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Sit In or Sit On Kayak ?

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fastmc25

Tue Dec 21 2010, 01:49PM

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I sold my Canoe today and have been planning on buying a Kayak........ I want to hear what yall prefer.... I'm looking at a Pelican Pursuit 120 Sit-in Kayak or a Pelican 11.6 Castaway Sit-on..... I don't fish... mostly pleasure cruising in rivers and lakes...

So hit me with your likes and dislikes...

Peace,
Paul

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allthewayalive

Tue Dec 21 2010, 02:03PM

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In my opinion you have a lot more control in the kayak you 'wear' as opposed to sit on. I used to have a regular kayak and it was like an extension of the pilot. Currently we have a 'sea kayak' which is short, open and has drainage holes. It handles fine and rides like a small canoe, and you can put a kid on the back, which you cannot do on a regular 'yak. Plus it's not as easy to capsize.

All in all, I like a regular kayak with skirt and all that. I would not take the sea yak down a river.

Gregg in Tookiedoo SC

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jerseyian

Tue Dec 21 2010, 02:24PM

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I have a sit-on kayak which I take out in the Delaware Bay and Sinepuxent Bay where the sea heights are larger than on a river or lake. I have never paddled in a sit-in one but I like the sit-on one. The stability and ease of entry and exit with the sit-on one make it's easier to paddle and control in seas of 2-3ft.

TheLorax

Tue Dec 21 2010, 02:47PM

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I have had wonderful experiences in both. A major advantage of the regular enclosed cockpit is extending the season through cold weather. If you do go with the sit on top, definitely buy a pair of thigh straps, which in conjunction with your seat and foot-pegs gives you more contact and control of the boat.

Personally, I'd go with the enclosed cockpit.

\"My name is The Lorax, I speak for the trees.\"

Japhy

Tue Dec 21 2010, 03:54PM

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I like the sit-in ones and with an apron.

OutHouseMouse

Tue Dec 21 2010, 05:22PM

OutHouseMouse

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I have both. I use the sit on top in warm weather. Depending on the style and size you can surf with them in the ocean or use them as a floating dock on a lake. The traditional (sit in) is faster and you will stay (relatively) dry even without a skirt if you are just running flat water, so you can use them in cold weather; I've used mine as an icebreaker (on the 1/4 ice of the North Carolina lakes! Not in Minnesota 18 inches of ice!)
Paul, My advice is spend the money on a GOOD set of paddles. You will end up buying multiple kayaks. You first one will be great no matter which type you choose. Good paddles make a big difference.

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snoopy

Tue Dec 21 2010, 07:13PM

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I agree, Kayaks are like buses. you will buy another.

I prefer the sit in kayak.
Next you need to decide where you will be paddling the most. shorter kayaks are better in surf and white water.
Long ones are better on flat water.

The longer it is the easier it is to keep straight.
not good for going through the marshes where you need to maneuver.

The thinner it is, the faster it is and easier to paddle.

It is also easier to tip.

Go to an outfitter and rent one of each for the day. If you are looking at buying a new one, it is a decent investment. Now is the time to find used ones.

cableguy

Tue Dec 21 2010, 07:50PM

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i agree with snoopy about having multiple kayaks, you can always let your friends paddle your spares. i too would demo some boats before you buy one. you don't want to spend the money and end up not liking it. good luck it's a great hobby

GreenBus

Tue Dec 21 2010, 08:38PM

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I used to manage a canoe and kayak shop. alot depends on your area, what you want to do, where you want to go. if you are going to do any over nights, you want something with dry strage, if you want to use it to play in the ocean, and cool down sit on top, sit on top equals wet bottom, not very good when its cold out. a sit in kayak will allow you to stay out longer, with a skirt, and some good rain gear you can paddle year round as long as the water is soft enough.
Demo demo demo! if your up for a road trip check out www.Mountainmanoutdoors.com its the shop i worked at in the Adirondacks, every spring and fall they have a huge sale, spring show in may has all the major companys send reps in to help you find your boat, and for under $20 you can paddle 1000s of boats, and find the right fit for you. plus they sell alot of gear at deeply discounted prices during the events. the fall event is to drop inventory for the winter, and they sell off that seasons rental fleet, (over 100 boats) best of luck, send me a note if you have any questions.

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Kenny

Tue Dec 21 2010, 08:44PM

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My wife and I just got kayaks the other year. We have an Old Town Vapor 12 and a Perception Prodigy 12. We absolutely love them. They both have 50" cockpits. Super easy to get into on the water for the novice that I am. We even have enough room in the cockpits for our kids to sit in front. We got them in August I think for under $300 new. End of summer is a great time to get some deals.

Gratefulbuses

Tue Dec 21 2010, 09:41PM

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It really does depend on what you want to do and where you are at, etc., etc..
I'll vote for an open boat though, because I like eating fish and warmer weather. Hobie makes some nice boats!

Todd and Wendy
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Kudzu

Wed Dec 22 2010, 12:04AM

Kudzu

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All my kayaks are sit-ins, cause here in NC, if you stay dry, you will have days every month of the year that you can paddle. Craigslist is a good place to pick up kayaks and canoes, especially this time of the year. I actually bought my two favorite boats at a yard sale a couple of years ago - A Necky Manitou and a Manitou Sport- from the same guy. I also bought another kayak at a yard sale that I rarely use - an 18 foot Prion fiberglass tandem. It's a really nice boat, but it didn't take me long to figure out why the guy sold it. I have nicknamed it "The Divorcemaker" cause every time my girlfriend and I take it out for a paddle, we end up not speaking for several days. If we can ever figure out a way to co-ordinate our paddle strokes a little better, it will be a fun boat. But for now, probably because of the difference in the power of our strokes, we end up all over the water, in every direction but the one we want to go in.

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snoopy

Wed Dec 22 2010, 06:09AM

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That's a common name for the tandem kayaks, I don't recommend them. I picked up two of my kayaks from the same person a year apart off Craig's list. $300 each time. I haven't found an issue with buying used yet, other than a few scuff marks that add character.

Dry storage is a must for me as I always bring a camera, you'd be amazed how you can sneak up on wild life and catch the best pics.. All dry storage is not created equal. MANY LEAK!!!

Flotation device is required by law here.

2 of my kayaks fit in the bus, which works out great. The other "fits" but is right up to the windshield and I wouldn't recommend going that long. When I figure out how to haul one on the hi top, I'll be set.

A spare is always good if you want to bring a friend for the day.

[ Edited Wed Dec 22 2010, 06:10AM ]

GreenBus

Wed Dec 22 2010, 06:30AM

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you can carry kayaks on a hightop without any problems if you don't mind carrying a small ladder, Yakima makes an artificial gutter clip that bolts on your roof, i then used a gutter foot with an extension, that way i could mount the clips a little lower on the roof for some added strength.
before i got married i paddled every night after work, but when my son came into the world i sold five whitewater boats, and two sea kayaks and my bus to pay for hospital costs.
seven ww boats fit on the roof of my bus with a yak stacker, it was a sight to see. on two occasions we had to take them all down to fit under low bridges
i still have the kayak i was paddling when i met my wife.
we have an old town tripping canoe to take the family camping, it holds close to 2000lbs of gear.
if anyone needs roof rack help, let me know, i went to rack school, i am what you would call a rack-it scientist.

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Meinvw

Wed Dec 22 2010, 07:50AM

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Will have to let you know in a few months on the sit on tops, just bought one and have only used it once. But it did ride good, better than my wide shorty. Another thing is to look at the weight of the one you buy. Some can be pretty heavy and if you have a good distance to get to the water it will be very noticable!

Here ya go Snoopy, I used a pool ladder, some flat stock steel and a few bungees and it works fine. cost about $30 for everything (ladder was used)

The memories of a man in his old age, are the deeds of a man in his prime.

fastmc25

Wed Dec 22 2010, 09:14AM

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meinvw wrote ...

I used a pool ladder, some flat stock steel and a few bungees and it works fine. cost about $30 for everything (ladder was used)

That's one of my options for hauling it... I've got a Idea for Hightop side mount similar to yours... I just have to decide on what type Yak i want...... 50lbs is about the max i want to haul around... but i want some cargo capability and dry storage as well.................... Heck my 13.6' canoe was only 54 lbs..

Thanks for the input everyone.... I'll let you know what i decide on...

Peace,
Paul

1973 Adventurewagen (Aka Clyde)
1961 Deluxe Beetle ( Christine)

www.arklatexvwclub.com
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CoffeeBus

Wed Dec 22 2010, 09:16AM

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I have never tried a sit on top kayak. I have a sit in Kayak that I would be interested in selling. It is an Old Town Nantucket, 14'9". PM me if you are interested. It would include the spray skirt and a laminated wood paddle.

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fastmc25

Wed Dec 22 2010, 09:19AM

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CoffeeBus wrote ...

I have never tried a sit on top kayak. I have a sit in Kayak that I would be interested in selling. It is an Old Town Nantucket, 14'9". PM me if you are interested. It would include the spray skirt and a laminated wood paddle.

Thanks for the offer ..., I'm a little far away to do any shipping......and i wont be that way again until HCBF 2011 ...... I'm really trying to stay 10'-12' in size....

Peace,
Paul

1973 Adventurewagen (Aka Clyde)
1961 Deluxe Beetle ( Christine)

www.arklatexvwclub.com
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paintedbus

Wed Dec 22 2010, 12:42PM

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I used to rent kayaks every other weekend @ a sweet local shop (Colinsville canoe and kayak.) I would go w/ various people and paddle up and down a couple miles. My experience was that I would get soaked just about every time I rented a sit on top, plus for me it seemed a little less stable.

My best advice is to visit a similar rental place and spend a couple of weekends trying different yaks and decide what you like by feel.

I know that if I were to pick one up (which I really really want to do) it would be the sit-in variety.

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Fred

Wed Dec 22 2010, 01:41PM

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This is the only Kayak Id consider...

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nhsyncronaut

Wed Dec 22 2010, 05:20PM

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it all depends on what you are going to be using it for. The sit in kayaks are nice, and do keep you nice and dry, but they don't hold all that much. I managed 30 campsites that are only accessible by boat this summer, and with what people seem to need to go camping these days, they had trouble fitting in a sit in kayak. Some even had trouble fitting in canoes, and yet other had trouble fitting all of their stuff onto my 24 foot pontoon boat. Personally, I would be able to fit all of my stuff into a sit in kayak, so I would go with that option. Some people require more stuff, and even if it is a bundle of firewood or a small ice chest, it sure does seem to fit a little better in the sit on top. Make sure and tie down your stuff

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busesofthecorn

Wed Dec 22 2010, 06:03PM

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I agree with mr. NHsyncronaut... but my personal preference is a sit inside kayak. I already own a perfectly good canoe I can use when I need to move more gear.

I also feel that there's more control when you wear the boat.

busesofthecorn

Wed Dec 22 2010, 06:04PM

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Another point... the red and white sit inside is gonna look more at home on clyde than the khaki coloured sit-upon.

jrunberg

Wed Dec 22 2010, 09:45PM

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We've had several sit-in boats and loved them. More control, faster speed, longer paddle season (all things noted above). We have a couple sit ON boats now so that we can both paddle with our 3yr old. Also, with the sit on boat it's fun in the summer to paddle out into the ocean a ways, throw an anchor and dive off the side!

fastmc25

Wed Dec 22 2010, 10:18PM

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busesofthecorn wrote ...

Another point... the red and white sit inside is gonna look more at home on clyde than the khaki coloured sit-upon.

That's what i was thinking ......

Peace,
Paul

1973 Adventurewagen (Aka Clyde)
1961 Deluxe Beetle ( Christine)

www.arklatexvwclub.com
www.lovemybus.com

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