Retro51

Well I just bought a Pelican with a cockpit, but the day before, I went to Cedar Hill to bike, and talked with some kayakers there about their sit-on-top models. He seemed to like them better - he had fishing gear, and they may be a little easier to fish from. It's pain to stick anything longer than your arm inside the cockpit. If I were to fish with mine, I would rig a bungee cord system to hold my rod on top while I paddled. In fact, I need to do that to hold my paddle when I'm not using it anyway. Lots of people fish from cockpit models. It's kind of hard to deal with a tackle box, something to keep your fish in, and maybe a lunchbox or cooler, but it could be done. You just simplify everything as much as possible.
He also told me, he likes to roll off into the water to cool off. That would be really hard to do from a cockpit, and even harder to climb back in. Well, I don't think I will do that much. Besides, I don't like the sun on my legs, which would be totally exposed if I sat on top. If I want to get out, I'll beach the craft, wade around or swim and walk around.
Finally, it would be easier to scube dive from one, but I don't plan on doing that either.
If you are buying, you need to consider the pros and cons of each one. Note: there are some really nice sit-on-top models for fishing, with rod holders and so on. If you plan to fish, you may want to consider these.

Turn Key

Hi Retro,

As you may be able to make out from my picture, ours are SOT's. We do like them though one with a cockpit would be nice in the early spring. Water tends to be a bit chilly. I like mine for fishing. I never try to carry more then one rod and I have a small (maybe 12X8X1) plastic box that is plenty big enough to carry enough tackle for one day's fishing. Add knife, pliers, water and a small snack and I'm good to go. As I've gone to just about 100% "catch and release" (for many reasons), a way to carry fish is not a problem.

Happy Camping (and Fishing)!

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Retro51

Thanks - I may try fising in mine next Spring. I did see some likely spots on Lake Granbury yesterday.
However, I did have some trouble yesterday, that may have been avoided with a sit-on-top model. After spending about 3 hrs on Lake Granbury, I took it to the fork of the Trinity that runs by the Golf course in Benbrook, near the start of the Trinity Bike Trail (Memorial Park).

Well - first off the water was low, so low in spots that I had to get out and drag the kayak over rocks. So I had to master the art of getting back in, once the water was deep enough - standing in hip deep water, not from a beach. Twice I tipped over the kayak - and it filled up completely with water. I had to drag it to the side, turn it over, and then open the drain and hold it up on it's stern, to drain out the water. That would have been disastrous on a lake - since I couldn't stand in the water and pull it ashore. I'm not saying it would have sank - it has some flotation, but it would have been a major disaster. Mostly I wouldn't be going in and out on the lake, at least, not out in deep water. I think a sit-on-top model would just turn back over, and climb on again.

I think if my brother were to buy one - he's a fisherman (and not sure he would go in for paddling, since he's had some back problems) I would recommend a sit-on-top model. If I get another one, I might consider one just so I would have both. I do have different sets of plans for building canvas skin-on-frame kayaks, which I still want to do.

Hippy

I have 2 kayaks, 1 is an Old Town Loon 120 (I think) and the other is a Perception Acadia (both are roughly 8 yrs old). Both are sit in kayaks. We go fishing all the time in them, typically with a lot of gear. The cockpit in the Old Town is great, very large. My usual arrangement would be like this,

In front of boat (inside) - room enough for a large size waterproof bag or other storage device (this would be shoved all the way to the front of the boat, next in line just between the knees you have room for another storage device or in your case a good sized tackle box.
Behind the seat (inside) - room enough for another large storage container or in the case of my last trip there was room enough for 2 x 2.5gal water containers, tarps or a few other small items.
In front of boat (on top) - bungee cords hold another mid-sized storage container and I use the extra slack to hold 1 or both of my poles.

If the fishing is bad and I decide to do more close to shore exploring I can take the poles off the top and run 1 down each side of the boat on the inside with the reels sitting just next to the seat.

Here is a pic of my bro-in-law from my last trip, 9 days on the brazos with fishing equipment.
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6184082

Retro51

Good info - I figured most of it out, except I need a place to attach bungee cords for rods and paddle. There is a panel that removes to give a hole for a rod holder. There is also a compartment on the rear deck, that is not waterproof.
Did you have a camp to go back to? Where on the Brazos was this? I saw an outfitter/canoe-rental near Cleburne yesterday, close by the Brazos. The problem I've had in the past with river trips, is how to put-in and take-out unless you have a recovery vehicle set up.

Hippy

no base camp, we usually camp on the way.

Here are 2 places that I know about that will help you portage your car or boat.

http://www.rochellescanoerental.com/ This is up near Possum Kingdom.

http://www.glenrosearea.com/rhodes/ This one is below Lake Granbury

I have used both of these services with good results from each.

For my 9 day trip I had a relative drop me in and pick me up.

PUNCHY

Hippy, some nice pics there on your Bro-in-laws site. Did yall catch anything besides the gar? Were there any major hazards or portages you came across? Ive read about that run before but and cant really remember those details. Im thinking of trying to make that run around sping break with my boys.

Thanks,
Duane

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Punchy

Hippy

Thank you, its my site, the pic was of the bro-in-law.
For the first 2 days just below PK we caught probably 50 small Bass but nothing to write home about! The next 7 days were horrible, only 2 gar and 1 catfish (small as well). No hazards or portages to speak of but we went when the water was a little higher than it usually is so the river was great, funny thing, we had to drag our boats more in Lake Granbury than we did in the river.

Retro51

Well I got a sit-on-top from Academy after T-giving for only $150. Now I have both. First time in the S-O-T it felt too trippy, so I added small outriggers. It feels much more stable now.

I also built a small boat, and am now building another that can be sailed as a catamaran or can be used as a canoe. I've built half of it so far.

Electric Water Boy

Which SOT from Academy did you get? The Pelicans are pretty tippy. Haven't seen too many people who care for them. The rest that Academy sells seem to be ok.

The tippy feeling will somewhat go away after you've paddled a while and have taught yourself who move about as need while keeping your center of gravity over the center.

Retro51

That's exactly what I got. In fact, both of mine are Pelicans from Academy. The SOT was an After-Thanksgiving special - they got 10 which were advertised in a flyer.

When I first got in, I found it too tippy. I paddled a bit and seemed to get used to it, but since I had made outriggers for my Kayak/Sailboat, and the SOT had a groove where I could strap the bar between the outriggers w/o making any permanent attachements, I wanted to try it. That's the way I use it now. The outriggers are about 3 feet long, attached to the rear paddle holder/groove that is moled in.

I am planning a trip to Caddo Lake for Spring or Summer, and wonder if I should leave the SOT at home. I see there are some gators there. I think I want more between me and a gator than the SOT would offer.

baytownbert

I am planning to buy an Ocean Kayak SOT tandem soon and I'm looking at the Malibu Two XL. I plan to do lake and slow moving streams, bayous and cuts only.

Does anyone know of something any better than this kayak for stability and quality?

Malibu Two XL™ - Long Lightweight Tandem That Can Also Be Paddled Solo - Ocean Kayak

JohnK

Looks like a great kayak according to the reviews at the following link:

Malibu Two XL by Ocean Kayak - Product Reviews

BTW, this site has reviews on tons of yaks. If there are any others you are considering, you likely will find reviews on them there.

Happy kayaking!

JohnK

baytownbert

Thanks JohnK! I read every review and this looks like the perfect Yak for my needs.

PUNCHY

Baytownbert take a look at the hobie kona if you would like to look at another top notch kayak. We have three kayaks and this one I like to refer as the battleship, its that stable. It can seat 1 or 2 people comfortably. When we float the rivers this kayak carries most of our gear and you still have enough room to fish. I have started standing up in the kona to get a better view of the fish. At 11'6" it handles well on the river, lake and bay.
I also recommend trying to wait for Austin Conoe and Kayaks demo days, you get to try before you buy. Austin Kayak - Demo Day
They have a place in Austin, San Marcos and even Houston.

There are also alot of mods that can be performed. I installed a depth finder on my wifes. The newer hobie kayaks have a mirage system that will let you fish while you move.

Have fun

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Punchy