Quote:
Originally Posted by MidTNKayakAngler
The Coosa was my second kayak. I used the Ride 115 on an 11 day trip to Louisiana, Texas, and back around Tennessee, and have currently been in the Ride 135 since that trip.
I have taken the Ride 135 down 2 class 3's, it was hairy, but doable. Most of the guys in river kayaks took the safe routes and went around, I just shot them. The roughest part was the 3' wall of water that hit me in the chest, nearly knocked the wind out of me, and the entire cockpit filled with water and made the boat every tippy for a few seconds until the water drained out the scupper holes. I feel that the Ride 135 would suit me on overnight trips with gear if needed but a hybrid style like an Ultimate, or Commander would be better suited.
The Ride 115 is a great boat, but lack of tankwell, and speed is an issue for me. I know you're probably thinking why are you concerned with speed in a kayak? Well I like paddling efficient kayaks, where I can cover as much water as possible in a small amount of time. Paddling the Ride 115 more than a mile and a half or two consistently without a break was exhausting. Like said earlier the tankwell is small, but adequate for most. Not me, I fill the tankwell of the Ride 135 up and sometimes feel like I need more room.
The Coosa, the tankwell is small, smaller than the Ride 115 tankwell, it's tippy "the only kayak I have ever fell out of". It's slow, I know it's not meant to be a fast kayak, but I like speed relative to kayak. If you are on any pond or lake and have any sort of wind you are spinning, unless you tie a piece of rope to the rear and let it drag in the water. I think I got that tip from Bfish.
|
Thanks MidTN, this was a VERY helpful post for me!!
The more research I do, the more I like the 'barge" style yaks.
The only major drawback, at least for my needs, seems to be size and the probable need for some sort of trailer rather than a rooftop scenario. I think I'll wind up making some sort of double trailer and start out with a big yak, then make the decision on what to get for the second one off of that experience.
I love bfish's chain rudder idea too, we have already exchanged a few pm's and that came up during the conversation. I will try that one before I try a real rudder for sure!
I've put broken outboards on the back of spinny pond boats before just for the rudder effect
