Advice on choosing a new kayak

[StumpFisher]

Hi guys I wanted some advice. I am currently looking into getting a pedal yak. My first choice would actually be to get a pro angler 12. I love the stability and the fact that I almost always will have one of my 3 boys with me, I can put a chair in the back and we would be ready to rock. The 14 feels too big for me and we often times like to get into tight areas in the harbors. The problem is I’m worried about car topping it. I have a Hyundai Santa Fe and just worried how hard it might be and a trailer isn’t an option for me right now. I’ve seen some of the things like rhino t rack and similar inventions made by folks on this site but still concerned. Any thoughts? My next option would be the compass in seeing it’s fairly light weight. My question is for anyone that’s used it if there is enough room for a child passenger. There looks like there is still plenty of room in the back and even a small area in the front where the mesh is for a smaller child (I only take one boy at a time just looking at all options).

Thanks for any advice!!

[King Saba]

Perhaps the new outback then? I think you'd be okay car topping a PA on your car provided that you use kayak saddles to evenly distribute the weight. I've seen photos of people doing the same with PAs and their Sedans.

[StumpFisher]

Originally Posted by King Saba

Perhaps the new outback then? I think you'd be okay car topping a PA on your car provided that you use kayak saddles to evenly distribute the weight. I've seen photos of people doing the same with PAs and their Sedans.

Thank you! I’ve looked at the outbacks and they do look nice but they seem to sit quite low in the water especially in the stern which worries me if I had one of my boys with me.

[goldenglory18]

If you're dead set on having the ability to bring your kid with you, I think the PA is about your only option. It's not really designed for it, but the boat is so buoyant I think you would be ok until hes a teenager. What kind of rack do you have on your Santa Fe? Anything rail based (I hate window/frame mounted) should be fine with proper rigging.

Also, the 12 is liftable, but its going to be a bear after a long day on the water or on a breezy day. Just make sure you are 100% confident in your lifting technique and practice before going out solo.

No joke, for anyone that is considering car topping their fishing kayaks, I STRONGLY encourage you to take an entry level olympic lifting class. If you can learn how to comfortably snatch and clean/jerk, you can car-top a moderately heavy (anything other than a PA14) kayak....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xQp2sldyts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw0YyyJ8Tgw

[Dingokevin]

Have a PA 12 my wife love to sit in the tank well with my dogs 2 dachshunds. We do the bays and LJ by the cliffs handles fine.

[kevbeer]

dingo what size people are you out of curiosity?

what is the weight of PA 12 stripped down (i.e. drive train and whatever else comes off for transport)? 80 lbs?

[Semper Fi-shing]

Have you thought about an inflatable i14tandem? I'm pretty sure u can fit it in your trunk and inflate and deflate as necessary. Might be able to carry 2 kids if they are small enough.....1 on your lap and 1 in the front

[Ddwineguy]

You may want to demo a Hobie Compass Duo. I fish off a regular compass and love it.

https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-compass-duo/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[yemff]

For anyone looking for a rack extension, 1 left

https://www.artscyclery.com/Thule_84...age-TH847.html

[Saba Slayer]

...It's one thing to listen to all these knuckle heads on what is best for you...some of which have never paddled or peddled the kayaks they are referring too...and another when you actually get in a yak....please go to OEX and try the different kayaks they have available..."kayaks are like shoes"..."not one size fits all"...see what works best for you and your style of fishing and your budget...go see Andy or Brent at OEX and let them help you make the right decision...!

[StumpFisher]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

...It's one thing to listen to all these knuckle heads on what is best for you...some of which have never paddled or peddled the kayaks they are referring too...and another when you actually get in a yak....please go to OEX and try the different kayaks they have available..."kayaks are like shoes"..."not one size fits all"...see what works best for you and your style of fishing and your budget...go see Andy or Brent at OEX and let them help you make the right decision...!

Thank you all so much. I have determined that I reall do need to try one out and have one of th kids with me. I do appreciate all the advice. I hadn’t thought about the compass duo which may be a good option!

[Hunters Pa]

Kids grow fast, plan for it. Maybe a tandem in your future? One that could be used solo as well.

[randman]

an interesting question. I too was looking for it

[Raskal311]

The loading process of car topping a PA is going to be rough on the car. If you don’t care too much about the paint then it’s more then doable solo. I’ve owned 3 PAs and absolutely love them. I’ve had my wife and two kids in it and they had plenty of room to be comfortable. Wife and 4 year old son in the back and 6 year old daughter up front with me.

I had my wife in the back a mile out of NP fishinf for rock Fish and she never complained.