I absolutely love my kayak! I got mine from West Marine in Charleston, SC and it was preloaded with a anchor trolley and the high back “fishing seat”. Now most quality fishing kayak are 14′ or more and this one is 11’6″ with an extremely stable and wide tri-hull design. Granted I’m only 5’8″ and 145 on a good day, I can stand, walk around, do a happy fishing dance, and paddle this thing around the shallows like I’m in an obese paddle board.
Yes, the tracking isn’t anything to brag about, especially coming from a shorter/wide yak, and it’s slower to glide across the water for the same reason. But given the option I’d rather have a shorter/wide yak to stand and and fish in and stretch and lay out and enjoy my long fishing days opposed to a longer/narrow kayak that I have to stay seated for 6 hours or more a day. I have taken this in main channel 4-5 swells and absolutely loved it. It’s a tank. Granted I get a hell of a good work out if I want to travel far but I enjoy that. Keep in mind I have a lot of gear typically.
I wired and installed a Lowrance Elite- 4X HDI fish finder, 12v battery and sonar into this beast. It’s an amazing set up. I mounted the unit right between my feet above the assist strap and it’s perfect. I mounted 2 Scott rod holders at the recesses provided and they fit perfectly as well. The battery and wires are inside the front hull (yes it’s tough to open occasionally but nothing I would complain about). I then strap and small soft cooler on top of the front hull cover with about 12 “beverages” inside with a full bag of ice. As I keep “hydrated” through the day and catch bass I can throw them in my cooler to keep cold for the rest of the day if I catch a couple keepers. So I can have a total of 6 fishing rods with this set up but I typically only keep the 4 in the back and when I’m feel lazy I’ll rig me a couple catfish set ups, anchor in a safe spot, throw a line or 2 for catfish, put my feet up, lay back and take in the glory of the NC/SC sun. I keep my layered fishing bag between my legs typically. I also have a milk crate with a bunch of random kayaking goodies and in the back. Including an easy to reach life vest, machete (in case gators, you know), a rain dry suit, snacks, first aid, gallon of water, and enough sunscreen for a preschool class. The seat is just the hard plastic so I keep a foam stadium pad under my butt that is very easy to move to higher and lower position as I feel like moving.
Basically I absolutely love this kayak. I load it to the brim and still have plenty of room to get antsy in the long hot summer days. Cons: easier opening hatch although it makes it completely waterproof. And the tracking could use a little improvement. Pros: one amazing summer so far.