Cobra Navigator

Mulv80 · #1 05-14-2008, 08:37 AM

With my 30th birthday approaching the wife has agreed to let me buy a Kayak. I'm looking at the Cobra Navigator and the Cobra Fish and Dive. I'm 6'2 225 lbs so I need a decent sized yak. A dealer not too far from me has the Navigator on sale right now for $499 and that includes 1 hatch, no paddle or seat. Or the fish and dive for $650. He will let me demo as many yaks as I want as long as I give him a days notice. I'm hoping to someone here has some experience with either of these models.

C YENSEN · #2 05-14-2008, 08:49 AM

sorry to jump off topic for a second, but do you have a kid on the way? is it not due soon? if so enjoy the summer. with a kid due for me in december i am going to live it up this summer.

I say buy the $650 model. Live it up and enjoy this summer......it may be your last for several years. lol

Mulv80 · #3 05-14-2008, 09:04 AM

Congrats Cy, We had a baby boy on 11/19/07. The whole reason behind the kayak is I think I can sneak away in the mornings or late afternoon for a quick paddle in the Delaware Bay. My V has been sitting with the fuel tank out for over a month, I just don't have anytime to work on it.

There is no doubt your life changes dramatically. You have the right idea to live it up this summer. Your time and your priorities change so much in so little time its hard to remember life before the baby. You will love being a father, you will just have to be creative to find time to do he things you did before having kids.

C YENSEN · #4 05-14-2008, 10:06 AM

WOW.thought you had one on the way not already here. well i say buy the kayak and enjoy

Stinky_Hooker · #5 05-14-2008, 10:54 AM

I know a couple guys with the F&D...it is a REALLY nice yak. They have monster room and storage, not to mention stability out the wazoo. its very easy to stand and fish or pole in a F&D. You can too in the Nav...as I can my Redfish, but given the choice Id go fish and dive all day. They are pretty comparable yaks, but taking into account the width the 31" nav vs the 36" F and D the main difference between the two is room and stability.

Not to mention the monster compartment in the floor of the F and D...you can put a small army in there...

My suggestion is to go paddle them both and decide what YOU like best...

chumbucket · #6 05-14-2008, 11:40 AM

Definately paddle both and then decide. I found in the short time of yak ownership that the whole idea of buying the widest yak you can get for stability reasons soon looses is appeal after you have it a while. The big wide yaks become like tanks in the water and you'll find yourself working harder to get anywhere. As you gain experience and skills on the water, you'll most likely start wishing for a faster more streamline boat.
The FnD is an excellent kayak. I have paddle them quite a bit. have a friend that first introduced me to yak fishing about 7 years ago and let me borrow his FnD off and on. Personally, I would go with a boat with a 29"-31" beam. My LiquidLogic has a 31" beam. I'm certainly not a small guy with that pooch of mine. I don't try to stand on mine, but I can easily swing my legs over the side and fish that way or access my gear easy enough in the rear tank well.
Don't buy without trying. Good luck. Whatever you decide on, you'll love it once you try it.

macojoe · #7 05-14-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

chumbucket: I'm certainly not a small guy with that pooch of mine.

Is that what you call it, a pooch

I call it what it is, Fat Gut!!

Stinky_Hooker · #8 05-14-2008, 12:03 PM

Excellent point from a veteran yaker.....I was kinda worried about not getting one of the super wide 32"+ yaks, but the more I paddle mine (3 days this week so far) the more I like how effortlessly it slides through the water.

tsubaki · #9 05-14-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macojoe

Is that what you call it, a pooch

I call it what it is, Fat Gut!!

Do they even make a yak to fit MJ?
Or is it called a sloop?

Stinky_Hooker · #10 05-14-2008, 04:17 PM

its called a john boat....