like driving, it is weird at first and you are feeling all kinds of things that are new and it overloads your brain.  Once you get some experience, those feelings will be normalized and only the out of whack stuff will make you wonder what to do next.  For paddling remember slow and smooth is also fast. You also use your torso not your arms to paddle.  Do a search for Jeff Little and his youtube channel,  he is an avid river fisherman and before he became a torqeedo rep he was all paddle and has some great videos on technique and the why behind it all.  

Great advice. Thank you. ? l mentioned here that l do appreciate you all.

[thomas15]

This reminds me of years ago when we lived in southern NJ. Sue and I had (still have it) a canoe, a classic Grumman 15' silver bullet, this is basically a tank on water. 

 

When our kids were little we would take them with us on short river trips, they sat on the floor between us. Sue and I were fairly experienced and the rivers gentle. And yes before anyone asks, they both wore pfd and we took zero chances although I doubt if we were in the same situation today we would do that.

 

Most of the little rivers in the pine barons have canoe and kayak rentals and unguided trips. I have lost count of how many times Tom and Sue with two little kids in the family truckster passed solo 20 something males that were inexperienced kayaking the rivers. Such fun.

 

My point: it's not as easy as it looks.

[Krux5506]

I'm almost wondering if Dicks would have taken the yak back if you just didn't even mention anything about modding or drilling holes lol. Would the staff even notice? Probably depends who's doing the return.

[biggin]

12 hours ago, thomas15 said:

This reminds me of years ago when we lived in southern NJ. Sue and I had (still have it) a canoe, a classic Grumman 15' silver bullet, this is basically a tank on water. 

 

When our kids were little we would take them with us on short river trips, they sat on the floor between us. Sue and I were fairly experienced and the rivers gentle. And yes before anyone asks, they both wore pfd and we took zero chances although I doubt if we were in the same situation today we would do that.

 

Most of the little rivers in the pine barons have canoe and kayak rentals and unguided trips. I have lost count of how many times Tom and Sue with two little kids in the family truckster passed solo 20 something males that were inexperienced kayaking the rivers. Such fun.

 

My point: it's not as easy as it looks.

The you tube videos made it look easy ! 

[Crow Horse]

As other's have previously stated, you didn't do your due diligence. I don't believe there's anything I can say that will convince you that you dropped the ball in several ways. Now you're unhappy with your purchase and deflect the blame to the retailer. Put your big boy pants on and admit you've made a mistake. Learn from it and move forward.

 

Badmouthing Dick's isn't productive and is unwarranted.

 

Next time you make a purchase, don't place the responsibility of educating you upon the retailer. Educate yourself. You'll be happier in the long run. If you aren't, then you know who to blame.