Topic: Elevated seat question (Read 694 times)

April 24, 2014, 08:57:09 PM

For you guys that have yaks with elevated seats, how do you like them? I'm getting a new Ride 115X and it comes with the option to get an elevated or low seat. I'm just not sure how the higher center of gravity will work in the ocean. Anyone use an elevated seat in the salt? Thanks for the help.

April 24, 2014, 09:02:19 PM #1

I've been looking hard at that yak Cruz of the new Lowrance electronics pod.

April 24, 2014, 09:08:46 PM #2

It depends on you. I use my high seat all the time in freshwater and in protected coastal waters up here. I also used it a lot down in SoCal. When the swell is up I drop the seat or if I'm paddling long distances. I love having the option. I was standing at Trinidad last year when it was calm and a few times in the swells. However while doing this I'm fully prepaired to go in the drink at any moment. I just love having the ability to stand or chose a different seating position. The ride 115x seems a little small to go too far off shore IMHO

April 24, 2014, 09:22:36 PM #3

If you are in the ocean a lot I would get the low seat. A lot of guys use the 115 back east on the flats and swift rivers.

Go low.

April 24, 2014, 09:32:44 PM #4

IMO elevated seats are a bad idea on any body of water that could turn rough or ugly on you. Go low and stay low.

April 24, 2014, 09:34:19 PM #5

Quote from: RacinRob on April 24, 2014, 09:22:36 PM

If you are in the ocean a lot I would get the low seat. Then save a few dollars for later this year. Can't say why. A lot of guys use the 115 back east on the flats and swift rivers.

Go low.

New top secret awesome boat being released?

April 24, 2014, 09:57:51 PM #6

Quote from: jbaker on April 24, 2014, 09:08:46 PM

It depends on you. I use my high seat all the time in freshwater and in protected coastal waters up here. I also used it a lot down in SoCal. When the swell is up I drop the seat or if I'm paddling long distances. I love having the option. I was standing at Trinidad last year when it was calm and a few times in the swells. However while doing this I'm fully prepaired to go in the drink at any moment. I just love having the ability to stand or chose a different seating position. The ride 115x seems a little small to go too far off shore IMHO

Like Jbaker, I always have my seat up on my Predator 13. I have been in high winds on Shasta that had water going over the bow. I have also been I pretty rough water with some good swells out of T-Dad, and never felt tippy. Maybe it's my fat ass keeping me from tipping, but that should work against me. In the up position I am able to move around more freely than when down. The good part is if you do feel like it my flip over, it is very easy to move the seat down.
Just my opinion,
Jeff

April 24, 2014, 11:26:03 PM #7

Thanks for the responses. I mostly fish the salt and occasionally lakes. I like the idea of the elevated seat and know that I would like it on flat days, but those days are few and far between down here. Usually dealing with some amount of swell and wind. For now sounds like the low seat is the way to go. Thanks.

Quote from: FishingForTheCure on April 24, 2014, 09:02:19 PM

I've been looking hard at that yak Cruz of the new Lowrance electronics pod.

I like that feature as well. I'll let you know what its like when I get it.

Quote from: jbaker on April 24, 2014, 09:08:46 PM

The ride 115x seems a little small to go too far off shore IMHO

I currently paddle a Malibu Mini-X. It's 9.5" long and I regularly paddle a couple miles off shore looking salmon along the San Luis Obispo County coastline. It's not fast, but its stable and handles the swell and wind with ease. I know a lot of guys that paddle longer boats and think I'm crazy but I have never had any issues and I have been in some large swells, heavy winds, and decent surf. The 115X has the same width as my Mini, at 33", and gives me an extra 2 feet in length. The longer boats that I have tried out just seem to long and cumbersome to me especially in the wind. Personal preference and whatever you are used to paddling plays a big part in ones comfort level.

Quote from: RacinRob on April 24, 2014, 09:22:36 PM

If you are in the ocean a lot I would get the low seat. Then save a few dollars for later this year. Can't say why. A lot of guys use the 115 back east on the flats and swift rivers.

Go low.

RacinRob, I sent you a PM. Thanks.

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