SUV Kayaks

NEW CATEGORY NAME – “CANYAKS”

…CONTINUED From HTown Monday …

Two distinct needs are present in the eventual purchase of a river kayak. One is the need for carrying enough gear for multi overnights, and when I say, “multi,” I mean MULTI overnights on the rivers of Texas wherever they may flow.

I was too stoopid to realize my old Native U12 was the perfect watercraft for this purpose. A true innovation in kayaks, the original U12 was lightweight, versatile and STABLE to stand up in and cast from. I continue to beat myself up over this sale, just in case you haven’t noticed.

While in recovery from my beatings, I reluctantly began researching (as all fly fishers DO research don’t we?), and came across a couple of contenders in the kayak and canoe world.

OLD TOWN CANOE CROSSOVER SUV CANYAKS

The Old Town company, a subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors nowadays, is making strides to try and keep their beat-down canoe category alive and paddling. Their Old Town Discovery Solo 119 has all the characteristics of a fly fishing machine, but is 11-feet 9-inches and not endorsed for standing up – still that’s not a deal breaker if you know how to cast. Upon looking through their site, there is a new potentially BETTER “canyak” showing there – the Old Town NEXT coming in at a foot longer, slightly higher freeboard and more agreeable colors – The NEXT might just be the NEXT for me. Oh, don’t forget a seat to die for as well! Seats may seem like a trivial thing, but if you are assless like me, or making long hard paddle and fish days? A comfortable seat is MY best friend. Someday … it’ll matter to you too!

I am almost willing to bet I can stand on that extra foot of boat as well! If I can stand on a 12′ surfboard, I don’t see why I can’t do the same in this canyak on my local pond and at times in the river’s slack. Standing serves many purposes –

• Standing Up to Cast
• Standing Up to Stretch the Legs
• Standing Up to paddle
• Standing Up to maneuver
• Getting in and Out
• Detangling
• Seeing for goodness sake SEEING!

The main thing about a canyak is that it is distinctly NOT sexy. Ask me if I care. Also, there is a major shortage of surfaces to attach the needed accessories – a REAL shortage. I think this factor – mounting areas – is the main reason canoes and canyaks, in their current designs (2022), will not move into any real competition with kayaks. We are not even getting into drive systems because I don’t believe in them! Get a skiff if you want to stop paddling! My rule: Paddle Only!

I look at the pros as –

• Affordable
• Weight Savings
• Availability compared to Yaks
• Ease of portage compared to Yaks
• Volume of gear
• Maneuverability
• Durability
• Seating is supreme

I look at the cons as –

• No good surface mounting options
• Weight – still heavy!
• Wood in the NEXT
• Can’t stand up like in U12
• Tracks poorly?
• Seat height along freeboard?
• Wheels that fit are hard to find
• Catches air in transport and catches air when carrying
• Small water only – not long and straight runs
• SINKS
• TIPS

*NEW INVENTION – I have another possible invention for canoes and kayaks that will turn any kayak or canoe of a REASONABLE LENGTH into a stable standup platform. It is so simple and low tech – someone must have thought of it already!

NEXT TIME – A New Design Kayak That Caught MY Canoe shaped eye …