My Malibu was down last year for repairs and good friend gave me this one. Skinny kayaks are fast and stable enough to use offshore, I just have to pack light and behave on the open water. I had a huge bull shark eat my king at boatside while I was in this kayak, and never felt in danger of going over... I just prefer the room and extra stability of the big boats.
I'm 6'4" and 230 lbs, so I'm probably too large for the Scupper, but on a calm day offshore it sure is a speed boat! It does everything pretty well except stability, and I believe a lot of that issue can be attributed to the fact that I pack 30 lbs of gear on the boat aside from myself. If I catch fish, the weight is pushing the limits of the poor kayak. I took a new kayaker offshore the other day. At 150 lbs he did well with the boat and seemed comfortable.
During my aca courses I took I was getting in basically like you just did then our instructor told us to hold on the side while floating on our chest/stomach then reach across kayak with one arm then other arm closer to you grabs that side then its a kick & slide up into kayak. Also learned how to use a sling & paddle float which will stabilize the kayak and prevents it wanting to roll.
My lower body does not float, even in saltwater. All my body fat is around my middle, so I am forced to lift myself up into the yak. I wish I could float level in the water; that sure would make things easier.
+jdphd The short answer is that YOU hold the kayak in place as you climb back onto it. When you reach over the hull, grab ahold and slide yourself into place, you are pulling against the hull so the kayak isn't trying to scoot around too much.
+jdphd Sit on Top kayaks have open scuppers (drain holes) that run through the hull so that any water that gets into the seating area can drain back out. I usually leave them all open because in choppy conditions water will get into the seating area and needs a way back out - otherwise the kayak becomes heavy and sluggish. If you will be fishing in a calm area you can plug the holes, to keep from losing weights, hooks or other small items that might be laying on the floor of the kayak. Bottom line: only consider scupper plugs if you are going to be in calm areas where you won't need them to drain water.
My Malibu was down last year for repairs and good friend gave me this one. Skinny kayaks are fast and stable enough to use offshore, I just have to pack light and behave on the open water. I had a huge bull shark eat my king at boatside while I was in this kayak, and never felt in danger of going over... I just prefer the room and extra stability of the big boats.
I'm 6'4" and 230 lbs, so I'm probably too large for the Scupper, but on a calm day offshore it sure is a speed boat! It does everything pretty well except stability, and I believe a lot of that issue can be attributed to the fact that I pack 30 lbs of gear on the boat aside from myself. If I catch fish, the weight is pushing the limits of the poor kayak. I took a new kayaker offshore the other day. At 150 lbs he did well with the boat and seemed comfortable.
During my aca courses I took I was getting in basically like you just did then our instructor told us to hold on the side while floating on our chest/stomach then reach across kayak with one arm then other arm closer to you grabs that side then its a kick & slide up into kayak. Also learned how to use a sling & paddle float which will stabilize the kayak and prevents it wanting to roll.
Never thought I would see Prof. Salt in a tiny little kayak haha
My lower body does not float, even in saltwater. All my body fat is around my middle, so I am forced to lift myself up into the yak. I wish I could float level in the water; that sure would make things easier.
Great Boat!
WHAT MAKES THE KAYAC STAY IN PLACE AND STEADY WHILE TRYING TO GET BACK IN?
+jdphd The short answer is that YOU hold the kayak in place as you climb back onto it. When you reach over the hull, grab ahold and slide yourself into place, you are pulling against the hull so the kayak isn't trying to scoot around too much.
WOULD IT MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE IF SCUPPER PLUG IS NOT USED?
+jdphd Sit on Top kayaks have open scuppers (drain holes) that run through the hull so that any water that gets into the seating area can drain back out. I usually leave them all open because in choppy conditions water will get into the seating area and needs a way back out - otherwise the kayak becomes heavy and sluggish. If you will be fishing in a calm area you can plug the holes, to keep from losing weights, hooks or other small items that might be laying on the floor of the kayak. Bottom line: only consider scupper plugs if you are going to be in calm areas where you won't need them to drain water.