Most Stable Kayak Ever? | Bonafide RS117 Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ค. 2024
- Ken Whiting provides an in-depth review of a stable recreation kayak. The Bonafide RS117 kayak is a popular model that Ken was able to test and review.
More info on the boat: bonafidekayaks.com/pages/rs11...
Take a free online safety course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP), brought to you by the American Canoe Association and the U.S. Coast Guard: americancanoe.org/education/r...
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NOTE: These are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it's a great way to show your support. Thanks!
PADDLES
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle:
Aqua Bound Tango Fibreglass Paddle: bit.ly/3iaGleJ
Aqua Bound Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft Paddle: bit.ly/3z1kiOH
FOOTWEAR
NRS Kicker Remix Shoe: bit.ly/36F1B6Y
NRS Boundary Boot: bit.ly/2TaCMgl
PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS
NRS Guide Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yVID8j
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3dkDYaD
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt: bit.ly/3xF43pX
NRS H2Core Silkweight Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yZGbO2
NRS Hydroskin Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3wCvoI3
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket: bit.ly/3BbAZZJ
NRS Flux Dry Top: bit.ly/2U3Pvlw
PFD’S
NRS Odyssey PFD: bit.ly/3ibIk2n
NRS Zen PFD: bit.ly/2VCfrF3
NRS Chinook PFD: bit.ly/2TaEAG9
OTHER PADDLING GEAR
Zoleo Communicator: bit.ly/3zw7gw1
NRS Drylander Sprayskirt: bit.ly/36z5BG6
WRSI Current Helmet: bit.ly/2Te6KA6
PADDLING SHORTS/BOTTOMS
NRS Benny Board Short: bit.ly/2VIbK0L
NRS Hydroskin Shorts: bit.ly/3hCXPl2
SUNGLASSES
WileyX: bit.ly/3NtJQKR
FOLLOW KEN
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Blog: in4adventure.com
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#kayak #kayakfishing - กีฬา
Glad to see you started to show what the hull looks like!
I do a lot of river fishing in NC and SC and I love this boat.
Great review. I would really like to you see you review the Crescent LiteTackle. Thanks!
You helped me a lot picking out my boat. My wife is 5'4 and paddles with our 4 year old and has this boat and loves it. I have the Native Falcon 11 and the same I love it. Thank you for the unbiased reviews and the Falcon is just a little faster than the rs117
Great video love to see a review on The Seabird fisherman 12 it’s a canoe kayak hybrid with a cat hull design. I aim new to paddling always find your videos helpful and interesting thanks.
Crescent LT! Perfect combination of a nice-paddling platform with fishability and enough storage to be a great tripping platform as well!
Also would love to see your review of a Crescent Lite Tackle or Crew.
Hoping to do that one this summer!
Great job, helped me quite a bit in my quest to buy my first fishing kayak. Hooked on Bonafide, never owned anything other than a Jackson or Perception boat. Been a whitewater junkie for over 40 years, time to relax and do a little fishing. Appreciate your honest assessment, I believe the RS117 will be what I buy, just got to decide on the color, I'll let my wife decide that. After all, she's letting me buy it.
Looking forward to your review of a Crescent Kayaks LiteTackle or the CK1 Venture. Or the Crew!
If you get the chance you should check out the Vibe Shearwater 125, it has it's issues but I love it despite them. I'm 6'2" 250lbs and a disabled veteran, I can stand up on the SW125 with a standup assist strap but having the ability to change out the pod in the center for a storage pod, a flat deck pod or a peddle drive, she's not meant for speed but I do river tour guides with it. Despite the few flaws it has I love the SW 125. Yet another great video, thank you for doing these reviews and adding new information for us.
very cool, thanks a lot
Thanks so much!
I'd really appreciate you going in depth about paddle lengths...specifically for a sea kayak. 220 vs 230cms. I know the ultimate recommendation is to test them out but that is usually for a short period of time and your opinion and demonstration would certainly help.
Good point. I'll try to remember to mention what paddle lengths I would recommend for each kayak I test.
I always find your videos helpful. I’ve purchased (waiting for delivery) a wildernesses systems tsunami 145. I don’t think you’ve reviewed that exact model; but I narrowed down what I was interested in based on your reviews.
Also, I will eventually upgrade my paddle, get a dry suit, etc. so I really liked the videos focusing on best paddles and extending your season.
I dunno Ken- it’s ALL good. I get something out of everything you review. I don’t fish; but I think my boys will. And I have friends that do. So I pay close attention to videos like this one as well.
You do us all a great service sir!!
You're going to really enjoy the Tsunami. I have the Tsunami 165 and it's super stable and has great secondary stability for edging. I haven't had mine in a surf zone, but I have paddled in large swells and I was amazed at how stable it was.
For paddles, you'll get a lot of recommendations for Werner and other brands, and there are a lot of great paddles out there, but I believe AquaBound gives the best bang for the buck. They're well built, plenty durable, and best of all they don't cost as much as other brands. I use the Stingray hybrid for casual paddling and the Mantaray carbon when I need a bit more power in rougher conditions.
@@waynefatguyinakayak7408 amazing, thank you! Very helpful!!
Another great video! I would love for you to test the Swell Watercraft Scupper 12.
I'm really hoping to test the Swell this season. I like the looks of it!
Per your request: I bought a dagger stratos 14.5 on the basis of your review. Thanks for the content, the honest opinions, and the positivity/optimism!
Great to hear! Hope you're liking it!
I've been eyeing a FeelFree Moken 10 V2. A review of that one would be great!
This is MY kayak! Couple things : 1) your assessment of the kayak is spot on. 2) I'm 5'6" and with the seat in the low position, I can understand why you would be super cramped. 3) The seat is OK for me so I don't have any complaints. I don't have a lot to compare it to though and you do! 4) Paddling, she ain't fast...a little of a pig. I think that's OK though because people don't buy it for distance Paddling. Just to get to a fishing hole and fish. It's awesome at handling big waves and wakes even if the water ways right over the bow. It's empty in a couple seconds! All around a great kayak, and your assessment is very fair.
Thanks for sharing George! She's a little bit of a pig indeed! Ha!
Would love to see your thoughts on the Viking profish reload. I’ve had mine just over a year now and love it
Hey mate, great review. Would a review of the moken12.5v2. I'm torn between the two.
Great videos… which kayak paddles better or performs better, the Bonafide or the Native Falcon 11?
Thank you for your honest opinions. The kayak is beyond my budget however. How do you get it on your vehicle? What IS your favorite kayak? I’m considering the Lifetime Tamarack Pro or the Lifetime Yukon. But my main concern with the Yukon is the weight (77 pounds). My main concern with the Tamarack Pro is the stability. Your comments?
Do you think this kayak would work on class 1 or two river? Specifically Buffalo River in Arkansas? Thanks love your great videos
Another awsome review what's your thoughts on the big fish kayaks had you tried any of those boats out.🙏💪✌️🇿🇦
Not yet! I'll let you know once I do. :)
I love your reviews!! Can You do a Review for the itiwit x500
Yes! As soon as I can get my hands on one!
I’m 6’6 and trying to find a fishing kayak. I appreciate the fact you brought up height cause most reviews just mention weight. That being said do you or anyone have a section for a tall angler at this price point?
I wish you would do a review on a cheaper line like the lifetime Kokanee 106 tandem thank you
Have you done the falcon 11? Love to see the comparison between these 2
Hi, make a review of Kayacat Puma or Cougar model inflatable kayaks. Looks really good . I like very much you channel. Thanks
To all thinking about buying one had mine out 6 times and seat tore. Bonafide sent another. Biggest issue of all is you have to fight to get the seat to lock in to the high position it’s like a 1/4” off kinda annoying and lastly it’s a tank to paddle but it’s crazy stable I’m 5’9 250 bring about 35-40lb worth of gear with no stability issues there is some quality control issues and it is slow as hell just kinda plows and wind is a nightmare all the QC bs aside for $1100 bucks you won’t be disappointed
Thanks for sharing Chris. Mine doesn't have the same seat problem, although I'm not surprised there are differences here. I've tested a few different kayak models lately with the opposite problem... the seat has too much play.
I like this but I'm 6-2 so it may be too small. Have you reviewed the Perception Outlaw 11.5?
I'd love to see the hurricane santee
I've got an RS117 and I can attest that its definitely flippable. Ask me how I know
What about this Vs the jackson bite or nucanoe flint?
How is this kayak rudder ready? Where do you install the rudder and steering?
Do you know any well priced recreational boats ( ideally not a sit on top) with a skeg , 2 bulkheads and have the adjustable foot things ?
Look at the Feelfree Aventura 12. I can't think of anything else in the recreation class that has two bulkheads, usually Touring kayaks starting at 13 feet can be found with 2 bulkheads.
Can you use a greenland paddle with this?
whats it like in the sea?
It looks like an aircraft carrier, Ken! You ask if any of your reviews have led to purchases, and the answer in my case is yes and no... I tried, liked and strongly considered the P&H Virgo which I first saw here, but finally chose the P&H Volan instead. But they're both a great fit when many kayaks just don't work for me being just 5'11" and c.12 stone with big feet on the ends of unusually long legs (so essentially a medium volume paddler with high volume legs). Which brings me onto another point; you frequently reference legroom by height (e.g. sub-6ft, 6ft plus), but it's really not that simple when you're 5'11" with 35" inside legs! ;-)
Good point on the height issue. I'm a short guy who doesn't have to worry about that, but inseam length is probably a better measurement to go by than overall height.
Glad you're loving the Volan. I just tested out the P&H Leo and had a blast in it. Noted regarding leg length.
I sat in the Leo too, but didn't paddle it because it was tighter for my feet. But will still be interested to see your review.
Off topic but can you get your hands on a Itiwit X500 kayak? It looks pretty cool and I would love to get your opinion it.
Yes! I'm working on that now. I'm supposed to get one at some point this summer. Looking forward to testing that boat!
I'm a paraplegic guy, looking to buy a sit on kayak - any recommendations?
My buddy would sell me one for 400$ in mint condition, should I do it? How slow is it really compared to other sit on tops?
Lifetime Tamarac Pro 103 please!😊
Me with my $600 fishing kayak, "did he say that $1150 kayak is entry level"
I’m about five mins away from ordering one of these but truth is I know nothing about kayaks lol. It’ll be for fishing the literally unlimited number of lakes here in northern Ontario. Are these sinkable or sealed up? I read a review on a different much cheaper fishing yak and the guy filled up the hull with empty water bottles just in case. Is that necessary?
I bought the rs117 in 2018 and I'm still as happy with it as the day I bought it. One of the main reasons I bought it was because of the "sealed" hull and portability. When I bought it I lived in Northern NY and used it on the Great Lakes ,St Lawrence, Lake George,Oneida Lake, and many different rivers. You have to be smart about using it on Big cold water lakes and pick your days but it's very stable and drains out quickly. You will probably want to add a rudder for tracking on the windy days or fighting current. I'm 250 lbs and I do notice a big difference in the resistance after adding 100lbs of gear . Some days I keep it light so I can cover more water with less effort. I would recommend this for a great all around fishing kayak.
NorthStar has finally released their new Ocoee whitewater canoe made out of composite. Any chance you might bounce one off some rocks and settle the old arguments?
Would love to do some more open boating. I actually just paddled a 14' Prospector by Clipper on the Mississippi River yesterday. Got beaten up by wind, which made the water rougher than most whitewater runs! :)
looking for fishing kayak for two
RS117 vs CK1 Venture???
I hit the like button before I see what your talking about.lol. have you done a review on the bote brand? Interested in the deflating fish boards with a motor mount,I am 68 and may poopout paddling,lol
Ha! Thanks Connie!
When you started pushing it you looked like you were paddling a log. For that price its heavy which makes it more stable but also slow. I have paddled a bonafide kayak and though it was way over priced for what you get and you don't want to paddle far because it will burn you out coming back. I would say you could trick out a $600 boat with the same options for half the price and end up with the same boat.
Can you name any of them kayaks you mean? I am in between to decide this or Old town sportsman 106 but I can take any advice. Thanks
@@Kolibrichiti Both you mentioned are logs in the water. Save your money and get a used quality kayak such as wilderness systems, Perception, Jackson Adventure, Dagger just to name a few. This kayak and the old town will disappoint you unless you only want to paddle 10 feet from shore or in a small pond. I have a perception Sea Lion which is out of production and also a Cobra sit on top for diving and fishing. If you want. to fish out of a kayak get a sit on top.
@@Kolibrichitiit really depends on what type of seat you're willing to settle for. For $600 you can get kayaks like the Old Town Twister, Crescent Splashback, Jackson Riviera, and the Perception Access. All have molded-in seats including the backrests. The Access 11.5 can be fished from easily. Then for a little extra cash you can have a kayak with a molded in seat but with a frame style backrest, like the Perception Pescador (the non-Pro version), the Wilderness Systems Tarpon, and the Jackson Staxx. After that come the kayaks with full frame seats. You can buy a hardware store kayak for less, but the endurance will likely be a factor later on. The RS 117 is at the lower end of full frame seat kayaks like the Crescent Ultralight or their CK-1 Venture, the Perception Outlaw, or the Jackson Bite.
@@kevchard5214 Thank you, i am looking for most stable kayak, I am fishing in sea, North Germany. The water is mostly calm. But sometimes big vessels pass by and cause significant impact on the surface, which creates sudden higher waves. So I need something very very stable for this, even if it is not fast.
It certainly looks hard work to paddle for any distance but I doubt most users will be doing that with it anyway.
It's definitely not a long distance touring boat. It's a recreational kayak, designed for comfort, stability and fishing.
I had an RS 117…..stable as heck…and paddled like a barge.
Should use a heavy person to do the flip parts. Us heavy people need this. A slim person can lean farther over.
Way too heavy for me
I would love to see your review on the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145 vs the Dagger Stratos 14.5 you reviewed not long ago! I have recently bought the Tsunami but would love to watch an in depth review from you! Love your videos!
I'm really looking forward to reviewing the Tsunami too. I don't know if I'll get my hands on one this season... but hopefully soon.