The ability to anchor a kayak is so critical for fishing. Like another commenter said some time ago, these kayaks are like a Chevy 350 small block…no end to the number of upgrades and configurations you can plug and play with these things
Owning a Lifetime Tamarack is like having a small block 350. You are only limited by your imagination. Then you go to TH-cam and find 1000 videos of mods. Got mine for $210. It got me on the water and helped me understand what to look for (what I want) when I upgrade. It is without question the greatest "cheap" kayak on the market. One warning...once you kayak fish, you will never want to bank fish again.
Excellent informative video. I'm shopping for my first kayak and this seems to be the one that got my attention. I dig that you're rocking the Buc-E's shirt too.
Love my tamarack. I did swap the seat out for a stadium seat and installed an anchor trolley. It's a really good solid platform to start getting into kayak fishing.
Great video. I’ve had my lifetime for 2 years now. It’s a great beginner kayak. Change my seat to a stadium seat.Trashed the paddle that came with it and bought a better one.
Thank you for the tracking demo. I been eyeing one for a bit to try my hand at a SOT. I have a sit in for 6ish years and wouldn't trade it for a speckled pup. Most what I see about this (and most others) is how much stuff you can pile on. The older I get, the more simple I aim for. If I can't lift it, I don't want it. Thanks again!
great review was looking into getting my first kayak and for any one interested tractor supply has them on sale for 199.00 right now so gonna pick up one
I bought mine at the end of August 2020. Now with fishing season done here I have been customizing mine. I found round food containers that work well as divider in the storage area. I just vecroed it to the bottom.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Feel free to check back in and let us know how you like it and if you do any mods to it. I’m always interested in how other people set up their gear
Thanks for the review, have seen another with a male 6'5" on the same kayak. The price was nice in 2020 but everything's gone up during the pandemic, I'm more interested in stability so I don't have to worry about motion sickness, thanks again.
Great review. Have had a couple Pelican Bandits and Sundolphin Bali 8ft for a few years and have decided to upgrade, have been vigorously researching the 10ft Bali or Journey, and the Tamarack. Sundolphin definitely has history, but I'm getting more and more sold on these Tamaracks
I bought a tamarack 100 and I really love it just was wondering about going for a overnight trip but stable and great for fishing can't wait to do my over night camp out on it
Depending on what you require to have a comfortable night out it’s totally workable for that. My overnight river set up is basically my overnight hike setup, so it’s super light and small. Hammock, rainfly, trifold stool to sit on. Sometimes I add collapsible grill too to throw in some rocks over the fire. The most weight I run into for overnights is a cooler. Ice, water, a frozen burger patty maybe. I use an ice mule soft ice chest and it work well to hold ice for the first day and part of the second depending on how hot it is out and it straps down nice. Add some lashings for bungee straps where it suits your kit and you’ll be good to go.
Just bought one at tractor supply for 299.00 very excited.tractor supply will ship to your local store or directly to your house 👍 got a my pod seat that fits right on the existing seat and it is adjustable back that locks in different upright positions.
That’s awesome! Judging by the more recent comments it seems the kayak crunch is over and they can be procured at face value again...that’s good to know
I just installed A trolling motor on mine. It was super easy and only cost around 30$ for the mount. My battery and trolling motor only weight 18 pounds. With my mount the motor and battery and a few rods and gear and I am still under my weight capacity of 275 pounds.also have a stadium seat installed.
I’ve got one too ….fishing crate , stadium style seat n depth/ fish finder . Biggest mod ….added homemade retractable rudder ..helps with tracking n drift . Great beginning kayak .
Good video. Love my lifetime. You can cheaply add a bag to the storage bins or just switch the bins out to with ones that already have a bag. Upgrading a lifetime is usually easy and cheap.
SORRY 4 CAPS, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR VIDEO, I COULDN'T WAIT FOR THE PRICES TO GO DOWN I BOUGHT MY FROM WALMART FOR $350. WHAT PART OF THE COUNTRY DID YOU VIDEO THIS, THANKS AGAIN STAY SAFE
Looking to get my family into kayaking been looking at these but didn't know if it was worth saving the bucks seeing I need 4 of them lol. Just the review I was needing thanks
Well I was going to buy a perception pescador pro but I live in MN and found out that you need to buy these expensive little things called dry suits… so I’ll settle with one of these and maybe treat myself to a better paddle and call it a day 😎. Thank you for the helpful video!
Thanks for watching and commenting! Perception makes killer kayaks to be sure. It’s just for the money these are damn good yaks Might use some of that extra cash to treat yourself to an upgraded seat. That was my one biggest complaint. It does get a bit uncomfortable after extended use
Any idea how this would hold a person who is RIGHT at that weight limit? Not counting coolers, rods, stuff like that (Would probably total out around 290~)?
Wish I could say, but I haven’t had anyone in this one to see how it would handle. All I can say is it’s incredibly stable for me at 200 plus fishing gear and a cooler. Probably coming in at about 230. If anyone else can chime in and help out here please do
@@WaywardStories Lol I guess I have Chic Fil A much more often than you lol, I'm pushing 225 at 6ft 1in. I just wanted to gauge my comfort level and weight against your opinion and review of your yack. Thanks for responding!
@@ADDade thanks for watching and commenting! You watch reviews like I do...trying to gauge everything you can before you pull the trigger. I try to make my reviews with that in mind so I hope it helped!
Just got one haven’t taken it out yet doing some research as this is my first kayak biggest question I have is the scupper holes do you plug them or not
For me it’s just seasonal. Winter I plug, summer I don’t. Here’s a really good article I found that gives a great background on scupper holes. www.kayakscupperplugs.com/about-kayak-scupper-plugs/2019/10/3/do-i-need-scupper-plugs Hope it helps!
Hahahaha. Maybe a quarter of an inch under your legs. Scuppers on sit on top kayaks is meant to keep from having to bail or pump or scoop out water that may come in through ocean waves or running rapids. It’s kind of a self-equalizing deal.
I didn’t do a whole lot. Main thing I did was add a holstered plier set next to my thigh, a small tackle box holster and also a rod tube made from PVC along the side off my right rear for storing rod when running rivers and creeks. Also a few extra eyelets around the storage deck for more lashing options for extra gear for overnight floats.
Really hard to say tbh. I haven’t had it in big water like that. All I can say is that it IS very very stable, but it isn’t built quite the same as a sea kayak. Wish I could be more help but I just haven’t had it out in the ocean to be able to say how it would perform Thanks for watching and commenting!
Not sure if it helps but I’ve had mine on a couple rivers. One river has some decent small rapids and is fast moving. Another has lots of barge traffic making some considerable wake. I’ve also got a stadium seat on mine. I find they are very stable.
You could actually use a PVC pipe that's just smaller circumference than the hole and cut it the right height to touch the bottom but the top short enough to still use the lid and put some silicone around it all good 🤷♂️😉
It’s actual specs give a maximum capacity of 275. So I really don’t know. I used to regularly put 20 pounds over the limit on my old sit in pelican kayak for overnight trips and it managed it pretty well. But that’s a different kayak too I wish I could answer that better. But it is very sturdy and stable so I think it’s at least a possibility
@@darkkiller1485 I just did a google to see what’s out there. I didn’t see prices but here’s a well put together list. I recognize pescador in there as brand that’s a great brand I suspect to get to the weight limit you want and get a quality boat you’ll be looking in the 7-800$ range to get a good middle of the road brand www.kayakhorizons.com/best-kayaks-for-large-person/#The_5_Best_Kayaks_For_a_Large_Person_in_2020
Impersonally wouldn’t trust it to stand in and cast a line. It’s quite stable, but it isn’t designed for that and I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable with it. The paddle at the time I purchased it 2 years ago was a little bulky and heavy. It worked fine, but it could totally stand an upgrade.
@WaywardStories I have been thinking about purchasing this kayak and have been watching some reviews. In some reviews (and even when I look them up online as if I were going to purchase it) the Tamarack 100 has 2 storage hatches and in other reviews it has only one storage hatch. Then I see the Tamarack 120 and see no difference between it and the Tamarack 100 with 2 storage hatches. Same width, length, draft, weight, etc., except the 120 is more expensive. Then I also see Tamarack 100 and Tamarack Muskie 100 (I'm guessing these 2 are one and the same? ) Could you please clarify some of this if you don't mind? It would be highly appreciated! This is why I don't like purchasing things online. I want to see in real life what I'm getting. I'm not going to be happy if I order what I think has 2 storage hatches and it comes with only one (or if it comes heavier than shown or any number of things). Unfortunately, no store around here sells these in store.
Honestly your best bet is probably FB marketplace. I honestly don’t know where the market is right now but last summer everything was super high. Covid had all kayaks sold out and people were gouging for them. But that’s the only place we could find one 6 months ago. On marketplace.
I have a 10' Teton and love it. All of the Lifetime sit-ons are quite stable, but I fish with mine on a small lake with psycho boaters who don't respect anyone. Without adding outriggers, I would have swamped a dozen times already. Aside from not flipping, the outriggers allow me to sit higher with a 2x4 under the seat for my back.
My favorite upgrade is an anchor trolley.
It is super useful for keeping the kayak in the position you need.
The ability to anchor a kayak is so critical for fishing. Like another commenter said some time ago, these kayaks are like a Chevy 350 small block…no end to the number of upgrades and configurations you can plug and play with these things
Owning a Lifetime Tamarack is like having a small block 350. You are only limited by your imagination. Then you go to TH-cam and find 1000 videos of mods. Got mine for $210. It got me on the water and helped me understand what to look for (what I want) when I upgrade. It is without question the greatest "cheap" kayak on the market. One warning...once you kayak fish, you will never want to bank fish again.
This is a really REALLY great way to describe it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
what are you wanting in an upgrade?
@@Eckoballa Unless something drastic changes in 2022 lineup....Im saving up for an Old Town 106 pdl.
Yes, you are correct, you review was one of the best as you took it out. Thanks for that
Excellent informative video. I'm shopping for my first kayak and this seems to be the one that got my attention. I dig that you're rocking the Buc-E's shirt too.
Thanks for you view and comment!
I shamelessly love Buc-ees lol
Love my tamarack. I did swap the seat out for a stadium seat and installed an anchor trolley. It's a really good solid platform to start getting into kayak fishing.
Great review. Just bought one. I'm very happy so far.Strictly use on rivers for smallmouth.
Great video. I’ve had my lifetime for 2 years now. It’s a great beginner kayak. Change my seat to a stadium seat.Trashed the paddle that came with it and bought a better one.
Just a few little upgrades make all the difference in the world.
Thank you for the tracking demo. I been eyeing one for a bit to try my hand at a SOT. I have a sit in for 6ish years and wouldn't trade it for a speckled pup. Most what I see about this (and most others) is how much stuff you can pile on. The older I get, the more simple I aim for. If I can't lift it, I don't want it. Thanks again!
Thank you for your comment! Appreciate the interaction and the feedback my friend!
great review was looking into getting my first kayak and for any one interested tractor supply has them on sale for 199.00 right now so gonna pick up one
Awesome let us know how it works out for you!
I bought mine at the end of August 2020. Now with fishing season done here I have been customizing mine. I found round food containers that work well as divider in the storage area. I just vecroed it to the bottom.
That’s a really good idea
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great video. Just got one today at tractor supply. Having a sale for $249. Can’t wait to get on the water tomorrow
Thanks for watching and commenting! Feel free to check back in and let us know how you like it and if you do any mods to it. I’m always interested in how other people set up their gear
Very good video, very informative. I've been looking at these a lot recently.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
It’s a solid stable kayak. I think it’s a great deal for the retail price
Thanks for the review, Looking at getting one of these next month to fish around the rivers and Back bays here on the gulf coast area of Mississippi.
I think it might do the trick for you pretty well. Thanks for the watch and comment!
Thanks for the review, have seen another with a male 6'5" on the same kayak. The price was nice in 2020 but everything's gone up during the pandemic, I'm more interested in stability so I don't have to worry about motion sickness, thanks again.
Great review. Have had a couple Pelican Bandits and Sundolphin Bali 8ft for a few years and have decided to upgrade, have been vigorously researching the 10ft Bali or Journey, and the Tamarack. Sundolphin definitely has history, but I'm getting more and more sold on these Tamaracks
I bought a tamarack 100 and I really love it just was wondering about going for a overnight trip but stable and great for fishing can't wait to do my over night camp out on it
Depending on what you require to have a comfortable night out it’s totally workable for that. My overnight river set up is basically my overnight hike setup, so it’s super light and small. Hammock, rainfly, trifold stool to sit on. Sometimes I add collapsible grill too to throw in some rocks over the fire. The most weight I run into for overnights is a cooler. Ice, water, a frozen burger patty maybe. I use an ice mule soft ice chest and it work well to hold ice for the first day and part of the second depending on how hot it is out and it straps down nice. Add some lashings for bungee straps where it suits your kit and you’ll be good to go.
Just bought one at tractor supply for 299.00 very excited.tractor supply will ship to your local store or directly to your house 👍 got a my pod seat that fits right on the existing seat and it is adjustable back that locks in different upright positions.
That’s awesome! Judging by the more recent comments it seems the kayak crunch is over and they can be procured at face value again...that’s good to know
Just the info I was looking for, thanks!
I just installed A trolling motor on mine. It was super easy and only cost around 30$ for the mount. My battery and trolling motor only weight 18 pounds. With my mount the motor and battery and a few rods and gear and I am still under my weight capacity of 275 pounds.also have a stadium seat installed.
Ohhhhh that’s nice! That’s also super helpful for folks checking in here. Thank you for sharing the info!
I’ve got one too ….fishing crate , stadium style seat n depth/ fish finder . Biggest mod ….added homemade retractable rudder ..helps with tracking n drift . Great beginning kayak .
Good video. Love my lifetime. You can cheaply add a bag to the storage bins or just switch the bins out to with ones that already have a bag. Upgrading a lifetime is usually easy and cheap.
Is there a specific aftermarket bin with a bag that you used? Do you have a link to where someone could buy them?
Just bought this kayak in Indiana so it's still a little cold for the river but I'm happy with the purchase
SORRY 4 CAPS, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR VIDEO, I COULDN'T WAIT FOR THE PRICES TO GO DOWN I BOUGHT MY FROM WALMART FOR $350. WHAT PART OF THE COUNTRY DID YOU VIDEO THIS, THANKS AGAIN STAY SAFE
I filmed this review in Mineral Wells State Park in Mineral Wells, TX. Was in a weekend adventure down there
My 1st kayak I really enjoy getting on the water in my tamarack
Thanks for watching and commenting! It’s a perfect kayak for a first kayak. You’ll get a lot of good use out of it.
Great video and alot of information
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Going tomorrow on my wall Mart special
Only difference I see on it and on the lifetime site is two storage vessels.
Amazon has lots of hatches with bag's that you can add. 6 inch for around $12. I installed one in front under the bungees.
Thank you for the info!
Ordered mine today, can't wait for it to get here!
Let me know how it works out for you...and if you do any mods to it it be sure and let us know!
Wayward Stories did he?
Haven’t heard back
Great info. Thanks for sharing. Getting this one soon.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the thoughtful smart review! peace..
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great review sir
Thank you so much and thanks for watching!
I used dollar store butterfly nets and super glued them to the inside of the storage ports
That’s flippin’brilliant!
Looking to get my family into kayaking been looking at these but didn't know if it was worth saving the bucks seeing I need 4 of them lol. Just the review I was needing thanks
Thanks for watching and commenting, glad to be of service!
Well I was going to buy a perception pescador pro but I live in MN and found out that you need to buy these expensive little things called dry suits… so I’ll settle with one of these and maybe treat myself to a better paddle and call it a day 😎. Thank you for the helpful video!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Perception makes killer kayaks to be sure. It’s just for the money these are damn good yaks
Might use some of that extra cash to treat yourself to an upgraded seat. That was my one biggest complaint. It does get a bit uncomfortable after extended use
Any idea how this would hold a person who is RIGHT at that weight limit? Not counting coolers, rods, stuff like that (Would probably total out around 290~)?
Wish I could say, but I haven’t had anyone in this one to see how it would handle. All I can say is it’s incredibly stable for me at 200 plus fishing gear and a cooler. Probably coming in at about 230. If anyone else can chime in and help out here please do
I need more capacity, like 350# plan on adding trolling motor +battery.
Great review, may I please ask how tall are you and your approx. weight?
5’11” and about 190 depending on whether or not I got to have Chic Fil A for breakfast
@@WaywardStories Lol I guess I have Chic Fil A much more often than you lol, I'm pushing 225 at 6ft 1in. I just wanted to gauge my comfort level and weight against your opinion and review of your yack. Thanks for responding!
@@ADDade thanks for watching and commenting! You watch reviews like I do...trying to gauge everything you can before you pull the trigger. I try to make my reviews with that in mind so I hope it helped!
Just got one haven’t taken it out yet doing some research as this is my first kayak biggest question I have is the scupper holes do you plug them or not
For me it’s just seasonal. Winter I plug, summer I don’t. Here’s a really good article I found that gives a great background on scupper holes.
www.kayakscupperplugs.com/about-kayak-scupper-plugs/2019/10/3/do-i-need-scupper-plugs
Hope it helps!
Wayward Stories does much water come in through the holes I don’t mind getting wet I’m just confused I thought a hole in any boat was a bad thing lol
Hahahaha. Maybe a quarter of an inch under your legs. Scuppers on sit on top kayaks is meant to keep from having to bail or pump or scoop out water that may come in through ocean waves or running rapids. It’s kind of a self-equalizing deal.
what mods did you make after your review?
I didn’t do a whole lot. Main thing I did was add a holstered plier set next to my thigh, a small tackle box holster and also a rod tube made from PVC along the side off my right rear for storing rod when running rivers and creeks. Also a few extra eyelets around the storage deck for more lashing options for extra gear for overnight floats.
Is it comfortable for long kayaking.??
Honestly, you would want to upgrade the seat pad. But other than that yes
@@WaywardStories thank you
You bet! Thanks for watching!
Do you think I could use it in the gulf of mexico to catch mahi, grouper, and snapper? *These are pretty big fish*
Really hard to say tbh. I haven’t had it in big water like that. All I can say is that it IS very very stable, but it isn’t built quite the same as a sea kayak.
Wish I could be more help but I just haven’t had it out in the ocean to be able to say how it would perform
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Not sure if it helps but I’ve had mine on a couple rivers. One river has some decent small rapids and is fast moving. Another has lots of barge traffic making some considerable wake. I’ve also got a stadium seat on mine. I find they are very stable.
You could actually use a PVC pipe that's just smaller circumference than the hole and cut it the right height to touch the bottom but the top short enough to still use the lid and put some silicone around it all good 🤷♂️😉
That’s a really good idea. Great hack.
Good video, Do you think it could hold up to like 300lbs?
It’s actual specs give a maximum capacity of 275. So I really don’t know. I used to regularly put 20 pounds over the limit on my old sit in pelican kayak for overnight trips and it managed it pretty well. But that’s a different kayak too
I wish I could answer that better. But it is very sturdy and stable so I think it’s at least a possibility
@@WaywardStories You know any other kayaks that would hold up to like 400lbs that wont break my wallet?
@@darkkiller1485 I just did a google to see what’s out there. I didn’t see prices but here’s a well put together list. I recognize pescador in there as brand that’s a great brand
I suspect to get to the weight limit you want and get a quality boat you’ll be looking in the 7-800$ range to get a good middle of the road brand
www.kayakhorizons.com/best-kayaks-for-large-person/#The_5_Best_Kayaks_For_a_Large_Person_in_2020
@@WaywardStories Thank you
No sir thank you for watching the video and interacting!
Is this kayak stable enough to stand in and did you have to upgrade the paddle?
Impersonally wouldn’t trust it to stand in and cast a line. It’s quite stable, but it isn’t designed for that and I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable with it.
The paddle at the time I purchased it 2 years ago was a little bulky and heavy. It worked fine, but it could totally stand an upgrade.
@WaywardStories I have been thinking about purchasing this kayak and have been watching some reviews. In some reviews (and even when I look them up online as if I were going to purchase it) the Tamarack 100 has 2 storage hatches and in other reviews it has only one storage hatch. Then I see the Tamarack 120 and see no difference between it and the Tamarack 100 with 2 storage hatches. Same width, length, draft, weight, etc., except the 120 is more expensive. Then I also see Tamarack 100 and Tamarack Muskie 100 (I'm guessing these 2 are one and the same? ) Could you please clarify some of this if you don't mind? It would be highly appreciated!
This is why I don't like purchasing things online. I want to see in real life what I'm getting. I'm not going to be happy if I order what I think has 2 storage hatches and it comes with only one (or if it comes heavier than shown or any number of things). Unfortunately, no store around here sells these in store.
I wonder if the inside stays dry as long as it don't flip?
Nice job
Black Bear thank you my friend
How tall are you and your weigh in ? I notice will also play in as a factor
5’11” 195
Velcro straps hold things right where you want them.....
Does anyone have any links or info to purchase one for less than 400$?
Honestly your best bet is probably FB marketplace. I honestly don’t know where the market is right now but last summer everything was super high. Covid had all kayaks sold out and people were gouging for them. But that’s the only place we could find one 6 months ago. On marketplace.
Got same one 2 days ago for 299.00 at tractor supply. You can order on line to get delivered to your store or house👍
TSC has them. Walmart has them back in stock for a little more than TSC
Nice yak
Noice
I can tell you from experience get a Tamarack Pro or a Teton if going 10ft. For the extra money, your back will thank you.
Thanks for the input, I will do some research on these two yaks you mentioned. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have a 10' Teton and love it. All of the Lifetime sit-ons are quite stable, but I fish with mine on a small lake with psycho boaters who don't respect anyone. Without adding outriggers, I would have swamped a dozen times already. Aside from not flipping, the outriggers allow me to sit higher with a 2x4 under the seat for my back.
51lbs
i dont kayak. i tamarach.
😂😂 well played!
Not 35 lbs
Nah they 51lbs
You got a hole in your rig dopey...
do you think this would hold up in wavy waters?
It’s pretty stable. But I think with anything short of an ocean kayak it would have its limits to how choppy the water could be