By John “Toast” Oast
We usually wait a month after a new issue has gone online before posting current articles, but we felt this was an important one and could come in handy as the Fall fishing bite comes in...
From the September 2011 issue of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine.
To download this and all back issue free, visit SusquehannaFishing.com:
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I always am asked, “What brand kayak is best?” Well, I usually respond with the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” Don’t get me wrong, there are great deals to be had, and someone on a budget can usually find a used fishing kayak and save some money. That being said, some brands are better than others. What I mean by “better” is the quality of the workmanship and durability of the product. Keep in mind while shopping for a kayak that not all kayaks are created equally.
A good rule of thumb is that if you shop at a specialty paddlesports retailer, you will rarely come across an inferior kayak. The same cannot always be said for the “big box” stores. While some of the larger retailers do carry higher-end kayak products, they typically specialize in more entry-level, inexpensive boats. And the training and knowledge of staff at the larger retailers will usually not come near that of those who demonstrate products at local retailers. Oh, and it’s also good to support your local businesses…
Brand names aside, what should one look for in judging the quality of a kayak for fishing? Well, the best informed paddlers know it’s not about all the “bells and whistles” the kayak comes with. Many lower quality kayaks come with various accessories, which are typically after-market products, to distract the buyer from the workmanship of the hull. Most kayak anglers launch from cement ramps or may drag their kayaks through brush and gravel to gain access. Underwater obstructions, such as gravel bars, rocks, pilings, or oyster beds may also be encountered. Each of these obstacles creates the need for a durable hull.
I always tell potential buyers to check out the underside of the hull. Typically the cockpit of the kayak is displayed to show the boat’s ease of rigging and comfort of the seating area, but the underside is just as important, and not just in how its shape creates the vessel’s stability and handling. I always recommend feeling the plastic in the hull to see how prone to scraping it may be. I also tell buyers to push on the bottom of the hull to see how flexible the plastic is, and how thick the plastic may be. Then one can check out and compare the quality of various kayaks. If the hull feels thin, and flexes like a milk carton from your refrigerator, beware.
Most modern fishing kayaks are made using the rotomolding process. This involves a manufacturer heating up the plastic material while rotating the mold to properly spread the molten plastic evenly throughout the mold. If the sections of the mold are not aligned properly prior to the molding process, the seams may have blemishes. When shopping, look at the main seam around the outside of the boat’s hull. If there is an uneven spot there may be a thinner section of plastic, which may cause the kayak to be more vulnerable to leaking. Also, if looking at a sit-on-top kayak, look into the kayak’s self-bailing drain holes, called scupper holes. Make sure the scupper seams are also aligned properly. Scupper holes are the most common warranty issue with sit-on-top kayaks, and aftermarket repair in these locations is extremely difficult.
Once confident of the kayak’s plastic durability, thickness, and workmanship, the shopper can begin to inspect the boat’s riggings and accessories. Make sure that all bolts and rivets are properly installed, and the handles are strong and appear to be able to handle an acceptable amount of wear and tear. Make sure that any hatches seal properly, with a snug, watertight fit. If a seat is included with the kayak, check its stitching and construction materials. If it looks like it might tear, fray, or break, it probably will at some point.
So, “what’s in a name?” The bottom line, as far as product quality goes, some brands really are better than others. The kayaks manufactured by companies many of us are familiar with, and are typically found at specialty shops, may have longer life expectancies and be less vulnerable to a kayak angler’s abuse. Like I said, “You get what you pay for.” Spending a little more money for one kayak versus another may result in a product which will last years longer. If you are on a confined budget, you can still get a high-quality used kayak by looking at a local newspaper classifieds, Craigslist, or Ebay. You might even spend less than you would on an entry-level, big box kayak!
John “Toast” Oast is the publisher of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine and a member of the Ocean Kayak Fishing Team. His kayak rigging videos have received thousands of views, and been linked to websites around the world. For more information, visit http://fishyaker.com/ and his Youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/fishyaker.
