What's your favorite Yak?

[itself]

So what is your favorite ka"yak"?

I have to say, I am a huge fan of the Wilderness Systems Kayaks. Well made and durable, our tandem 145T has been amazing.

I'm curious what folks are using for singles. I've been spying two boats; The Wilderness System Tarpon Ultralite (only 40lbs!!!), and the Wilderness System Tsunami. One is an entry level fancy sit on top, but wow, can you store a lot of gear:

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/recreational/recreational_tarpon/tarpon_120ultraliter_recreational/

And then there is the Tsunami, a more intermediate boat, which I personally like (I think my partner will like the Tarpon). Apparently, the Tsunami can store a ton of stuff, although appearances look otherwise:

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/touring/touring_tsunami/tsunami_135r_touring/

It's interesting that in plastic boats, they just don't make them that light. In Arizona, our beaches are gravely rock, and the customer service people seem to think that the Tarpon Ultralite might not last as long.

We so love kayaking, there is just nothing that compares to being on the water. But just being outside is amazing, hiking and biking too.

Let me know what your yak is, and what you love about it!

Lisa

[divingbiker]

I can't really say it's a favorite since it's the only boat I have and I've only ever paddled one other kayak (7rider's), but I've got a Hurricane Santee 116 Sport (http://www.hurricaneaquasports.com/santee-116-sport.html). I bought it because it is lightweight enough to put on my car roof by myself, and because it comes in a beautiful red.:p I got the big cockpit because I had visions of taking one of the dogs with me, and because when I bought it I weighed a lot more than I do now and it was more comfortable. Not sure I would do that now, but it's fine.

It is much tippier than one would think a wide kayak would be, but I it does what I need it to do and I like it for the occasional kayaking on flat water that I do. Time to get out on the water again...Kalidurga and 7rider??? Maybe next weekend?

[KnottedYet]

Necky Chatham 17. http://www.neckykayaks.com/kayaks/touring/chatham_17_polymer.shtml

I love this kayak with the sort of passion usually reserved only for my bikes!

(well, and my car. I love my car, too. But that's different, cuz I don't power the car myself):rolleyes:

[tulip]

Good discussion here with some good photos:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=26890

Personally, I like the one that I can use, and at the moment it's a Hobie sitontop. But it's better than nothing, and since I can't afford my own at the moment, I'm happy to be floating on whatever is available.

[7rider]

So what is your favorite ka"yak"?



Well, Tulip posted a link to the thread where I discuss our boats.

My favorite among the boats we have now (or have ever had) would be the Necky. My ideal boat would be the Necky, with a rudder, a more comfortable seat, and about 15 pounds lighter. Oh....and it would be about $400 brand new! :rolleyes:

[Zen]

since I can't afford my own at the moment, I'm happy to be floating on whatever is available.

Hey! We're in the same boat! Bad pun intended.

[solobiker]

Here is a pic from a trip that we did where we carried our gear. we spent 2 nights on this island.


http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr57/solobiker27/DSCN3469.jpg

[solobiker]

Actually I posted the wrong picture. The first one is DH's. This one is mine. It is a VCP pintail.

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr57/solobiker27/DSCN3434.jpg

[wavedancer]

I haven't done as much kayaking over the past 2 years because rec time has been mostly taken up with biking! I've done quite a bit of sea kayaking, though, and the Pintail is my go-to boat when I want to feel comfortable in rough conditions, poke around in tight nooks and crannies, and I have kayak-camped with it. Not as much storage as some higher volume boats, but wonderfully maneuverable and fun to paddle :)

[solobiker]

I haven't done as much kayaking over the past 2 years because rec time has been mostly taken up with biking! I've done quite a bit of sea kayaking, though, and the Pintail is my go-to boat when I want to feel comfortable in rough conditions, poke around in tight nooks and crannies, and I have kayak-camped with it. Not as much storage as some higher volume boats, but wonderfully maneuverable and fun to paddle :)

This boat is fun to surf too. When I lived in NY I would take it out on Lake Ontario during and after stoms. Some of the waves back there get pretty darn big:D