Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge - View Single Post

bubblehide · 03-08-2015, 10:01 PM

It's a kayak that had a very experienced kayak fisherman involved in the design. As such, it has some really nice features. IMNSHO, the beam (the width) is about ideal for a fishing kayak. I'd have to actually paddle one to know, but my first impression is that I'd like the forward keel a little deeper and longer. The rear appears pretty much just right. So what does this mean in layman's terms. it has to do with how well the boat tracks, how well it paddles into the wind, and how it overall handles choppy conditions. A shallower rear keel (actually a skeg), allows the boat to turn faster (the front does the opposite, to a degree); so a balance is needed. If you have a deep rear keel, the boat will track exceptionally well, but it wont turn for $#@&. Now what I'm talking about is actually very minor adjustment in the hull, that most would not notice.

I'm not sure if the boat comes with a grudgeon, but I would hope so, so you could add a rudder, primarily for windy conditions, as the hull looks like a very nice design, and will handle most conditions well without a rudder.

Does it have inside rod storage, it looks like it should, but I have yet to see one in person, and up close.

I like the built in bait tank pump, I actually cut a hole in my kayak to put one in. The only issue I see with this, is the placement could be problematic as it will clog with kelp and such. I positioned my just in-front of me, to my left side, so I can reach down and clean it when necessary. If you could throw in a reverse switch, it would solve this problem. But honestly, I don't even know (off the top of my head) if these pumps can do that.

Now those are about all I could possibly complain about, and to do so, I'm being exceptionally picky. The fact is that the Kraken looks like a solid fishing machine, well designed, and almost ready to fish, with a lot of very nice features, just add a fishfinder/gps, and hook up the bait tank pump, and your ready to go.

IMNSHO, Hobie has a hit with the pedal drive, but they severely lack in hull design on their fishing kayaks. They could and should take note here with the Kraken. But then a pedal drive is not well suited for every situation, but much better suited for others; calm open water comes to mind here.

Personally, if I were looking for a production kayak, I'd be looking at the Kraken.

03-08-2015, 10:01 PM	#2
bubblehide Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 552	It's a kayak that had a very experienced kayak fisherman involved in the design. As such, it has some really nice features. IMNSHO, the beam (the width) is about ideal for a fishing kayak. I'd have to actually paddle one to know, but my first impression is that I'd like the forward keel a little deeper and longer. The rear appears pretty much just right. So what does this mean in layman's terms. it has to do with how well the boat tracks, how well it paddles into the wind, and how it overall handles choppy conditions. A shallower rear keel (actually a skeg), allows the boat to turn faster (the front does the opposite, to a degree); so a balance is needed. If you have a deep rear keel, the boat will track exceptionally well, but it wont turn for $#@&. Now what I'm talking about is actually very minor adjustment in the hull, that most would not notice. I'm not sure if the boat comes with a grudgeon, but I would hope so, so you could add a rudder, primarily for windy conditions, as the hull looks like a very nice design, and will handle most conditions well without a rudder. Does it have inside rod storage, it looks like it should, but I have yet to see one in person, and up close. I like the built in bait tank pump, I actually cut a hole in my kayak to put one in. The only issue I see with this, is the placement could be problematic as it will clog with kelp and such. I positioned my just in-front of me, to my left side, so I can reach down and clean it when necessary. If you could throw in a reverse switch, it would solve this problem. But honestly, I don't even know (off the top of my head) if these pumps can do that. Now those are about all I could possibly complain about, and to do so, I'm being exceptionally picky. The fact is that the Kraken looks like a solid fishing machine, well designed, and almost ready to fish, with a lot of very nice features, just add a fishfinder/gps, and hook up the bait tank pump, and your ready to go. IMNSHO, Hobie has a hit with the pedal drive, but they severely lack in hull design on their fishing kayaks. They could and should take note here with the Kraken. But then a pedal drive is not well suited for every situation, but much better suited for others; calm open water comes to mind here. Personally, if I were looking for a production kayak, I'd be looking at the Kraken.