new fishing kayaker - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bigbarrels · 05-12-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

Good call on buying from OEX Sunset. Andy won't steer you wrong

X2!

fongman · 05-13-2010, 09:52 AM

Setting up a MK tandem for solo or for 2 is a challenge. If you and a buddy go out, you don't have many options for the baittank; you either cover the front or rear hatch. Depending upon which hatch you cover, you lose some or most of the internal storage.

If you decide to go out solo, your sitting position is the big issue. If you are a big guy, sitting in the back seat is not good due to the poor weight distribution. The nose of the kayak will always be in the air. Plus, if you put your bt in front of you, your rods will always be in your way when casting.

If you sit over the rectangular hatch, the weight distribution is good, but now it is inconvenient to use the internal storage. However, the bt can now be placed behind you on the rear seat well. You'll have to devise something to level that area. A pool noodle made into a donut works well.

You'll enjoy the stability of this kayak and there is a lot of deck space--you just have to figure out how to best utilize it. Paddling it by yourself isn't bad, but you will have a hard time keeping up with others in solo yaks. Also, it is a bear to paddle when the wind comes up, so make sure the wind is to your back coming back in.

Make sure you have enough (flushmount or RAM) rodholders so you can move your extra rods around. For holding 2 more rods, I made a removable pvc rodholder which mounted over the 2 rear wellnuts supplied by MK.

Enjoy your new ride!

visforvegetables · 05-13-2010, 05:28 PM

thanks for your input fongman. majority of the time i will be paddling out with a buddy so i'm still thinking of a good place to put our bait tank while keeping comfort. maybe a simple 5 gallon homemade bait tank might do it... just set it on top of the rectangular hatch behind the front seat. also, i got the fish and dive version so i do have 6 mounts. that rod holder for the back seems like i could be useful to me. i would like to make one but i dont see how it attaches to your kayak in that picture.

fongman · 05-13-2010, 06:00 PM

I thought the older models came with wellnuts placed where I have the pvc caps. Maybe for a tank strap, but I'm not sure. I don't recall ever installing wellnuts in any of my kayaks and, in that location, you would need wellnuts.

btw, one thing you'll find annoying is when some chop or a wake breaks over the tankwell, it will run down into the cockpit!

05-13-2010, 09:52 AM	#2
fongman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 116	Setting up a MK tandem for solo or for 2 is a challenge. If you and a buddy go out, you don't have many options for the baittank; you either cover the front or rear hatch. Depending upon which hatch you cover, you lose some or most of the internal storage. If you decide to go out solo, your sitting position is the big issue. If you are a big guy, sitting in the back seat is not good due to the poor weight distribution. The nose of the kayak will always be in the air. Plus, if you put your bt in front of you, your rods will always be in your way when casting. If you sit over the rectangular hatch, the weight distribution is good, but now it is inconvenient to use the internal storage. However, the bt can now be placed behind you on the rear seat well. You'll have to devise something to level that area. A pool noodle made into a donut works well. You'll enjoy the stability of this kayak and there is a lot of deck space--you just have to figure out how to best utilize it. Paddling it by yourself isn't bad, but you will have a hard time keeping up with others in solo yaks. Also, it is a bear to paddle when the wind comes up, so make sure the wind is to your back coming back in. Make sure you have enough (flushmount or RAM) rodholders so you can move your extra rods around. For holding 2 more rods, I made a removable pvc rodholder which mounted over the 2 rear wellnuts supplied by MK. Enjoy your new ride!

05-13-2010, 05:28 PM	#3
visforvegetables Junior Join Date: May 2010 Location: HB, CA The OC Posts: 12	thanks for your input fongman. majority of the time i will be paddling out with a buddy so i'm still thinking of a good place to put our bait tank while keeping comfort. maybe a simple 5 gallon homemade bait tank might do it... just set it on top of the rectangular hatch behind the front seat. also, i got the fish and dive version so i do have 6 mounts. that rod holder for the back seems like i could be useful to me. i would like to make one but i dont see how it attaches to your kayak in that picture.

05-13-2010, 06:00 PM	#4
fongman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 116	I thought the older models came with wellnuts placed where I have the pvc caps. Maybe for a tank strap, but I'm not sure. I don't recall ever installing wellnuts in any of my kayaks and, in that location, you would need wellnuts. btw, one thing you'll find annoying is when some chop or a wake breaks over the tankwell, it will run down into the cockpit!