Drifter or X-Factor?

[wpvboat]

Ok, I need some input. I may get a bigger yak and I'm looking at some of the fat boy boats even though I'm not that hefty (5'9",210lbs, not small either). I want something really stable and dry. I'm not as concerned with speed. My Caper is fast enough for me and alot of you would probably consider it a slug. I've been out with Kevin and he smoked me in his Drifter but he is Superpaddler so it's hard to say. Is the X-Factor a megaslug or is it ok on speed? I'm thinking the bigger and fatter the better but don't want something that is going to wear me out to paddle either. Any input?

Tom

[YakandSurf]

Tom, I paddle the X-factor and it is slow (a barge). but it is also a very stable kayak. I have a dry ride in calm conditions (300lbs) but in a little chop I get a little water in the seat area from the scupper hole. Over all it is a nice yak and I won't trade for anything else on the market.
If I get another kayak I will be looking at the Malibu Extreme it's 15' long and 31.5" wide. With a max. load of 525lbs It should be a little faster then the X-factor.

Hope this helps
Robert

[wpvboat]

Thanks Robert. I don't have a problem with a 'barge' as long as it isn't super slow. That says something that your next choice would be another Malibu. My Caper is 30" wide and it seems like the faster fishing yaks are around 28" and I think the X-Factor is like 33". The Drifter costs about $200 less. I'm trying to find the one I won't want to trade out of! Not sure that's possible. I really like all the places to put stuff on the X though.

Anyway, thanks.

[Cory ruthless Routh]

Dont over look the extreme, ther are some at Long Bay pointe.

[Uturn]

Tom, You're welcome to try my Emotion Fisherman.

MIKE aka uturn 404-3333

[talestalker]

Tom we're about the same size, and I get wet in my drifter. Having said that it is a very stable yak, I can stand up and flyfish from it. However it is a slug. My son has the T120 which I think is a great yak, and I'm looking to upgrade to a Prowler13. I'm in Southern Maryland if you want to test paddle the drifter.

[wpvboat]

I went and looked at the Malibus today. The X-Factor is the 'battlewagon' of kayaks. I like the Extreme better. It is huge though. I haven't ruled out a T-14 or Prowler either. I really like my Caper, what the hell am I doing anyway?

[naked goby]

Quit you belly aching and go buy a t-120. It will fit in your shed, fit in the back of your truck, has more room then the Caper and will do the rivers fine.

Since when was the Caper unstable? You need to remember to change your arguments when talking to kayak fishing friends. We are not your wife. We know better...."Honey, I need a new kayak because my Caper is unstable......" I can understand you telling your wife that, I don't understand why you keep repeating it since it isn't true. What kayak HAVE YOU PADDLED that is more stable then a Caper?

[wpvboat]

None so far!

[Juke]

You could buy (2) T120 and (1) T160i and use the (2) T120's as out riggers and if the kids want ot go they'll have somewhere to sit.

[wpvboat]

After looking around and reading alot I am leaning more toward keeping my Caper. There is no perfect yak. Long=hard to turn and heavy. Wide=slow and heavy. Narrow=unstable. I think maybe the perfect boat for me would be a 13' Prowler.....but that won't fit in my shed. To much money to only gain a little speed. T-12 can't be any better than my Caper. I'm not even sure if it will fit in the shed either.

So, more than likely, you will see me in my yellow Caper this fall!

Tom

[Juke]

During the fishing season, I lean my T120 on the north side of the house (out of the sun) next to the fireplace. No one can see it there. Otherwise I hang it in the garage, but with the racecar in there its hard to get in and out.