propeller drive or flipper drive? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

leaky · 10-07-2024, 06:33 PM

Hi!
New here! Kinda thinking about BKC Brooklyn 14 Pro Tandem Pedal [$2100] or Brooklyn 13.5 Tandem Pedal [$1437]. The 14 can accept either the propeller drive or the flipper drive. Is one of these methods of foot-powered propulsion clearly better for mostly saltwater fishing? Does anybody have feedback on the brand? Also, looking for leads on storage in LA / Orange County. TIA!

Mahigeer · 10-08-2024, 09:17 AM

What I have read is that the propeller drive can have issues in the kelp patties.

leaky · 10-08-2024, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

What I have read is that the propeller drive can have issues in the kelp patties.

OK -- thanks for your input -- that's something to consider. BKC says flippers have "more torque" but what does that mean in terms of fishing?

JohnMckroidJr · 10-09-2024, 11:08 AM

Popularity speaks for the choice. Flippers are preferred. Allows navigating in much shallower water. There are lots of Youtube videos on the subject to help you decide. Bare in mind that sponsorships slant opinions, but if you watch enough you can get an overview. The Brooklyn kayak looks like a cheap knock off. I would consider a used Hobie over getting something that will not hold up under regular use.

leaky · 10-11-2024, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Popularity speaks for the choice. Flippers are preferred. Allows navigating in much shallower water. There are lots of Youtube videos on the subject to help you decide. Bare in mind that sponsorships slant opinions, but if you watch enough you can get an overview. The Brooklyn kayak looks like a cheap knock off. I would consider a used Hobie over getting something that will not hold up under regular use.

Thanks for your input! Sounds like sage advice!

monstahfish · 10-15-2024, 01:02 PM

John is spot on. BKC(and others) are literally just importing kayaks from alibaba, marking them up and selling them to you. They've been around a while and seem to have been successful at marketing and sales. I don't see too many people on the water with them or have any feedback to how they've held up. What I do know is buying these chinese knockoffs undercuts the innovators in the market and when they don't make money, things change from innovate to win to innovate to survive and their budgets for r and d slowly tighten. Buying a used yak designed and built in North America, keeps the money state side.

10-07-2024, 06:33 PM	#1
leaky circling the drain Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 4	propeller drive or flipper drive? Hi! New here! Kinda thinking about BKC Brooklyn 14 Pro Tandem Pedal [$2100] or Brooklyn 13.5 Tandem Pedal [$1437]. The 14 can accept either the propeller drive or the flipper drive. Is one of these methods of foot-powered propulsion clearly better for mostly saltwater fishing? Does anybody have feedback on the brand? Also, looking for leads on storage in LA / Orange County. TIA!

10-09-2024, 11:08 AM	#4
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,933	Popularity speaks for the choice. Flippers are preferred. Allows navigating in much shallower water. There are lots of Youtube videos on the subject to help you decide. Bare in mind that sponsorships slant opinions, but if you watch enough you can get an overview. The Brooklyn kayak looks like a cheap knock off. I would consider a used Hobie over getting something that will not hold up under regular use. Last edited by JohnMckroidJr; 10-09-2024 at 02:51 PM.

10-08-2024, 09:17 AM	#2
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,892	What I have read is that the propeller drive can have issues in the kelp patties.

10-15-2024, 01:02 PM	#6
monstahfish Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 419	John is spot on. BKC(and others) are literally just importing kayaks from alibaba, marking them up and selling them to you. They've been around a while and seem to have been successful at marketing and sales. I don't see too many people on the water with them or have any feedback to how they've held up. What I do know is buying these chinese knockoffs undercuts the innovators in the market and when they don't make money, things change from innovate to win to innovate to survive and their budgets for r and d slowly tighten. Buying a used yak designed and built in North America, keeps the money state side.