HOW TO CHOOSE THE Boat Trends for 2008


Once upon a time, kayak fishermen adapted to what kayaks they could find. In Cali- fornia, Florida and Texas it was sit-on-tops built for surf and used for diving—the cargo area’s called a tank well because it’s made to carry tanks for scuba, not bait. Meanwhile the small and scattered cadre of kayak fishermen in the Northeast and Northwest threw their lines off the sides of sit-inside touring kayaks. But these days the tables have turned and fishing kayaks are undergoing an evolutionary explo- sion. This year’s designs are fresh and wild and made with kayak anglers in mind.


New Companies This year we welcome SOT makers Emotion


and Feelfree to the buyer’s guide. We’ve also added three inflatable-kayak compa- nies: Advanced Elements, Feathercraft and Sea Eagle. Plus, two long-time manufactur- ers of sit-inside touring kayaks are offering their first angler versions: the Dagger Black- water 12 and the Necky Zoar Sport.


Lighter Materials So many features have been added over


the years that kayaks are losing their lightweight advantage. So in 2008 every- body’s jumping on the scales. Wilderness Systems’ Tarpon 120 Ultralite shaves 15 pounds off its flagship. NuCanoe has cut seven pounds off its 12-footer. And Na- tive has released a version of its Ultimate made from Tegris, a plastic composite that weighs only 36 pounds—22 pounds less than the rotomolded version! Feather- craft’s new Pontoon Fishing Boat weighs only 16.5 pounds, or 23 pounds fully rigged and soaking wet—and folds up to go in a backpack. Innovations in materials don’t stop at


the boat. Accessories, too, are getting re- worked by companies like Native, whose seats are made from patented HiFlow 3- D Mesh and Textilene—fancy words for a seat that’s so cool and comfy, it’s remov- able so you can use it on the beach.


More Features Fading are the days when all it took to make


a fishing kayak was to add a rod holder. Take the new Ocean Kayak Prowler


Trident 15. It’s at the forefront of acces- sorizing with treats like a sonar protection shield, a “rod pod” for cockpit rod storage, and an in-hull battery storage bag.


Paddle-Free Propulsion The foot propulsion laboratories have


been working overtime to come up with an answer to Hobie’s smash-hit Mirage Drive. Native adds a foot-propelled prop this year. Boats from BicSport and Sea


Eagle are compatible with small motors, as is the NuCanoe, which has an optional Bassyaks Trolling Motor kit that comes with 30- and 55-pound thrust options and foot-controlled steering


Ladies’ Choice Women’s boats are hot for 2008. Hot pink,


that is! Ocean Kayak has introduced the Caper Lady Angler, a pink version of the popular Caper Angler. The new Casting for Recovery Glide Angler from Emotion is a pink version of the Glide Angler sit-in- side. Between you and us, there’s nothing different about these boats but the color, but it shows that the industry is waking up to the women’s market by highlighting de- signs best suited to smaller paddlers.


Hybrid Designs In addition to a myriad of new SOT de-


signs from Malibu, Emotion, Ocean Kayak and others, we are seeing more depar- tures from the traditional definition of a kayak. Native Watercraft has taken over the hybrid Manta Ray from Liquidlogic and adds yet another hybrid, the Marvel, that is neither sit-inside, sit-on-top nor canoe. Meanwhile, there are more tandem and three-seater offerings from the likes of BicSport, Cobra, Hobie, Native and Nu- Canoe. Ocean Kayak offers one of the first tandem kayak built specifically for fishing, the Malibu Two XL Angler. And all three new designs from Malibu include the Ga- tor Hatch, a jump seat for kids. Finally, three of the new companies in


this year’s buyer’s guide offer inflatables that have as much in common with cat- rafts as kayaks. Consider the Pontoon Fish Boat from Feathercraft—an ultralight, stand-up fishing craft that’s a cross be- tween a fishing kayak, cat-raft and belly boat. Or get a load of the PaddleSki from Sea Eagle with its raised swivel seat and motor mount. Time will tell if these new ideas will be accepted by fishermen but they all satisfy tournament rules. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.


U L T I M A T E FISHING KAYAK


Start your search for a fishing kayak by thinking about where you plan to paddle and how you want to fish. Then narrow down your choices by considering these factors.


BOAT TYPE


SIT-ON-TOPS: By far the most popular, SOTs are self- draining and unsinkable in surf. The open deck means lots of space to mount accessories and easy access to gear at all times. It’s easy to hop in and out, wade, stand, and fish side-saddle.


SIT-INSIDES: Add a rod holder to a traditional recreational kayak and you’ve got a capable fishing craft. Fishermen in colder climates like sit-insides for the protection they provide from the water and weather. They are usually lighter and have more interior dry storage.


HYBRIDS AND INFLATABLES: There’s a new crop of boats that are neither SOTs nor sit-insides. Boats like the Mad River Synergy and the Native Ultimate combine characteristics of both. Then there are inflatables, which are ultralight and easy to store and transport.


BOAT SIZE


THREE BASIC RULES OF BOAT DESIGN ARE: Longer kayaks are faster, shorter kayaks are more maneuverable, and wider kayaks are more stable.


WHERE DO YOU WANT TO FISH? Long, narrow kayaks are best for covering large distances. Shorter boats are lighter and easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Either way, you want a kayak with a lot of “initial stability,” meaning you can lean from side to side or even stand up without feeling like the boat is going to flip.


HOW LONG ARE YOUR TRIPS? How much do you want to carry? You can fit more gear in kayaks that are longer and wider.


BELLS AND WHISTLES


Once you’ve chosen a boat type and size, the real fun starts. Consider these things when shopping for the perfect fishing kayak.


SINGLE VERSUS TANDEM: Most fishing kayaks are solo kayaks, but you can also get a tandem or one that has an optional second seat.


MATERIAL: Most kayaks are made of inexpensive and durable polyethylene plastic. Other materials—thermoform plastic, inflatables, and composites like fiberglass, carbon or Kevlar— are usually lighter but more expensive and less durable.


STORAGE: Does it have a place for everything you want to carry, inside or on the deck? Does it have waterproof storage hatches and bulkheads? Does it have a tank well?


PROPULSION: Some kayaks come with pedal power, or are set up to take a trolling motor.


RIGGING: Does the boat come pre-rigged the way you want it with features like rod holders and a comfortable seat? Is it set up to take the accessories you’ll add later?


RUDDER: A rudder can be very useful in windy conditions and for hands-free drift fishing.


WEIGHT: If you plan to car-top your boat or do a lot of portaging, do not underestimate the importance of a lightweight boat. Several of the above factors will affect weight.


COLOR: Though many kayaks come in earthy colors like olive and tan, bright colors are safer in open water and high-traffic areas.


PRICE: Don’t compare prices at face value. Every company includes different standard features—some packages even have fishfinders.


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