Kayak vs boat

[Double lunged]

Hey guys I'm relocating to the Encinitas area at the end of February and want to get fishing right away. I was hoping someone could help explain the pros and cons of having a kayak versus a boat.

It seems that you can get a 14ft aluminum boat for about the same price as a decent kayak. Is kayak fishing just about the extra challenge?

Thanks

[TheBentRod]

Fishing from a kayak is a different experience. It is not for everyone. The anglers that stick with it do for various reasons. I personally think there is nothing better.

With the act of casting a lure or bait being the same on either, the differences for me are as follows:

Fishing local kelp paddies - Kayak is better, no engine to get tangled up.
Environment - kayak - no emissions
Exercise, meeting new people, excitement, beach launches, beach landings - Kayak.

Range - boat

If I want to venture further offshore than I am willing to go on a yak, I go on a party boat. Another reason for a 14' boat is health issues. It does require flexibility and stamina to handle a day on the water on a yak.

[Lipripper92592]

I've had a 14' Zodiac, 17' Center Console, and now a Trident 15. BOAT really means "Bust Out Another Thousand".....and that my friend is a fact. Of all three seaworthy vessels my kayak is my favorite. You don't have to wory about fuel, your silent in the kelp beds, you can't top a sleigh ride from a tuna or WSB on a kayak. If you are going to consider a 14 alum boat, you'll be able to handle about the same swell a kayak can. You can get a decent fully rigged kayak for under $600, and I have not seem and decent boats even close to that price range. Good luck!

[Cbad Mike]

I personally love the overall challenge of fishing while four inches above the water. I like the aspect that you need to think about every piece of tackle that you bring because of space issues. I feel more at one with nature silently paddling along through the kelp. I really dig the view of all the sea life from the low vantage point. As for excitement... I've found nothing fishing wise that beats battling a fish and going on a sleigh ride while floating in a piece of plastic.

If I was going to buy a boat I'd get something in the range of 21-26 feet with a little cabin. That way I could spend more time on the water.

[Saba Slayer]

I Love 'em both...I have 5 kayaks (Torque, 11' & 15' Tridents, Cobra F&D, Malibu IIXL) and a Welcraft 18' Center Console with a Honda 90HP.
I caught a 34lbs. Halibut in my Torque last summer along with lots of other smaller Butts and more than my share of Bonito in the Trident yaks this fall...
...but...
when it's cold and rough and I feel like doing some winter fishing or hooping for some Lobsters or Crabs...it sure is nice to be warm and dry in my skiff...and when the Barracuda first arrive up here and they are either moving too fast for the yak or they are just out of range from a safe launch, then the skiff is the way to go for me. It's always going to be more expensive, but as long as I can afford to keep and run my skiff, then I'll continue to enjoy the ease. I also enjoy the kayak mother-ship trips along PV.
Don't get me wrong...I love my yaks...as soon as April 1st rolls around, the skiff will be out of the slip and back in the yard again, waiting for a good reason to launch it...and the yaks will be prowling Torrance Beach and Palos Verdes looking for that 40 pound Halibut!
Jim / Saba Slayer

[Redeyejedi]

everything mentioned...

and i am a nood and have a friend who recently bought a boat and hits the islands regulary in nice conditions, but he can't drive a car in a parking lot so i am reluctant cruise...since my virgin paddle i have been hooked....the peacefulness, perspective, silence, and soliude(and costs of course) make my new yak a new found funnel for freedom.
TBR, well said... shoot me a pm if youre down to hit heavens, dear creek, or geof's...or...


aaron

[MuddyMike]

Originally Posted by Lipripper92592

BOAT really means "Bust Out Another Thousand".....

You misspelled it. It is: BOATT (Bust Out Another Two Thousand)

[maui jim]

Two happiest days of a boat owner...day you buy it and the day you sell it.

Nothing better than hosing off plastic with no CF fees.

[taggermike]

A big advantage of a yak for me is that you don't have to register your boat and your boat's trailer. You can get your boat ready and moving pretty fast but a kayk is ready to go in a moments notice. It depends on where you live and schedule of course, but say you get off work early or you notice the wind has died in the afternoon, or you get a call from a buddy saying "lets hit it". You're ready to go. This flexability has allowed me to spend much more time on the water. Mike

[FlyFishinYakr]

Remember the fact that "boats" require an annual Coast Guard inspection & if you trailer it the trailer has to be registered. There's also added insurance, there goes a couple hundred extra $ per year.
Personally it's a freedom thing for me. It's the difference between being pulled by a boat water skiing and snow skiing where you decide where you go!
Once you buy a kayak it's the accessories that will get you.
I just got a disability settlement check & after some approximate estimates I figured out my new HOBIE Outback will cost me about $2500 through "Andy" @ OEX SSB.(OEX "ROCKS")!!!
From my pontoon/ float tube days, and my previous kayak I already have a THULE 887 XT kayak rooftop carrier, refillable fog horn, a kayak PFD, I got in on the OEX (2) Seairsport pacific angler Group Buy (GB) kayak seats, extra rod holders etc. all I need to add is a HOBIE Livewell and scupper cart. I just bought a Lowrance elite 5 DSI GPS FF on eBay for $400. Otherwise I'm all set. (Almost forgot the most important accessory I still need to buy...a good quality marine VHF radio)
FFY.
btw: in addition I don't know of any "long range" boats you can take your own skiff on, like the OEX kayak trips (and I would dare you to make a trip to where these trips go in a 14' skiff...San Clemente, San Martin and Coronado islands.) unless you have a death wish. J/K LOL!