Let's talk kayak hulls 2024

J Francho reply :

Here's the hull on a Hobie Compass. You can see that there was some thoughtful design put in here. The stern recess is low profile, but protects the rudder when stowed. That little black piece is a replaceable, sacrificial strip, so you don't wear a hole in the hull loading and unloading. Also note the Lowrance Ready transducer pod. The dual sponson design aids tracking, but also provides a ton stability for stand up fishing.

Let's see some of your hulls, and talk about what amkes it "good" for you.

Smalls reply :

3 Waters/FeelFree’s cathedral hull. Kind of a crappy picture.

Literally designed for one purpose and one purpose only- stability. I’m usually the slowest boat out on the water. But I don’t even consider sitting when boats come off plane by me and I get their wake. This is my first kayak, and I was standing and fishing within the first hour of its maiden voyage.

Also the sonar pod, and where it goes in the boat give my transducer more than enough protection.

J Francho reply :

FeelFree has always had stability in mind. I like fishing out of a Moken 12.

Smalls reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 3:24 AM, J Francho said:

FeelFree has always had stability in mind. I like fishing out of a Moken 12.

A guy who fishes our tournaments has a Dorado. He and I were fishing near each other, and he decided to blast off to another spot. It’s obviously a hell of a lot faster than paddling, but even with pedals, he didn’t seem like he was going very fast.

But he could probably do gymnastics on his yak

J Francho reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 3:29 AM, Smalls said:

It’s obviously a hell of a lot faster than paddling, but even with pedals, he didn’t seem like he was going very fast.

That's what I like about the Hobie Compass Mirage Drive, It's only 75 lbs. and is very quick. I've gotten over 6 mph, but that was with a TON of effort. Usual speed is 4 mph.

Smalls reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 3:37 AM, J Francho said:

That's what I like about the Hobie Compass Mirage Drive, It's only 75 lbs. and is very quick. I've gotten over 6 mph, but that was with a TON of effort. Usual speed is 4 mph.

Idk if I can even paddle mine fast enough for sidescan to work ????.

My arms, however, have not been this ripped since college.

NYWayfarer reply :

The hull on my Pelican is like construction paper.

The only good thing about it is it weighs so little (38 lbs.) I can pick it up and carry it anywhere. It never has to touch the ground.

Harold Scoggins reply :

I'd have to unload the Big Game 2 for a pic, so I took these off YT.

Harold Scoggins reply :

Funny you brought up kayak hulls today. I was googling my head off last night trying to find information on hull design. I've been looking really hard at the Bonafide SS127 thinking I might pick one up. I got to try one out couple weeks back and it is a really stable yak. I guess some owners were complaining about it being hard to turn, so Luther Cifers had "flex wings" designed for it and I guess it helps, but I don't understand how. Other than that it has good speed for a paddle yak and tracks great without a rudder. I'm not too crazy about the "flex wings" though, as I often position myself in the middle of the slop during the summer and I can see a bunch of cabbage getting hung up on those wings. I think I might wait on this yak because if I know Luther, he'll redesign the stern on future models.

IgotWood reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 4:35 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

Funny you brought up kayak hulls today. I was googling my head off last night trying to find information on hull design. I've been looking really hard at the Bonafide SS127 thinking I might pick one up. I got to try one out couple weeks back and it is a really stable yak. I guess some owners were complaining about it being hard to turn, so Luther Cifers had "flex wings" designed for it and I guess it helps, but I don't understand how. Other than that it has good speed for a paddle yak and tracks great without a rudder. I'm not too crazy about the "flex wings" though, as I often position myself in the middle of the slop during the summer and I can see a bunch of cabbage getting hung up on those wings. I think I might wait on this yak because if I know Luther, he'll redesign the stern on future models.

I've been looking at the SS127 too. I've held off because of the rumors of it spinning and tracking poorly. I was lucky to paddle one with, and without the wings at a demo a couple weeks ago. I couldn't believe it, but it was night and day!

Without the wings, it banked starboard immediately when I stopped paddling. And at a standstill, it quickly spun 180 degrees before I dipped the paddle to stop it. When I got in the one with the wings, I could not believe how much different it handled. It tracked straight as an arrow. When I was sitting still, it help its position perfectly. This was in a 15mph wind. The boat definitely caught the wind and moved, but it didn't spin at all!

The wings are such a simple design, but they really do work. I can't explain how, you just have to see. They are a soft plastic, almost rubbery material. I too am concerned with salad getting caught on them, but they move quite a bit, and I think that they will quickly shake off any debris that might catch on them. I am going to buy one this year. probably in the winter. Supposedly the wings will be available very soon.

IgotWood reply :

I was really attracted to the NuCanoe designs with those wide open, flat decks. I bought a Flint last year. I am happy with it. It performs great. It paddles super fast, tracks perfectly straight, and turns very well. At a standstill, one half-hearted paddle stroke will turn the boat 90 degrees, which is helpful for all the close quarters fishing I do a lot. Also, the scuppers drain the deck very well too, which is important to me.

One thing I dislike...Stability. Most of the reviews had this boat as super stable. People were standing and walking all over it without tipping. I can stand on it ok. It won't tip, but it is quite wobbly! The boat lists to a certain point right before the gunnels go under water, and the boat stops listing any further. But at that point you are no longer able to balance and you're gonna either take a swim or hopefully fall back into the seat. I wish this boat were as stable as the hype built it to be. I want to replace this boat with a Bonafide 127.

I tested a Frontier a couple weeks ago. Man that thing is like standing on a bass boat!!! By far the most comfortable kayak I've stood on. Far more stable than a Bonafide. But you might as well forget about trying to paddle it, and just fork out the money for a motor. I really wanted to like it, but it just won't work for me.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 5:54 AM, IgotWood said:

The wings are such a simple design, but they really do work. I can't explain how, you just have to see. They are a soft plastic, almost rubbery material. I too am concerned with salad getting caught on them, but they move quite a bit, and I think that they will quickly shake off any debris that might catch on them. I am going to buy one this year. probably in the winter. Supposedly the wings will be available very soon.

I'm going to wait and see where they end up with the wings. Luther was live streaming yesterday and he showed wings made of a stiffer material that they are testing.

wasabi_VA reply :

Here is the hull on my 10' Pelican Catch 100. I can't decide if it paddles like a brick or if it does Ok because it's the only kayak I use. I previously had a Wilderness Ride 135 which was of course larger and more stable but I don't recall the paddle effort enough to compare. I'm curious what you think of this hull design.

Allen Der reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 8:01 PM, wasabi_VA said:

Here is the hull on my 10' Pelican Catch 100. I can't decide if it paddles like a brick or if it does Ok because it's the only kayak I use. I previously had a Wilderness Ride 135 which was of course larger and more stable but I don't recall the paddle effort enough to compare. I'm curious what you think of this hull design.

looks like a plastic jon boat at first. I've never seen a kayak with one row of scuppers

GrumpyOlPhartte reply :

@wasabi_VA: I also have a Catch 100. After getting caught in a “scattered shower” last Sunday I can attest to the fact that the single row of scuppers works just fine. My brother-in-law could barely drag his canoe out of the lake because of the rain water he collected. I had no problem at all. As for handling; well, it’s a 10-foot kayak with a 34-inch beam so, nope - it’s not the greatest-handling buggy on the lake. But for me, the adjustable-height lounge chair seat, the stability, the light weight, and the low price make it ideal for me. Oh, and the 10-foot length is mandatory unless I want to buy a house with a larger garage for winter stowage of the yak. As far as I’m concerned, if you are satisfied with it, then no one else’s opinion really matters anyway.

BoatSquirrel reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 3:24 AM, J Francho said:

FeelFree has always had stability in mind. I like fishing out of a Moken 12.

This was a vey educational post. Rather than tag my question onto this thread I started another and would appreciate your feedback. Standup vs stream kayak. Thanks man.

James Janousek reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 6:08 AM, IgotWood said:

I tested a Frontier a couple weeks ago. Man that thing is like standing on a bass boat!!! By far the most comfortable kayak I've stood on. Far more stable than a Bonafide. But you might as well forget about trying to paddle it, and just fork out the money for a motor. I really wanted to like it, but it just won't work for me.

I have a NuCanoe Frontier 12 with a trolling motor on the back. It's super stable for sure, but a pain to load and unload from the bed of a pickup, really needs to be on a trailer. Also, controlling the boat with just a rear trolling motor is not super easy, having it up front would make a big difference.

I was thinking about getting a Bonafide as well for floating rivers and small ponds but keeping the NuCanoe for lakes. I've been looking at the Old Towne Topwater PDL as well. The other option is getting a 2019 Hobie Pro Angler. The Lowrance ready retractable transducer pod is ingenious. Hobie seems to be one of the leaders in innovation when it comes to kayaks. The only downside is the price, but like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Hook2Jaw reply :

I like my big PA14 hull. It's long, stable, and fast. I've gotten the thing to a tad over 7 and I've also seen the new Hobie Outback reach that speed. I can dance on it, pedal with my shins standing, and jack a fish jaw all up off it.

I'll probably be going with a Nucanoe Flint or a Native Slayer for my next boat, though.

michaelb reply :

This my new fishing kayak, a Kaku Kayak Wahoo 12.5. I have 5 others +2 canoes +3 paddle boards. I picked this one for its aggressive hull shape. I wanted something I could stand and fish off, but that was also fun to paddle and could handle strong winds and heavy waves in open water. I just got it and we have been flooded and cold and rainy, so I haven't paddled it that much, but it is definitely quicker than my other big boat, so it doesn't paddle like a barge, while still being stable enough to stand. Standing will take more practice though. I also like the open uncluttered deck.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I've got the Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler II. It tracks very well and isn't too bad to paddle once you get it moving, but stability is not great for such a big boat imo. It's fine if you're sitting, but standing and fishing isn't an option and I feel I have above average balance. I was pretty disappointed with that after I bought it but considering what I paid for it I can't be too upset. Still, I'm on the constant lookout for a good deal on a stable kayak that I can stand and fish from.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 6/3/2019 at 12:47 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I'm on the constant lookout for a good deal on a stable kayak that I can stand and fish from.

I love my BG2. The only complaint I have is with the center console, it just takes up to much room. As far as the stability goes, it might seem wobbly when you stand, but it takes a good lean before it turtles. I've fished this yak since 2015 and I'm ready to try something different. Unless Ocean makes some major upgrades, I'll probably cross over to a different brand. (Been a loyal OK user since 2009) I've been looking real hard at the ATAK 140 and Bonafide SS127. We've all seen Chad Hoover stand and fish out of both of these yaks, so that should say something about the stability. (It's going to be hard, I've logged a lot miles in the Tridents and Big Game.)

J Francho reply :

My OG PBG was like a floating dock. Sounds more like a confidence thing, or just do a test turtle in shallow water?

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 6/4/2019 at 2:35 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

I love my BG2. The only complaint I have is with the center console, it just takes up to much room. As far as the stability goes, it might seem wobbly when you stand, but it takes a good lean before it turtles. I've fished this yak since 2015 and I'm ready to try something different. Unless Ocean makes some major upgrades, I'll probably cross over to a different brand. (Been a loyal OK user since 2009) I've been looking real hard at the ATAK 140 and Bonafide SS127. We've all seen Chad Hoover stand and fish out of both of these yaks, so that should say something about the stability. (It's going to be hard, I've logged a lot miles in the Tridents and Big Game.)

That rod pod really is terrible. It kills so much room. I use it to store some tackle, but then it's so far down that it's difficult to reach from the seat, at least for someone with zero flexibility like myself it is.

On 6/4/2019 at 3:37 AM, J Francho said:

My OG PBG was like a floating dock. Sounds more like a confidence thing, or just do a test turtle in shallow water?

IDK, when I flipped mine, it went over with surprising ease. I was seated in the high position and didn't even lean far past center. I didn't have a lot of gear with me, just a few things while I was trout fishing early in the season. Water was in the high 40's, 1/10 would not do it again.

Allen Der reply :

On 6/4/2019 at 2:35 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

I love my BG2. The only complaint I have is with the center console, it just takes up to much room. As far as the stability goes, it might seem wobbly when you stand, but it takes a good lean before it turtles. I've fished this yak since 2015 and I'm ready to try something different. Unless Ocean makes some major upgrades, I'll probably cross over to a different brand. (Been a loyal OK user since 2009) I've been looking real hard at the ATAK 140 and Bonafide SS127. We've all seen Chad Hoover stand and fish out of both of these yaks, so that should say something about the stability. (It's going to be hard, I've logged a lot miles in the Tridents and Big Game.)

old town is the same company as OK. OT is geared more towards bass fishing now, OK as their name implies for saltwater and great lakes. most arent standing in big water and need the rod pod for surf launches

HoosierFisher reply :

Don't have a picture, but I've got an Old Town Topwater 106 on order. It has their Double U Hull design. It has a 440lb weight capacity. Seems like a nice combination of stability and size. It's 73 lbs. So it shouldn't be too unmanageable. I considered the RS 117 but the closest dealer is around two hours away. I also read about the tracking issues with Bonafide. A local shop is an Old Town dealer. Made my decision easier not having to drive a few hours to a dealer or deal with shipping issues.

CountryboyinDC reply :

This is the bottom of the Jackson Coosa HD. I took a couple of pictures of the bow and stern too, but this is as far as I dare reduce the image quality, so I can't attach those. This is not a real popular design for hulls that I see these days; the bottom is relatively flat with only the shallowest of arches. It does have the 2 ridges sort of midway between the keel and the sides where most of the scuppers are. The center scupper is for the transducer, but I've never made use of it. Although not visible from this picture, this is a pretty rockered boat (shaped like a banana) for a fishing kayak. That's great for maneuvering in the shoals but makes for a lot of correction strokes in open water and/or wind. This thing weathervanes like a prospector-type canoe. For the dimensions, this is not a particularly stable kayak (I think I once taped it at 12'6 long and 33 3/4" wide at the widest point). Compared to the Wilderness ATAK or 12' Bonafide, the primary stability is considerably less. The reason I have the Coosa HD rather than one of those is for river fishing. This one can slide over rocks and has a has a shallow enough draft that it makes the stability trade-off seem worth it to me. Hulls with pontoon, catamaran, etc. style hulls tend to get hung up on shallow rocks more, and if you hit a rock on the right or the left, even if the kayak is keeps moving forward it wants to throw you off the opposite side. Many of them have sharp hull angles (the Bonafide in particular) that I worry about the plastic at those sharp angles being drug off on a rock. For the Coosa HD, I can stand in it and pitch from it myself, but there are a lot of guys (and one gal) that have this kayak that never stand in it. I'll take the Predator PDL out in bigger water, but the hull makes this the reason I have this for rivers.

BoatSquirrel reply :

On 6/6/2019 at 1:32 AM, HoosierFisher said:

Don't have a picture, but I've got an Old Town Topwater 106 on order. It has their Double U Hull design. It has a 440lb weight capacity. Seems like a nice combination of stability and size. It's 73 lbs. So it shouldn't be too unmanageable. I considered the RS 117 but the closest dealer is around two hours away. I also read about the tracking issues with Bonafide. A local shop is an Old Town dealer. Made my decision easier not having to drive a few hours to a dealer or deal with shipping issues.

Will you give us a review of this boat when you get some time in it on the water please? Thanks!

Brad Reid reply :

Just a note to all Hobie kayakers (with drives) that your standing stability will be enhanced if your fins are down, not tucked up. This assumes, and I don't own a Hobie to take a look, that the fin blades are positioned as would be a keel. It'll add just a bit of water resistance to a kayak's left/right wiggle.

Brad

J Francho reply :

On 6/11/2019 at 11:07 PM, Brad Reid said:

Just a note to all Hobie kayakers (with drives) that your standing stability will be enhanced if your fins are down, not tucked up. This assumes, and I don't own a Hobie to take a look, that the fin blades are positioned as would be a keel. It'll add just a bit of water resistance to a kayak's left/right wiggle.

Brad

I own a Hobie Compass, and it makes zero difference. The fins naturally default to straight down, due to gravity. I often grab one of the pedals to move while standing and fishing. I can't feel any difference, other than I'm moving forward.

You can see the stability here:

HoosierFisher reply :

On 6/11/2019 at 9:09 PM, BoatSquirrel said:

Will you give us a review of this boat when you get some time in it on the water please? Thanks!

I can. Although there will be a bit of a delay due to the wrong kayak getting shipped to the shop ha.

Choporoz reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 1:58 AM, J Francho said:

Here's the hull on a Hobie Compass. You can see that there was some thoughtful design put in here. The stern recess is low profile, but protects the rudder when stowed. That little black piece is a replaceable, sacrificial strip, so you don't wear a hole in the hull loading and unloading. Also note the Lowrance Ready transducer pod. The dual sponson design aids tracking, but also provides a ton stability for stand up fishing.

Let's see some of your hulls, and talk about what amkes it "good" for you.

@J Francho, keep an eye on that rudder. It's pretty straight, but won't take much more curvature to start causing problems. Mine tends to veer off when it's cold, as in the morning, before the heat tightens things back up later in the day

J Francho reply :

I haven't seen anything like that on mine. I would contact Hobie about it.

Choporoz reply :

Thx. They said it happens sometimes in storage or shipment and I should take it up with my dealer first. I'm hoping to get in there this weekend.

Hook2Jaw reply :

lol, leave your drive down in the big rollers off Tybee Island here while fishing for Spanish Mackerel and let me know how that added stability works out.

J Francho reply :

This is a bass fishing website

Hook2Jaw reply :

Come on this way, @J Francho, and we'll find a 120 pound tarpon to tow that Compass.

Do you fish KBF?

J Francho reply :

On 6/14/2019 at 2:11 AM, Hook2Jaw said:

Do you fish KBF?

I did in the past. I might again, but I haven't really been too interested.

Hook2Jaw reply :

@J Francho, I think I'm about to give the Southeast KBF Trail a go next year.

HookInMouth reply :

Kaku Voodoo Hull

No idea how it compares with other kayaks as far as stability and paddling efficiency/speed but it's known for both. I know 300lb guys stand on it all day long. I also know that I don't have any issues paddling for longer stretches and I don't feel "slow". When I stop paddling it goes straight. Plastic is thick and tough. High quality. Couldn't be happier with it myself.

J Francho reply :

Thanks for posting that. I was wondering how the new crop of square stern designs got around tracking issues. Now I can see the strakes and the keel.

HookInMouth reply :

Yep. Figured it was odd enough that it might be useful to have in this thread.

Brad Reid reply :

On 6/11/2019 at 11:23 PM, J Francho said:

I own a Hobie Compass, and it makes zero difference. The fins naturally default to straight down, due to gravity. I often grab one of the pedals to move while standing and fishing. I can't feel any difference, other than I'm moving forward.

You can see the stability here:

I found a little video showing the fins and how they are positioned when all the way down as they pass each other. So, I think if they were "fixed" in that position, that if you rocked a Hobie, starboard to port, or vice versa, the two fins (again, if locked into position) would encounter water resistance. Any resistance they absorb takes away from a kayak's left-right or right-left wiggle. Agreed though that it could be negligible. I take your word that it is, for sure.

J Francho reply :

I understand, on paper it might seem so, but in real world, no. It would similar to adding a skeg to a kayak, and touting it as adding stability. It isn't something I'd say was a marketable feature. The boat feels the same to me whether the Mirage Drive is installed or not. The double tunnel hull and square stern add more to the stability, as well as the width to length ratio.

JLBBass reply :

bottom of an Ascend 12T

DogBone_384 reply :

On 5/23/2019 at 3:29 AM, Smalls said:

but even with pedals, he didn’t seem like he was going very fast.

I have a Lure 11.5 with Overdrive. Nope, they're not terribly fast, but their stability, layout, and integrated wheel more than make up for it.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 6/14/2019 at 2:49 AM, HookInMouth said:

Kaku Voodoo Hull

Never heard of, or seen a Kaku before. I just checked out the Wahoo 12.5 on YT and on their web site; I'm impressed! The high stern and bow really got my attention along with that hull design. I like a kayak that looks like a traditional kayak and they did that as well as giving it the features of other angling kayaks. Nice, I like it!

J Francho reply :

On 6/18/2019 at 12:59 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

Never heard of, or seen a Kaku before. I just checked out the Wahoo 12.5 on YT and on their web site; I'm impressed! The high stern and bow really got my attention along with that hull design. I like a kayak that looks like a traditional kayak and they did that as well as giving it the features of other angling kayaks. Nice, I like it!

The Wahoo hull reminds me of the Malibu Stealth 14 hull. My buddy had one, and it was really stable.

Choporoz reply :

Never heard of them, either, but first glance, that Wahoo looks like it has a lot of potential...especially at the price point.

HookInMouth reply :

On 6/18/2019 at 12:59 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

Never heard of, or seen a Kaku before. I just checked out the Wahoo 12.5 on YT and on their web site; I'm impressed! The high stern and bow really got my attention along with that hull design. I like a kayak that looks like a traditional kayak and they did that as well as giving it the features of other angling kayaks. Nice, I like it!

My wife wants a Wahoo 12.5. It's every bit as fast and stable as they say. You really can't go wrong with Kaku.

BoatSquirrel reply :

On 6/18/2019 at 12:18 AM, JLBBass said:

bottom of an Ascend 12T

Anyone have an Ascend sit on top? I have read several reviews that say they are tough to stand in...

DogBone_384 reply :

On 6/18/2019 at 2:24 AM, BoatSquirrel said:

Anyone have an Ascend sit on top?

I started kayak fishing on a 128T. It was stable enough to stand up while fishing.

JLBBass reply :

On 6/18/2019 at 2:24 AM, BoatSquirrel said:

Anyone have an Ascend sit on top? I have read several reviews that say they are tough to stand in...

picture of mine, when i first bought it. They seem pretty stable to me.

mine is a 2016 model. They made several changes from the 2015 to the 2016 model, such as:

The 2016 Bass Pro Ascend FS12T has changed significantly from 2015. During the 2016 production year, there was a shift from placing a rod holder on the starboard gunwale to placing tracks on both the Port and starboard. This is a very positive change that provides considerable flexibility in what and where owners may place accessories. In addition to this change, the center weathertight hatch has been raised slightly to make it more weathertight.

I also raised the seat a little by using square aluminum tubing.

JLBBass reply :

On 6/18/2019 at 2:24 AM, BoatSquirrel said:

Anyone have an Ascend sit on top? I have read several reviews that say they are tough to stand in...

picture of raised seat:

Let's talk kayak hulls 2024

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