Crescent Kayaks Shoalie | Initial Thoughts and Impressions (On the River)

[@shaneoakley8757]

Love my Lite Tackle 2. It’s my jeep of all my kayaks. Crescent does good things

[@kurtschlager695]

Nice review. I purchased the Shoalie last year, when they first came out. I've been yak fishing for 20 years, and this is a great, simplistic river kayak. I don't modify my yaks. I just place three power-BFS rods up front and bring some lures and tackle. I enjoy keeping it simple on a kayak. I'm also riding a yupik, which also has a very open layout. I've also owned an OG coosa, cuda, pungo, prowler and a tarpon. Highly recommend the Shoalie, if you're just looking for a paddle river kayak. If I leave the Shoalie out in the rain, I do get some water in the hull. That's typical with most SOT with a ton of screws in it. I was really impressed with Crescent, when we purchased my wife's Ultralite yak. Keep up the great river smallmouth content!

[@RivermanTV-]

It's simplicity was a big draw to me. I wanted something that I could make a little more complicated, but only when I wanted to. I like that I can choose to hit a shallow river with just a paddle and not really worry about anything else. As far as the water in the hull, you are right. In comparison to my Compass I still think the Shoalie lets in noticeably less water but time will tell.

[@steved.9839]

Great work! Love seeing you keep with the paddle yak

[@RivermanTV-]

Absolutely. There's a time and a place for keeping it simple.

[@tdotson66]

Great video review. Thanks for posting 👍👍

[@ilyakkin]

I ran into the same issues with the motor install. Had to get creative with the tightening. I like what you did with the power pole a lot.

[@RivermanTV-]

Mind sharing how you did your tightening? It is definitely close quarters in there.

[@coldspring624]

Toggler bolt anchors by Garelick are used for many boat seat pedestal mounts. Hard to tell from here but they may be the ticket for the hard to reach fasteners.

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bronzebackbilly9034]

Yak gadget makes a riser for the Toto grip to bring them up a bit.

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks for the heads up

[@samuels2219]

When do you use this kayak over a pedal drive and which one do you prefer?

[@RivermanTV-]

It mostly depends on depth and vegetation. the Shoalie is great for shallow rivers because I can just paddle or have have the motor on the back and raise it up as needed. A pedal drive option is great for small adjustments in position on a deeper river or a lake. However, especially with a prop style drive, it can be really bothersome to constantly pull it up in shallow water or to untangle weeds from it. Not to mention the deck space it takes away from you.