SOT vs SIK

[cchobot]

This is in regard to one of RRabiner's previous posts. He mentioned the debate regarding sit on top versus sit in kayaks. He also gave good recommendations on yaks in either class and some great safety suggestions (as did Penguin in a later post)

I'm not looking for a debate, just the pros / cons of either.

Thanks for your help,

Chris

[T y]

To be honest, I never knew there was any real debate. In my opinion SOTs are far safer and are generally preferred for fishing.

I also think this is a pretty good way to tell if the shop your in caters to kayakers or kayak fishermen. Mostly SOTs = fishermen, mostly SIKs = paddlers. Take a look at that "large online kayak fishing retailer" and you'll see what I mean.

If someone started talking to me about eskimo rolling a 14' kayak, I'd walk away.

I own a WS Tarpon 100 and 140.

[RRabiner]

Why some people like blue - and some people like red - standard vs an auto - or an inboard vs an outboard - It is personal choice - personal opinion

I personally like the SIT yak - I like it due to the fact that I am lower in the boat - the center of gravity is lower - and I feel more stable

I like it due to the fact that I am out of the weather - and not as wet

I like it due to the fact that it is lighter

I like it due to the fact that it is faster

my .02

[swanny]

Ty, unless you are willing to travel to jersey to visit kayakfishing stuff every time you want to go to the kayak shop, you will find your local shop caters to kayakers not fisherman. There are no kayak fishing shops around. Most have 1 maybe 2 employees that fish and even if you've been fishing a couple years, you've got more experience than them.
Rob makes great points and that is what it is all about. Options are never a bad thing. That being said I have never been in A SiK that I liked even remotely close to my SOT's. In fact, I will never travel again for a kayak fishing trip if I can't fish from an sot. I'll either bring mine or won't go. I've had too many trips ruined by the limitations of a sik. Rob has great points and every one has a counter argument except for the weight. There is no doubt that SOT's are heavier than comparable siks. Weather is easily dressed for, the best fishing SOTS are so stable that any extra stability that a SIK offers is superfluous. In terms of rigging, IMHO there is no comparison SOTS win by a landslide - that doesn't mean an sik can't be rigged properly you just need to be more creative. In terms of speed, yes comparably maybe but boats like a ti 160 or a prowler 15 are speedy enough for most and of course, when you throw the hobie in the mix well then you need siks that are not suitable for fishing to keep up with the pedal boats.

[RRabiner]

To take the contrary position - when you get hit with a big wave - the SOT self drains - the SIK doesn't

When you roll a SIK - you need to have eaten your wheaties to lift it

Guy's - It's transportation to the fishing area

Pick the ride that you like

Enjoy the ride that you like

Pimp the ride that you like

There are more important things in life to disagree over

[FishHawk]

The SINK yak is faster than a SOT and when the weather and conditions get nasty I would much rather be in a SINK than a SOT. One of the biggest problems I see with the SOT is that people get overconfident with them and think they can tackle conditions that they shouldn't . That being said the SOT is a much better platform for rigging and fishing , no contest there.
FishHawk

[T y]

I agree that for some people it comes down to personal preference, and I'm sure there are very good kayakers out there who can safely fish in a SIK - people who can flip and bail a touring-length SIK in cold rough water. Just make sure you understand the differences and are willing to assume the risk. We live a society where your lawnmower needs a sticker telling you not to stick your hand in the spinning blade; please tell your wife not to sue the kayak company if you die.

I still think a SOT is safer and better suited for fishing.

[cchobot]

Lot's of good practical points brought out here on both sides. Thanks for all the information guys.

[Capt. Brian Daley]

Which style of kayak is right for you? A Sit On Top or a Sit Inside Kayak?

Sit In Kayaks are the traditional type of kayaks. When most people think about kayaks this is the type that usually comes to mind. They are similar to canoes in that you sit inside on the hull of the kayak. Sit ins offer more initial protection from the elements however in rougher conditions they can fill with water without the proper accessories. In adverse conditions they're usually outfitted with a spray-skirt. A skirt is a covering that goes around you and the opening in the kayak that prevents water from entering. When a skirt is used you may inadvertently limit access to the items that are inside of the kayak, but if you're a bare bones type fisherman this may suit you just fine.

Sit On Top kayaks are a newer breed of kayak. They resemble a modified surfboard of sorts and you sit on them rather than in them. SOTs have what are known as scupper holes, which allow water to drain from the cockpit. This way when water washes over the kayak the cockpit may briefly flood but it will quickly drain eliminating the need to pump out any water. This is especially beneficial in places like the surf zone.

Both styles of kayaks are useful to fisherman and within each style there are models that will suit you better than others. Let's get back to some of those earlier questions and see why they're important in helping you choose which of these types of kayak will be best for you.

[Capt. Brian Daley]

Fishermen do something in a kayak that most people don't - they fish. Therefore having a relatively stable platform can be very important, especially to a person who is new to the sport and new to kayaks. When kayakers discuss stability they talk about 2 types. Initial and secondary. Initial stability is the side-to-side wobble that you feel when you sit in a kayak. Secondary stability is when the kayak is nearing its point of flipping and how much forgiveness it has before you actually flip.

Many recreational kayaks that are used for fishing have tremendous initial stability but have a very abrupt secondary. When they reach their secondary limit you're literally dumped. Conversely there are kayaks that wobble like mad but are very forgiving when they come to the dump point. Most recreational fishing kayaks have a good compromise of both initial and secondary stability.

Since you sit on or near the floor of a SIK they tend to seem more stable. In SOTs you sit on the kayak and since it has a double hull you also sit higher. This higher sitting position can initially make a SOT seem less stable. If you have a SOT and a SIK that are the same length and width the SIK will probably be more stable. Because of this SOT designers tend to make their kayaks wider. So no matter which style you choose there will be a model that you will feel comfortable in.

Initial stability can seem more important to beginners and secondary stability more important to seasoned kayakers. It makes sense. The beginner hasn't developed a sense of balance yet. It's a lot like learning how to ride a bicycle. When you start out it's new so you think about it more. After a short while it becomes second nature and you don't think about it at all.