Fishing Kayak Showdown | Nucanoe Unlimited vs. Bonafide SS127

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Let us know what you think! Unlimited or SS127?

[@horvathszovatiandras5959]

i got the ss 127 and i am loving it. my winter project this year is seting up a stern mount troling motor for fishong on larger rivers and covering distance.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@horvathszovatiandras5959 glad you are loving it! What color did you go with?

[@horvathszovatiandras5959]

@@thebeardedpaddler Top gun gray . Was thinking on the venom first but that was out of stock and i also liked the gray one as well. 😄

[@y2kings00]

I agree with all of your points here. My decision ended up being the Unlimited, and I couldn't be happier. From my experience I would use the amount of paddling you plan to do as the determining factor if you fish exclusively. If you are planning on paddling 20 ft. to deeper water and then engaging a bow mount motor, stern mount motor, pedal drive, or a combination of two, nothing can touch the Unlimited. If you plan on paddling regularly, the nod goes to the Bonafide by a mile. I've paddled both of these boats, and the SS127 is noticeably easier to manage using the multiple seat heights available. I'd also add another component of whether or not you plan to hunt with your kayak. The ridiculous weight capacity of the Unlimited, as well as the ability to customize it to just about any purpose, makes it a far superior hunting craft. 2 seasons ago, I was able to paddle a mid size buck out on a small creek rather than pulling it up a half a mile of rough terrain and hillside. This season I have added a layout style blind for duck hunting, and the open deck and moveable seat support that in a way the SS127 really cant match. Like anything these decisions will always come down to preference, but figured I'd give my 2 cents as a dude who has used both and has a ton of time in the Unlimited. Great video man!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thank you for your feedback. Great points!

[@BassDudeFishn]

I have a Unlimited and I use to own the SS127. The SS127 got a dent in the side from sitting on the side in the kayak rack. I like the Unlimited better. Seems to be built better and it's more versatile. You can setup the kayak the way you want.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Yes you can!

[@338REMULTRAMAGCOYOTE]

The seat can be lowered in the Unlimited. I run an Unlimited and like it. I really like being able to move the seat around. It certainly changes the handling of the boat and how you can load it.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

You can but it takes an accessory purchase (seat spacer kit) if you want to maintain the function of the swivel seat. Huge difference though with the seat forward and backward position though with load management.

[@bigbuckdown1631]

The Unlimited seat can be set lower, if you flip the frame the seat sits on it will set you lower.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

It can, You do lose the swivel function unless you buy the spacer kit from Nucanoe. It's still stable either way

[@parnell1295]

I’ve had a Native Slayer Max, SS127 and I’m now in the Unlimited. I’ve loved a lot of different things about each. But ultimately the winner for me was the Unlimited, the 360 seat has been a game changer, and that open deck feels like I’m fishing on a bass boat 😂😂. I do run the Xi3, but have also paddled it as well, it tracks better than my Bonafide did, but you do need a loooooong paddle. In the end, you can’t go wrong with either one 👍

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Great feedback. Thank you for sharing your experience. You really can't go wrong with either one

[@dougrichards3649]

SS 127

[@thebeardedpaddler]

The PWR129 changed this video for sure. It came out 2 weeks after I did this video lol

[@Kevin_D1]

I have owend a Nucanoe Unlimited for a few years now. This kayak is a tank. I stand on it and can move around pretty well with no issues.Paddling this beast is a lot slower compared to numerous kayaks I have encountered on the water. I always get left behind. However, I now have a trolling motor installed so I only paddle when its necessary. There is so much that you can do with this kayak. I also love all of the rails it comes with. The unlimited is pricey but if your nervous about stability like I was then you WILL not go wrong with the Unlimted.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

I agree. It's very easily customizable and the flat transom really helps

[@mlinkinsfla]

I bought a SS127 and fish primarily in a lake. I placed the seat in the high position and have never needed to lower it for paddling. Now I have a Xi3 bow mount which really opened up my fishing locations and improved my ability to fish while standing. In all fairness, I have never used a Nucanoe, so I can't speak to how well I would like it.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thank you for your feedback. You can't go wrong with either one.

[@jtmarshall]

Been leaning towards a unlimited.. wanted one for a year.. finally gonna get one..

[@thebeardedpaddler]

It's a great choice! Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgiaKayakAngler]

I lost one of my sea legs in 2008 sooooo. 😂😂😂😂 I’m really gonna be testing the stability in the Unlimited when I get it.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

glad to see you are still in it though!

[@poipu425]

remember that you can reverse the seat base in the nucanoe to essentially put in a low position. i think this would help when using a pivot drive which i have in the pursuit model. the new seat from a few years ago tilts you slightly back which lets you peddle the kayak more efficiently. replace the pedals with some exercise bike foot pedals with straps for your feet and it works better yet.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Absolutely, I do prefer the higher seat with pedal drive so I can sit more upright when fishing. Its also because of my height and inseam. But some do like the lower seat to use the pedal drive. Keep in mind that when you do flip the base you lose the swivel functionality. They do sell spacers to prevent that though. Thanks for watching!

[@poipu425]

@@thebeardedpaddler didn't know that about losing the swivel which makes sense...thank you for that

[@scotthanaman7849]

The Pursuit interest me, I currently have the SS127

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Pursuit is their fastest paddling kayak. Road Trip Angler does some good videos on the Pursuit

[@grumpysgarage7276]

My first kayak in 2021 was the RS117. I really liked it and found it stable. I've since had to sell it. Now I'm looking to get a kayak to motorize with an Xi3. I'm leaning towards the Unlimited. I'm a track junky and like lots of tracks which the Unlimited offers. Not looking to paddle unless necessary. Great video as always

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thanks! Can't go wrong with either one. The Unlimited really pairs nicely with the Xi3

[@HookLife]

I love my 127 for lakes where I don’t have to travel tremendous distance. Currently I only have a paddle. No motor. Regardless it’s a great platform. Recently I’ve started fishing. A lot of small to medium size rivers in Indiana and it is a good platform for the rivers, but I think I would like some thing with a little bit more agility and speed. Paddling occurrence and be extremely difficult at times.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

RVR119 is great with rivers. I'm a big fan of the 127 though. A lot of value and features packed into one kayak

[@HookLife]

@@thebeardedpaddler I’m really wanting a pedal drive. I’m shopping around. I’m a big dude 300lbs and fish a few times a month. Rivers and lakes. Any recommendations on a peddle that does well in rivers and lakes?

[@rayrutherford1691]

Excellent review. Can't go wrong with either but as you said you really have to know your needs. I would probably lean more towards the SS127 mainly because of the paddling performance.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Its all about what you need a kayak to do! Thank you for watching!

[@DasGoat896]

I had a hard time deciding between these 2 kayaks a few months ago but ended up with the Unlimited. The 360 seat and the endless options for rigging with the open deck on the Unlimited was the deal breaker.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thanks for your feedback! You will love the Unlimited

[@tdotson66]

Great video review Andy. Thanks for posting 👍👍

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thank you.

[@metalhead0731]

I've commented on some of your newer TitanX 12 videos and stumbled up on this one. Honestly didnt know you could pedal the Unlimited. How would ypu compare the Unlimited to the new Titan?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Hello there! They are really 2 different kayaks. The pedal drive is an add on for the Nucanoes (called the pivot drive) They are both great kayaks with the Titan weighing quite a bit more. The downside to the pivot drive is that it does clutter up the deckspace quite a bit and is a bit on the pricey side around $1400. Biggest thing to consider is what you want to do with the kayak, how you are hauling it, and how you want to rig it up (accessories, motor, electronics, etc)

[@metalhead0731]

@thebeardedpaddler thanks for the response. I was curious about how much deck space it took up. But I do like that you can remove it and have a completely open deck. I also like that the nucanoe can be setup as a 2 or 2.5 seater. With my little ones, that may come in handy.

[@scotthanaman7849]

How do you feel about the Pursuit vs SS 127

[@thebeardedpaddler]

2 completely different kayaks. The SS is primarily used for lakes and primary stability. The Pursuit is very speedy

[@scotthanaman7849]

@@thebeardedpaddler if I can paddle the SS 127 at 2.5 to 3 at a reasonable pace. How much faster would the Pursuit be?

[@scotthanaman7849]

I ' d like to keep paddling, sell SS and buy Pursuit of there is that big a difference at least try it out

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@scotthanaman7849 I wouldn't pit a MPH to it but it's easily double the speed of the SS. If you want speed and efficiency go with the Pursuit. If you want stability then the SS might fit the bill. I would get hands on both of them if you are torn.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@scotthanaman7849 The Road Trip Angler on KZbin has some really good content on the Pursuit if you want to check it out

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Whoop whoop 🎉 nice comparison Andy 👊😎

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thank you. Putting more effort into them

[@bobbyhogan9207]

@@thebeardedpaddler it shows brother 👊😎

[@timswenson6872]

Oh btw, you did not mention the nucanoe 360 swivel seat which is huge in importance to me. Unless I missed that in the video.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Pretty sure I did BUT not 100% sure lol. It is a big deal, but for me, the comfort level is there on the SS127 seat. I use Kayak Cushions on all my seats so not a huge deal to me. You should see the swivel seat that is on the Titan X. Someone at Native Watercraft is listening! Thanks for watching!

[@jasonrobelia8829]

What is the seat hight from the factory on the unlimited?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Give me a bit on that. On the road currently

[@michaelbrown4420]

Great comparison video. I'm in the market for a new kayak and both of these are on my short list. I am curious why you made it sound like the nucanoe seat couldn't be lowered at all? I know it can. It just takes extra steps and you need the kit to maintain the 360 feature. I'll definitely be checking out your other videos soon.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Good question. I just meant "out of the box" you can lower but it requires a purchase of accessory to get the functionality that you already get with the SD127. Wait until you see the PWR129

[@skeet6189]

Ive seen one of your videos where your talking about the Jackson Yupik so what I was wondering is beetween the Yupik and the SS127..Whick one is more stable and which one paddles better. I’m a bigger heavier guy so I’m wondering which one of the two would be best for me.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Yupik will paddle better. Being a big guy he may like the open deck space and the room he gets with the Yupik