newb-stability-outrigger? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

sdcityboy · 09-12-2007, 11:14 AM

I'm 5' 8" and 235 lb(and a replaced hip) and i decided that for some fun and exercise i would try kayaking. got a great deal on a used cobra explorer. took it to the bay and practiced self rescue and paddled my butt off. so why not add fishing! Now i'm hooked. Need to upgrade. After maneuvering my fat ass all over this small yak (11'3"x31") stability is my main concern-can't see hitting la jolla without the full use of the old hip. Was thinking about the fnd but now i see this web site with sort of an outrigger. looks promising. any opinions? http://www.keywestpaddlesports.com/05_Steady-Sport.asp

Holy Mackerel · 09-12-2007, 11:57 AM

Just keep paddling more, overtime you will learn secondary stability... similar to learning to ride a bicycle... Welcome to BWE!

trob · 09-12-2007, 12:22 PM

dont get an outrigger.....it will just get in the way. like Mack said, keep paddling, youll be better off

madscientist · 09-12-2007, 01:53 PM

There are several kayaks out there (X factor, Extreme, FnD, others) that will be more than stable enough for someone your size, even in the absence of any real yak skills. As others said, with a little time on the water you'll be fine in any yak.

tacmik · 09-12-2007, 04:09 PM

recently got into yak fishing myself. I also got a cobra explorer. been out to la jolla half a dozen times now and never had trouble with stability. took it easy at first, but now I move around, open the front hatch to stow gear or whatever. just take it slow and get familiar with your yak. good luck

lambadmin · 09-12-2007, 05:41 PM

It sure can be done and is being done, but vast majority of kayaks you run into at open waters in La Jolla are longer. There will be days when the wind, swell and the current will make you wish your yak is longer a couple of feet to help you better plow your way through.

Just guessing - that outrigger will likely make your kayak more stable, but it would probably further slow it down. I would worry about my lines getting tangled in that thing... especially in situation when you bring a big fish on the surface... though good problem to have

Good luck and welcome to BWE!

09-12-2007, 11:14 AM	#1
sdcityboy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south park (san diego),CA Posts: 119	newb-stability-outrigger? I'm 5' 8" and 235 lb(and a replaced hip) and i decided that for some fun and exercise i would try kayaking. got a great deal on a used cobra explorer. took it to the bay and practiced self rescue and paddled my butt off. so why not add fishing! Now i'm hooked. Need to upgrade. After maneuvering my fat ass all over this small yak (11'3"x31") stability is my main concern-can't see hitting la jolla without the full use of the old hip. Was thinking about the fnd but now i see this web site with sort of an outrigger. looks promising. any opinions? http://www.keywestpaddlesports.com/05_Steady-Sport.asp

09-12-2007, 01:53 PM	#4
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	There are several kayaks out there (X factor, Extreme, FnD, others) that will be more than stable enough for someone your size, even in the absence of any real yak skills. As others said, with a little time on the water you'll be fine in any yak. __________________

09-12-2007, 11:57 AM	#2
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Just keep paddling more, overtime you will learn secondary stability... similar to learning to ride a bicycle... Welcome to BWE!

09-12-2007, 12:22 PM	#3
trob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Marcos (now idaho) Posts: 231	dont get an outrigger.....it will just get in the way. like Mack said, keep paddling, youll be better off

09-12-2007, 04:09 PM	#5
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	recently got into yak fishing myself. I also got a cobra explorer. been out to la jolla half a dozen times now and never had trouble with stability. took it easy at first, but now I move around, open the front hatch to stow gear or whatever. just take it slow and get familiar with your yak. good luck

09-12-2007, 05:41 PM	#6
lambadmin Spam Sanitation Dept Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,375	It sure can be done and is being done, but vast majority of kayaks you run into at open waters in La Jolla are longer. There will be days when the wind, swell and the current will make you wish your yak is longer a couple of feet to help you better plow your way through. Just guessing - that outrigger will likely make your kayak more stable, but it would probably further slow it down. I would worry about my lines getting tangled in that thing... especially in situation when you bring a big fish on the surface... though good problem to have Good luck and welcome to BWE!