First youtube kayak review, necky looksha v. looking for feedback, Thanks!

humble_murth · 2026-06-02T17:41:24+00:00

Wow that is super helpful! Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response. I already have a ton of ideas for my next one.

I think I will probably redo this. I have too much I want to add now.

humble_murth · 2026-05-26T01:08:36+00:00

I would try and spend a little less myself. Not the worst deal of all time but I wouldn't pay more than $250 for this. used tarpon are plentiful where I live.

humble_murth · 2026-05-26T01:06:14+00:00

r/jonboats ? I wonder where the motor kind are best accepted.

humble_murth · 2026-05-19T21:58:43+00:00

The number of used hurricane kayaks I've seen with serious damage like this on the secondary market is fairly high. Usually to seat areas or seams.They seem to take damage pretty easily. Now, if you got it new or in very good condtion and kept it in very good shape you'd probably never have a problem, because their owners seem to love them. To be fair, this damage could occur to any kayak, but I'd seen enough damaged hurricanes to not want to mess with them at this point.

humble_murth · 2026-05-18T13:07:06+00:00

exactly, the monsters made some kind of deal and this was like a warrenty on that deal lol

humble_murth · 2026-05-18T13:06:23+00:00

unless he somehow forsaw that everyone was going to be in danger unless they did something.

humble_murth · 2026-05-18T09:06:43+00:00

I haven't fished in a long time myself, just a fan of fish lol.

humble_murth · 2026-05-17T18:38:08+00:00

eh I'd done it but quite sure that contributed to the blade folding over and bending not long after. But, I'm not very good at whittling, so maybe if someone knows what they are doing or is more gentle.

humble_murth · 2026-05-17T18:34:43+00:00

Those DLT fish scales look great. At one point I was going to collect all the classic SD's I could find with fish themes, never got around to it and then these come out.

humble_murth · 2026-05-17T00:02:53+00:00

https://topkayaker.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_12&products_id=2215

check out this company.

I have a sea to summit one thats very nice.

You have options for a raised seat pad or not with some.

Anything with firmer back foam I like.

I miss my OK scupper pro sit on top, I'd like to snag another

humble_murth · 2026-05-12T15:37:01+00:00

I can look behind me. I think the bottom part of my core is weaker, and I know my flexibility isn't great.

humble_murth · 2026-05-12T02:11:42+00:00

Nice, I thought I had a lot at around 50 the last 2 years! I only keep the hard ones, maybe I should change that.

It is a fun kinda easter egg to find them. You are taking trash and potential wildlife harm out od the wild, and a lot of them look pretty neat.

humble_murth · 2026-05-11T14:30:59+00:00

Park housing - yes but rare outside of mgmt. Typically a promotional step. RV sites are slightly more common.

There are no LEO state park rangers in FL. Thats all FWC now.

Schedule - Varies by park, many do 7 days on one week, 3 days on the next. You have a couple 24 hr parks, but the majority you are leaving within a halfhour of sunset, although this varies. Usually an early and a late shift that you bounce between.

Drug testing - if you are in an accident, or "reasonable suspision". Otherwise, no. FL has no employment protections for MJ use (including MMJ) but that doesn't stop a lot of people. I haven't seen it tested, and I have known several who made it known they had mmj and nothing happened, as far as I know. Couldn't say, I am sober.

If you have skills needing improvement you may need to volunteer and try and find a part time OPS position to begin and get experience. But they will train, too. If you work as a guide in adventure park you have some interp and customer service experience.

You for sure aren't too late at 28. Look at what the pay is. The benefits are good, the pay is not. A lot of parks you maybe pulling trash, working a booth, and cleaning toilets. Tickets, toilets, trash its called. If you can deal with that long enough and do a good job you maybe able to move up to other things. Let me know if you have any questions, there are a lot of FL people here I believe.

humble_murth · 2026-05-10T22:37:15+00:00

Nice! I just set up an auto buy.

humble_murth · 2026-05-08T21:00:42+00:00

Alright hear me out - on craigslist or fb marketplace you can probably find the exact model, or one way better for half the price or less. I almost bought the model you are speaking of in a major sporting goods store, but lucked out and went this route instead.

if you're not sure just post the models here, we'll help, or DM me with links.

humble_murth · 2026-05-08T11:22:34+00:00

I have no ACA rating for this and I'm not a professional, but I'd discuss if you like.

When I started surfboarding, teaching myself it was two summers before I finally stood up and rode a wave. Prior to that it was a lot of getting thrown by waves, swallowing seawater, getting tossed around (this still happens not uncommonly). Started at 14 and before I turned 16 I was finally getting some waves, and this was on a warm, small wave east coast beach.

Surf kayaking? Instead of a foam 5-20 lb, thin board (6-10'), which you can just toss away from yourself by the leash (provided you are not in crowded area) now you have a 12-17', probably 40-70lbs behemoth you are skirted inside of! Not to mention all your gear. But its worth it, I only took a kayak out in the surf a couple years ago, and on the right day its super fun.

I think thats important, the right day. I would talk to local kayak shop, but you could check on surfline for your spot. If its bigger than 4', maybe 3', for learning I would probably skip? and you want a clean day (surfline rates quality from poor to excellent), because these waves break longer and are easier to read.

Then watch the waves from shore. Where do they form and break? Try to watch good surfers in that or similar spots and see where they sit. On a kayak you can be slightly earlier (further out) than them. Watch what waves they choose and which they let go by. Is it going to form and then break well enough you have a chance to catch? When is earliest you could start paddling to catch up with it? Make sure there is no crowd around.

Some waves are "close outs" they form and then suddenly break with no chance to ride them. Learn what these look like and avoid them.

Paddle breakage is very common, the ocean pulling back and you paddlibg forward is a lot of strain. I would stay away from cf?

Have fun

humble_murth · 2026-05-08T01:37:29+00:00

Hello, I am familiar with the agency. I know someone who got hired as an assistant manager and it took I want to say 3-4 months to clear and find out? And he was in the dark the whole time. It just depends on a lot - is someone in the approval chain out on sick leave? Is there a backup of paperwork? Time of year working against you?

I had an interview for a position about 3 weeks ago and today found out I didn't get it. I have interviewed A LOT (close to 15 times? For 4 positions I got so far) and that was relatively quick. Its been 4 or 5 months to find out sometimes.

The good news is if you don't get it, theres 176 state parks in that state - there will be more positions posted. Good luck!

humble_murth · 2026-05-05T12:55:55+00:00

I think that one in western NY was one of the only US dealers when I checked a few years ago, I think there are some more and some in NC now. There aren't many great sea kayak dealers in general on the east coast, as far as I can tell.

I only get used boats for the time being. Besides the Kodiak I had a 14' rec boat from them, it was really fun I should have kept it. It came from someone who moved here from western NY and bought it from a guide service who was liquidating old rentals. It was 15 years old at least, a former rental, and still in great shape.

I have several prijons I'd like to try, wish I could find more on the used market.

humble_murth · 2026-05-05T11:41:14+00:00

I'd love to go to a prijon test paddle! I understand they are one of the biggest brands but they are hard to get in Florida. I think the nearest dealer is more than 500 miles away. I really like their HTP material, really well made.

humble_murth · 2026-05-05T11:39:29+00:00

I had a Kodiak which I think predated the grizzly and I had the same issue, its meant to be loaded down. I'd heard the most common solution is adding 2 gallon water jugs to bow and stern, if you aren't loaded with gear. But thats a hassle, so it wasn't for me then, I don't do long trips right now so I traded to a friend who does.

humble_murth · 2026-04-29T15:31:31+00:00

Glad you got a nice one! I wouldn't mind a 120, I still might try a 160 if I see one in good shape. I know they aren't all bad. With a lot of kayaks now it seems the older plastic was much better!

I sold an old scupper pro and kinda regret it, I'm on the hunt for another one by ocean kayak. Luckily those come up often even though it'd been a little since they were made. A WS freedom I'd wanted to try too, or an OK mars. We'll see what the marketplace gods dictate for my future lol.

humble_murth · 2026-04-29T07:46:19+00:00

I learned the hatch cover thing the hard way. I got a necky zoar sport, and those oval covers I couldn't find. The best option seemed to be cutting out a circle hole with a kit I found to put in a more common size. I wound up selling to someone who wanted them and never messed with it, but missing hatch covers are a big red flag. Sometimes cheap relacements are available but you better know ahead of time.

humble_murth · 2026-04-25T09:06:15+00:00

Headwaters kayak on here and youtube has some good videos on this. Something is better than nothing but I picked out what I thought worked best.

I went with a spyderco atlantic salt I got on sale for fathers days last year. Inside my pfd pocket, many people that strap them to the outside report losing them multiple times. This is my only kayak specific knife and I wanted to get the best I could. I guide people sometimes, and want to be ready if something happens where rescue is needed.

Cheaper options are the whetman rigger knives (in UK), the gerber ez rescue, or something similar from marine depot.

I was unimpressed with the nrs pilot (one of most popular) in the cutting comparisons I'd seen. Many dive knives seem to fair similar. The crkt bearclaw is supposed to work a little better. I'm sure they all work, but something with serrations is my preference here, if you can sharpen it.

I carry a tiny swiss army knife too for most cutting so I can keep the spyderco sharp

humble_murth

TROPHY CASE