Stealth or Fish N Dive? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

MrPukaShell · 05-28-2011, 03:52 AM

Looking to get my first Kayak. Have narrowed it down to a Fish N Dive or the Stealth 14. Tipping the scales at 280. Would like to hear your opinions.

jorluivil · 05-28-2011, 05:05 AM

Buy a Hobie

wiredantz · 05-28-2011, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPukaShell

Looking to get my first Kayak. Have narrowed it down to a Fish N Dive or the Stealth 14. Tipping the scales at 280. Would like to hear your opinions.

If your 6ft or taller go with the stealth. Since its a longer yak but since ur 280 u can Also throw in the x- factor kayak

ctrujillo · 05-28-2011, 01:47 PM

X2 ON THE X FACTOR

lowprofile · 05-28-2011, 04:06 PM

6'6" and 245 here and the X-Factor is pretty awesome. the stealth is pretty much the same thing just has different compartments and if you dont plumb the bait well its just as easy to add one to the rear of the X.

RK · 05-28-2011, 11:35 PM

stealth built in bait tank low center of gravity tracks like shit and just as slow as a fish and dive

Aaron&Julie · 05-29-2011, 12:45 AM

We still like our Fish n' Dives, because of their payload rated at 600lbs. Don't know about the other 'yaks payloads, but we figure that some of our trips with our body weight, gear weight, and catch weight, I've been close to 350lbs on 2 occasions, and her total payload has been close to 300lbs on 3 occasions. So we're still sitting comfortably high on the water.
Another feature, we think is the stability, but you do sacrifice some speed. It does give you confidence to have the stability, if you're not experienced and somewhat leary about being on the wide big ocean.
And there's lots of hatch space below for storing rods, fish, and accessories, which may be necessary if the surf is decent size when you land.
That being said, we will probably get peddlers when we turn 60. They look like they cover a lot of ground without much effort. We do know people rave about them, and we've seen people zip by pretty quickly.

Kailolo · 05-31-2011, 08:29 PM

Had a FnD for 6 years. 240Lb, 6'2". Loaded with bait tank, 2 batteries, 4-5 rods, etc. Loved it for La Jolla kelp beds for YT. Super stable, plenty of storage and hatch space, for ex. if you want to store rods or large fish on beach entry. Easy to troll, even if windy--tracked perfectly even in wind. Loved having a wide deck in front of me. Easy to surf in on beach landings. Easy to mod out. Easy to reach items anywhere on the yak. FF could be readily mounted within reach, out of the way of landing a fish and away from splash.

Just bought a Revo. Light weight which an old man like me needs now. Love the speed, and all the reasons others have mentioned. But hate the lack of deck space. Have yet to take it to La Jolla. Launch I can handle, but I'm nervous about beach landing, particularly with a big fish on board. Dealing with pedals and rudder and a paddle while negotiating surf does not thrill me--but will try it soon. Also worried about beating up by accident or by inexperience the rudder or the very expensive peddles on beach landing. FF mounting not ideal, as it will be mounted on a gunnel (cannot easily reach the mast mount location while peddling, and I want to easily access sonar and mark GPS locations, so need a gunnel mount) where it can be splashed, and could interfere with landing fish, and wih entry after a spill. Peddling is fine, but to be honest, the knee position for me at 6'2" with long legs makes it hard (essentially impossible) to set anything in your lap without holding it while peddling. Otherwise your moving knees/thighs knock it about. In contrast on the FnD I could lay a rod on my lap and under one thigh to troll with it. Same with setting a coffee cup or drink between your thighs--easy on the FnD, for me nearly impossible on the Revo. (Revo's drink holder is used as a lure/scent holder!)

Pluses and minuses.

maui jim · 06-01-2011, 11:41 AM

Cobras RULE.... I agree with Arron and Julie...Payload ..

richard67b · 06-01-2011, 12:00 PM

I LOVE MY F N D 300 ME AND WITH A PACIFIC ANGLER SEAT AND ERGO TOUR T4 CARBON PADDLE ALL IS GOOD

06-01-2011, 09:12 PM

Hey that's me: 280lbs. I'm 6'4" and I've caught
lots of fish from my FnD. It's short, only 12.5ft,
but that's a good thing in the surf and for transport.
Plus I'm usually the fastest kayak on the water...
Let's see who says otherwise.

wiseguy · 06-02-2011, 05:55 AM

FND or XFactor! I'd definitely stay away from the stealth, sweet looking kayak, dont get me wrong, but takes on too much water through those side little hatches. I'm talking from experience here, sold mine 2 months after fully rigging it up!

I would definitely go with the XFactor! 600lb rating!

05-28-2011, 03:52 AM	#1
MrPukaShell Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ventura COunty Posts: 521	Stealth or Fish N Dive? Looking to get my first Kayak. Have narrowed it down to a Fish N Dive or the Stealth 14. Tipping the scales at 280. Would like to hear your opinions.

05-28-2011, 05:05 AM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	Buy a Hobie __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

05-29-2011, 12:45 AM	#7
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	We still like our Fish n' Dives, because of their payload rated at 600lbs. Don't know about the other 'yaks payloads, but we figure that some of our trips with our body weight, gear weight, and catch weight, I've been close to 350lbs on 2 occasions, and her total payload has been close to 300lbs on 3 occasions. So we're still sitting comfortably high on the water. Another feature, we think is the stability, but you do sacrifice some speed. It does give you confidence to have the stability, if you're not experienced and somewhat leary about being on the wide big ocean. And there's lots of hatch space below for storing rods, fish, and accessories, which may be necessary if the surf is decent size when you land. That being said, we will probably get peddlers when we turn 60. They look like they cover a lot of ground without much effort. We do know people rave about them, and we've seen people zip by pretty quickly. __________________ "Never say die"

05-31-2011, 08:29 PM	#8
Kailolo Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 64	FnD Fan Had a FnD for 6 years. 240Lb, 6'2". Loaded with bait tank, 2 batteries, 4-5 rods, etc. Loved it for La Jolla kelp beds for YT. Super stable, plenty of storage and hatch space, for ex. if you want to store rods or large fish on beach entry. Easy to troll, even if windy--tracked perfectly even in wind. Loved having a wide deck in front of me. Easy to surf in on beach landings. Easy to mod out. Easy to reach items anywhere on the yak. FF could be readily mounted within reach, out of the way of landing a fish and away from splash. Just bought a Revo. Light weight which an old man like me needs now. Love the speed, and all the reasons others have mentioned. But hate the lack of deck space. Have yet to take it to La Jolla. Launch I can handle, but I'm nervous about beach landing, particularly with a big fish on board. Dealing with pedals and rudder and a paddle while negotiating surf does not thrill me--but will try it soon. Also worried about beating up by accident or by inexperience the rudder or the very expensive peddles on beach landing. FF mounting not ideal, as it will be mounted on a gunnel (cannot easily reach the mast mount location while peddling, and I want to easily access sonar and mark GPS locations, so need a gunnel mount) where it can be splashed, and could interfere with landing fish, and wih entry after a spill. Peddling is fine, but to be honest, the knee position for me at 6'2" with long legs makes it hard (essentially impossible) to set anything in your lap without holding it while peddling. Otherwise your moving knees/thighs knock it about. In contrast on the FnD I could lay a rod on my lap and under one thigh to troll with it. Same with setting a coffee cup or drink between your thighs--easy on the FnD, for me nearly impossible on the Revo. (Revo's drink holder is used as a lure/scent holder!) Pluses and minuses.

06-01-2011, 11:41 AM	#9
maui jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 789	Cobras RULE.... I agree with Arron and Julie...Payload .. __________________

05-28-2011, 01:47 PM	#4
ctrujillo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: garden grove Posts: 308	X2 ON THE X FACTOR

05-28-2011, 04:06 PM	#5
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,477	6'6" and 245 here and the X-Factor is pretty awesome. the stealth is pretty much the same thing just has different compartments and if you dont plumb the bait well its just as easy to add one to the rear of the X.

05-28-2011, 11:35 PM	#6
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	stealth built in bait tank low center of gravity tracks like shit and just as slow as a fish and dive

06-01-2011, 12:00 PM	#10
richard67b Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: o-side Posts: 58	I LOVE MY F N D 300 ME AND WITH A PACIFIC ANGLER SEAT AND ERGO TOUR T4 CARBON PADDLE ALL IS GOOD

06-01-2011, 09:12 PM	#11
yani Guest Posts: n/a	Hey that's me: 280lbs. I'm 6'4" and I've caught lots of fish from my FnD. It's short, only 12.5ft, but that's a good thing in the surf and for transport. Plus I'm usually the fastest kayak on the water... Let's see who says otherwise.

06-02-2011, 05:55 AM	#12
wiseguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach Posts: 427	FND or XFactor! I'd definitely stay away from the stealth, sweet looking kayak, dont get me wrong, but takes on too much water through those side little hatches. I'm talking from experience here, sold mine 2 months after fully rigging it up! I would definitely go with the XFactor! 600lb rating!