Should have bought a boat - maybe

[Koz]

I like kayak fishing and I love my Old Town Autopilot. It's a great fishing platform and I've got a great electronics setup, overkill on batteries for long range trips, and in my opinion it's the ultimate kayak fishing experience.

 

But lately I find that I spend a lot more time getting from place to place to fish on the big lake where I live than actual fishing. Today it took me an hour to get tp where I wanted to fish (no boat ramps in that area) and it turned out to be a bust. Then it takes 20+ minutes to get to the next spot, and so on. On a small lake this kayak would be great. Maybe I just need to trailer to some other ramps and other lakes. 

 

But right now, between the kayak, batteries, trailer, cart, lighting, power hub, and miscellaneous stuff I'm in for $8k and that does not include my FFS setup, the Garmin head unit and transducer, FFS mount, and my Helix 7 unit. Lately I'm thinking that $10k or so would have been better off as a down payment for a boat.

 

The problem is my Bronco Sport has a 2,000 pound towing capacity so that limits me to an aluminum boat at a max of probably 17 feet. But I'm seriously thinking about selling my kayak package (but keeping the Garmin unit and Livescope) and buying a Tracker or Lowe boat by the end of the year.

 

It's a tough choice because a boat comes with its own headaches and challenges. I love my kayak, but I wish I could spend more time fishing than motoring around to get to the better fishing locations.

[Craig P]

I started out of a Hobie Outback, both salt and fresh but after a few years or so, I was in your position and bought a boat.

 

I will always say that kayak fishing cannot be beat, it is such a connected fishing experience. If you never fully got into kayak fishing, it’s hard to explain but if you did, you know what I mean.

 

I am unsure of the headaches a boat brings?  I know the old saying, the best 2 days, buying and selling but my boating experience has been great and I will never look back.

[MN Fisher]

Quite a few here remember my canoe - great for being inexpensive, maneuverable and able to get into the skinniest water.

 

However, it just wasn't working for me...so, I sold it for about what I had in it and used that money to help fund the Bass Trek Project.

Started with this.

 

And after a winter's worth of work, ended up with this.

 

Total cost about $3k including the new TM, but the Sonar was taken from the Canoe before selling.

 

It's only a 14', but doing the same to a 16'-18' wouldn't be much more expensive.

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, Koz said:

It's a tough choice because a boat comes with its own headaches and challenges.

It sure does, i have 3 kayaks and 1 boat, and even though its so much easier fishing in the boat, not getting blown around by the wind as much, fishing while standing is easier, lots of more room for moving around and extra storage too, plus getting from spot to spot within minutes rather than half an hour but 99 times out of 100 id rather be in the Kayak.

 

Now my kayak setup is very minimalistic and i dont have electronics just 5-6 rods a few tackle trays and a dozen bags of soft plastic so i can just put it on the cart, load it in the truck and go. Once at the lake anywhere can be my boat launch, and it takes within 5 minutes or less to setup and im on the water.

 

Whereas the boat takes quite a bit, fill up the gas, charge the battery, make sure everythings working before taking it out, making sure the lights on the trailer are working, moving vehicles around, waiting for awhile at the boat launch for the other people, taking 20 minutes setting everything up, trying not to fall in the water when getting in/out (my boats a big Jon boat)  and also with the kayak even though i get blown around by wind i can paddle right up into a sunken tree and hold that position for hours, i cant take the boat into super shallow water either, i also cant go into the smaller creek channels with it either, but the kayak sure can.

My boat can do laps around the lake while ive only paddled halfway but id rather be patient and enjoy the nature, take my time while also giving myself the exercise my body and all our bodies desperately need. Plus when going slow in a kayak it gives you time to find good spots that might hold your next PB bass that you might have just went 20mph over in a boat. Ive found tons of bluegills and bass on my way from spot to spot in the kayak, that i would usually just past by.

 

My advice would be to either get a motorized fishing kayak (several companies are now making them as factory options, but theres also a few companies that sell them aftermarket that mount to most big name kayaks) or you can sell your current kayak and buy a more minimalistic kayak thats paddle powered for around $800-1600 and buy a boat as well.

A kayak is not better than a boat, and a boat is not better than a kayak, they are both great options it just depends on what you want to do with it, and what fits your needs.

[Susky River Rat]

I went from a scanoe with a trolling motor to a boat in 2019. I would NEVER go back to anything other than a boat. 
 

to me it seems like  kayak guys want their kayak to be a boat anyway. All kinds of batteries TM FFS etc. just buy a boat. 

[Koz]

6 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

and also with the kayak even though i get blown around by wind i can paddle right up into a sunken tree and hold that position for hours, i cant take the boat into super shallow water either, i also cant go into the smaller creek channels with it either, but the kayak sure can.

 

Your answer is to carry your kayak on your boat - best of both worlds 😀

 

Quote

My advice would be to either get a motorized fishing kayak

 

You may have missed my opening statement - I have an Old Town Autopilot that comes with a purpose built Minkota with spot lock.

 

The speed scale on the iPilot remote goas from 1-10 and when I travel distances I set it at 8. With that, I go about 3.2mph and I can be out there all day. If I crank it up to 10 (about 3.6 mph) it goes through the battery a lot quicker.

[DaubsNU1]

@MN Fisher has a good set up! And I'm sure it weighs in under 2k. Heck, my Lund specs out boat motor and trailer under 2k.

 

@Koz sounds like you have a great set up as well...but are facing some challenges. Understood! Years ago I started with a belly boat, chest waders, and kick fins. It wasn't much, but it got me off the shore. I remember kicking 20-25 minutes to access the "next cove over..." Good workout! 

 

A few years later I started fishing with a co-worker...he owned a canoe. We spent more time paddling and maneuvering than we did fishing. But again, we were on the water. 

 

My first boat was small, light, and inexpensive. The little 20HP could move me and my gear @ 20 MPH. Trolling motor didn't have spot-lock. It got the job done. 

 

I have been very happy with the Lund. It's a true multi-species boat that can handle everything from local lakes to the big Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota. Spot lock is wonderful, I really like the Helix units networked. I don't have FFS...maybe someday. Wife can now join me...she brings a book and a bottle of wine, lounges in the jump-seats while I fish. We even bring the dogs now and then. 

 

Good luck with your decision. You will find something that meets your needs and fits your budget.  

 

[MediumMouthBass]

@Koz i saw you had the autopilot, but i didnt think that and the motorized ones were so close in speed, i always thought the autopilots were slower.

So my suggestion would be get a boat, if you think you need a boat then you probably do.

And then if you find yourself missing fishing from a kayak get a cheaper one thats paddle powered.

Best of both worlds, 

3 hours ago, Koz said:

Your answer is to carry your kayak on your boat

Now youve given me an idea.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, DaubsNU1 said:

@MN Fisher has a good set up! And I'm sure it weighs in under 2k. Heck, my Lund specs out boat motor and trailer under 2k.

Dude - it comes in at around 1.2k with a full load including gas and LW tanks filled on the trailer.

 

Advantage of using 1/16" thick aluminum angle for the majority of the framing...it's very light.

[Susky River Rat]

@MN Fisher my boat is around 2k on the trailer.  They are built to take a beating. 

 

I was guilty when I got my boat to just run and gun. Because well I could. I spent most my day looking for greener pastures instead of keeping a bait wet. I finally did break that. Now I think at times I do not break away from the spot soon enough. So in theory you could be in the same situation just not realizing it because you get there faster.

[VolFan]

I went from a kayak to a 14 ft Lowe utility boat 5 yrs ago. Couldn’t be happier. It was under $5k already set up with basic electronics and a 20 hp tiller. I have added a TM with Spotlock and may upgrade the electronics eventually.  I added a deck and then took it out. Kayak fishing is fun but I need to be floating down a river or on a smaller body of water. I’m not wasting an hour paddling to a spot, good on the people that do. Now my wife and/or teen can come with comfortably. It takes me considerably less time to prep my boat than my kayak and frankly is easier on my body. You’ve been headed this way for a while, just make sure you have storage space😀.

[A-Jay]

I have a canoe & a Boat.

I don't put the boat in where I use the canoe.

And I'd never put the canoe in where I use the boat.

 

A-Jay

 

[gimruis]

Full disclosure, I have never had a kayak and there's a decent chance I never will.  So I can't comment on any personal experience with one.  But they seem very popular and they work for a lot of anglers that simply don't want to own a boat, maintain one, or have a place to store it.

 

When I was a kid growing up, fishing out of our family boat, I always dreamed of owning my own boat and rigging it how I want, using it how I want.  I was able to make that dream a reality 8 years ago because I have financial stability and a garage to store it in.  I have no regrets either.  I never dreamed of owning a kayak.  Part of that was because they just weren't that popular 25 years ago either.  And they certainly weren't the stealthy tricked out yaks you see today.

 

With a towing capacity of only 2,000 pounds, you are going to have a difficult time finding a 17 foot boat that stays under weight.  Not just under weight, but a reasonable amount under weight.  I always went by the 75% rule on towing - not to exceed 75% of the tow vehicle's capacity.  Once you add gasoline, gear, an outboard, a bow mount, batteries, etc, there is a lot more weight than just trailer and dry hull.

 

My suggestion would be to stick with what you have and perhaps lessen your travel times from spot to spot.  I would never travel an hour to fish a spot in my boat.  Just my 2 cents.

[JN94]

I started out kayak fishing and bought my first boat recently. I agree with you on the travel aspect - it can take FOREVER to get to places in the kayak. I have loved my boat so far but still use the kayak. I think kayaks are best suited for very small lakes or creeks/rivers. I fish my kayak in creeks/small rivers for smallmouth and love it for that. It's honestly probably my favorite type of fishing. I just put in at one spot and float down to the other. I don't have my kayak rigged with anything extra, so it's pretty barebones. The boat is essential though for fishing bigger water and you can do so much more with it. I'd say if you're only fishing bigger lakes then go with the boat. If you're fishing smaller stuff, keep the kayak. The most ideal is to keep both and use them in each of the scenarios they are best at though 😂

[GreenPig]

I've fished all over your home lake in my 1448. It'll run 25 mph with the 25 Mercury. I can fish for 8 hours with the 80 lb Terrova and when I plug it in to charge they're still at 70%. It comes in way under 2K and launching/loading is a snap. 

[Bankc]

Yeah, at $10k, I'd rather have a boat.  Everything has its place, and part of the reason I own a kayak, is because it's a lot cheaper than a boat.  Another reason is I have nowhere to store a boat.  So a boat payment, plus insurance, plus gas, plus maintenance, plus taxes, plus storage fees is just too much for me.  Even a small boat is hard to justify.  And since I can't really get any of my friends or family to want to go fishing with me, the kayak works just fine. 

It's easy to get carried away with a hobby if you're not careful.  Like most things in life, it's helpful to sit down and establish some goals and budgets to lay out both a short term, and long term plan.  That way you don't waste time and money, wandering around aimlessly, not sure where you plane to end up.  

[flatcreek]

It comes down to personal preference and style of fishing. As for me and my family we can’t get by fishing and camping the lakes we fish without V-8 truck engines 4wd vehicles.I need at least an 18 foot bassboat with a 150 hp outboard minimum to keep me content.If you plan on covering a lot of ground territory and water I would say an upgrade is a must.

[casts_by_fly]

Now you’ve come full circle.  The autopilot is a great kayak. Maybe the best you can buy at retail. In the “three things” thread, the clear limitation is speed to get somewhere. If you fish 10k acre reservoirs and like to spot hop, this ain’t the boat. I find that a practical max for running around a lake a little, big enough to not get bored fishing the same bank, small enough to fish all the good stuff is about 300-500 acres depending on the layout. A great 150 acre lake all to yourself is fantastic.  I fish a 1200 acre lake and you have to plan ahead but you can fish a lot of it in a day depending how you’re fishing. The 2k+ sized lakes here are tough and you have to pick your areas. On a 12 hour day of going down the bank I can cover about half of the 2700 acre lake fishing the docks. 
 

I have thought about a 2-6hp gas motor. That would do about 8-10mph and open things up. It’s also a lot more faff to deal with. Since it would really only help with two places I’m not doing it. 
 

like you’re finding, there are places for kayaks and places for boats. If you have the facilities for a boat and the lakes that need them, that’s the right answer. If you want to fish small, then a kayak can be great. 

[FryDog62]

I sold my Lund Pro-V Bass 1875 when I moved from Minnesota last Fall. I already had an Autopliot 120 here in Florida and kept that at least for the time being.
 

One of the biggest upgrades I added to the kayak when I moved here is an interstate-grade trailer that I can wet-launch. That way it is easier/faster to launch or pull out and get to the next spot by land if necessary. 

[airshot]

All kinds of great reasons here for owning boats or kayaks !!  What do you want to do and what types of areas to you have to use them.  Been fishing for over 60 years, owned everything from rowboat to canoe to kayak to cruiser to a speed boat...yep most everything that floats.  I have enjoyed each and everyone and each had their strong and weak points !! To do age and health restrictions, I now have a 16' Sylvan SC with 40hp motor.  Easily loaded and unloaded by myself, catches enough fish to fill my freezer. Economical enough that I can afford to go whenever I want, so always looking for an excuse to go for a boat ride.  Each different watercraft has been my favorite at one time or another, each one had a purpose to fill.  None were a poor choice, just sit back, !look at your surroundings and ask...what fits my needs and wants currently !!  And, no one says you can only have one type of watercraft at a time !

[Choporoz]

I use both, but prefer the boat, generally.  But the Hobie is perfect for most rivers, and on reservoirs under about 500 acres, though I have fished it on massive lakes just fine.

9 hours ago, gimruis said:

My suggestion would be to stick with what you have and perhaps lessen your travel times from spot to spot.  I would never travel an hour to fish a spot in my boat.  Just my 2 cents.

This is what I was thinking.  Maybe the issue was more about your choices of where to fish that lake, than about the vessel.  I wonder how many 7 lb bass you drove past yesterday...

[JayMac89]

I'll throw my .02 in.

 

I love kayak fishing. Started in September last year, quickly upgraded to a pedal drive. Fell in love with it fast and hard. I also fish small lakes. I don't know the acreage. But small enough that no gas motors are allowed. I'm taking an educated guess but id guess i could pedal my yak around one of the bigger lakes i fish in about an hour or two depending on the lake. 

 

If i fished some of these bigger lakes alot of you guys fish, i don't think i ever would of tried kayak fishing. Would of went straight from bank to a boat. Too much water to cover. Hell, i almost went straight to a jon boat on my small lakes. BUT there is that somthing about fishing out of a kayak. Don't know what it is exactly. But im sure you know what i mean. And I'm so glad i went the kayak route. Although i just said i would of gone straight to a boat from the bank if i fished these bigger lakes, knowing what i now know about kayak fishing in not sure i would. I just caught my PB yesterday.... would not of been possible in a boat. I had to get the kayak up in there. You know what I'm saying. 

 

The way i see it, you have a few options.

-The first is obvious.... get a boat. 

- second is keep the kayak but break your lakes up into smaller kayak size pieces. If possible with launch spots. Fish the NE corner today. The south tomorrow. Yada yada. Don't try and fish the entire thing in one day or motor across it. 

- option 3. You mentioned loving your kayak. But wish you could spend more time fishing.... well you can. Pretty simply. Just fish and stop trying to cover water. If that means fishing different smaller lakes. Or fish your bigger lake but accept the fact that your limited to a certain area.

 

No one spends 10K on somthing they don't love. You clearly love kayak fishing. Our at least did at one point. Before you make a decision, take a week and fish out of the kayak. But fish out of it with a kayaker mentality, not a boaters. If you find yourself wishing you could motor across the lake... well there's your answer. If you have a blast, well maybe then all you needed was a change in mentality. 

[Capt Ed]

I get how someone would love fishing from a kayak.  There are a lot of positives.

 

However, if you're like me, the reason I fish is to catch fish.  Even a small boat opens up a huge new world for you to explore and new places to fish.  

 

With a 2,000lb. towing limit, I agree with jimruis, try to find a rig that weighs about 1500lbs. total.  There are lots of rigs that fit the bill.  And, if you want to fish Georgia's bigger lakes with their boat traffic, I'd recommend a v hull for comfort and safety. 16' length, get as close to you can to highest horsepower for your boat, and, if you buy new, get it minimally equipped so you can customize with your rigging to what you want.     

 

Good luck!

[slowworm]

I have both a kayak and a boat.  I don't really prefer one over the other.  And I don't fish the same waters with the kayak and the boat.

 

The boat goes on the bigger waters.  The kayak goes on the skinny waters that I could never use the boat for.  I find the kayak great for heading out for an evening after work on the smaller waters close to home. 

 

They both open up places to fish, just different places to fish. I do know when all I had was a kayak, I wanted a boat.  Now I have a boat, I would not be without the kayak.

[flyfisher]

I think part of the issue too is that kayak is flat out slow.  Sure you can exert less effort but you can easily paddle a kayak at 3mph all day long without much effort.  My dad has the 13' version of the same boat and when we go out i have my NK180 at half throttle while he is at full blast and I still have to drop it back so I don't drop him.  Mine doesn't have spot lock which I have no doubt is awesome and his works great on the river but I can manage without that for a little extra speed and distance covered.

 

No kayak will be able to cover water like even a small boat will, it is juist one of the limitations.  Ultimately it is up to you to decide which would be more valuable in your style of fishing.