4 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Seriously?!? You're killing me

I got the drywall hung up years ago when you were busting my chops but never finished it, it’s just one extra room so I close the door and try not to think about it 😂 

 

The deck I need some guidance, I can do the work but there is no ledger board and sometimes I see water rolling back toward the house on the boards underneath. It has only done minimal damage over 35+ years but I’d rather do it right and I’m not sure what to attach the ledger board to. I’m guessing you bolt it to the floor trusses? The way they built it back in the day, the deck trusses go thru the wood siding and I imagine are attached to the floor trusses between the first and second floor. 
 

But back to kayaks, I have 4 of them laying down there next to the dock ready to go !!!! 

9 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I got the drywall hung up years ago when you were busting my chops but never finished it, it’s just one extra room so I close the door and try not to think about it 😂 

 

The deck I need some guidance, I can do the work but there is no ledger board and sometimes I see water rolling back toward the house on the boards underneath. It has only done minimal damage over 35+ years but I’d rather do it right and I’m not sure what to attach the ledger board to. I’m guessing you bolt it to the floor trusses? The way they built it back in the day, the deck trusses go thru the wood siding and I imagine are attached to the floor trusses between the first and second floor. 
 

But back to kayaks, I have 4 of them laying down there next to the dock ready to go !!!! 

It's not that hard, really.

Lag bolt directly to the ledger board around the sub floor.

Pull a string with a level to outside of deck to get your drop, 1/4 is enough.

 

Back to kayaks, sold all mine 😅

2 hours ago, the reel ess said:

You'd be amazed how many big bass are in very shallow water year round. 

 

I know! We fish the same way. I cast to water so shallow that I start my retrieve when my lure is still in the air. No lie.

 

By summer's end, due to the drought, the water beside my dock was about four inches deep, but I could still launch. 

@Bird, that knowledge is exactly what I need! (With some supervision) Thanks!!! Always helps to talk to people that have done it before. 
 

I really like the looks of that kayak you sold, I’d like to have a premium yak but I can use my wife’s Jackson Liska when she’s not looking, it paddles and fishes like a dream, just heavy

10 hours ago, gim said:

Obviously this thread has simply turned into nothing but an echo chamber for yak lovers who want to crap on boat owners.

 

If it had simply stayed on course with reasons kayak owners had one instead of ripping on a boat and why they are more expensive, cumbersome, heavy, and a burden to own, it would have turned out much better.  But nope, it went off the rails.

 

Maybe I'll start a thread to highlight the advantages of a boat and then let the vultures circle in to pee on the yaks while we're at it.

No it hasn’t gone off the rails, it’s a proclamation of pro’s and con’s for the individual owners of each preferred “boat”.

Don’t take it personally that a good portion of yak owners vigorously defend their style over a traditional boat.

That is, after all the OP’s question, why one over the other.

2 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

but I can do it with my little boats and it's so gratifying, close to magical, when my boat turns on a little river or bog the way I need to go without my paddle or any thought. 

The force is strong in this one, I think yes. 
Just kidding ya. 
It’s great when you can connect like that. I total get it

 

7 minutes ago, GRiver said:

The force is strong in this one, I think yes. 
Just kidding ya. 
It’s great when you can connect like that. I total get it

 

 

Of course, I'm just shifting my weight here and there, but I've done it so much that it's like walking: I don't have to think about it. Anyway, it's fun and for me, another reason to fish out of a kayak or canoe.

26 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

@Bird, that knowledge is exactly what I need! (With some supervision) Thanks!!! Always helps to talk to people that have done it before. 
 

I really like the looks of that kayak you sold, I’d like to have a premium yak but I can use my wife’s Jackson Liska when she’s not looking, it paddles and fishes like a dream, just heavy

Tennessee ain't that far, bought my boat there " Bunch marine" .

Been there for 2 of my favorite people...... Charles Lawson and Kenny Chesney.

Heard of them ❓ lol

This is why I love the kayak experience.....

 

 

@Crow Horse: Yep!

11 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

The deck I need some guidance, I can do the work but there is no ledger board and sometimes I see water rolling back toward the house on the boards underneath.

Can you take a pic of the deck and a pic of how the joist attach to the house now?

 

4 kayaks? How many boats?

@Jigfishn10
 

I keep my 2 motor boats in the driveway where we live in Knoxville, I’ll get ya a pic of deck underside later today. 
 

The 4 kayaks are all cheapo’s , $20-$30 dollar yard sale purchases. I love the blue one tho, it’s super fast to paddle between spots 

 

What I’ve learned from this thread. If we had the space and budget, and uncrowded waters, we would all own both!
 

The right tool for the job is always variable to the job. 

 

 

This has been an interesting journey.  Thanks a lot for all of your posts and thoughts they’ve been very informative.

14 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

This has been an interesting journey.  Thanks a lot for all of your posts and thoughts they’ve been very informative.

I bet that you never imagined how 1 simple 2 word question almost got NATO involved … 😂

@Craig P no I wouldn’t own both. I’m not into going backwards. 

I figured it would wind up being all over the place. I was just curious.  I only know one yak owner and he is more into floating with his kids instead of fishing.

I aint going backwards either.  I'll stick with my boat.

 

 

On 12/19/2025 at 1:24 PM, Jigfishn10 said:

Seriously?!? You're killing me

Agreed😬 If this were 3-1/2 years from now and my youngest was done with college I’d be seriously interested in this. And yes I built the deck on my previous house which I unfortunately don’t have a picture of🙁 but I was a carpenter for a bit.

Edited December 21, 2025Dec 21 by Eric 26
Added content

idk I own both. i fish from whichever one the conditions call for.I prefer the boat because it offers more room for storage its more comfortable etc. But im not buyig a jet boat just to fish the river, and i have a couple small places that have excellent fishing but not boat ramps. So i use the kayak there and have a great time. I just use whichever tool is best for the job.

I own a native Titan X 10.5 kayak currently. It cost me around $3000 new and I’ve put another few thousand into the accessories and electronics.

 

It gets me out on the water, allows me to do a few kayak tourneys when I feel like it, and is still maneuverable enough for me to throw it in the bed of my truck and go for a few hours. I can’t take it on really large lakes and it can be a pain when it’s windy but most of the lakes I fish are small, electric-only lakes anyways. 

 

I don’t have enough storage space for a boat right now but will get one in the future. For now, the kayak works for me.

If you ain’t yakkin’ you’re slackin’

 

 

Yesterday I had my boat hooked up to my

truck and charged batteries, ready to go. I opted for the canoe for some exercise and was rewarded with a 21.5” SMB. 

On 12/22/2025 at 10:36 AM, 5by3 said:

I own a native Titan X 10.5 kayak currently. 

 

I can’t take it on really large lakes and it can be a pain when it’s windy but most of the lakes I fish are small, electric-only lakes anyways. 

 

 

If you enjoy the kayak, consider upgrading to one that is 12.5' - 13.5' in length. It will change everything for you. I run my AP120 out on big lakes with no problems, even in windy weather.

On 12/17/2025 at 7:48 AM, Motoboss said:

My intent is not to be snarky or appear angry but having been on both sides of the issue; I don’t see why people fish from big , really dangerous overpowered rigs. Do you really need two hundred/three hundred horsepower on a five hundred acre lake? Or spend $60-100k to go fishing? Kayakers are only in danger from inattentive bass/pleasure (large) boaters whom believe they own the water, like the Karens who think they own the water around their docks. Some boaters inattentive somewhat elitist attitude is really the true issue to safety to others sharing the water. You’ve never heard of a kayak running into a big boater at 3mph and killing someone. 
I see your question as a “they” problem but not “me” attitude.

 

Kayaks are a more personal experience, without all the bling, forty two rods, multiple big screen tv’s, coolers for beers and subway sandwiches or the ability to run four hours and miles only to fish for an hour in total all day. Believe me, I’ve been there! I can stand, move about, cast in any direction, spotlock on a point, and get to places a big boat can’t with less effort or investment all the while being “in” the outdoors. Plus I can fish small water, big water and rivers with one rig that fits in my truck, if I choose and stores easily.

 

In total, kayak tournaments have become more popular with close to or above participation nation wide exceeding bass boater tournaments. Most offer multi-day opportunities without having to outlay hundreds in entry fees, launch and fuel expenses. It has drawn new and the casual fisherman back or into the sport. Which is a good thing.

 

I'm in my 70’s and have never enjoyed fishing more than in my kayak and canoe. Outside of physical limitations you’re never too old to learn new tricks, just too stubborn to try.

You said it perfectly. I sold my Skeeter because it just sat because I enjoyed paddling my kayak. Then I tried a canoe and really like the extra space I have in it. It's about 100lbs and I can average 3 1/2-4 mph on my local lake. I avoid lakes with a lot of boat traffic because for the most part they have no respect for others especially tournament guys. I've actually had a father and son in a Ranger try to capsize my wife and myself. They kept running circles around us. Nothing beats the sound of the paddle in the water. I'm 61 with several physical limitations and sometimes it's a struggle but it's worth every bit of the effort. 

Bummer that a kayak is considered “going backwards”. 
 

I had a boat and I stepped into new challenges physically and territorially. 
 

im the best fisherman now in my entire life.  And most physically fit.   Coming back up this hill will kill some people.  To me it’s just a Monday.