At 56 lbs, the prowler 13 by “ocean kayak” is about the lightest SOT fishing kayak I can find. Why aren’t there any lighter? It seems that using the materials/technology used for SI kayaks and canoes, it should be possible to make one in the upper 30s to low 40s pound range. Is there just not a market for them?
eddyline
http://eddyline.com/kayak-model/caribbean
Maybe you have seen this one. Their “fishing” SOT is bigger and heavier, but maybe you don’t need an official :fishing" one?
Delta
Delta Cat 10.5 at 39 lbs, also not an official fishing model::
http://www.deltakayaks.com/kayak-models/adv-rec/delta-105-cat.html
willing to pay?
Eddyline and Delta have thermoformed kayaks, which are a bit lighter.
If you really want light and performance, then you need to look at something composite like the Stealth Kayaks. here is info from the Headwaters Kayak shop’s site (Headwaters is an importer): http://www.headwaterskayak.com/stealth-kayaks.html
Note - they may not seem that much lighter, but partially that is because these are longer boats (14-17 feet) than the standard plastic SOT.
There is no market for them.
Kayak fisherman are not likely to spend money on a light weight composite kayak.
You can from time to time find old heritage kayaks that are composite and fairly light.
The other way to go is to eliminate a lot of the junk and molded in options in fishing kayaks and find an older simpler model.
You can fish quite well from an Ocean Kayak Frenzy or Scrambler, they are easy to cary and inexpensive, but don’t have all the extra features companies add to snag kayak fishermen.
fishing model
thanks. I see that they also make a Caribbean 12 angler model at the same weight.
Stealth Kayaks
I’d agree that there is probably not a market for a dedicated ultralight SOT “fishing” kayak, but I’d think that there would be a market for an ultralight SOT kayak in general. The stealth “Profisha 475” looks good at first glance.
Ultralites
WS Tarpon 120 Ultralite - 43lbs
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/products/tarpon-120-ultralite
Hurricane Skimmer - various lengths from 42lbs
http://hurricaneaquasports.com/our-kayaks/sit-on-tops/
Interesting but pricey
These do look interesting but I would not drop $3K for an SOT.
IF you are thinking about buying one make sure you try it out in conditions.
It’s 23 inches wide and rated for paddler under 200 lbs, you may find it is a bit too tippy for comfortably fishing in choppy water, on the other hand it’s no barge.
depends what and where you fish…
You may need increased stability. Stability comes with width and width adds weight.
Going with lighter weight exotic materials can double or triple the cost and not add that much performance to a fat boat.
Manufacturers may not think the market is there.
The Necky Vector 14 is a relatively fast
not too heavy SOT that can be used for fishing. Just don’t weigh 230, or your butt will stay wet.
Cheer up
The Eddyline 14’ SOT (the one I have) weighs 50. So maybe the 12’ will be, or at least seem, a bit lighter.
The older Prowlers are a BEAST. At least the newer ones are a bit lighter by 20lbs ! They are about the same speed. The Eddyline is better in cross-wake. The older Prowlers are also tough for those end of season drought enhanced occasions you don’t want to rock-impact your eddy a lot, even if it DOES float very well in shallow water.
The difference in loading is interesting, as with a big 14’ lighter boat, I’ve learned the hard way, with a very, very slick plastic bed liner, do not park on an uneven surface on a very windy day, untie the kayak, then partially slide it out (or back in) and then have a moment of not paying attention, because the wind can grab it and finishing unloading it for you… always keep a hand on the kayak. The good news is that I still haven’t, knock on wood, broken it yet in spite of dropping it. But I’ve also picked it up all the way and nearly gotten knocked over a time or two by a wind gust. I’m now that person REALLY parking very precisely to the wind direction and terrain … and lifting only one end of the kayak at a time.
Light weight fishing/touring kayaks
I currently have a classic prowler 13. Very stable,reasonable glide and efficient for a poly SOT when not loaded and just out fishing .It is great for the money and tough as nails however the molded foot wells keep my knees about 2" higher than I need for low angle paddle stroke.Just finished a 3 day camping fishing excursion at Lake Powell and loaded with 90 lbs of gear it was a bit sluggish but still cruised easily at it’s normal 3.9 mph. I am considering the Caribbean 14 from Eddy-line(only if it is more efficient than the Prowler 13.) Also considering Kaskazi Marlin which is 15.5 ft. 25 " wide and composite South Africa boat that would be a lot more money than the Eddie line.i have the Delta 12.10 SI which is a fantastic boat at 12’10" more efficient than the prowler and I fish out of it with a make shift rod holder strapped to the deck. I would definitely purchase another Delta thermoformed boat if they made a touring capable angler SOT. They do not have plans to produce one at this time.
How about a 17 lb Outrigger Canoe?
If you want “light?” I’d attached a cargo net between the outrigger sticks (so I can paddle and carry gear), then trick it out with all sorts of accoutrements for fishing, including a cooler. Maybe even installing a swivel chair, etc. Now you got a very stable platform that will keep your fish frys stocked up next summer.
A good
option is the RTM Disco at 14’, but 50lbs. It’s a lively kayak and some claim the same mold as the OK Scupper Pro. Good performance, but performance drops if over 180lbs.
I’ve owned a OK Scrambler XT, Prowler 13 (still have it) and 15, Prowler 13 Trident, Tarpon 16’, Perception Search 15, Necky 13’, and finally a Malibu X-13. My X-13 is my all time favorite for speed, tracking, comfort, glide, and made with stiff, high quality rotomold plastic.
Happy hunting, but try not to let weight be your ultimate deciding factor.
http://kayakdave.com/2012/02/12/rtm-disco-review/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RTM-Disco-14-Kayak-Sit-on-Top-Very-Fast-Sleek-Light-/160730662172
http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayaks/x-13/
Rtm Tempo
It’s the Tempo that shares a mold with Scupper Pro, not the Disco.
Maybe 19lb Outrigger Catching 50lb Fish
Proof is in the pudding:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6YXhgveZLE
Not bad for a 19 pound boat, eh! Why haul around a 50 pound kayak when it’s better to save your energy to catch a 50 pound fish?
ps: take off the rudder for shallow water fishing.
Wow! Nice fish!
SOT
Have you looked at the “Hurricane” line? Keep in mind the materials if you go light I think you may sacrifice durability, at least in the plastic bodies. i bought a super light “Hydros” by lifetime because I wanted something really light, the first time I flipped it I broke the rod holder off. it pulled the rivets right out of the body of the kayak, Damn!
Light weight?
Consider a Kaskazi. A bit pricey, but they offer several models, and I have paddled one a few times. Just not that much of a fisherman. Not sure of the spelling on this, but they are made in S Africa, I think.