I have a chance to trade in my old tandem kayak because it isn't selling and it is too much of a pain the arse to put on the car, but the other party has a sit in that they want to trade for it. I have not had the chance to use one so i was wondering if anyone has any pros and cons of a sit in (ie loading and unloading from car top, tracking, modifying, comfort and anything else you can think of). I am still on the fence of whether I want to trade for it or not. I am 6'5 195lbs and it is a trophy 126. So I don't know if it will be too cramped also.

I have a perception prodigy 10 sit-in I have been fishing out of for 5 years. I just moved to jax so I have not done a ton of fishing here, most of my fishing prior to the move was done in freshwater creeks in kentucky and some whitewater fishing in the new river and greenbrier river both in VA. I rigged it out myself with bungees, rod holders, and bungee pockets on the insides and it has served me very well.

With that said, my next yak purchase (next six months or so) will be a sit on. I've been out a couple times on a sit-on since moving here and am a big fan. Expecially looking for one that is stable enough to stand up. Also, the sit-in turns into a plastic sauna and if you ever confuse up and down they are a pain to bail water out of. If you are in water over your head you are swimming it to a bank to flip it then start pumping water (not saying that it's happened but hypothetically speaking if one were in a class III rapid... well things happen) I'll send pictures if you want

_________________
doss
Ride 135
Perception Prodigy 10

Con to a SIN, is i just got out of a old town loon 10, and i felt traped inside of it, im a big guy and the boat never really felt stable. and the lack of room for gear was always an issue. I would suggest to anyone thing about a yak to get a SOT.
just my 2cents
Chris

_________________
70% of the world is OUR playground
Native Versaboard

My first yak was a Wilderness Pamlico 10. I had a great time in that yak and caught lots of fish. Plus side...Light weight, very easy to carry...In the winter months it was way warmer than any sit on top...It was very stable due to the operator sitting basically a little below water level, center of gravity very low....it was much less expensive...It was a much drier ride. On the minus side...It had next to zero free board...It was not as easy to customize to your specific needs....hot in the summer...not as easy to get in and out of....would never take it off the beach...sat too low, I like to be as high up as possible....very little usable storage...
My.02

_________________
Winner and Champion of the 1st annual "2008 BOOB- A-Q Trout Shoot Out"
Voted Outstanding "Zilch" Player Pellicer Creek 2007/2008
Undisputed and Undefeated Washers Champion Pellicer Creek 2008
JaxKayak Freakin Moron - Pro-Staff

1.During those hot "dog days" a sit inside will cook you like a baked potato.
2.If you flip a sit inside you can almost forget about re-entering and you can become entraped upside down.

I have a 10' Featherlite in my fleet. I don't use it much now since I have a Wavewalk that is much easier on my back. But it was always my go to boat for a quick trip because it was so light and small. Also my winter quick trip boat since it kept you out of the wind and dry. If you really aren't using the tandem and can't sell it. What do you have to loose in the swap? Try it out first and see how you like it. It's better to have a yak you are using than one that you don't.

We also have a couple of the Heritage Featherlites in our fleet. For a quick toss and go boat at 38lbs it was great. Hot in the summer but comfortable in the winter. Not very much storage and would get to your back after a few hours. Like Keastman my Wavewalk 500 is much more comfortable and darn near as easy to get around with.

http://www.jeffstacklebox.com

I am just going to hold off I can always use my father-in-laws sit-ons if I need to hit the water I do like the wavewalk they look super fun and seems like id be able to take my little girl with me, but at over a grand it is a bit expensive (at this time anyways).

i have a 2 person sit in which I feel is ideal for yak fishing. I sit in the front seat and can really load up everything I have in the back seat (tackle box, cooler, livewell bucket, dog, etc...)
I don't think they even make my brand of yak anymore though, it is a "Streaker" and I can't remember who makes it...

I have an Old Town Vapor 10 Angler Sit In. It is the 2nd Yak I have had (first was an Ocean Kayak Sit on Top). I love the amount of room I have (very big cockpit).

Heat..... yes, but not unbearable. I plan on using it this winter for duck hunting as well, so the fact that it will keep me warmer than an sit on top is nice. But, the open cock pit lets most of the summer heat out.

I use a backpack as my tackle box, which sits on the floor between my legs. I keep an anchor tucked next to the seat on one side and a foldable net on the other. They daywell in the back is used for my bait bucket. There is an optional hatch for it that I may buy so I can turn the day well into a live well (battery powered bubler).

All in all, I have what I need and it is stable. I am 5'9" 220 so I need something that can handle the weight. It has two aft rod holders and 2 cup holders. It tracks very well and is small enough for the tight places.

Don't discount the idea of a sit in......

sit on top pros: Get some good sun, stay wet cool.

sit on top cons: easy to get bit by gators as per the kayak gator attack vid

I own a sit-in, Future Beach Trophy 126 in addition to my Native Manta Ray 12 sit on top.
I can tell you by experience that the sit-in is much less affected by the elements, especially windy conditions. I'm guessing because it sits lower into the water as opposed to a sit on top which sits more above the water line. My Manta Ray gets blown around all over the place even with having a rudder. While the Trophy126 in the same conditions, is much more stable and gets pushed around a whole lot less.

As others have mentioned, I use my sit-in more in the winter. Legs are warmer and if conditions are decent, you won't get wet at all. Sit on top is more ideal for the summer or hot weather.

The sit-ins are also easier to carry/transport. Since they have a cockpit, you can just rest one of the opening sides on your shoulder and carry/lift it around with ease. With a sit on top, that would not be possible. You'll either be dragging it or will have to buy a kayak cart.

Hope that adds a little something to consider