chip
05-20-2006, 10:48 AM
Hey Bro,
Here are some photos of two of my kayaks.
The yellow one is a Wilderness Systems “Paradise”. It is a sit-on-top (SOT) with a multi chine hull. I used to take it to the beach several times a year and launch it in the surf to fish beyond the breakers, and to paddle across the sound to Fort Fisher. When I launch it in the surf I usually take a few breaking waves over the bow that would sink my other kayak. SOTs are unsinkable because they are just a big plastic bubble, but they aren’t unflippable. My biggest gripe about the yellow boat is it’s lack of speed, which I attribute to the multichine hull. These hulls are supposed to be more stable than hard chine boats, but I think stability is more a function of operator finesse.
17033
17034
17040
The blue boat is a Wilderness System Pamlico (they changed the names of the Pamlico line, I think mine is now called a 135). .It’s a “Sport Kayak” with hard chines. The longer a kayak is, the faster it is, and fast means you can go more places. It is much faster than the Paradise, and it’s the one I use for everything except surf fishing. The front seat can slide forward to accommodate two people (very cramped) or back for solo paddling. I use this boat every month of the year except February (shad in March, duck hunting in January). I only use it solo mode and I can fit my snorkeling, fishing and photography gear (about 100 pounds) in it as well as my own ass. But when the wind picks up, or if I have to shoot some rapids, it’ll ship some water.
17035
17036
17039
I think the most important thing on a kayak is the seat. Both of these boats have adjustable seats and I can paddle either one for 8 hours with reasonable comfort. On the other hand, I’ve been in other kayaks that tortured my lower back after 2 hours. So whatever boat you get, make sure the seats have adjustable backrests.
17038
17037
Both of these boats have plastic hulls. Fiberglass and carbon are lighter (50 pounds vs 70 for my Pamlico) but if you hit a rock or oyster bed they can break. I have beat the crap out of my Pamlico, but it just doesn’t care.
If I was to buy another kayak, I would get the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160. It’s a SOT with hard chines and a relatively narrow hull. It looks really fast. I think you should get one and let me use it when you’re gone.
Here are some photos of two of my kayaks.
The yellow one is a Wilderness Systems “Paradise”. It is a sit-on-top (SOT) with a multi chine hull. I used to take it to the beach several times a year and launch it in the surf to fish beyond the breakers, and to paddle across the sound to Fort Fisher. When I launch it in the surf I usually take a few breaking waves over the bow that would sink my other kayak. SOTs are unsinkable because they are just a big plastic bubble, but they aren’t unflippable. My biggest gripe about the yellow boat is it’s lack of speed, which I attribute to the multichine hull. These hulls are supposed to be more stable than hard chine boats, but I think stability is more a function of operator finesse.
17033
17034
17040
The blue boat is a Wilderness System Pamlico (they changed the names of the Pamlico line, I think mine is now called a 135). .It’s a “Sport Kayak” with hard chines. The longer a kayak is, the faster it is, and fast means you can go more places. It is much faster than the Paradise, and it’s the one I use for everything except surf fishing. The front seat can slide forward to accommodate two people (very cramped) or back for solo paddling. I use this boat every month of the year except February (shad in March, duck hunting in January). I only use it solo mode and I can fit my snorkeling, fishing and photography gear (about 100 pounds) in it as well as my own ass. But when the wind picks up, or if I have to shoot some rapids, it’ll ship some water.
17035
17036
17039
I think the most important thing on a kayak is the seat. Both of these boats have adjustable seats and I can paddle either one for 8 hours with reasonable comfort. On the other hand, I’ve been in other kayaks that tortured my lower back after 2 hours. So whatever boat you get, make sure the seats have adjustable backrests.
17038
17037
Both of these boats have plastic hulls. Fiberglass and carbon are lighter (50 pounds vs 70 for my Pamlico) but if you hit a rock or oyster bed they can break. I have beat the crap out of my Pamlico, but it just doesn’t care.
If I was to buy another kayak, I would get the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160. It’s a SOT with hard chines and a relatively narrow hull. It looks really fast. I think you should get one and let me use it when you’re gone.