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Started By
Message
Kayak Advice: Cuda 12 or 14
Posted on 2/26/15 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 2/26/15 at 3:44 pm
I am thinking about purchasing a kayak and I have been looking at the Jackson Cudas. Trying to decide between the 12' or 14'. I will mainly be fishing the marsh, bayous and smaller rivers. Any thoughts on either one?
6
Posted on 2/26/15 at 3:49 pm to zx24
The 14 is meant for bigger bodies of water. Sounds like the the 12 would be better for the type of fishing you do.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 3:50 pm to zx24
Look at Hobies. Best advice that can be given.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 3:53 pm to DownSouthDave
If you plan on lifting it much are carrying it at all, get the 12'. I have the 12' and love it. I can lift it over my head to put up on my suv. Can't do that with the 14'.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 4:32 pm to lsuson
quote:
If you plan on lifting it much are carrying it at all, get the 12'. I have the 12' and love it. I can lift it over my head to put up on my suv. Can't do that with the 14'.
Could I bring the 12' out to the Ride the Bull tournament and fish the beaches on calm days? Also, Does the 12' track well? One concern I have is being able go on longer paddles.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 4:47 pm to zx24
quote:
Could I bring the 12' out to the Ride the Bull tournament
Yes
quote:
and fish the beaches on calm days?
Yes
quote:
Does the 12' track well?
Tracks fine. Not as well as the 14' but it'll be ok for most things. If portability and storage of the 14' isn't an issue, I would lean toward the 14'. I used a 14' Cuda in small, shallow rivers, Toledo Bend, the Red River, and dozens of smaller ponds, lakes, etc... It is a great fishing boat.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 6:04 pm to The Last Coco
I have a Slayer 14.5 and I wouldn't go 12. I like the extra room and I like that it tracks better. I don't spend thousands of hours in it, but I've fly fished smaller creeks and fished in the marsh with it, and never felt like it was too big. I hang it from my ceiling, so storage isn't an issue. Like Coco said, if storage is no problem, definitely go with the 14.
My Native has a wheel on the back of it, so transporting it is easy. I also have a bed extender for my truck for it. That wheel definitely makes life easier when dragging it over cement and stuff, so that might be something to consider as well.
My Native has a wheel on the back of it, so transporting it is easy. I also have a bed extender for my truck for it. That wheel definitely makes life easier when dragging it over cement and stuff, so that might be something to consider as well.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 6:51 pm to zx24
quote:
Does the 12' track well?
Yes but a pend the extra money and get a rudder if you are concerned.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 7:59 pm to zx24
Get the 14'. Like was said already, it tracks better and you have more storage. I love my 14' cuda, I'm so glad I didn't go 12'
Posted on 2/26/15 at 7:59 pm to bluemoons
quote:
I have a Slayer 14.5 and I wouldn't go 12.
Same. The longer yak will track better and is more stable. I have yet to find a body of water that my yak is "too big" for.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 10:42 pm to PillageUrVillage
Thanks, this is the type of feedback I was looking for.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 10:46 pm to zx24
12 tracks fine. I think a rudder is a waste of money. Gives me plenty enough storage. I've fished in choppy seas in it no problem
Posted on 2/27/15 at 2:26 am to zx24
The longer the better. Get the 14' if your transportation allows it. Only reason I would go 12' is if I could haul a 14'. 14' will perform way better for you in all aspects/conditions except turning on a dime. You may slowly make your way through the marsh fishing all day, but at the end of the day you will be glad you got the 14' on the long paddle back to the ramp.
Posted on 2/27/15 at 2:50 am to lsuson
quote:i thought so too. That's why I ordered mine without it. Fished with it a few weeks and then ordered one. Pain in the arse to install and spent $50 more then I would have if I'd just ordered the cuda with a rudder. It tracks so much better and if your drifting, you can steer the kayak with your feet and just fish.
I think a rudder is a waste of money
Posted on 2/27/15 at 9:41 am to DLauw
My yak is 14.5' and I couldnt live without my rudder. Rudder means I can mindlessly power paddle on a long haul and not worry about tracking, being more dominate on one side, or wind. You would be surprised at the energy and effort is required to track straight in even 5mph cross wind. A rudder nearly elimantes that.
Posted on 2/27/15 at 9:46 am to zx24
To start, if you really like Jackson kayaks I would look into the new Cusa HD. Lots of new features and pretty much a Cuda with more stuff now. Put a rudder on that thing and it looks to be a really nice rig
Now on to the Cuda 12 vs 14....I have been in both the 14 and 12. I personally like the 14 more. It is faster and very stable.
The Cuda 12 is a pretty slow kayak first off and secondly it is the only kayak I have ever been in that rolled on me... and I have been in a lot of kayaks. The seat was in the up position and I simply reached behind to my right and the damn thing flipped (luckily I was only in about 3 feet of water and was able to find everything that fell out expect 1 redfish). Not me just falling out, but actually rolled over. That is a major downside. My tarpon I had I couldn't roll that thing if I tried (and I tried, I would fall out before it would roll). I never experienced this same problem in the Cuda 14 though. After it flipped on me I began asking other people that I know that have used the Cuda 12 if they have ever eperienced the same thing and I was suprised to find out it had. At least 3-4 other people have had the Cuda 12 flip on them in the high position. I can handle if it just tipped so much I fell out, but rolling over is a no no
Now on to the Cuda 12 vs 14....I have been in both the 14 and 12. I personally like the 14 more. It is faster and very stable.
The Cuda 12 is a pretty slow kayak first off and secondly it is the only kayak I have ever been in that rolled on me... and I have been in a lot of kayaks. The seat was in the up position and I simply reached behind to my right and the damn thing flipped (luckily I was only in about 3 feet of water and was able to find everything that fell out expect 1 redfish). Not me just falling out, but actually rolled over. That is a major downside. My tarpon I had I couldn't roll that thing if I tried (and I tried, I would fall out before it would roll). I never experienced this same problem in the Cuda 14 though. After it flipped on me I began asking other people that I know that have used the Cuda 12 if they have ever eperienced the same thing and I was suprised to find out it had. At least 3-4 other people have had the Cuda 12 flip on them in the high position. I can handle if it just tipped so much I fell out, but rolling over is a no no
Posted on 2/27/15 at 9:47 am to zx24
Either one is fine. I'm comfortable in my 12 footers.
Posted on 2/27/15 at 9:58 am to Throbinhood
quote:
Coosa HD
Is definitely worth a look, but still only a 12' boat. Where the original Coosa is a straight up river boat (I would NOT recommend an original Coosa for anything other than someone who primarily fishes moving water), the new Coosa HD is much more flat-water friendly and apparently tracks much much better than its predecessor.
Might I suggest a different brand? The Old Towne Predator 13' is a dynamite fishing platform IMO and is right up there in the discussion for the best non-peddle drive kayaks on the market. Worth a look...
Posted on 2/27/15 at 9:59 am to Throbinhood
quote:
Not me just falling out, but actually rolled over. That is a major downside. My tarpon I had I couldn't roll that thing if I tried (and I tried, I would fall out before it would roll). I never experienced this same problem in the Cuda 14 though.
I demo'd the Cuda 12 and 14. I found even the 14 to be kinda tipsy. That's what ultimately sold me on the Native Slayer 14.5. That and the open simple layout. Slayer was just as fast as the Cuda and I could stand up and move around in it all day long. I could even stand up while getting hit by boat wake and still feel comfortable I'm not going to tip.
This post was edited on 2/27/15 at 10:01 am
Posted on 2/27/15 at 10:07 am to The Last Coco
Yea I want to get in the Cusa HD soon to see what it's about. A buddy of mine just got a Predator 13' with rudder. Super nice kayak, almost has a sit-inside feel to it with high walls. Not as slow as one would think it's just a tank though at 86 lbs
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