Chris Dixon Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hi all, New to the site. I am looking to purchase a kayak. Have heard about the Australis Range and found a few good ones currently on Ebay at the moment. Has anyone had any experience with these? Any good? Are they stable? Roomy? Just wanted any advice i can get before i go spending $500-600. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black CC Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Bassfisho, I have been a regular kayak fisherman for many years and tried lots of different strategies. I think it comes down to how you intend to transport it, where you intent to use it and what fish you intent to target. I currently have 2 fishing kayaks. I have a heavy duty one capable of handling the ocean. I transport this using wheels and roll it down the road to the water. It's a bit heavy to put on the roof of the car all the time. I have a much lighter kayak for calmer water which I transport on top of the car. I have 2 rod holders in the heavy duty kayak and target kings, salmon and tailor - mostly trolling. I use the lighter kayak (carbon fibre and only 12kg) for casting in the snags and upper reaches of rivers and creeks. Lighter is usually more expensive. Hope this helps. Cheers, Black CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 (edited) Hi Bassfisho Personally, I do not like the way Australis Bass yaks handle - there are many others that track better & have more features for the $. Don't buy a yak you haven't spent time on the water in! Most dealers have a couple of brands or types to try. Do your homework, if you see others in theirs, ask them questions. Good luck Roberta PS Welcome to both of you, Black CC & Bassfisho! Edited January 8, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerly Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hi Bassfish, I agree with the others. Make sure you try before you buy as everyone has different preferences especially so you can ensure it fits you and is comfortable as you will be spending hours sitting in the yak. Doesn't matter how cheap it is if you never use it. There are plenty to yak websites around that have detailed reviews etc if you do a quick search. I would rate where you intend to fish as the most important critea as all yaks are a trade off between handling, weight, stability, speed, seaworthyness etc. I have not used the australis myself as I have a bigger yak for open water. Regards, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Just thought of another point - Make sure when you try that you are out for at least 2hrs in it! I found the Australis Bass yak seat to be fairly uncomfortable, even after a short period of time, painful after a longer time. I actually still own it, but only ever give it to guests to use! I have a Perception Minnow (sit in) which does me well in the leases up here. I can handle it myself on & off the car. In hindsight perhaps I could have gone with a bigger one - but then it is more difficult to manoevre around the leases & on & off cars. My other yak is a Hobie SPORT with Mirage Drive - Yep! Pedals!! You pedal the yak & have both hands free. It is a ''sit on'' & a lot of fun. I prefer not to take that one into the leases, as I don't want to damage the pedals. Give them all a go (including Hobie) & go with the one that feels the most comfortable & suits your $$ Pocket! Cheers Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Dixon Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 Thanks for the feedback guys... dont really have the $$$ at the moment, the 2 kids under 4 dont really allow for the time either!!! was only hoping to spend around the $500 mark. I understand and appreciate the comments however The Australis seems to the only one for that budget. Agreed? Thanks again. Great site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black CC Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Thanks for the feedback guys... dont really have the $$$ at the moment, the 2 kids under 4 dont really allow for the time either!!! was only hoping to spend around the $500 mark. I understand and appreciate the comments however The Australis seems to the only one for that budget. Agreed? Thanks again. Great site. I would suggest you look at 2nd hand boats before buying one that doesn't quite match your needs. There are a lot of people who have bought Kayaks and only use them a few times and then sell them again for half their purchase price. I bought one of my Kayaks second hand for half the retail price and there was hardly a mark on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakfishing Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I dont know how anyone does it without pedal power! I love having my hands free in my hobie theres so much more you can do, but itll hurt your hip pocket tho. As far as stability goes for any yak, the wider it is the more stable it is (mines almost 3ft wide!) but for that you sacrifice speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Dixon Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 Heys Guys, Thanks for the feedback and for your message Roberta. Really appreciate the direction and advice. Obviously difficult to justify spending loads of money when you simpy cant offset the cost with hours on the water. For the price and my needs i just cant beat the value of the "Bass". I think i'll go for it. Wish me luck. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerly Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Good luck and enjoy. If you are like the rest of it, before you know it, it will be tricked up with lights, radio, GPS, fishfinder, rod holders, bilgepump, cleats, anchor system etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Heys Guys, Thanks for the feedback and for your message Roberta. Really appreciate the direction and advice. Obviously difficult to justify spending loads of money when you simpy cant offset the cost with hours on the water. For the price and my needs i just cant beat the value of the "Bass". I think i'll go for it. Wish me luck. Cheers. Hey Bassfisho, I have a Australis Barra, "The Barra is an improvement on the earlier model, the Australis Bass and now boasts a small keel for better tracking." Its perfect for fishing, very durable and stable Material : Polyethylene Length : 2.80 metres Width : 77 cm Depth : 30 cm Weight : 18 kg Capacity : 130 kg Kayak Ranking Stability : Excellent Tracking : Average Speed & Efficiency : Average Manoeuvrability : Excellent Ability to handle Chop : Average Check out www.Southernadventures.com.au They have loads of kayaks with spec, that will help you find the perfect kayak hope that helps you out abit Cheers Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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