Need some advice. Yak or Nu??

[Fishinfire]

Hello all. I am looking for some advice on my next venture. I have been researching various fishing kayaks for a couple months now. I was going to do a single but since my son will more than likely be with me a lot I am leaning towards a tandem. I thought I had set my mind on an Old Town Twin Heron Angler since most of the reviews I have seen say it is user friendly for single person use as well. But of course the wrench gets thrown in.

A friend of mine says I should go the canoe route. So of course now I have seen a few that are quite suitable for my needs. I am mostly going to be in the D&R Canal or drifting the Raritan.

The main concern I have is stability as like I said, my son (age 6) will be glued to my side.

Thoughts ?

Thanks in advance!

[basspilot]

Well if you want stability id say hands down go with a tandem kayak but they do charge a premium for those. The only problem with the tandem kayaks though is space and max load capacity. The canoes will definitely offer more space, leg room, higher load capacity (generally speaking) where the kayaks are more stable, more interactive to let the little guy help paddle, easier to get back on if you do dump it, and you can throw them on top of the car much easier. Good luck with whatever you chose and don't forget the safety equipment.

[JimmyMas]

Check out Paddlers Cove they sell a Old Town youth kayak for $300.00. It's got a tow hook up in the front in case the little guy gets tired. I checked them out and will be buying one for my son (7) this spring or at the Paddle Sports show they have at the convention center. Might be able to save money at the show.

[acabtp]

generally i prefer kayaks, but in this case, i would say to get the canoe.

compared to a regular kayak, tandem kayaks are a pain in the ass unless the person in the other seat is also helping paddle. they suck when you are alone.

a canoe works fine with one or two people, so you'll be covered now while he's a little fisherman, and also later when he can really help paddle.

i'd get a real canoe, not a nucanoe. nucanoe only comes in 10' or 12' length, fine for two day paddlers, but way too small for two fisherman, IMO. the seats are only 4-5' apart... 4-5 feet away from a 6 year old learning to cast. accident waiting to happen. with a real canoe, say 15' or 17', there's plenty of room for jr. to sit up front and cast while dad sits in the back out of harm's way.

[Skunk City]

I have spent many many hours in both kayak and canoe, and due to having a younger guy with you, I would highly recommend individual kayaks. Having taken out "newbies" in a canoe, I can tell you it is usually a challenge getting them to paddle correctly to maintain speed and direction. They are also a lot more "tippy" than kayaks are, which adds to the anxiety of being responsible for a little guy. I have taken people out in my kayaks that have never done so and they handled it with flying colors.

[Bottomfeeder]

Great thread, very informative. I have been looking into a canoe, but considering Im hoping my son will be fishing with me a few years down the road, I am now thinking yak after reading this.

[acabtp]

i agree, if you think he can handle a kayak of his own, then two kayaks would definitely be the way to go

[Fishinfire]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Not sure he is ready for his own kayak though. I was referring to a normal canoe as I have never heard of a nucanoe. Seems cool but a bit out of my price range. A normal canoe is a fading idea due to the "tippyness".

As far as his own kayak goes, if he gets one, his sister would want one as well. (Not sure I am ready for that adventure)

The Heron twin angler says it is quite managable when paddled alone. Hmm. Decisions decisions!

[AndrewT]

My suggestion is to get a canoe and then invest in a stern mount trolling motor down the road. It's a great setup

[Fish n Jeep]

I used to have a 14' Rogue River canoe, it had comfortable seats, a wide beam, rod holders, cup holders and a center storage area. I think the same model is sold under several brand names, and is even available in longer variations as well as a square stern. I had no problems taking my wife out in it, and she isn't the most well balanced person. I also built a clamp on motor mount for my Mercury 2.5, although having a square stern version would have been better.