Too Late or Too Old??? (Page 2): Bilge, if ya decide on a yak, stay away from the sit ON type. Good balance notwithstanding, 300# would likely create a too high center of gravity for...

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Bilgebreath wrote:

Hi folks. First off I am 75 years old. I have been a bank fisherman since I was a child. I want to do some boat or kayack fishing. I am a big guy, 300 lbs and 6'3". I am reasnobly spry, have pretty good balance, and fairly good mental capabilities, except memoery sometimes. Waddya all think? Waited too long?? What is the reccomended ride?? Boat or kayack. (prolly john boat) Just trolling for some opinions. Thanks....

Bilge, if ya decide on a yak, stay away from the sit ON type. Good balance notwithstanding, 300# would likely create a too high center of gravity for safety. That said, you wanna begin boating, by all means go ahead and do it. An experienced buddy going along would be helpful, and you could pick his/her brain, after all, you are a potential novice. Good Luck.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

nutz4fish wrote:

Bilge, if ya decide on a yak, stay away from the sit ON type. Good balance notwithstanding, 300# would likely create a too high center of gravity for safety. That said, you wanna begin boating, by all means go ahead and do it. An experienced buddy going along would be helpful, and you could pick his/her brain, after all, you are a potential novice. Good Luck.

Well I solved the whole issue. Size is not an issue for me at 165#, but balance is. I started looking at a 10 foot floating bathtub with a n electric motor and found reasons for just a little more boat until I got to a 16 foot Tracker. Actually my wife MADE me do it.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I will vote for the Jon boat with a fish finder and a trolling motor. You will be able to sneak into really shallow water (if necessary). You will also have room for more stuff!
Inflatable pontoons are nice, except the air compresses in cold water and may have to be re-inflated. Y’all down South don’t have to worry about such things, though.
Good luck with whatever you choose!

qmshiggins

Your never too old!

I would recommend a sit on top Kayak as they are MUCH more stable than a sit inside. Also, they are much easier when it comes to managing your tackle / netting a fish

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

I’m 70 and love my kayak. I how ever would never standing on it. Actually been thinking about a boat so I can get out on bigger bodies of water.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

OJdidit wrote:

I will vote for the Jon boat with a fish finder and a trolling motor. You will be able to sneak into really shallow water (if necessary). You will also have room for more stuff!
Inflatable pontoons are nice, except the air compresses in cold water and may have to be re-inflated. Y’all down South don’t have to worry about such things, though.
Good luck with whatever you choose!

You could not give me an inflatable. I know some guys talk them up and all i hear is Puncture, puncture, and more puncture.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Papa Jack wrote:

I’m 70 and love my kayak. I how ever would never standing on it. Actually been thinking about a boat so I can get out on bigger bodies of water.

Got to have them sea legs if you are going to stand PJ. I will in mine, but a coming wake and my butt is sitting.

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

OJdidit wrote:

I will vote for the Jon boat with a fish finder and a trolling motor. You will be able to sneak into really shallow water (if necessary). You will also have room for more stuff!
Inflatable pontoons are nice, except the air compresses in cold water and may have to be re-inflated. Y’all down South don’t have to worry about such things, though.
Good luck with whatever you choose!

I agree with OJ on the Jon boat and trolling motor vote. There's the added benefit of being able to stand in it if necessary, or at least it's easier than on a kayak! However if you decide on the kayak route, they do sell outrigger attachments for added stability.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Bilgebreath wrote:

Hi folks. First off I am 75 years old. I have been a bank fisherman since I was a child. I want to do some boat or kayack fishing. I am a big guy, 300 lbs and 6'3". I am reasnobly spry, have pretty good balance, and fairly good mental capabilities, except memoery sometimes. Waddya all think? Waited too long?? What is the reccomended ride?? Boat or kayack. (prolly john boat) Just trolling for some opinions. Thanks....

Get ya a 16ft jon boat lots more stable. Used ones out there

Soupup Loc: Florida. West Palm Beach

plumbob wrote:

Bilge i am 71 at 210 lbs. Yaks are rated as to what they will handle just like boats. Your 300 plus maybe 50lbs of gear may just make a decent yak be on the high end of near the limit.

Plus when being 80 comes along do you want to chance being in a craft basically not as stable as a boat?

I would say john boat with appropriate motor with a trolling motor and plan on many days of fishing.

I’m 73 ,235 lbs , fish out of Old Town ,Still Water canoe ,44 inches wide very stable with a electric trolling motor. And AltBell from ct. fishes with me . I

Bilgebreath Loc: Fairborn, Ohio

Starting to lean toward a boat but not positive. I drive a 2020 tacoma so that part is covered either way. Decisions Decisions. I really appreciate you guys passing along your thoughts.

El Rod Loc: Port A

Bilgebreath wrote:

Hi folks. First off I am 75 years old. I have been a bank fisherman since I was a child. I want to do some boat or kayack fishing. I am a big guy, 300 lbs and 6'3". I am reasnobly spry, have pretty good balance, and fairly good mental capabilities, except memoery sometimes. Waddya all think? Waited too long?? What is the reccomended ride?? Boat or kayack. (prolly john boat) Just trolling for some opinions. Thanks....

Bilge, I’m your age and I kayak. I’ve been kayaking for 14 years and I love it. But if you don’t have much experience kayaking I recommend getting a Jon boat or something similar. Take a boating course with a Coast Guard Auxiliary to make sure you understand the rules for boating safely. Also get a small motor, gas or electric, and get out on the water to get to know your boats limitations. Don’t forget to bring fishing tackle. Good luck and have fun catching fish😎👍

Bilgebreath Loc: Fairborn, Ohio

Still for sale??

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

mistred64 wrote:

Hi Bilge, I'm 6'1' and 235 with sometimes bad knees. And I'm 58. I couldn't go out in anything less than a 14' aluminum boat and if the family joins me it's a pontoon. I never heard of an inflatable pontoon. I have to look that up.

This is what I was talking about. Very light and very stable and not that expensive. I see a lot of folks out on the lakes around here using them as a platform for fly fishing.

Fishing Frank Loc: Ohio

You are never too old. I fish with 2 friends that are 74 and 82. I have a Ranger Bass Boat 18' and my friends love it. Where do you plan to fish and what type of fish are you after? Get back to me and let me know. You can send a private message if you prefer.

Fishing Frank