Cobra Fish N Dive Kayak Review
Answers provided by Ed Whited
1. How long have been fishing the Fish N' Dive?
I have been fishing the F~N~D for a little over 2 years now.
2. Why did you choose this boat?
I won a Kayak tournament and the first prize was a $1,000.00 shop credit for a Cobra Kayak. I already had Cobra Tourer and was undecided on which model to buy. I figured that I would get a Fish & Dive and use it for a loaner for friends. I started getting it set up with a fish finder, rod holders, seat and bait tank. Pretty soon my fish finder in my Tourer broke down and I found I was taking out the F~N~D all of the time. It has been almost a year since I have taken the Tourer down off of the rack.
3. Have you owned other boats? Which? In what order? Discuss your progression to the eXtreme.
Cobra Tourer, Wilderness Pungo (long term loaner from a friend for my daughter to use) and now the F~N~D.
4. What are the tradeoffs of this kayak?
The F~N~D is not the fastest or easiest most efficient boat to paddle. It can wander while paddling unless attention is paid to keep it on track. The F~N~D does not glide very far nor straight. It drifts down wind on an angle, bow first. The heel rests are small and can be too tight for a big footed guy, especially if he is wearing shoes. It is heavy and a handful to load onto a truck rack. In fact it can be quite a work out to paddle this beast.
5. What are the strengths of this kayak?
This kayak is stupidly stable, I have never felt like I was going to tip over, although I have actually flipped it once in the surf. It doesn't matter if I' m offshore in La Jolla or in the rough chop and boat wakes in San Diego bay, I always feel comfortable and stable. The huge hatch between the legs provides the access to store almost anything you will take fishing. No scooting up to the bow to open the bow hatch. I can get four 7 foot rods and reels in and out of the hatch without moving from my seat. I have a Bait Tank in the tank well, seven different rod holders and a fish finder on my kayak. I can sit cross legged and paddle when my legs get tired. I have sat on the hatch facing backwards, laid down for a quick rest or sat sideways. I have even stood up on the center hatch in calm water. I feel perfectly comfortable moving all over my F~N~D. No matter how much tackle I carry, I have never come close to overloading my F~N~D. It has a 600 pound carrying capacity, amongst the highest carrying capacity in the industry.
6. What is the one thing that keeps it above the rest in your mind?
What is the one thing that keeps it above the rest in your
mind?
The stability and carrying capacity of this kayak makes it my favorite
kayak. For really big paddlers, there are few kayaks that can compare.
It is not a perfect kayak, but it is easy to fish from and easy to customize.
7. Anything else?
I'm 5'11", 215 pounds, 48 years old, am in moderate shape and have been paddling for 4 years. It is impossible to make a valid comparison if you don't have this information about the reviewer.