Old School Kayaks

anzuelo · Post by **anzuelo** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:32 pm

I've been kayak fishing in Rockport/Aransas Pass area since 2001 and have seen quite a few changes in kayak design since then. When I started, there weren't too many boats with tank wells, and most of the anglers using kayaks tended to carry a minimal amount of tackle and other gear. Also, there weren't that many accessories available so there was a lot more innovation in rigging kayaks.

Since then the kayaks have gotten to be much more refined with improved seating, hatches, and other fishing friendly goodies, yet I feel that some of those early sit on top kayaks were better, more efficient hull designs than today's kayaks.

To me, the best of these older kayaks would be, Wilderness Systems Tarpon 16 (two hatches, no tankwell), Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro (with or without tankwell) and the Perception/Aquaterra Prism.

I still feel that the above mentioned kayaks are in many ways superior to the current kayaks being sold.

4x4kayak2112 · Post by **4x4kayak2112** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:16 am

I loved my scupper pro.

FishDFly · Post by **FishDFly** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:28 am

(two hatches, no tankwell

If it is in a hatch , I cannot reach it and it is no use then. Older is better at times.

macjank7 · Post by **macjank7** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:35 am

I started out with a Perception Prism. I miss that wet butt...

Fin-Addict · Post by **Fin-Addict** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:55 am

I started out with a scupper pro classic 2 hatch model. I vividly remember having to "snap" my butt into place as it was such a narrow seat (excuse for not saying I have a wide A$$)

Really narrow & fast boat that helped me tremendously with my balance

heyimtrying · Post by **heyimtrying** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:52 am

I love my oldie, can still rig it up nicely if needed. I always strp down my crate behind me with everything I need in it.

bdrake · Post by **bdrake** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:14 pm

We still have our W.S. (The Ride) yaks. Think we got them back around 1996 or so.

heyimtrying wrote:I love my oldie, can still rig it up nicely if needed. I always strp down my crate behind me with everything I need in it.

MethodMachine · Post by **MethodMachine** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:09 am

Last year I picked up a used Wilderness Freedom 15 (two hatches, Greenland style SOT) for a really good price.

I really like the glide of this particular "oldie but goodie". For my particular style, I find I like longer and faster boats with minimal other stuff in the way.

pelochas · Post by **pelochas** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:02 pm

Perception Bimini 15.0. Two hatches, i small hatch in front of cup holder. Best $300 i spent 13 years ago. And its still the only one kayak i fish until maybe this year, maybe a new wilderness ride or cuda. I need that elevated seat, my back hurts.

jlyoung08 · Post by **jlyoung08** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:55 am

i have a 2 hatch tarpon 160 that i love. not the most stable or manuverable but its fast and easy to paddle

Erock · Post by **Erock** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:49 am

Got this old 14' OK Scupper given to me a few years ago, a guy wanted it out of his yard so I got it for Gracie. It was in pretty bad shape, both handles dangling, a big crack around the console and a few other things. Here's a before pic.

Riveted some aluminum strips down with marine sealant under them for a handle base and use marine sealant, rivets and a patch made from a heavy duty Rubbermaid tote to fix the crack, added a seat some bungees a crate and some acc. and she has been using it since. Stable enough for her and fast enough so she can go on long hauls with us.

Erock · Post by **Erock** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:02 am

My pics always come out in reverse for some reason now on this tapatalk? Here's a few of it finished.

vincent · Post by **vincent** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:13 am

Scupper pro and Prowler 13 best kayaks made, older kayaks have better plastic and better molds than the current models. I see alot of posts about decks blowing up and kayaks oil canning and cracking on the newer kayaks. You are better off buying used now adays.

Kayak Kid · Post by **Kayak Kid** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 12:28 pm

My "oldie" was a canvas covered, wood ribbed, yak. Acquired it in 1948. Weighed less than 40 pounds and glided after each stroke like an olympic skater on ice.

First SOT was a Wilderness 160 that I purchased in 2003. Still consider it the best of the plastics sot's.

Picked up a kevlar SEDA REVENGE in 2004. 18 ft by 25inches, 38 lbs, a dream to paddle. He discontinued this boat several years ago due to high cost of production. Still have mine and still love it.

The new boats are more stable. They fulfill the need for gadgets in a gadget loving society. They are much too heavy. They paddle like bathtubs when compared to the "oldies".

CoastieCulture · Post by **CoastieCulture** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:10 pm

Well done erock

jdeleon · Post by **jdeleon** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:11 pm

I still have a perception prism and swing in pristine condition, with 1000s of hrs of use. Awesome kayaks !!

Jeffrey · Post by **Jeffrey** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:21 pm

Kayak Kid wrote:My "oldie" was a canvas covered, wood ribbed, yak. Acquired it in 1948. Weighed less than 40 pounds and glided after each stroke like an olympic skater on ice.

.

Wow! That is a REAL kayak! Did you become proficient in the Greenland style rolls?

Kayak Kid · Post by **Kayak Kid** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 1:04 pm

Jeffrey wrote:
Kayak Kid wrote:My "oldie" was a canvas covered, wood ribbed, yak. Acquired it in 1948. Weighed less than 40 pounds and glided after each stroke like an olympic skater on ice.

.
Wow! That is a REAL kayak! Did you become proficient in the Greenland style rolls?

I don't recall ever having to use one except for practice. Proficient? ???

Jeffrey · Post by **Jeffrey** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:01 pm

Kayak Kid wrote:
Jeffrey wrote:
Kayak Kid wrote:My "oldie" was a canvas covered, wood ribbed, yak. Acquired it in 1948. Weighed less than 40 pounds and glided after each stroke like an olympic skater on ice.

.
Wow! That is a REAL kayak! Did you become proficient in the Greenland style rolls?
I don't recall ever having to use one except for practice. Proficient? ???

From your description it sounds like an authentic greenland style sit inside sea kayak that you would have to be proficient at rolling and bracing. You know, a real paddler's kayak.

Kayak Kid · Post by **Kayak Kid** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:37 pm

Bracing and balance (knee braces) were the keys......,and, still are when paddling a proper ocean style (Greenland) kayak. At age nine, I went to a summer camp in Wisconsin that was all about boating and fishing. We were taught proper paddling from day one.

Various boy scout camps attended in the years after, always offered extensive canoe safety and paddling instructions. At age 17 I was sent by a girls summer camp owner to Red Cross small craft instructors school in Greenville, NC where I received my instructors license. I was her water craft and camp out counselor for the next four summers.

As one who has been well taught in the 'art' of canoe and kayak safety and paddling, it disturbs me to see so many of my fellow kayakers who stress everything but safety and proper paddling. Ask your buddies what "bracing" or "Eskimo roll" is, and the chances are very good that they won't know.

At

CaptJack · Post by **CaptJack** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:07 pm

when we started this in 88 we were wade fishermen who used our yaks to get to better wade fishing water, with a minimum of gear
we called the guys who loaded down their yaks with all the gear and bolt-ons Pee-Wee Herman yakers

CaptJack · Post by **CaptJack** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:10 pm

what it looked like back in 95
we did have the Prisms rigged with knee straps so we could surf them

CaptJack · Post by **CaptJack** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:12 pm

what my rig looks like today

anzuelo · Post by **anzuelo** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 1:53 pm

Capt. Jack -- are those the older 2-hole Prisms on the roof rack?

I have a 1999 Prism (4-hole) and is the best paddling of the kayaks I have had. It is my go to boat especially if I want to travel light.

Erock · Post by **Erock** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:15 pm

That bicycle is awesome Lol!

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