Future Beach Angler 144 12' SOT Fishing kayak comments?

[vincent]

It looks like I'll not be able to get a boat soon, as I wanted to. It's the towing vehicle and storage problem (2 car garage), and I do not want to spend more money that it costs for just a used boat at this stage. I have a Honda Odyssey that can tow max 3500lb, but then the boat will be a small one that my wife and 2 kids probably cannot ride with me comfortably (Is this a myth? or, are there family fishing boats with trailer that weigh less than 2500lb?). Right now, don't want to deal with the hassles of a boat, and dont want to miss this season on the lake. So, I've been thinking a lot about getting a kayak, have been reading a lot about them on this site and others, and checking out many facts, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I guess it's time. I saw Future Beach angler 144 12' sit on fishing kayak at Costco for 430$ and was wondering if the experts here had any thoughts on how good/bad this kayak is. I've never kayaked before, but I love to get on the lake. I plan to be on water mostly for 3-4 hours at a stretch and not more, and this will be mostly Saturday early morning. Fishing is my primary goal and it'll be on JPP lake mostly. I do not plan to get a trailer, instead just carry kayak on top of my van, and I'll carry it out to the lake - a 70lb kayak is not a problem for me. I'm now 195lb, and my weight ranges from 195-215lb typically in a year (too much grilling in summer). I understand all kayaks have their pros and cons. The future beach is rated for 440lb. This kayak being from Costco, I can probably try it out in the water and return for a full refund if I don't like it. And that's another reason I do not want to spend around 1000$ at other stores for a kayak - what do I do if I don't like the kayak? My concern with the future beach kayak is the color of this kayak - not being bright, a boater can easily miss seeing me. :-) I plan to get a good seat if this kayak has one, and a good paddle and PFD - seen that advice everywhere I read about kayaks. Once I like the kayak, I will go for extra fittings like battery, fish finder and other fancy stuff.

I'm totally new to kayak-ing and would like to see for once how a kayak is launched into water. Based on research in this forum, it looks like I should first make a trip to Hook 1 shop. I appreciate any tips, especially from kayak experts on the future beach kayak. Thank you.

Vincent.

[Jdkxtreme]

Couple of things,
You said you wanted a boat for the family? A pleasure boat? You said your primary goal on the water was fishing? If that is the case there are many boats that will hold 2 adults and 2 kids fine in your weight range. I have a 17' bass tracker and it's not heavy at all. I could do 2 adults and 2 kids no problem. The Kayak does not get the family out on the water at all.

[vincent]

Well, was on the way to get a small boat, but then wife said she wants to go on the lake with kids with me. That means I have to get something like a nitro or fish n ski. Nnot sure if that is ha in the towing range. I know family outing on the lake that willhappen only once in a while, so thought a kayak is a quick solution when I go fishing by myself most of the time. Also, putting boat in garage makes parking the van difficult. So, probably kayak is the interim solution..

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by vincent

I have a Honda Odyssey that can tow max 3500lb, but then the boat will be a small one that my wife and 2 kids probably cannot ride with me comfortably (Is this a myth? or, are there family fishing boats with trailer that weigh less than 2500lb?).

Vincent.

The Z-6 Nitro fully rigged out is 2500lbs
http://www.nitro.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=3534

An aluminum of equal size would definitely be lighter. A lot of times its not how much your car can pull but how much your car can safely stop.

My uncle used to take/unload/load a speed boat with a 350 eng using a nissan 4 cylinder pickup at the steep ramp below OH Dam. I know that is an extreme maybe not safe route but you can tow lots of boats with your car that you have.

[Alphahawk]

Fishing from a boat and a kayak are not the same. I can't recommend whether you buy a boat or kayak. But I can recommend if you do look at kayaks head over to HOOK 1 in Hendersonville.....or call them. They will not steer you wrong and can give you invaluable advice and recommendations you won't get anywhere else. Good folks over there.



Regards

[ojibwa]

Originally Posted by alphahawk

but i can recommend if you do look at kayaks head over to hook 1 in hendersonville.....or call them. They will not steer you wrong and can give you invaluable advice and recommendations you won't get anywhere else. Good folks over there.



Regards

x2

[nomad60]

I had some of the same issues as you. Very limited garage space, and a towing limit of 3500 pounds. After much research, it came down to the Bass Tracker 175 TXW or the Crestliner VT-17 (for the type fishing I do). For the price and options, the Crestliner won hands down. My garage is about 20', 4" deep due to storage rooms, so I had to look for a boat which had a total package length with swing away tongue of less than that. The Crestliner VT-17 I got leaves me about 5" on each side as I back the boat into the garage and about 5" front and back (makes for a fun time backing the boat in by myself ) and the boat weighs 1050 pounds (can't remember what total package weight is; about 1750, I think) so my Escape has no problems towing it. Buy what you can afford, and which will fit your fishing/family needs, otherwise you'll be thinking of upgrading. I'm very happy with the boat I got; I can take 2 other people with me seat-wise but if all 3 are throwing crankbaits when we're fishing it gets a bit hairy LOL.

[vincent]

Thanks everyone.