New Yaker Here! Any tips?

[svendawg]

Originally Posted by Yakman88

Hello All,

I am new to Yaking. Just starting out. Would love to get advice from everyone on where is best for people just starting out. Also bought a yak recently. Not too expensive, got it for a good deal. It's a Lifetime Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak. Is it okay to take out in the ocean? Hopefully some of you have some tips and tricks for me. Hope to hear from you all.

Thanks, Brandon

I had that Kayak for a couple of years and fished it mostly in small lakes. It is a very stable kayak and was fun to fish in freshwater lakes in calm weather.The kayak is slow and difficult to track straight. I added a DIY rudder that helped quite a bit. (I have pictures of the rudder if you want to build one)
Before you take it too far in the ocean I would recommend you take it out where there is some wind and current and try to paddle against the wind and current. It will be an eye opener for you. That kayak is difficult to paddle against the wind and current.
Remember just because you go out with no wind and current, it will come up when you least expert it and you better know what you are up against.

A good location to try it out would be in San Diego Bay in the afternoon when the wind and current is up. Try it out close to the Shelter Island boat launch that way you can get back to the launch if you get into trouble.
If you feel good about a short trip do some longer trips in the San Diego Bay, ( a mile or two against the current to build your confidence)

I used to hate it when the wind came up and I had to cover any type of distance. I sold mine for that reason. It is a good lake kayak.
I believe the manufacturer also states it is not recommended for the ocean.

[Yakman88]

Originally Posted by svendawg

I had that Kayak for a couple of years and fished it mostly in small lakes. It is a very stable kayak and was fun to fish in freshwater lakes in calm weather.The kayak is slow and difficult to track straight. I added a DIY rudder that helped quite a bit. (I have pictures of the rudder if you want to build one)
Before you take it too far in the ocean I would recommend you take it out where there is some wind and current and try to paddle against the wind and current. It will be an eye opener for you. That kayak is difficult to paddle against the wind and current.
Remember just because you go out with no wind and current, it will come up when you least expert it and you better know what you are up against.

A good location to try it out would be in San Diego Bay in the afternoon when the wind and current is up. Try it out close to the Shelter Island boat launch that way you can get back to the launch if you get into trouble.
If you feel good about a short trip do some longer trips in the San Diego Bay, ( a mile or two against the current to build your confidence)

I used to hate it when the wind came up and I had to cover any type of distance. I sold mine for that reason. It is a good lake kayak.
I believe the manufacturer also states it is not recommended for the ocean.

Thanks for the info. I guess I just gotta go feel it out and see how it feels and all before I decide to go into open water. I've read on some online reviews of some guys that take theirs out into the Atlantic ocean but I don't know what the difference is wind wise and swell wise between the Pacific and Atlantic. I tried to do a little research to see if it was recommended only for freshwater but yielded no results. Maybe I should take a buddy with me since it's a tandem so I have some help paddling. How's the bay near the Seaworld area? Appreciate the info man!

[svendawg]

Originally Posted by Yakman88

Thanks for the info. I guess I just gotta go feel it out and see how it feels and all before I decide to go into open water. I've read on some online reviews of some guys that take theirs out into the Atlantic ocean but I don't know what the difference is wind wise and swell wise between the Pacific and Atlantic. I tried to do a little research to see if it was recommended only for freshwater but yielded no results. Maybe I should take a buddy with me since it's a tandem so I have some help paddling. How's the bay near the Seaworld area? Appreciate the info man!

Seaworld is in Mission Bay. That is great place to get familiar with your kayak and practice paddling and self rescues. It's get windy there too so you will get a change to paddle in the wind. Once your comfortable then go to San Diego Bay (Shelter Island launch) during the running tide and get a feel for paddling against the tide and wind.
Remember to wear your PFD all the time, especially while practicing self rescues.