While you are deciding what to do, check out Seaeagle.com and their products.. I have had my Explorer 420 for ten years or so.. it has never failed me or sprung a leak... it's like sitting in a Zodiac only narrower... if you do order something from them and you don't like it.. send it back for a full refund less shipping with in the first 180 days of using it..... plus it's only 42 lbs... Paul

I use the Minkota Battery box control system with 2 posts for the trolling motor and two cigarette lighter plugs that I use for my cellphone and fish finder.. works well in my yak... Paul

My transducer is mounter to my Minkota Trolling motor that I use on my yak...

That's correct, however once deployed the head/shoulder strap goes over my head and my arms to tighten to my chest.. fits perfect for me...

I use a inflatable via CO2 that goes around my waist... only used once so far in the garage..lol but it deploys as advertised.. found it on amazon... Paul

Safe travel's when you and your daughter head south.. give me a shout when you return.. Paul

Hey Bapabear... Season opens for whatcom soon and the of course Samish is open all year round.. the Koks in my picture are from Samish last year.. I won't be hitting the water until doc. releases me from my Cervical Fusion of C4, 5 and 6 done 3 weeks ago... give me a shout at jeep1980@aol.com if you would like to hook up so to speak...lol ... Paul

In 2014 I ordered my first Kayak that would work for me... lol.. I own a Explorer 420 inflatable by SeaEagle out of New Jersey.. It originally came with paddles, pump, two seats, and carry bag.. total weight.. 42.bs.. plus it fit in one of my bays in my motorhome... I have since equipped it with 55 lb thrust Minkota w/group 27 deep cycle battery, fish finder, two Scotty lake troll down riggers and elevated swivel seat... All of this fixes in the back of my Jeep Wrangler.. or strapped on top of my Jeep.. in any case I have used it in the ocean Pacific coast and class 4 rapids and just plan old fishing and cruising around.. Best part is that SeaEagle allows you to try what ever you order for 180 days and it you don't like... return it... full refund .. you pay the return freight... I know have 3 of their products and it works for me... good luck Paul

Thanks for the invite.. however I rarely venture south of Seatle..lol... sometimes the Bend Oregon area to fish the lakes in that area... If you head up to the Bellingham Wa. area look me up..always ready to drag a line... Paul

I picked up my Smoker Craft 2003 15ft. Alaskan model with 15 hp Yamaha for $3500 and I use it all over Bellingham Wa. and Lakes... very stable and plenty of room for two...

I found that for the North Sound here in Bellingham, Wa. that my 15 Ft. Smoker Craft w/15 hp Yamaha works well for crabing, trolling for salmon and river fishing... it is stable and easy to launch. My Bayliner 21ft. is our lake boat for family skying and cruising around Lake Whatcom and the San Juans Islands...

At age 60, I had my first hip transplant via posterior surgery and a De Puy metal on metal prosthetic as I was advised it would out live me.. all went well and rehab went well although painful, two years later I received a call from my surgeon asking how my hip was doing and to be advised that the prosthetic had been RECALLED.. not words you want to hear, a revision was offered at no cost to me (My co-pay with Kaiser was $10.00).. I didn't had the revision done until 2019 which was 12 years later and at a different facility. This time it was done via anterior procedure and it was a peice of cake compared to the posterior procedure.. Mine was covered completely by Medicare and my supplement.. anyway good luck Paul

If you are just looking into getting a Kayak and you are undecided as to a hard side kayak vs. an inflatable Kayak take a look at what is available from Seaeagle.com they manufacture a great selection of inflatables.. I own a Explorer 420 equipped with Scotty Lake Troll downrigers, Minkota 55lb trolling motor, group 27 deep cycle battery for the motor, fish finder, and cellphone charger.. it is a 3 person kayak and I am able to stand in it or remain in the high back fishing seat... it is eight years old and still ticking... deflated it fits in a bay in my motorhome and inflated it straps to the top of my Jeep Wrangler.. it only weights 42lbs. so it is easy to load and unload.. the rest of the stuff I load on when I launch.. I do use it for river rafting also and it is rated for a class 4 stuff... one other thing is their products come with a 180 return warranty if it does not work out .. full refund less the return shipping back to the plant in New Jersey... I know have three of their products.. 2 Kayaks and 1 paddle board... good luck in your search.... Paul

You are correct... they pretty much have something that will work for everyone...

They make some good stuff and it's made in the USA... a plus is their 180 day no questions asked return policy for a full refund... so far all 3 of my sea eagle's have stayed with me.. 2 kayaks and a paddle board...