Am actually considering this kayak or the Crescent CK1 and would also like to see a comparison of the two kayaks. From what I’ve seen so far the seat on the Falcon makes this the clear winner between the two.
Uber stable fishing platform for the angler on a budget. Great review! An often overlooked segment of the Sit On Top genre are surfskis. Many of us inland dwellers have discovered their amazing suitability for flatwater & endurance river racing. Skis with a 19" to 23" beam are stable enough for multi-day river racing, and stupid fast. Companies like Epic & Nelo are offering affordable rotomolded versions that are great for rivers! Surfskis aren't just for riding bumps anymore. (perhaps Brother Ken will explore this in the future?)
I have enjoyed your videos back from 10 years ago to the present. I love the reviews. Keep them up as well as the trips. Why do almost all reviewers talk about turning, initial stability, speed, tracking, secondary stability, and all kinds of performance features or lack thereof, but they never turn the kayak over and discuss the bottom features that cause the discussed performance? Is it flat bottomed? Is it a tri-hull type? Is it a V bottom, round bottom, flat bottom with only the outer strakes of the tri-hull? How is the bow and stern shaped and how does it hurt or help the performance of the kayak? I know I am a bit of a detailed person 👍, but it seems lacking that the bottom is never seen or discussed, and it is SO important to the performance. Keep up the good work and I hope you grow your subscriptions.
Thanks Ron! Good point on spending more time on the hulls. That being said, maybe there's a stand alone video about hull design and how it impacts paddling performance...
Love to see more reviews of sub 12 foot kayaks. Lots of reviews of 12 foot kayaks out there. What 10-11 foot kayak paddles the best and still had reasonable stability? Or best balance/compromise of shallow river class I and II perfomance and reasonable lake performance. Say Creseent ultralite or CK1, Pescador Pro 10.5, Yellowfin 10, Moken 10v2, Kaka Wahoo 10.5 or similar boats.
Hey Ken, I love your reviews. Keep 'em coming. If possible, I'd love to see you review Pakayak BlueFin 42. I'm thinking seriously of getting one and would love your opinion.
Thanks Clarke! I really want to test one. I've reached out to them a few times to get a test boat, but haven't heard back. Hopefully soon! Feel free to send them a note on social media to ask them to let me test their boat! :))
How would this kayak do in the springs and slow moving rivers in Florida?? I’d like to fish lakes in central Florida AND cruise the springs and inter coastal waters. Love your videos!!!
I think this kayak would do great for those places, although keep in mind that it isn't a fast kayak. If you want to cover more distance, a 12 - 13' kayak might be a better option. Thanks for the kind words!
I'm looking to buy a sit on kayak like this one or a Tarpon 120. Do you have an opinion as to how they compare in performance? I rented a Tarpon 100 and I loved it. I'm 6'5 210 lbs and I found the 100 very comfortable and stable, but I think I'd prefer a slightly bigger faster boat. Almost forgot, I am a big fan of your videos. Thanks so much for doing them.
The Tarpon and the Falcon are quite similar. At your height and weight, you might want to look at the Tarpon 120. That's what I would go for, instead of the 105.
It looks a lot like a Lifetime kayak (sold at Wal-Mart), including the color, and the body shape is nearly identical (though the Falcon is a foot longer). The Falcon has way more features, including a much better seat, but the Lifetime kayak is about $700 less. I spent around $200 on DIY upgrades for my Lifetime kayak (including a better seat, a hatch for inside access, and a dual rudder system). If I was going to spend $900 on a kayak (which I may soon), I would want much more for the money. For just $200 more than this, one could purchase a Bonafide kayak which seems so much better all around. By the way, your videos are awesome!
Your comment regarding the gear tracks suggests that you are not very familiar with sit on top fishing kayaks, all of which have either H-Rails (Hobie) or gear tracks in the same locations.
Actually Elias, I've been kayak fishing for over 12 years, all over North America (and beyond). I've caught tuna, snapper and roosters in Mexico and Panama, redfish in Florida and Louisiana, but most of my time has been spent freshwater fishing in many of America and Canada's top lakes and rivers including Lake Guntersville, Lake Fork, Kentucky Lake, Toledo Bend, Okeechobee to name a few. Just because a number of companies do the same thing, it doesn't make it the right thing to do.
@@PaddleTV found further info on manufacturing process. High quality manufacturing and materials. They should add these points to product descriptions.
I personally wouldn't entirely agree with that statement, because comfort is a huge factor for me. The Tamarack doesn't have foot braces (has foot wells) and it doesn't have a framed, elevated seat. Both of these things elevate the comfort level immensely, and are worth the extra cost on their own to me. The Tamarack does look like a very solid kayak for the money... much like the Perception Pescador.
Another reason for a sit on top is accessibility with having physical limitations.
PLEASE review the Crescent CK1 Venture. Same price point similar stats. Thanks!
Another great use for these type kayaks is for camping trips.
Yes, I'd love to see a review of the Crescent CK1 Venture please!
Am actually considering this kayak or the Crescent CK1 and would also like to see a comparison of the two kayaks. From what I’ve seen so far the seat on the Falcon makes this the clear winner between the two.
@@Osprey1955 The seat is important, but performance is more important. I can always switch out the seat.
Hi ken. Please review a wilderness systems tsunami 145. Like to see how you think it compares to the dagger stratos you reviewed.
Loving these reviews!
I have this kayak and for a sit on top it is fast not as stable as the bonafide rs117 but the secondary stability is unreal. Love this boat.
Thanks for sharing!
Uber stable fishing platform for the angler on a budget.
Great review!
An often overlooked segment of the Sit On Top genre are surfskis.
Many of us inland dwellers have discovered their amazing suitability for flatwater & endurance river racing.
Skis with a 19" to 23" beam are stable enough for multi-day river racing, and stupid fast.
Companies like Epic & Nelo are offering affordable rotomolded versions that are great for rivers!
Surfskis aren't just for riding bumps anymore.
(perhaps Brother Ken will explore this in the future?)
As an avid Stellar assassin paddler I concur. Even the V5 is still immensely more fun than any sit in.
@@DinoAlberini
Agreed!
I have enjoyed your videos back from 10 years ago to the present. I love the reviews. Keep them up as well as the trips. Why do almost all reviewers talk about turning, initial stability, speed, tracking, secondary stability, and all kinds of performance features or lack thereof, but they never turn the kayak over and discuss the bottom features that cause the discussed performance? Is it flat bottomed? Is it a tri-hull type? Is it a V bottom, round bottom, flat bottom with only the outer strakes of the tri-hull? How is the bow and stern shaped and how does it hurt or help the performance of the kayak? I know I am a bit of a detailed person 👍, but it seems lacking that the bottom is never seen or discussed, and it is SO important to the performance. Keep up the good work and I hope you grow your subscriptions.
Thanks Ron! Good point on spending more time on the hulls. That being said, maybe there's a stand alone video about hull design and how it impacts paddling performance...
@@PaddleTV I will look for it in your videos. Thanks.
Thanks again, Ken. Great review, as always.👍😀
Cant wait to see a review on the riot escape 12 ! 919$cad tax in best sit on top of his range price ! And its almost fast 😮
Love to see more reviews of sub 12 foot kayaks. Lots of reviews of 12 foot kayaks out there. What 10-11 foot kayak paddles the best and still had reasonable stability? Or best balance/compromise of shallow river class I and II perfomance and reasonable lake performance. Say Creseent ultralite or CK1, Pescador Pro 10.5, Yellowfin 10, Moken 10v2, Kaka Wahoo 10.5 or similar boats.
Sounds good. I haven't tried many of those kayaks, but I'm keen to!
Excellent. thanks!
Hey Ken, I love your reviews. Keep 'em coming. If possible, I'd love to see you review Pakayak BlueFin 42. I'm thinking seriously of getting one and would love your opinion.
Thanks Clarke! I really want to test one. I've reached out to them a few times to get a test boat, but haven't heard back. Hopefully soon! Feel free to send them a note on social media to ask them to let me test their boat! :))
Ken can y’all do a video on kayak repair…. Like a hole in a plastic boat…. Thanks…. Love the channel
Good idea!
How would this kayak do in the springs and slow moving rivers in Florida?? I’d like to fish lakes in central Florida AND cruise the springs and inter coastal waters. Love your videos!!!
I think this kayak would do great for those places, although keep in mind that it isn't a fast kayak. If you want to cover more distance, a 12 - 13' kayak might be a better option. Thanks for the kind words!
I'm looking to buy a sit on kayak like this one or a Tarpon 120. Do you have an opinion as to how they compare in performance?
I rented a Tarpon 100 and I loved it. I'm 6'5 210 lbs and I found the 100 very comfortable and stable, but I think I'd prefer a slightly bigger faster boat.
Almost forgot, I am a big fan of your videos. Thanks so much for doing them.
The Tarpon and the Falcon are quite similar. At your height and weight, you might want to look at the Tarpon 120. That's what I would go for, instead of the 105.
@@PaddleTV Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it.
Thank you so much
Where are these made?? Thanks. Also, how does it take rocky streams?? Will it hold up to the abuse of occaionally hits rocks??
These are made in North Carolina, and they can definitely handle bouncing off some rocks!
It looks a lot like a Lifetime kayak (sold at Wal-Mart), including the color, and the body shape is nearly identical (though the Falcon is a foot longer). The Falcon has way more features, including a much better seat, but the Lifetime kayak is about $700 less. I spent around $200 on DIY upgrades for my Lifetime kayak (including a better seat, a hatch for inside access, and a dual rudder system). If I was going to spend $900 on a kayak (which I may soon), I would want much more for the money. For just $200 more than this, one could purchase a Bonafide kayak which seems so much better all around. By the way, your videos are awesome!
That weighs so much!
This kayak is actually very light for a sit on top fishing kayak.
how is it for just a cruise around a lake?
Great! That's exactly where this kayak thrives. Calm water (no big waves or strong winds).
Your comment regarding the gear tracks suggests that you are not very familiar with sit on top fishing kayaks, all of which have either H-Rails (Hobie) or gear tracks in the same locations.
Actually Elias, I've been kayak fishing for over 12 years, all over North America (and beyond). I've caught tuna, snapper and roosters in Mexico and Panama, redfish in Florida and Louisiana, but most of my time has been spent freshwater fishing in many of America and Canada's top lakes and rivers including Lake Guntersville, Lake Fork, Kentucky Lake, Toledo Bend, Okeechobee to name a few. Just because a number of companies do the same thing, it doesn't make it the right thing to do.
$899 is a bit high unless it's rotomolded from high quality plastic.
In my experience, Native doesn't make 'cheap' kayaks. It feels very well made to me. Of course, time will tell...
@@PaddleTV found further info on manufacturing process. High quality manufacturing and materials. They should add these points to product descriptions.
Lifetime Tamarack is a better buck-banger for 1/3 of bucks this barge bangs
I personally wouldn't entirely agree with that statement, because comfort is a huge factor for me. The Tamarack doesn't have foot braces (has foot wells) and it doesn't have a framed, elevated seat. Both of these things elevate the comfort level immensely, and are worth the extra cost on their own to me. The Tamarack does look like a very solid kayak for the money... much like the Perception Pescador.