[carndog]

I have been using an Old Town Otter 9'6" kayak for about 3 years now. I think it is about time to upgrade. I am considering a Old Town Cayuga 146 or 160. I mostly have been using it on large rivers and lakes, with the occasional ocean paddle. The Otter is great except for during rougher days when the waves break over the bow and come into the cockpit. I also could use more room to store my lunch and clothing. It gets tight. I would my next kayak to have enough room for an overnight trip.
What is everyone else using? Any good kayaking forums you use?

[Soulfrk]

I've got a Necky Looksha 14 w/ rudder and I love it. It's an older model I got 3rd hand on craigslist for about 550.00.

I use it for fishing, lakes, rivers, and could probably get away with a calm day in the ocean. (I've been out in very choppy conditions on larger lakes)

It has a good amount of storage. I've done trips ranging to one night to several. Although, anything more than 2 nights you're strapping stuff you your deck.

My only complaint is that it's got a very large secondary hull so it feels pretty 'tippy' at first, but i've gotten used to it.

[dudley]

I have a 12' Perception AquaTerra (stupid name )
It's 15+ years old and looks it, but it serves it's purpose
My boat model was long ago discontinued, but has the same hull design as the Carolina, only with a small cockpit
I use it mostly for saltwater fishing and feel pretty safe out there, even in fairly rough water

I belong to one local kayak fishing site
http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com/


but sometimes check these out also

http://www.npmb.com/...forum/forum.php
http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com/

[Andrew]

I have two Wilderness Pamlico 100s. Small, cheap, perfect for what I do with them!

[carndog]

Andrew, on Jul 21 2009, 11:47 AM, said:

I have two Wilderness Pamlico 100s. Small, cheap, perfect for what I do with them!

Nice! Those seats look much more comfortable than the Otters

[fishmonger]

I had a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 before I sold it last summer. Great midrange kayak for the function and price.

[3/4 time]

I have a 12 foot Necky Manitou, but I didn't shop around to find it. It sort of found me. It washed up on an ocean beach in front of a friends house with no ID in any of the compartments. He doesn't canoe or kayak. He tried for two years to find the owner - no luck. So in the back of the truck it went. My son uses it on the lakes and ponds in town and enjoys it very much.

[Soulfrk]

3/4 time, on Jul 23 2009, 06:01 PM, said:

I have a 12 foot Necky Manitou, but I didn't shop around to find it. It sort of found me. It washed up on an ocean beach in front of a friends house with no ID in any of the compartments. He doesn't canoe or kayak. He tried for two years to find the owner - no luck. So in the back of the truck it went. My son uses it on the lakes and ponds in town and enjoys it very much.

That is the best deal you're going to get I think.

Kind of a serendipitous acquisition too.

[Majer:Danjer]

I use both a Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game and a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120. I feel the S.O.T. kayak is more versatile from carrying gear, to fishing, to using as a diving platform when paddling the Saco. The sit inside kayak is easier to paddle though in my opinion. So essentially they both have their pro's and con's.

www.newenglandkayakfishing.com

[RichNH]

I too have an Otter but I never really used it that much until a few weeks ago when I paddled down the Connecticutt River for about 5 hours. I was pretty sore after that trip. So that started a search and I think I've found a replacement. Wilderness Systems Commander 120 is designed more than anything else as a fishing hybrid kayak. The more I look at it the better it looks. The only thing I don't like about it is the uneven floor but everything else looks good.

I have arthritis in a number of areas including my hips. That was a big problem that I ran into a few weeks ago. We took rest breaks now and then but even with those, being forced to sit in one position for such a long time, I was suffering by the end of it. The lack of foot rests was a definate minus on that trip too.

The Commander 120 has 2 different seating options that would allow me to change my hip position slightly during a long paddle. In addition, because of its stability, if I am on a flat section of a river I can stand up and stretch. Being able to do this seems like a major advantage to me, which is why I'm looking at it.

Anyone have any experience with this particular kayak?

Rich