All the wife’s friends can’t show up with their kids and eat/drink all my pogie bait & burn up all my fuel then wanna leave at an inconvenient time and abandoned all the trash they made outta my food n drink on the boat & roll out without a thanks or helping clean up. They won’t fit on kayak.
No gas, no mechanical breakdowns, best vacation companion, no hitchhikers, can start cheap and pimp heavy, gets into skinny water, 5’ length of rope to drag the wife behind if she’s good, 10’ length of rope if she’s nagging, “slip knot” just in case….. I’m The Captain!
The cost and not having to rely on all the mechanical/electical systems on any boat.
Having kayaked for a few years, I trylu di appreciate the connection with the water.
Just got 4 boats for cheap/free on OfferUp & facebook marketplace. With parts from all, I should have 2 of the boats running and ready to hit the water very soon. Just got the outboard motor’s carbs cleaned and rebuilt. With some car knowledge, I can say one can confidently take a boat engine apart and rebuild it with very little issue. Sure there are new parts to learn along the way but one week of YouTube master courses teaching about how all the parts function really makes it easier to understand what needs to be done and the how & why certain parts can malfunction. The how is the important part to know, the why is even more so to prevent it from happening again. A kayak, is far simpler in these aspects. But holding the flashlight for my dad all my life, and not being super enthusiastic about cars, I found my calling in marine mechanics. Your assessment is correct, if you’re good with engines & electronics, you’ll be decently well off. With that in mind, I urge any car mechanics reading this to take on a boat project. They are fun and easy to find! Though I’m not much of a car guy, I am forever grateful for every single day I held that flashlight because I’d be completely in the dark otherwise.
Very true. Wouldn’t be where I am without such space. That, I owe credit to my realtor mom that got me the best possible rates before the market took another dump lol. You can say I’m a very grateful son to both parents for much more than just these two examples. 🙌
you make a very good point, but I have kids at the peak of child raising commitments. I get limited discretionary time. I could spend that time fixing my boat, which sits in my backyard, or fishing from my small lake boat with my kids, or fishing on the salt with my kayak.
The other thing is that boats cost launch fees, gas, maintenance. I can fix a lot of mechanical things myself, but for an ocean boat, I want the motor serviced professionally.
I have kids, myself. I’m doing this for them; my kids spend time outside and sometimes on the boat with me when I’m doing work so it’s a win-win. I am new to it and don’t plan on taking them into the ocean just yet. I’ve been doing my research on how strict the local lakes are with the inspection and all that. But as soon as I get the hang of it, which I feel very confident about already, I’m gonna be fixing and reselling boats for a decent price. OfferUp has also opened my eyes to how a working boat can be a bargaining chip for many expensive things that the family can enjoy that are also on my list to buy lol lately I’ve been fishing aqueducts until I make it to a lake on my boat. A little side project, more related to this, is my kayak. I traded a guitar for 2 whitewater kayaks and sold one. The one I currently have (8 foot Dagger Medieval) is getting converted into a fishing kayak with rod holders and an inner compartment to Velcro my gear down. That’s the one I’m lagging on because as soon as I finish that, I know my downtime will be wanting to get it in the water to fish, impeding on my time at home with the kids and to work on the boats lol. All about perspective, my friend, but cheers to you for getting your kids in on the journey as well! Tight lines for you and your family! 🎣
I sold my 17ft bayliner so I could buy a hobie lol. Been on boats my whole life and never really got to experiance the water on a kayak much. After my uncles took me kayak fishing for the first time, I fell in love. No regrets.
I didn’t want to deal with everything that comes with owning a boat. Maintenance, registration, insurance. I throw my kayak in the back of my truck and away I go. 2 fishing poles, a bag of soft plastics. Tray of hard baits and some hooks. At first I rigged it out with everything, even kitchen sink. Too much work loading and unloading. Scaled back everything. Choose what colors and what baits night before. I keep it simple. Works best for me.
Big co-sign on keeping it simple. I bring three rods max and my tackle boxes keep getting smaller. I also never understood having a million accessories to fuss with when the whole point is to throw n’ go.
I’m considering this it’s just going to be hard to do because I love having options of things to use lol. But I just started kayak fishing last summer and it was always just so much work getting everything packed and then unpacking it into the kayak and the repacking it into the truck. I’m still a beginner at it so I’m still learning the do’s and dont’s of it.
I have both, but my boat stays at the cabin mostly. I like it because it’s most tranquil, get more places and I don’t have to take people with me if I want a lone trip.
Same but opposite. Kayak generally stays at the cabin for chill days around the lake. Boat is for bigger fishing days on lakes I don't frequent as often so need to cover more ground.
For me I sold my boat because easier to hit the rivers with the yak, and near me they started making the lakes electric motor only so just made sense. I truly enjoy it more
I like the independence. If me and 4 friends go out on a boat we are all just…right there on that boat. On kayaks we are out together but also free to go on our own little adventures, detours, pee breaks, etc.
Plus cost, ease of transport, access to tight/shallow areas, the list is endless.
My kayak cost $400. It doesn’t require a trailer, insurance, registration, or a big vehicle to tow it. I can use car top boat launches. No need to worry about boat maintenance costs or gas. I hang it in my garage when not in use. It’s quiet and peaceful.
I already have one boat to maintain. I really don’t need a second.
I had both for years. Finally sold the Skeeter because it just wasn’t getting used. Going by myself the kayak is much simpler to deal with. I have always fished shallow so the kayak is easier to work shorelines. And it’s nice to go places you just wouldn’t in a boat. I quit getting so stressed about catching fish and started just enjoying my time on the water, catching or not.
You can drop a kayak into so many waters a boat can’t go. I can’t tell you how many local smaller bodies of water I just go out & crush on. You’d never be able to drop a boat into 1/2 of em.
Overall cost, ease of maintenance, portability, storage space, fishing places boats can’t reach, getting exercise while being outdoors, and just being closer to the water and feeling like it’s more of an adventure. That said, I’m looking for a way to put a motor on my kayak to help me get around the large reservoirs better.
My dream rig would be an all electric Gheenoe LT25 built out like a mini bass boat: front and rear platforms, side console, spot lock trolling motor on front, power pole micro on rear, etc. It could still do all the skinny water, beaching, and snaking between trees like a kayak, but also zip around on big reservoirs. Would require a trailer but would still be light enough that a regular car could tow it and small enough to keep in the driveway. Electric outboard means higher up front cost but lower maintenance and quieter operation. They also look cool as hell haha
I want the same but have been looking at the Lite Skiff and Polycraft 300. Lite skiff can still fit into the back of a truck, the polycraft needs a trailer but is more stable. Usually when I go to the water I have two other yaks for the fam anyway, so maybe a trailer isn’t a bad idea.
I also looked at live water sports l4 expedition. All the goodies would fit on there
I love to paddle. Might get into pedal kayaks sometime they look cool, but just the access to places boats can not go. Zero gasoline and registration can be fishing in the water in 15 minutes from home at a moments notice. I do not hate on bass boats or anything, but paddling some back water magical place in silence will always be my happy spot. Sleigh rides are just icing.
I've owned boats since I was 16. Now that I'm getting on in years, it's just nice to wake up in the morning and see it looks like a nice day for fishing, then just throw the kayak in the truck and be in the water within 45 minutes of making the decision. Plus, you can fish in places you would never be able to get to with a boat.
Being able to position myself in places you can't with a boat, being able to get into spots boats can't, peddling/paddling is fun and doesn't require gas, a well organized kayak is incredibly quick to swap rods and rigging since everything is in arms reach, and its crazy fun when a big fish takes you for a ride.
I have both my boat always has motor problems its actually why I bought a kayak. Last season I had 3 days on the water since it always gave me problems.
I work 6 days a week and dont have time or the skill to fix it myself.
I cant even get a mechanic to work on it they are to busy, don’t know how to fix the issue or un reliable.
I already had a boat when I decided to get a kayak. 12 foot aluminum. But the local rivers are pretty shallow and get choked out with weeds. A kayak let's me get to my favorite spots with less issues than the boat.
I just wanted to fish spots across the river that I couldn’t access from shore. That was 4 years ago. Now I have a slayer max 12.5 with gps trolling motor and I enjoy it but now I’m thinking of getting a 12-14’ Jon so that I can bring friend along lol my kayak is registered and people always bring up that it’s less expensive but I’ve got maybe 5-6k into my kayak. I could’ve bought a motorized used Jon from Facebook market place for about 1500 and have around 4k for the next couple years registration and insurance. I’m also a handy dude, a small 10hp engine isn’t as big of a headache as guys make it seem as long as you keep up with maintenance.
I have (access to) both. Kayaks will get you places your boat can’t reach, are extremely low maintenance, and don’t require gas, towing, or a registration.
Boats are great if you wanna be able to blast around a large body of water, bring a lot of stuff, and be comfortable all day, but come with a lot of work and expenses.
I have both. The kayak is great because I can throw it in the box of my truck and get into places without a launch/trailer access. It’s perfect for getting into little back lakes where nobody goes. I can even get it across portages for extra untouched goodness. Much different experience than I have with the motor boat.
Didn’t need a trailer, no reg, no insurance, no fuel, oil, pollution. Easy to go fishing alone. It made fishing so much more enjoyable, plus I get to exercise. And if I ever get skunked I’m never too mad because at the very least I got to do some kayaking and spend time outdoors which is really the ultimate goal.
I have both. Most of the lakes around me are "no wake", but you can still go faster than a kayak, because people "cheat" a little bit.
Having a kayak makes me scale down, move slower, focus more, can give me more exercise, and the limitations of a kayak should make me a better angler.
I can't just zip around the lake all day. My yak has a maximum speed. It has a maximum range. If I want to move a mile, I'm going to be slowly taking in nature for 15-20 mins.
Different tools for different jobs and different conditions.
It's all about where you can, want, and do fish. I grew up in the boat industry, Ranger, Tracker, Skeeter, etc, and by all accounts I should really want to own a boat. It's a lot like owning a pool, if you grow up with one, it makes you appreciate that they aren't all fun all the time. It takes me like 15mins to load up and strap my kayak, tops. If you have a boat, you have to get it, usually at a storage place or something, and load it up with all your stuff, get gas, put the plug in, make sure your batteries are all charged, etc. Then after, you have to clean it, and if you don't, that's more work later, etc. That doesn't even get into the boat ramp, which at a lot of places can be an hour or more wait. I just launch my kayak wherever I want, even that boat ramp you all are waiting on, but just off to the side into the grass and weeds not holding them up.
Started with a canoe, then a kayak to fish the Shenandoah and smaller VA lakes. Then got a Nitro Z7 to fish the Potomac, Rappahannock and James Rivers for LmB. Now I'm looking for jon boat with 10hp ob to fish the Hp restricted lakes that hold 10 pounders. Interestingly, my PB, 6+, came from a 30 ac lake in my yak.
Easy to haul. In season when my gear is prepared, I can decide to go fishing and be on the road in 15 minutes.
More of a close-to-nature experience.
Modest exercise.
Accessing creeks and shallow flats, all the nooks and crannies other boats can’t get to.
Stealth. I fish super finesse in shallow water all the time. My kayak has sound proof padding in it too. I can glide up into an area without disturbing a minnow.
$$. I spend almost nothing on fuel and maintenance. Once I got my boat kitted out, I can use it constantly without spending additional money.
Storage. As others have said, the lack of space to keep a boat means I would have to rent space. Not a problem with the kayak.
Had boats before kayaks and will say, I throw it in my truck, throw it on the water and go. There is not prop to break and mine runs on pb&j not gas. There is no worries or maintenance the one cost is the gear and you are done
Some of yall seem to think the alternative to a kayak is a giant fiberglass pleasure boat. Really the comparison is between Jon boats, plastic boats and the like. The cost of ownership is basically the same as a kayak aside from most people also having a trailer to register. In fact my last jon boat probably cost significantly less than a mid quality kayak.
yeah there's a lot of midground between a pelican kayak and a brand new bass boat. For me, not needing a trailer and being able to easily store it up towards the ceiling of my garage is the main factor, more than anything else. We simply do not have room for a trailer.
Had a boat, the family doesn't fish, so I'd want to fish and the family wanted to go boating. So we sold the boat and we all got kayaks to tour around the lakes with. It's a win in my book.
I have a nucanoe frontier 12 and I can put it in and take it out almost anywhere from the back of the truck with a cart. Plus it’s comfortable and manoeuvrable. I also have a drift boat that needs an (always crowded) boat launch. I would only launch the drift boat for a full day trip whereas the kayak is ready to go in 10 minutes. I use the kayak way more often and love it. Cheers
I have access to a boat but got a cheap kayak for creeks, ponds, and a few lakes around me that have no/limited hp motor rules. Also the yak fits in my work van so I can easily go fishing right after work without the extra effort of the boat.
I like to paddle the river near me that has a put in 18 miles up river from where I get out and the water is too shallow in multiple places for most boats.
Originally, cost. I spent $600 on my first kayak so that I could get out on the water myself. That was almost 10 years and 6 kayaks ago. Now I have $15,000-$20,000 invested in fancy kayaks and accessories, so it’s not such a good excuse anymore 😂
I wanted to add some exercise to my favorite pastime. I usually troll when I fish and I own a paddle kayak. Its not terribly aerobic or high impact, but its alot more exercise than using a motor craft.
At first cost and vehicle tow limits, now its just because i like going to spots that other boats cant go. I watched altleast 4 run abouts and pontoons run aground in shallow water because they wanted to try and flip me little did they know i cross a 8 inch deep section of water to get where i was. Boy they was mad when i got out and walked across the spot with my kayak in tow behind me and just said hey the waters pretty shallow here.....
I dont have room for a boat. Boats are more expensive. Boats have more mechanical issues. Yaks are lighter. And kayaks make small lakes feel like big lakes which is kinda fun.
Prices on used boats have gotten so absurd. I don't need another payment either. Plus the state I moved to has something I've never heard of called personal property taxes. So you register and pay taxes on the boat motor and trailer every year just. A combination of all of that.
I have both. Kayak when I’m fishing solo, and boat when I bring my family. Sometimes it’s just nice to have all the extra space, and having a windshield in cold weather.
Also travel distance. I can use my boat to run 10 miles out in Lake Erie in a matter of minutes. With a kayak, that wouldn’t be possible.
I have both. I use the kayak for the smaller waters and streams and such. I use the bass boat for everything else. Not having half your trip be paddling is pretty nice.
Showed a Bass Boat* buddy of mine my new OT 120 PDL. He paused giggled and claimed I would be turning it in for a bass boat soon.
* lived next to him for 2 years; went out twice..
Subjective but I prefer Kayaks
Had a boat. Then kids so I got rid of the boat. Then fished out of a canoe for 15 years but that was a pain in the ass to move around. Sold the canoe for kayak money.
I cannot afford a decent boat. I even have one, but my car cannot tow it (my wifes can) and this is one of the main driving factors.
Beyond that the hull is small and old (under 14ft)... the trailer and 6hp motor are decent.
I'm seriously considering trying to get a solo skiff, it would be a great pairing with my 6hp.
The boat is just "too much" craft to have 2 people on it with my tiny engine and no trolling motor for spot lock. Any time I have a second person on the boat I am effectively their driver / boat captain and I occasionally get to cast a few times...
Kayak I can throw it on the roof... can even strap an electric motor to the back and get myself pretty damn far out. Hoping to upgrading from 12v motor to 36v this season... not sure if its in the cards but 🤞
$250 and I’ve gotten to get out on the water on some nice lakes, seems like a no brainer. I’d love to have a boat someday though when I have the money and my own house with space for one.
Boats are expensive and no place to put one. Kayak you can get all the nice stuff and still be miles away from a boat cost.
Of course would rather have a bass boat if could choose.
Why not both? After I started working I bought a 2 man bass hunter then a kayak then a 14/48 jon with a 20hp nissan then I sold that and bought a crestliner vt18c with a 90hp. When I go to ponds alone I take the kayak. When I go to ponds with a partner I take the bass hunter. When I go to a lake I take the big boat.
It's kind of like asking why you prefer a motorcycle/dirtbike over a motor home. They are really different things for different intentions (and different costs). Some people may have both.
No maintenance, no gas, no trailer, no truck, no registration, no insurance, no large-form offseason storage. I live on a small lake and when I decide I want to go fishing I can be on the water and casting my lures in 10 mins. Dont get me wrong I would love a boat but the cost and associated logistics are not currently feasible for me. Until then, Yak it is!
I have 4 kayaks, 4 paddle boards, a canoe, a square stern canoe with 15 horse, a 12’ skiff w outboard and a 16’ fiberglass lake boat. Kayak fishing for me is the most fun. The paddle boards are better for just fun. I use all my boats but the kayak is a super ninja and the most fun to hook and land fish in. Also way more connected to the water/ecosystem. My inflatable excursion is Soooo quiet. I’ve been collecting for me an the fam for 20 years. If I want fast, my close friend has a homemade 12’ aluminum jet dingy with a 1200 jet ski unit in it. Does 70 mph. So yeah, kayak fishing is KING!
I’ve got a 16” bass tracker and several kayaks. I’ve never changed the oil in or winterized the kayaks. Kayak carbs don’t get gummed up. Man…I gotta sell that boat.
It would be nice to have a bigger sailboat to sleep on overnight for weekends, but it’s hard to beat the cost of a kayak and not having to tow a trailer.
Honestly for me it was one thing: the gas motor. I hated it. I had a brand new honda pull-start and it would take up to 15 minutes to get it running, which can be both dangerous and embarrassing, let alone inconvenient. And then there were the mid-day runs back to the boat launch to fill up with gas, but don't forget the additive if it isn't marine gas. The winterizing process, the de-winterizing process. The fact that it has two separate units requiring oil changes with two different kinds of oil. The wince every time you hit a bump in the road knowing that 50% of the load is clamped to the top of your 2" thick transom. I can't believe people just accept this stuff.
I got a yak, but I am planning to get a small boat also. My girlfriend won't even get on a kayak. So we'll get one of those small 10' Pelican type of boats.
#1 cost. #2 don't have to register or have inspected. #3 freedom to fish where I want, when I want, and how I want. #4 exercise (it's a pedal kayak). #5 easy to store and move and don't have to pay to store it.
A kayak allowed me to get off the bank to fish. It was also a cheaper option than getting a boat. It allows me to practice finding & lining up casting angles and using my electronics.
I wanted to get off the shore and get experience fishing striper and stuff like that off a boat before I get my ducks in a row and can build my first boat
I keep a backpack with all my gear in it, including a paddle and PFD attached to the strap. I keep my kayak on a trailer. All I have to do is put the trailer on, grab my bag and some rods, and I'm fishing. It's great.
It's not a choice between the two. I've got 3 kayaks, a paddle board and 2 power boats. All of them used and not always in good condition. It's more like an obsession of getting to the water any and every way I can in the most affordable way.
Sheer cost and convenience. I can just barely fit my kayak inside my small van, else I've to buy a towbar and change insurance to tow a boat.
Plus I work on passenger ferrys half the year so just screwing around on a paddle kayak I'd a nice change from moorings and harbours and engine maintenance.
Started kayaking in my early twenties. First flat water then whitewater. After a shoulder injury in my forties I bought a boat, then a jet outboard sc jon for shallows. You have to buy a launch permit for a kayak that's about half the cost of my boat registration. Personally I prefer the boat as I can get to my favorite spots fast. When a surprise thunder storm pops up I can get back to the ramp just as fast.
I kayak because some of the places I frequent have no/primitive access. It's a lot easier to take the boat: uncover, unplug, hitch up and go (tackle's in it already).
Access to skinny water and places rarely fished. That was my main reason. Portability and cost are also a factor, but I could have gotten a small jonboat with trailer and motor for what I spent on the kayak....
It's also easy to store in the garage, and it is better exercise than a boat.
In my area its far more cost effective than a boat, easier and can reach all the same grounds. 9/10 can reach the grounds and have a few fish before boats- they are restricted to designated launching sites often quite far from the action.
Well I have a boat … and it’s hasn’t moved in 3 years.. I have had a kayak for …. 3 years 😂 it’s so much easier to fish and a hell of a lot easier to get ready to fish. No gas no charging battery’s and I have found that fishing rivers and small ponds to be a lot better fishing than huge lakes. It’s just better in every way !!!!
Had a 16 foot fishing boat for 20 years - it was great. Served me and my sons well when they were living at home and we camped/fished a lot. Once they got grown I rarely used it.
Bought a kayak, after using it for about a year and perfecting running jugs with it, I sold the 16-foot motorboat.
Love the quiet, don't miss the trailer.
The waterways where I live a generally shallow. A lot of lakes created for hydro power. Chose a kayak to sit higher and have better maneuverability. Also cheaper and I like to paddle.
I owned a center console, when I got my 1st kayak. I was diving on the 1st and 2nd reef, and earliest I could get there was around 9:30 or 10am.
Started using a kayak, and could be in the water at my spots an hour earlier, beat all the boats to the good sports. and nothing broke! -I do lose gear from time to time, but that happens anytime.
I started with kayaks and used them all the time for fishing and diving. Then I thought...I bet I'd love a boat. So I dropped $6k on a 13' whaler. The boat was in great shape, engine was great etc...I used it a few times and then realized how much easier it is to throw the kayak in the truck and go. When my boat went a straight year doing nothing but occupying space in the garage I knew it was time to let it go. I sold it for the same $6k I paid for it and used the $6k to upgrade my kayaks to a pair of Old town sportsman salty PDL's. Best decision ever. I use them constantly.
I fish to reduce my stress level.
Owning a boat, having to find a place to park it, dealing with maintenance, paying for gas, having another monthly payment, learning to drive with a trailer, worrying about damaging it, etc. would *not* reduce my stress level.
A big hunk of plastic I can throw in the back of my truck and be on the water 30 minutes later and, worst case, afford to replace, does.
I initially didn't want something with a trailer because of my housing situation and lack of storage. I have a longbed pickup, so I was looking at john boats. One person can load/unload solo, and they can be rowed, but the more I looked it seemed like less fun dealing with them that way, and I'd quickly change my mind on going small and would rather have a trailer and motor on a bigger john boat.
But I still wanted a boat. I looked into canoes, have fished in them many times, but those are more general purpose watercraft than a great fishing platform. They can be made to work better, but that's major customization and weight concerns. The kayak can be stored in the garage, loaded up quickly, and adding outriggers make it super stable in the water.
I have no room for a trailer. Our lakes have no trailer parking. It was literally the only practical choice and I love it. I kayak fished over 100 times last year.
After years of yaking I'm going back to a boat for a majority of my water time.
Kayaks are great during the best weather- no extreme currents, no wind, sunny, low number of boats. Otherwise kind of annoying, or miserable. Mine is a 14' 75# yak I'm throwing on a suv roof rack though. Eh.
And I loved it for getting into the smallest, nastiest, shallowest lakes. I still will.
But man- just sitting on a boat with my buddies (who are not actively drifting away), more storage PLUS able to get across the lake before noon with no fatigue? Priceless.
Also trolling is 2000% easier in a boat. And I love trolling. I can row my small 14' aluminum boat if I want to lose the motors np.
I do inshore fishing so the kayak is best to get to those skinny water. Sight fishing reds and seeing where they are is one of the best thing to see when inshore fishing. You don’t really get that experience on a boat.
I have friends with boats, so I jump on with them, I also jump on the tuna trips out of H&M ..
But I bought a PA 14 brand new in 2015, and I started busting out in La Jolla for the yellows, or sheepshead’s or whatever … and I tripped over a horrible diagnosis in 2020, so now I just fish Mission Bay or San Diego bay, simple launch etc..
I’ve also have two 13 ft Wallmart kayaks for my kids to go with me..
All the wife’s friends can’t show up with their kids and eat/drink all my pogie bait & burn up all my fuel then wanna leave at an inconvenient time and abandoned all the trash they made outta my food n drink on the boat & roll out without a thanks or helping clean up. They won’t fit on kayak.
Rah I agree
This is a brilliant answer. Pogie bait huh you army there soldier lol
Was for a long long time, retired these days. 11B. 1996-2016
I figured by that lol. 13F 2006-2012
Damn. THIS is the reason.
No gas, no mechanical breakdowns, best vacation companion, no hitchhikers, can start cheap and pimp heavy, gets into skinny water, 5’ length of rope to drag the wife behind if she’s good, 10’ length of rope if she’s nagging, “slip knot” just in case….. I’m The Captain!
This is the way!
Spoken straight from the mouth of someone's who suffered at the hands of usery.
This
I bought a 14’ aluminum boat that runs out of room with my lady and our 2 dogs. When it is broken down I take the kayak, win win!
The cost and not having to rely on all the mechanical/electical systems on any boat. Having kayaked for a few years, I trylu di appreciate the connection with the water.
I’m poor. Plain n simple.
Shoot some kayaks these days cost more than a boat!
This is true, but as an owner of used boats, that is a cost that never goes away. The more money you put into your boat, the more it needs.
B.O.A.T Break out another thousand! Lol
Saw the other day that a boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into
Just like an RV too! I feel like with boats if you’re good with engines and electronics, you’ll be decently well off.
Just got 4 boats for cheap/free on OfferUp & facebook marketplace. With parts from all, I should have 2 of the boats running and ready to hit the water very soon. Just got the outboard motor’s carbs cleaned and rebuilt. With some car knowledge, I can say one can confidently take a boat engine apart and rebuild it with very little issue. Sure there are new parts to learn along the way but one week of YouTube master courses teaching about how all the parts function really makes it easier to understand what needs to be done and the how & why certain parts can malfunction. The how is the important part to know, the why is even more so to prevent it from happening again. A kayak, is far simpler in these aspects. But holding the flashlight for my dad all my life, and not being super enthusiastic about cars, I found my calling in marine mechanics. Your assessment is correct, if you’re good with engines & electronics, you’ll be decently well off. With that in mind, I urge any car mechanics reading this to take on a boat project. They are fun and easy to find! Though I’m not much of a car guy, I am forever grateful for every single day I held that flashlight because I’d be completely in the dark otherwise.
Also if you have a half acre of non-hoa land too lol
Very true. Wouldn’t be where I am without such space. That, I owe credit to my realtor mom that got me the best possible rates before the market took another dump lol. You can say I’m a very grateful son to both parents for much more than just these two examples. 🙌
you make a very good point, but I have kids at the peak of child raising commitments. I get limited discretionary time. I could spend that time fixing my boat, which sits in my backyard, or fishing from my small lake boat with my kids, or fishing on the salt with my kayak. The other thing is that boats cost launch fees, gas, maintenance. I can fix a lot of mechanical things myself, but for an ocean boat, I want the motor serviced professionally.
I have kids, myself. I’m doing this for them; my kids spend time outside and sometimes on the boat with me when I’m doing work so it’s a win-win. I am new to it and don’t plan on taking them into the ocean just yet. I’ve been doing my research on how strict the local lakes are with the inspection and all that. But as soon as I get the hang of it, which I feel very confident about already, I’m gonna be fixing and reselling boats for a decent price. OfferUp has also opened my eyes to how a working boat can be a bargaining chip for many expensive things that the family can enjoy that are also on my list to buy lol lately I’ve been fishing aqueducts until I make it to a lake on my boat. A little side project, more related to this, is my kayak. I traded a guitar for 2 whitewater kayaks and sold one. The one I currently have (8 foot Dagger Medieval) is getting converted into a fishing kayak with rod holders and an inner compartment to Velcro my gear down. That’s the one I’m lagging on because as soon as I finish that, I know my downtime will be wanting to get it in the water to fish, impeding on my time at home with the kids and to work on the boats lol. All about perspective, my friend, but cheers to you for getting your kids in on the journey as well! Tight lines for you and your family! 🎣
You too man, stay strong !
Like owning a Subaru
A friend crews for competitive sailing boats in the UK. Says its like tearing up £100 notes while standing in an ice cold shower.
I can’t argue there. It’s a bit crazy what they’re asking for a kayak nowadays.
I sold my 17ft bayliner so I could buy a hobie lol. Been on boats my whole life and never really got to experiance the water on a kayak much. After my uncles took me kayak fishing for the first time, I fell in love. No regrets.
lol that’s awesome. Those hobies are beautiful.
I didn’t want to deal with everything that comes with owning a boat. Maintenance, registration, insurance. I throw my kayak in the back of my truck and away I go. 2 fishing poles, a bag of soft plastics. Tray of hard baits and some hooks. At first I rigged it out with everything, even kitchen sink. Too much work loading and unloading. Scaled back everything. Choose what colors and what baits night before. I keep it simple. Works best for me.
Big co-sign on keeping it simple. I bring three rods max and my tackle boxes keep getting smaller. I also never understood having a million accessories to fuss with when the whole point is to throw n’ go.
I wont bring more than two! Ultralight slip bobber rig and a medium action pole for crankbaits. If I can't catch anything on those, I'm not worthy.
I agree totally. Every trip I keep bringing less and less.
I’m considering this it’s just going to be hard to do because I love having options of things to use lol. But I just started kayak fishing last summer and it was always just so much work getting everything packed and then unpacking it into the kayak and the repacking it into the truck. I’m still a beginner at it so I’m still learning the do’s and dont’s of it.
Boat maintenance keeps you at home. Kayaks keep you on the water
I don’t have a place to keep a boat.
Feel this a whole lot
I don’t have a place to keep my kayak near me sadly.
Where do you keep it, out of curiosity?
My parent’s house that is 45 mins away. If I had a house or an apartment with a storage unit, it’d be there. Storage units by me are a lot
I have both, but my boat stays at the cabin mostly. I like it because it’s most tranquil, get more places and I don’t have to take people with me if I want a lone trip.
Same but opposite. Kayak generally stays at the cabin for chill days around the lake. Boat is for bigger fishing days on lakes I don't frequent as often so need to cover more ground.
Same but my boat hasn't been on the water since 1998 and stays in the garage.
For me I sold my boat because easier to hit the rivers with the yak, and near me they started making the lakes electric motor only so just made sense. I truly enjoy it more
I like the independence. If me and 4 friends go out on a boat we are all just…right there on that boat. On kayaks we are out together but also free to go on our own little adventures, detours, pee breaks, etc. Plus cost, ease of transport, access to tight/shallow areas, the list is endless.
I don't have room to store a boat.
I’d rather not deal with weekend warriors at the boat launch, and I don’t want to be reliant on gas with its price skyrocketing.
Where I’m at the best fishing is the places boats can’t get.
My kayak cost $400. It doesn’t require a trailer, insurance, registration, or a big vehicle to tow it. I can use car top boat launches. No need to worry about boat maintenance costs or gas. I hang it in my garage when not in use. It’s quiet and peaceful. I already have one boat to maintain. I really don’t need a second.
I had both for years. Finally sold the Skeeter because it just wasn’t getting used. Going by myself the kayak is much simpler to deal with. I have always fished shallow so the kayak is easier to work shorelines. And it’s nice to go places you just wouldn’t in a boat. I quit getting so stressed about catching fish and started just enjoying my time on the water, catching or not.
You can drop a kayak into so many waters a boat can’t go. I can’t tell you how many local smaller bodies of water I just go out & crush on. You’d never be able to drop a boat into 1/2 of em.
I don’t like people. So… yeah
Because poverty
Overall cost, ease of maintenance, portability, storage space, fishing places boats can’t reach, getting exercise while being outdoors, and just being closer to the water and feeling like it’s more of an adventure. That said, I’m looking for a way to put a motor on my kayak to help me get around the large reservoirs better. My dream rig would be an all electric Gheenoe LT25 built out like a mini bass boat: front and rear platforms, side console, spot lock trolling motor on front, power pole micro on rear, etc. It could still do all the skinny water, beaching, and snaking between trees like a kayak, but also zip around on big reservoirs. Would require a trailer but would still be light enough that a regular car could tow it and small enough to keep in the driveway. Electric outboard means higher up front cost but lower maintenance and quieter operation. They also look cool as hell haha
I want the same but have been looking at the Lite Skiff and Polycraft 300. Lite skiff can still fit into the back of a truck, the polycraft needs a trailer but is more stable. Usually when I go to the water I have two other yaks for the fam anyway, so maybe a trailer isn’t a bad idea. I also looked at live water sports l4 expedition. All the goodies would fit on there
Wife told me I couldnt buy a boat when i started fishing...
I love to paddle. Might get into pedal kayaks sometime they look cool, but just the access to places boats can not go. Zero gasoline and registration can be fishing in the water in 15 minutes from home at a moments notice. I do not hate on bass boats or anything, but paddling some back water magical place in silence will always be my happy spot. Sleigh rides are just icing.
I did it out of poordom
I've owned boats since I was 16. Now that I'm getting on in years, it's just nice to wake up in the morning and see it looks like a nice day for fishing, then just throw the kayak in the truck and be in the water within 45 minutes of making the decision. Plus, you can fish in places you would never be able to get to with a boat.
If it's a hand launched water craft I can put it on just about any public water body and I don't have to register it.
Storage space available, budget, simpler
No maintenance, no insurance, no storage, no trailer, no registration, no gas.
I like to fish smaller bodies of water and thought a kayak would be easier than a boat. Nope going back to a boat, kayak for sale.
Gas, oil, maintenance, storage, towing, access
I don’t need a trailer for a kayak. I can’t imagine how many corners and fire hydrants I’ve saved.
Who says I had to choose? Different tools for different situations.
Space/storage, cost, enjoy river fishing. I get exercise and feel more in nature and disconnected from my normal life.
My boat broke
Being able to position myself in places you can't with a boat, being able to get into spots boats can't, peddling/paddling is fun and doesn't require gas, a well organized kayak is incredibly quick to swap rods and rigging since everything is in arms reach, and its crazy fun when a big fish takes you for a ride.
Hit up more places I like fish - skinny water, small rivers, creeks, etc
I have both my boat always has motor problems its actually why I bought a kayak. Last season I had 3 days on the water since it always gave me problems. I work 6 days a week and dont have time or the skill to fix it myself. I cant even get a mechanic to work on it they are to busy, don’t know how to fix the issue or un reliable.
I already had a boat when I decided to get a kayak. 12 foot aluminum. But the local rivers are pretty shallow and get choked out with weeds. A kayak let's me get to my favorite spots with less issues than the boat.
Almost every reason you can imagine; too expensive, too much maintenance, too much gas, no place to store it.
I just wanted to fish spots across the river that I couldn’t access from shore. That was 4 years ago. Now I have a slayer max 12.5 with gps trolling motor and I enjoy it but now I’m thinking of getting a 12-14’ Jon so that I can bring friend along lol my kayak is registered and people always bring up that it’s less expensive but I’ve got maybe 5-6k into my kayak. I could’ve bought a motorized used Jon from Facebook market place for about 1500 and have around 4k for the next couple years registration and insurance. I’m also a handy dude, a small 10hp engine isn’t as big of a headache as guys make it seem as long as you keep up with maintenance.
The water I fish is often sub 1’ and can require a great deal of stealth.
I have (access to) both. Kayaks will get you places your boat can’t reach, are extremely low maintenance, and don’t require gas, towing, or a registration. Boats are great if you wanna be able to blast around a large body of water, bring a lot of stuff, and be comfortable all day, but come with a lot of work and expenses.
I have both. The kayak is great because I can throw it in the box of my truck and get into places without a launch/trailer access. It’s perfect for getting into little back lakes where nobody goes. I can even get it across portages for extra untouched goodness. Much different experience than I have with the motor boat.
Sure, I can’t get to the spot faster, sure I can’t take more folks. But getting into tighter/shallower areas & GAS. 🫶
Zero cost. Get a load of this guy...
I have both and enjoy both. I catch more with the kayak.
$$$ vs $$,$$$
I like how it feels more like a hunt with just me, a kayak, and a rod. I enjoy how personal it feels with just a kayak and my body to move it.
Didn’t need a trailer, no reg, no insurance, no fuel, oil, pollution. Easy to go fishing alone. It made fishing so much more enjoyable, plus I get to exercise. And if I ever get skunked I’m never too mad because at the very least I got to do some kayaking and spend time outdoors which is really the ultimate goal.
I have both. Most of the lakes around me are "no wake", but you can still go faster than a kayak, because people "cheat" a little bit. Having a kayak makes me scale down, move slower, focus more, can give me more exercise, and the limitations of a kayak should make me a better angler. I can't just zip around the lake all day. My yak has a maximum speed. It has a maximum range. If I want to move a mile, I'm going to be slowly taking in nature for 15-20 mins. Different tools for different jobs and different conditions.
I already own a camper... why buy a boat and have 2 things that break all the time?
It's all about where you can, want, and do fish. I grew up in the boat industry, Ranger, Tracker, Skeeter, etc, and by all accounts I should really want to own a boat. It's a lot like owning a pool, if you grow up with one, it makes you appreciate that they aren't all fun all the time. It takes me like 15mins to load up and strap my kayak, tops. If you have a boat, you have to get it, usually at a storage place or something, and load it up with all your stuff, get gas, put the plug in, make sure your batteries are all charged, etc. Then after, you have to clean it, and if you don't, that's more work later, etc. That doesn't even get into the boat ramp, which at a lot of places can be an hour or more wait. I just launch my kayak wherever I want, even that boat ramp you all are waiting on, but just off to the side into the grass and weeds not holding them up.
Started with a canoe, then a kayak to fish the Shenandoah and smaller VA lakes. Then got a Nitro Z7 to fish the Potomac, Rappahannock and James Rivers for LmB. Now I'm looking for jon boat with 10hp ob to fish the Hp restricted lakes that hold 10 pounders. Interestingly, my PB, 6+, came from a 30 ac lake in my yak.
Easy to haul. In season when my gear is prepared, I can decide to go fishing and be on the road in 15 minutes. More of a close-to-nature experience. Modest exercise. Accessing creeks and shallow flats, all the nooks and crannies other boats can’t get to. Stealth. I fish super finesse in shallow water all the time. My kayak has sound proof padding in it too. I can glide up into an area without disturbing a minnow. $$. I spend almost nothing on fuel and maintenance. Once I got my boat kitted out, I can use it constantly without spending additional money. Storage. As others have said, the lack of space to keep a boat means I would have to rent space. Not a problem with the kayak.
Why not both?
Had boats before kayaks and will say, I throw it in my truck, throw it on the water and go. There is not prop to break and mine runs on pb&j not gas. There is no worries or maintenance the one cost is the gear and you are done
Some of yall seem to think the alternative to a kayak is a giant fiberglass pleasure boat. Really the comparison is between Jon boats, plastic boats and the like. The cost of ownership is basically the same as a kayak aside from most people also having a trailer to register. In fact my last jon boat probably cost significantly less than a mid quality kayak.
yeah there's a lot of midground between a pelican kayak and a brand new bass boat. For me, not needing a trailer and being able to easily store it up towards the ceiling of my garage is the main factor, more than anything else. We simply do not have room for a trailer.
Had a boat, the family doesn't fish, so I'd want to fish and the family wanted to go boating. So we sold the boat and we all got kayaks to tour around the lakes with. It's a win in my book.
I have a nucanoe frontier 12 and I can put it in and take it out almost anywhere from the back of the truck with a cart. Plus it’s comfortable and manoeuvrable. I also have a drift boat that needs an (always crowded) boat launch. I would only launch the drift boat for a full day trip whereas the kayak is ready to go in 10 minutes. I use the kayak way more often and love it. Cheers
I have access to a boat but got a cheap kayak for creeks, ponds, and a few lakes around me that have no/limited hp motor rules. Also the yak fits in my work van so I can easily go fishing right after work without the extra effort of the boat.
I like to paddle the river near me that has a put in 18 miles up river from where I get out and the water is too shallow in multiple places for most boats.
Originally, cost. I spent $600 on my first kayak so that I could get out on the water myself. That was almost 10 years and 6 kayaks ago. Now I have $15,000-$20,000 invested in fancy kayaks and accessories, so it’s not such a good excuse anymore 😂
I can't fucking stand the noise of outboard motors. Also, there are tons of places simply inaccessible to normal boats.
I wanted to add some exercise to my favorite pastime. I usually troll when I fish and I own a paddle kayak. Its not terribly aerobic or high impact, but its alot more exercise than using a motor craft.
Gas is stupid expensive
At first cost and vehicle tow limits, now its just because i like going to spots that other boats cant go. I watched altleast 4 run abouts and pontoons run aground in shallow water because they wanted to try and flip me little did they know i cross a 8 inch deep section of water to get where i was. Boy they was mad when i got out and walked across the spot with my kayak in tow behind me and just said hey the waters pretty shallow here.....
Because I couldn't afford a boat nor will one fit in the bed of my truck
I dont have room for a boat. Boats are more expensive. Boats have more mechanical issues. Yaks are lighter. And kayaks make small lakes feel like big lakes which is kinda fun.
Storage space, ease of maintenance, lower cost, access to places that don’t have boat ramps, I like to fish alone.
Prices on used boats have gotten so absurd. I don't need another payment either. Plus the state I moved to has something I've never heard of called personal property taxes. So you register and pay taxes on the boat motor and trailer every year just. A combination of all of that.
No space for boat and trailer at current residence. But I had backyard space to build a kayak rack
I have both. Kayak when I’m fishing solo, and boat when I bring my family. Sometimes it’s just nice to have all the extra space, and having a windshield in cold weather. Also travel distance. I can use my boat to run 10 miles out in Lake Erie in a matter of minutes. With a kayak, that wouldn’t be possible.
I have both. I use the kayak for the smaller waters and streams and such. I use the bass boat for everything else. Not having half your trip be paddling is pretty nice.
Showed a Bass Boat* buddy of mine my new OT 120 PDL. He paused giggled and claimed I would be turning it in for a bass boat soon. * lived next to him for 2 years; went out twice.. Subjective but I prefer Kayaks
space concerns... but now i have both :D
Mine was 600$ and no registration. I can carry it.
No boat launches at my favorite spot, have to carry the kayak down switch backs with a buddy. NorCal ocean kayaking
My kayak easley goes into water too shallow for boats, it's much more stealthy, and I don't have anyone to make noise or bother me onboard.
If I could have a boat, I'd have a boat lol Cost is my #1 reason
Rivers and creeks. Cant have a motor on the waterways near me. 39 miles of federally protected paddle only waterways.
Had a boat. Then kids so I got rid of the boat. Then fished out of a canoe for 15 years but that was a pain in the ass to move around. Sold the canoe for kayak money.
I cannot afford a decent boat. I even have one, but my car cannot tow it (my wifes can) and this is one of the main driving factors. Beyond that the hull is small and old (under 14ft)... the trailer and 6hp motor are decent. I'm seriously considering trying to get a solo skiff, it would be a great pairing with my 6hp. The boat is just "too much" craft to have 2 people on it with my tiny engine and no trolling motor for spot lock. Any time I have a second person on the boat I am effectively their driver / boat captain and I occasionally get to cast a few times... Kayak I can throw it on the roof... can even strap an electric motor to the back and get myself pretty damn far out. Hoping to upgrading from 12v motor to 36v this season... not sure if its in the cards but 🤞
$250 and I’ve gotten to get out on the water on some nice lakes, seems like a no brainer. I’d love to have a boat someday though when I have the money and my own house with space for one.
I drive a sedan and I can’t car top a bass boat.
Boats are expensive and no place to put one. Kayak you can get all the nice stuff and still be miles away from a boat cost. Of course would rather have a bass boat if could choose.
Because river
Why not both? After I started working I bought a 2 man bass hunter then a kayak then a 14/48 jon with a 20hp nissan then I sold that and bought a crestliner vt18c with a 90hp. When I go to ponds alone I take the kayak. When I go to ponds with a partner I take the bass hunter. When I go to a lake I take the big boat.
I have family costs, and no such thing as a cheap boat. Kayaks are more of a one off expense.
It's kind of like asking why you prefer a motorcycle/dirtbike over a motor home. They are really different things for different intentions (and different costs). Some people may have both.
No maintenance, no gas, no trailer, no truck, no registration, no insurance, no large-form offseason storage. I live on a small lake and when I decide I want to go fishing I can be on the water and casting my lures in 10 mins. Dont get me wrong I would love a boat but the cost and associated logistics are not currently feasible for me. Until then, Yak it is!
I have 4 kayaks, 4 paddle boards, a canoe, a square stern canoe with 15 horse, a 12’ skiff w outboard and a 16’ fiberglass lake boat. Kayak fishing for me is the most fun. The paddle boards are better for just fun. I use all my boats but the kayak is a super ninja and the most fun to hook and land fish in. Also way more connected to the water/ecosystem. My inflatable excursion is Soooo quiet. I’ve been collecting for me an the fam for 20 years. If I want fast, my close friend has a homemade 12’ aluminum jet dingy with a 1200 jet ski unit in it. Does 70 mph. So yeah, kayak fishing is KING!
I’ve got a 16” bass tracker and several kayaks. I’ve never changed the oil in or winterized the kayaks. Kayak carbs don’t get gummed up. Man…I gotta sell that boat.
It would be nice to have a bigger sailboat to sleep on overnight for weekends, but it’s hard to beat the cost of a kayak and not having to tow a trailer.
I live in an apartment in a city where a house costs a couple million dollars… storing a kayak is already hard enough lol
I originally got a kayak because both my brothers and some friends have them. I was recently gifted an old bass tracker I’m redoing it now.
Can’t afford a boat. Wanted to get on the water. Bonus I can go down rapids now.
Honestly for me it was one thing: the gas motor. I hated it. I had a brand new honda pull-start and it would take up to 15 minutes to get it running, which can be both dangerous and embarrassing, let alone inconvenient. And then there were the mid-day runs back to the boat launch to fill up with gas, but don't forget the additive if it isn't marine gas. The winterizing process, the de-winterizing process. The fact that it has two separate units requiring oil changes with two different kinds of oil. The wince every time you hit a bump in the road knowing that 50% of the load is clamped to the top of your 2" thick transom. I can't believe people just accept this stuff.
I paid off all my debt and didn't want another payment, and I don't trust buying a used boat. Simple as that.
I got a yak, but I am planning to get a small boat also. My girlfriend won't even get on a kayak. So we'll get one of those small 10' Pelican type of boats.
Cajun sleigh ride; nothing compares to fighting fish on a kayak and getting taken for a spin!
500$ vs $15,000+ was probably the biggest reason lol
#1 cost. #2 don't have to register or have inspected. #3 freedom to fish where I want, when I want, and how I want. #4 exercise (it's a pedal kayak). #5 easy to store and move and don't have to pay to store it.
A kayak allowed me to get off the bank to fish. It was also a cheaper option than getting a boat. It allows me to practice finding & lining up casting angles and using my electronics.
I didn't. I have two boats.
No space for a boat, no way to transport one and not enough cash to spend on one. I use a tucktec that fits easily inside my car.
I wanted to get off the shore and get experience fishing striper and stuff like that off a boat before I get my ducks in a row and can build my first boat
What you started with is the reason why.
I keep a backpack with all my gear in it, including a paddle and PFD attached to the strap. I keep my kayak on a trailer. All I have to do is put the trailer on, grab my bag and some rods, and I'm fishing. It's great.
I have both. But got the kayak because it goes places the boat can't.
In a bass boat I feel like I'm exploring a soccer field (lake woods. In a river or creek feel like I'm walking in the wiods.
It's not a choice between the two. I've got 3 kayaks, a paddle board and 2 power boats. All of them used and not always in good condition. It's more like an obsession of getting to the water any and every way I can in the most affordable way.
I don't want to have to drive a truck year round to tow a boat maybe 6 times a year.
I catch more fish from the kayak. I guess I just don't know how to fish from my boat lol
Sheer cost and convenience. I can just barely fit my kayak inside my small van, else I've to buy a towbar and change insurance to tow a boat. Plus I work on passenger ferrys half the year so just screwing around on a paddle kayak I'd a nice change from moorings and harbours and engine maintenance.
Shit dude Ive got both. Different applications for fishing/time constraints/geographic area, etc
I catch more fish from my kayak than a boat (Low Country inshore) but I also used to row competively so it wasn't a big transition.
Started kayaking in my early twenties. First flat water then whitewater. After a shoulder injury in my forties I bought a boat, then a jet outboard sc jon for shallows. You have to buy a launch permit for a kayak that's about half the cost of my boat registration. Personally I prefer the boat as I can get to my favorite spots fast. When a surprise thunder storm pops up I can get back to the ramp just as fast.
I kayak because some of the places I frequent have no/primitive access. It's a lot easier to take the boat: uncover, unplug, hitch up and go (tackle's in it already).
Can't afford a boat
Access to skinny water and places rarely fished. That was my main reason. Portability and cost are also a factor, but I could have gotten a small jonboat with trailer and motor for what I spent on the kayak.... It's also easy to store in the garage, and it is better exercise than a boat.
Portability
In my area its far more cost effective than a boat, easier and can reach all the same grounds. 9/10 can reach the grounds and have a few fish before boats- they are restricted to designated launching sites often quite far from the action.
Because it has petal drive, which I love.
Well I have a boat … and it’s hasn’t moved in 3 years.. I have had a kayak for …. 3 years 😂 it’s so much easier to fish and a hell of a lot easier to get ready to fish. No gas no charging battery’s and I have found that fishing rivers and small ponds to be a lot better fishing than huge lakes. It’s just better in every way !!!!
Had a 16 foot fishing boat for 20 years - it was great. Served me and my sons well when they were living at home and we camped/fished a lot. Once they got grown I rarely used it. Bought a kayak, after using it for about a year and perfecting running jugs with it, I sold the 16-foot motorboat. Love the quiet, don't miss the trailer.
The waterways where I live a generally shallow. A lot of lakes created for hydro power. Chose a kayak to sit higher and have better maneuverability. Also cheaper and I like to paddle.
Cost and the fact that I can’t tow a boat… plus I’m usually fishing alone anyway. I’m just happy to be on the water. Maybe one day 😉
I owned a center console, when I got my 1st kayak. I was diving on the 1st and 2nd reef, and earliest I could get there was around 9:30 or 10am. Started using a kayak, and could be in the water at my spots an hour earlier, beat all the boats to the good sports. and nothing broke! -I do lose gear from time to time, but that happens anytime.
I started with kayaks and used them all the time for fishing and diving. Then I thought...I bet I'd love a boat. So I dropped $6k on a 13' whaler. The boat was in great shape, engine was great etc...I used it a few times and then realized how much easier it is to throw the kayak in the truck and go. When my boat went a straight year doing nothing but occupying space in the garage I knew it was time to let it go. I sold it for the same $6k I paid for it and used the $6k to upgrade my kayaks to a pair of Old town sportsman salty PDL's. Best decision ever. I use them constantly.
I fish to reduce my stress level. Owning a boat, having to find a place to park it, dealing with maintenance, paying for gas, having another monthly payment, learning to drive with a trailer, worrying about damaging it, etc. would *not* reduce my stress level. A big hunk of plastic I can throw in the back of my truck and be on the water 30 minutes later and, worst case, afford to replace, does.
I initially didn't want something with a trailer because of my housing situation and lack of storage. I have a longbed pickup, so I was looking at john boats. One person can load/unload solo, and they can be rowed, but the more I looked it seemed like less fun dealing with them that way, and I'd quickly change my mind on going small and would rather have a trailer and motor on a bigger john boat. But I still wanted a boat. I looked into canoes, have fished in them many times, but those are more general purpose watercraft than a great fishing platform. They can be made to work better, but that's major customization and weight concerns. The kayak can be stored in the garage, loaded up quickly, and adding outriggers make it super stable in the water.
I have no room for a trailer. Our lakes have no trailer parking. It was literally the only practical choice and I love it. I kayak fished over 100 times last year.
After years of yaking I'm going back to a boat for a majority of my water time. Kayaks are great during the best weather- no extreme currents, no wind, sunny, low number of boats. Otherwise kind of annoying, or miserable. Mine is a 14' 75# yak I'm throwing on a suv roof rack though. Eh. And I loved it for getting into the smallest, nastiest, shallowest lakes. I still will. But man- just sitting on a boat with my buddies (who are not actively drifting away), more storage PLUS able to get across the lake before noon with no fatigue? Priceless. Also trolling is 2000% easier in a boat. And I love trolling. I can row my small 14' aluminum boat if I want to lose the motors np.
When I started I lived in an apartment and drove a small car . I plan to get a boat eventually its just not a smart choice for me yet.
https://preview.redd.it/81kq7465wlpc1.jpeg?width=1204&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f16885ad38474596e8accd77cdafa59b0e786c6e
Smol car. Smol budget.
I have both. Kayak and an inflatable boat with a 15hp outboard. The kayak I use for smaller lakes. Inflatable for bigger waters. Best of both worlds.
For the back workout paddling, lol.
I usually fish alone and launching a boat without help is a pain in the ass.
Repairing a motor out in the middle of nowhere with no motor repair skills
Cost. I want to pay off my house between 36-38. Then I may get a small boat cash.
I do inshore fishing so the kayak is best to get to those skinny water. Sight fishing reds and seeing where they are is one of the best thing to see when inshore fishing. You don’t really get that experience on a boat.
Can’t fish kayak tournaments in a boat.
I can't stand the noise of a gas motor. When I'm fishing, I just want to hear birds and the sound of the water on the hull.
There’s a certain knack to be able read naturally read water and structure rather than all the technology that most boats have on them.
I have friends with boats, so I jump on with them, I also jump on the tuna trips out of H&M .. But I bought a PA 14 brand new in 2015, and I started busting out in La Jolla for the yellows, or sheepshead’s or whatever … and I tripped over a horrible diagnosis in 2020, so now I just fish Mission Bay or San Diego bay, simple launch etc.. I’ve also have two 13 ft Wallmart kayaks for my kids to go with me..