Any kayakers here??? Questions for you...

[G36's Rule]

Any of you familiar with the Wilderness Systems Ride 135 as compared to the Heritage Redfish 14'???

I'm in the market for a good all around SOT kayak and these are the two I've come down to. Any help would be appreciated.

[elo]

these guys would know... and they're local, and they always have get togethers.

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/

[srhoades]

If you're ever stuck in freezeing conditions don't try to light a fire in your kayak to keep warm.

You can't have your kayak and heat it too.

[G36's Rule]

these guys would know... and they're local, and they always have get togethers.

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/

Already posted the question there...

Not getting much help.

:tongueout:

[elo]

Already posted the question there...

Not getting much help.

:tongueout:

ah, I see.... I'm so lazy right now, but have you kayaked before?

you say "all around" but what will you primarily be doing... exploring? fishing?

[elo]

after looking, those kayaks are almost identical... the redfish is a little heavier (72lbs vs 64lbs).

which one costs more? :supergrin:

edit: side-by-side, the wilderness looks roomier all around (put pics of both side by side and flip back and forth)

[G36's Rule]

Yeah, the specs are almost the same. Cost is not a factor, but quality is. If there is a difference. Of course, I am always open to other suggestions, so long as they are applicable.

[Sidhe]

*raises hand*

I kayak.

Weight will be a factor if you have to portage it very far (as will length and balance).

Also, check for width in the seat area (seriously).

I'm too tired (lazy) to go look up the info on either one right now, but if one has a shorter rear (behind the seat area) than the other, your own weight might be a factor.

Here are mine:
http://www.listmequick.com/images/flugtag.jpg

Yeah, I know, that picture doesn't tell you much, but it makes me laugh (and yes, those are my kayaks and canoe strapped on top of my very dirty Dodge Charger before Flugtag last year).

Orange Yak Specs (http://www.emotionkayaks.com/HTML/Kayaks/Exhilarator.htm)

Yellow Yak Specs (http://www.emotionkayaks.com/HTML/Kayaks/Charger.htm)

Yellow Yak has NO rear end, and hubby manages to capsize it every time he's tried it (he's WAY too big for it, it's primarily my daughter's yak, though my son's started taking it out too). Orange is more stable, but heavier and of course longer.

Make sure and get a seat for it, otherwise your back will be barking at you the next day.

Also, where do you plan on kayaking? If the water's shallow, the draft of the craft will make a difference. I can go into about 4" of water with my yak (the orange one), but not as shallow with the yellow one.

ETA: I've taken the orange yak out into the Gulf, but probably wouldn't attempt it with the yellow one. LOL

[12131]

If you're ever stuck in freezeing conditions don't try to light a fire in your kayak to keep warm.

You can't have your kayak and heat it too.
What the? :dunno::supergrin:

[vart]

I kayak. But I'm a novice, and in Arizona; owning a kayak is like owning a convertible in Alaska.

I putt around on some local lakes, but really miss the rivers of Idaho.

I have a 14' Blackwater Dagger and am very happy.

[srhoades]

What the? :dunno::supergrin:

You obviously are not a fan of nerd puns.

You can't have your kayak and heat it too.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.

[12131]

You obviously are not a fan of nerd puns.

You can't have your kayak and heat it too.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
You obviously missed :supergrin: in my post. Geez.:tongueout:

[jame]

I have a W.S. Ride 135, and love it. I've never paddled your comparison boat, but I can vouch for the Ride.

I mostly paddle ponds and small lakes, fishing about 50% of the time. It's stable enough for me to stop and throw my legs over the side and even stand up, if I'm careful.

What else would you like to know?

[sharp]

I kayak. But I'm a novice, and in Arizona; owning a kayak is like owning a convertible in Alaska.

I putt around on some local lakes, but really miss the rivers of Idaho.

I have a 14' Blackwater Dagger and am very happy.

I kayaked for the first time a couple of years ago on the Salmon river in Idaho. What a kick in the ass! I could become a kayaker if I didn't live in AZ. Vart, I see cars driving around with kayaks on them all the time around here.....where are they going? Do you just go to Lynx Lake?

[G36's Rule]

*raises hand*

I kayak.

Also, where do you plan on kayaking? If the water's shallow, the draft of the craft will make a difference. I can go into about 4" of water with my yak (the orange one), but not as shallow with the yellow one.

ETA: I've taken the orange yak out into the Gulf, but probably wouldn't attempt it with the yellow one. LOL

Main use of any kayak I get will be for fishing. I will mostly be in saltwater. The bays around Galveston and maybe some near offshore stuff on a good day.

Thanks

[G36's Rule]

I have a W.S. Ride 135, and love it. I've never paddled your comparison boat, but I can vouch for the Ride.

I mostly paddle ponds and small lakes, fishing about 50% of the time. It's stable enough for me to stop and throw my legs over the side and even stand up, if I'm careful.

What else would you like to know?

Jame, thanks for the post. Does you 135 get real wet inside the seat area? I've heard it is a wetter kayak than some others.

[jame]

I do get a little wet, but not much more than drip from my paddle or getting in and out of the boat. The older model rides were a lot more wet, but I understand that they redesigned it last year (when i bought mine), and moved the scuppers in a better position to drain.

You could always get a little more wet from SOT (sit on top) kayaks, but it is, after all, a watersport. :supergrin:

A cockpit style will keep you drier, but I was more concerned about ease of exit and entry from the bank of a pond or lake.

Do you plan on fishing, riverrunning, or just loafing?

The Ride works great for #1 and #3, but going down a fast river might be better served with a more streamlined boat.

Also, go to http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/ for tons of information, ideas, accessories, and pricing.

[Raoul Duke]

Main use of any kayak I get will be for fishing. I will mostly be in saltwater. The bays around Galveston and maybe some near offshore stuff on a good day.

Thanks

If you want to use it mainly for fishing you might wanna take a look at a Hobie Outback. They have models that are specifically designed for fishing. They have a unique pedal drive system so you can keep your hands free for fishing. Of course you can paddle them as well if you like. The Hobies are pricey though

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_outback.html

I'm actually in the kayak rental business - www.greatbasinsports.com - and we have some Wilderness boats in our rental fleet. Not the same model you're looking at, but the Wildies we have are all very good quality and are popular with our regular customers. Too bad you live in Texas or I'd give you a demo.

[Sidhe]

Main use of any kayak I get will be for fishing. I will mostly be in saltwater. The bays around Galveston and maybe some near offshore stuff on a good day.

Thanks

I've had close encounters with jellyfish and shark in that orange yak. LOL

Lemme tell you, realizing you're SURROUNDED by THOUSANDS of jellies will send you paddling like mad for shore, hoping all the while that you don't take a wave broadside and capsize.

I'm allergic to wasps, I didn't want to risk that much venom from a lapful of jelly. Bleh.

[KilgoreTrout]

You obviously are not a fan of nerd puns.

You can't have your kayak and heat it too.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.

i thought it was great! well timed, sir.

[G36's Rule]

I do get a little wet, but not much more than drip from my paddle or getting in and out of the boat. The older model rides were a lot more wet, but I understand that they redesigned it last year (when i bought mine), and moved the scuppers in a better position to drain.

You could always get a little more wet from SOT (sit on top) kayaks, but it is, after all, a watersport. :supergrin:

A cockpit style will keep you drier, but I was more concerned about ease of exit and entry from the bank of a pond or lake.

Do you plan on fishing, riverrunning, or just loafing?

The Ride works great for #1 and #3, but going down a fast river might be better served with a more streamlined boat.

Also, go to http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/ for tons of information, ideas, accessories, and pricing.

Jame, just picked up a Ride 135 this afternoon. I've spent about 5 hours getting it set up for a maiden voyage tomorrow morning. Biggest problem was finding a PFD that would fit around my belly.

:whistling:

Hopefully if I survive tomorrow I will have some fish pictures, or at least some yak pictures.

[jame]

I look forward to seeing them!

Kayak fishing is a growing sport, and you can configure your yak with anchor systems, rod holders, GPS, and fishfinders, and you don't have to add gas, maintain a trailer, or fight with other boaters about loading docks.

If you don't have them yet, get a good roof rack system.

Have fun, and let's see those pictures. :wavey:

[vart]

I kayaked for the first time a couple of years ago on the Salmon river in Idaho. What a kick in the ass! I could become a kayaker if I didn't live in AZ. Vart, I see cars driving around with kayaks on them all the time around here.....where are they going? Do you just go to Lynx Lake?

I'm actually going to Watson lake Monday. If there is enough wind from the South, it drives waves against the dam and creates some nice turbulant water.

It's at least a couple of notches above watching paint dry...:dunno:

[Randolph da man]

Jame, just picked up a Ride 135 this afternoon. I've spent about 5 hours getting it set up for a maiden voyage tomorrow morning. Biggest problem was finding a PFD that would fit around my belly.

:whistling:

Hopefully if I survive tomorrow I will have some fish pictures, or at least some yak pictures.

lake woodlands is a good local place for you to paddle...

its going to come in REAL handy on tuesday...:shocked:

[UncleLuke]

Wilderness faster

Heritage more stable

[G36's Rule]

OK folks, I lived through the first day on a kayak.

We hit the water at sunrise. Christmas Bay near Surfside Beach. The water was a little off color because of the wind, but the weather was good.

I managed to not roll it over in 6 hours on the water. The seat did get a little wet, but I'm pretty sure most of the water that got on me was from my less that professional paddling method.

Picture of me on the yak:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Texasbagman/kayak/P8310061-1.jpg

My buddy managed a good 26" Redfish and a flounder. I did not catch anything, but had a great day anyway.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Texasbagman/kayak/DSC01560.jpg