Kayak questin from a noob!

[ghooge2008]

yesterday, I drove from Gallatin, to Hilham, to pick up my first kayak. maybe I overspent at 400, but...I brought home an Ocean Kayak Drifter, it's the first generation I believe as it has the round hole at the rear tip and not a plate or screw inserts, I am 6'4" 300 pounds and plan to carry fishing gear, and reading online this model kept coming up as far as stability goes...and thats my main concern STABILITY.

the question is: (remember I am a brand new kayaker) after I sat in it and got out, I could hear air escaping/entering the hull, it was like a tire valve going off with out its stem a thewwwwsssttt sound. Are these hulls supposed to be sealed? it seemed to come from the left sides fishing rod holder, do I need to seal it? it has scratches and scrapes on the bottom and I dont think the man I got it from was selling me a bad yak, he was an older gentleman, and had a couple kayaks, this one was a little too much to carry as he had recently had a heart bypass. so I dont think the actual hull will leak, this air sound just bothered me as I was thinking the sit on tops were basically sealed like a pool float.

[Reel Tune]

The Ocean Kayak Drifter is a great kayak. It is one of the earlier designs and had a great following. It's called the big guy fishing kayak, or it was anyway because for it's time the capacity was greater than most others at 350lbs. Weighing in at under 50lbs, 12'6" long, and 34" wide gives you a good steady platform. The Drifter will be good for most any situation. As for telling you that you got a good deal, I don't know but you did get a decent kayak.

As for the air escaping, that will be normal with most SOT (Sit-on-top) kayaks and your size, just make sure the air isn't coming from somewhere below the waterline and I think you will be fine. Any roto-molded kayak with hatches, and recessed rod holders will not be 100% air tight, as long as you don't take on water you will be fine.

You are getting close to max capicity of your vessel, so I would be mindful of what all you carry. Heck I'm just over 200lbs and the capacity of my Tarpon is 350lbs and I'm pretty close to maxing it out sometimes, especially if I'm toting my bait tank.

One thing you may want to invest in if you decide to keep your kayak is a better seat. Figure you are sitting the entire time on hard plastic. A good paddle is nice to have, and depending in what kind of waters you will be in may determine what kind of paddle you get. The better the paddle the more efficient, and lighter the paddle will be. A comfortable PFD is a must also.

Since you are in Gallatin you may want to take a trip over to Hendersonville Hook1 699 EMain Street, and chat with Chad and check out what accessories like Paddles, PFD's, drift Chutes, anchors, and other stuff. After talking with Chad for 30 minutes you will be so pumped up you will be finding the nearest water.

Tight Lines,

Jeremy

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

[browntrout]

Since you are in Gallatin you may want to take a trip over to Hendersonville Hook1 699 EMain Street, and chat with Chad and check out what accessories like Paddles, PFD's, drift Chutes, anchors, and other stuff. After talking with Chad for 30 minutes you will be so pumped up you will be finding the nearest water.

Tight Lines,

Jeremy

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.[/QUOTE]

Yep what he said X2

Roy

[geckel]

When you sit on the kayak the plastic is going to bow a little bit which forces air out of any opening....air escaping is not a problem unless you're in an inflatable.
I second what midtnkayakangler told you about a seat. A good seat with lower back support is worth it's weight in gold.
Enjoy your kayak. I have found it to be a very rewarding investment.

[Alphahawk]

HOOK 1 is the place to go for all your kayak needs....great people. If I lived as close as you to them I would be broke....LOL.



Regards

[ghooge2008]

I met Chad and he was awesome! we ran into him afterhours, it was my son Mason(5) and I and he let us in and gave me a great deal on a paddle, he also hooked us up!!! we left with hats, hoodies, and an autographed copy of his book, ohh...and an frog lure he hand decorated, my son was really given the royal treatment, and it was quite humbling he would take the time to make us feel that special.

thanks for the advice and info guys!

[Reel Tune]

Yep, that was Chad. No suprise you had a great experience.

Jeremy

[fishnbuddy]

Place the kayak on saw horses in the driveway. While making sure the kayak is centered and stable fill the kayak with water up to the water line or slightly above, when you are in it. This way you can observe any leak if any. I nothing else, it will give you peace of mind. Also there are lots and lots of youtube videos of how to repair the poly type kayaks with poly fil rods and a heat gun,or cleaning with acetone and applying a two part epoxy. hope this helps and good luck.

-Fishingbuddy in Maryville.