Guys, please help me, the Cuda, or the Ride 115?...I'm stuck

[Linc]

As the title states, I'm stuck here. It's time for a new boat (well...it's WAY past time). I've been fishing an OK Scrambler XT for the last 10 years give or take, so my needs are moot. I'm not used to any fishing features at all Here's the thing.... I don't have a truck. I know, I know... don't hate. That's really all that's holding me up, the fact that I do have to lift the kayak over my head to get it on my car. (No, Hully rollers don't work on my car). But the weight isn't really an issue, I flip my yak over and 'walk' it up to it's balance point, and I'm in decent shape (for a 40-something). I plan on getting a truck at some point, but it's sure nice not having a car payment. And besides, my accountant (read wife there) would flip if I got a new yak and a truck in the same fiscal year. AND she's pregnant, so it's hormone overload.

There's really no 'cons' on either boat, they both will do what I need them to. It's just down to an 11.5 ft. boat vs. a 14+ ft. boat. But I have to say, the seating system, and all the little touches, and the better tracking on the Cuda lean me that way. Besides, nobody around here has one. That I've seen out anyway. This is a Hobie town for sure.

Anyway..... is there something I'm not considering? Both boat are roughly the same weight, they do the same things stability-wise, I just like the features on the Cuda better. And BTW, I'm not going to make my decision based on an opinion from a forum, no need to point that out. I'm just wondering if there is something I'm not considering....

Thanks KBF'ers....Oh, and I posted here because 90% of what I do now is fish salt flats, I always have my OK's (a scrambler, and an XT) to hit the fresh.

[Yakhunter]

You can probably do what you want to do with either boat the Cuda will probably be faster and track better. The 115 and Cuda are pretty different from each other. I have a lot of seat time on the flats in the Cuda, my time in the 115 is limited. The Cuda is pretty stable, if your doing a lot of sight fishing then I don't have to mention the value in being able to stand and read the water. The high seat shines in this capacity as well. Getting up and down all day to me is a lot easier in a boat with a traditional chair like seat. I spent a few weeks with a guide fishing on the flats earlier in the winter, he was fishing from a OK prowler and had been for a couple of years, on one of the days he took out the Cuda and has since replaced all of his fleet boats with it.

The reasons he gave me were, speed, maneuverability and the standing learning curve is shorter. Standing and fishing there was a necessity.

The 115 I believe is marketed as a river,small lake..etc boat. A shorter all around stable stand able boat if you will. (just going by the videos and what I have read). The time I did paddle it I do remember it being pretty speedy.

Like the Ride the Cuda has a lot of secondary stability which is nice to have.

If its not a matter of length or weight, (pretty much the same weight on both) for flats and open water I would look closely at the Cuda. If you were looking for rivers,smaller lakes,creeks etc I would lean more towards the Ride of the choices you mentioned.

That's my two cents...that doesent cost a dime..

[Yakhunter]

Thought I might add an action photo....really I just like the photo, my girlfriend was out fishing with me and I had no clue she snapped it until we got back. I was working my way across the most active flat of the day and I was a bit distracted!!

[knobcreekman]

I demoed the Cuda last weekend and man that boat is sa-weeet! There's just too many features to ignore. Plus, I do virtually no river fishing, so the 115 is out for me. I really don't have much to add beyond what you've already learned probably. I will just restate what I'm sure you already know: Determine how YOU will use it and buy the best boat for you. These two boats are so different, it should be an easy decision for you. I will be purchasing the Cuda asap.

[Too Busy]

I'm just curious why you'd narrow it down to a Cuda or a Ride 115.
The Ride 135 is more comparable. The tracking on the R135 is a good bit better than the R115, so are the speed and glide.

[Yakhunter]

I'm just curious why you'd narrow it down to a Cuda or a Ride 115.
The Ride 135 is more comparable. The tracking on the R135 is a good bit better than the R115, so are the speed and glide.

I thought the same thing the 135 is more comparable.

[airbornemike]

Thats a dam pretty shot, looks like paradise to this rust belter.

Thought I might add an action photo....really I just like the photo, my girlfriend was out fishing with me and I had no clue she snapped it until we got back. I was working my way across the most active flat of the day and I was a bit distracted!!

[Steelyak]

Do you really need scupper holes? If not I'd also check out the Commander 120 (light to roof rack) 140 or Ultimate 14.5. Its said every times there's a "what boat should I buy" thread, but you should really think about what your priorities are in a boat and demo the ones you think might meet your needs.

[Linc]

Do you really need scupper holes? If not I'd also check out the Commander 120 (light to roof rack) 140 or Ultimate 14.5. Its said every times there's a "what boat should I buy" thread, but you should really think about what your priorities are in a boat and demo the ones you think might meet your needs.

I tried both of the 'hybrids' you mentioned. While standing was nice and pretty easy, I do plan on making trips out to deeper water. So a sit on top is still a preference to me. As far as the 115 and not the 135, I don't feel I need the extra 2 feet, and I've been paddling an 11 footer a long time, so I just graduated towards the 115. I've paddled both the 115 and 135 and for me the 135 was no more stable, and really it tracked very comparably to it's little brother. If there was an 11.5 version of the Cuda, I'd probably choose it for portability. But seeing as there isn't, I can live with the 14 feet. I won't have the chance to paddle a Cuda as there is no dealer anywhere near me. But given the amount of info, and video, I have a pretty good idea of what it would be like.

As I stated in my OP, I won't be basing my decision on what anyone says here, I just like hearing the opinions of people who own either of those boats.

I appreciate the input, thanks.

[elgeebee]

I was in the market for a new kayak myself when my oldest son expressed his interest in kayaking.

The seating system on the Cuda is what sold me on the boat, followed by the speed. I own a 2011 Ride 135 and I had a hard time keeping up with the guys in the Cudas that I was fishing with - and they were paddling from the high-position too.

Now, I haven't paddled a newer Ride 135, but I understand they have done some tweaking to the hull and the phase 3 seat on the new Ride 135 and 115 looks great too - I just want to try a different brand right now...