Bonafide Kayaks RVR 119 River Review/ Rescue Mission

[@OnlyFins]

I've had both my coosa hd, and my rvr in strong class 2 rapids, and the rvr absolutely spanked the coosa hd. I can't wait to run some class 3 in the rvr. Great tips on edging! I think if more kayak anglers knew whitewater techniques, they'd prefer river fishing over lakes.

[@johnhiggins1071]

Fantastic video and I watched a lot of them . I’m a lifetime time commercial and recreational fishermen, your seat comment is spot on. All boats have extreamly specific use and needs and at this price it’s always a compromise and I believe that’s what you experienced in the seat, folks can modify the seat inexpensively themselves just as done with so many lower end equipment or specific individual need. In the late sixties we built the skateboards they have today in our basements, buying parts made for soft wheel roller derby roller skates…. and where do you think the car Ranchero or Elcameeno came from, a cut up station wagon, modify the seat, love you with your boy

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Not off base at all. Great review. Its definitely not meant for a whitewater boat but can handle some water than a lot of fishing kayaks can not. I would love to see a low seat on it as well. Maybe they can have a lowering kit similar to what Nucanoe does.

[@JamesJohnsonFishing]

It's tough because Bonafide's is comfortable fishing first. So the high seat is a big plus for a lot of people. That being said, the SS127 has a high/low position. I personally think they should offer that in all their boats. But there's things on this one that I really like: The integrated setup for an anchor wizard and a spot for a ketch measuring board. Oddly enough, they just came out with a new boat (PWR 129) that has neither. It seems to have improvements over the SS127 but doesn't incorporate some of the best features of the RVR. Oh well, maybe on the next one.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I agree that from a fishing standpoint this kayak outshines it’s competition. However I think it misses the mark for its intended use and user. Hopefully they will add a lower position to future models.

[@JamesJohnsonFishing]

@@HeadwatersKayak we will see! I think having the high/low seat like some of there other models is key. Even if someone prefers the high position most of the time, there’s clearly a need in some situations.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

@@JamesJohnsonFishing for sure. The high seat only limits this boats true potential in rivers. A low seat could make a very good boat GREAT! Not sure if Bonafide watches these videos or not, but hopefully they'll take the feedback to heart.

[@letsgofishing4904]

I almost bought one and sold my SS127, but, like you, hated the seat. If this had the SS127 adjustable height seat, it would be perfect for me.

[@K9River]

You compared it to the Coosa. How does it fair against the 11 foot CK1?

[@kirkzembower9704]

Can I have more details on the holed for your phone that is mounted to your PFD please

[@imxploring]

Nice looking yak... seems a bit pricey... and as you mentioned... the high seat and corresponding high center of gravity looks like an issue to me.

[@jporter504]

Good review.

[@437johnl]

Is that a west wright potter 19 sailboat? I'm really digging your videos, I'm learning a lot . Thanks. I live in Arizona not much water here. I'm so jealous of the beautiful rivers you got there. I just purchased an aqua glide noyo 90. I haven't made it to the lake yet. Parker Canyon Lake in southern AZ.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes it’s a Potter 19’. Actually just sold it. New owners coming to get it tomorrow. We have a 1977 Catalina 25 now.

[@437johnl]

cool, I had an 72 Aquarius 23@@HeadwatersKayak

[@HedlessHorsman]

What's your favorite yak for lake/flatwater day trips? I'm 6' 240 and will want to take a 5gal bucket of gear with a cooler.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Eddyline Caribbean 14

[@michaelthomas5156]

Liking the boat but the seat might be a deal breaker for me.looking like more of a flat water boat. Thanks for the on water review

[@HeadwatersKayak]

No problem 👍

[@DannyDuke-c6b]

What do you think about perception outlaw 11.5?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I don't care for how it paddles. I think there are many better boats at that price. MOken 12.5, Crescent Lite Tackle,

[@JACT1101]

Would this be a good flat water only option? I want a fishing kayak but something still manuverable and easier to paddle.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

It’s ok for skinny water, but if you have to cover ground I think there are better options.

[@tx_reaper5973]

Such as? For options?

[@chronicnoob8673]

What would you recommend for choppy ocean inlets?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Something longer and narrower.

[@elvislee7686]

Dan, how does this compare to the FeelFree Moken 12.5v2?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

The Moken is a much more versatile all around kayak. Not all the bells and whistles, but it handles better for me in rivers and is still very fishable. We’ve done a few river fishing videos with the Moken over the years. Go check ‘em out.

[@elvislee7686]

@@HeadwatersKayak oh yeah I've been a subscriber for a few years now and you were the one who convinced me that the Moken 12.5v2 was the right boat for me. I just wanted to see if you have changed your mind about the Moken since there has been a few new fishing paddle kayaks on the market as of late. Happy to see you haven't change your mind about the Moken lol.

[@Westerntraveler]

What is the price category and length

[@HeadwatersKayak]

11’ and $1699 as of September 2024

[@parzable]

​@@HeadwatersKayak 2024? ☝️🍋🍸

[@HeadwatersKayak]

@@parzableoops it’s 2023 still.

[@jbooh88]

Anyone do a good lt2 and shoalie comparison. Tell me the channel and im there

[@MysticalDragon73]

As with all bonafides they have a deceptive capacity ratings. People need to stop supporting them and push them to be accurate with their capacity ratings. Stating a capacity rating but then in the fine print stating you need to subtract the boats weight from the is absurd. All to hype and misrepresent their boats. Many may not see this and many retailers may not know this or will be honest with their customers. Sadly they arent the only manufacturers to do this, and ALL of them should be held accountable. This needs to be done before someone dies from it.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

For me it’s not a capacity thing. The boat will support a ton of weight. It’s the fact of the seat was so high that it loses its secondary stability and dynamic water. In flat water that’s not a problem. So I guess what I’m saying is capacity and stability are not directly related in this case.

[@MysticalDragon73]

@@HeadwatersKayakvery good points. I just refuse to support the deception that bonafide and others are doing. I got an ss127 thinking the capacity was an actual capacity rating (their disclaimer came out well after I got one and likely was because of the rage and noise so many owners and reviewers were making) I was needing to haul chainsaws, winches and rope to clear rivers. I did a test run and was annoyed to discover how little it could hold safely. Then a review came out a month or two later showing this. Its sadly only a matter of time before someone dies by loading their boat to the "capacity" and in reality its overloaded. Capacity should ALWAYS be what you put into the boat. There are many prominent reviewers that are pushing for a standard vs letting manufacturing marketing leading the way like it appears to be with bonafide, oldtown and others.

[@johnhiggins1071]

I agree capacity should be listed as strictly the weight you load the boat with but your example of what you were trying to use a kayak for shouts don’t even try regardless of the printed word. For example, all vehicle tow railings capacity are based on 1.5 hrs of towing across flat ground, so other then that senerio I tell people to cut your vehecile tow rate by 40% or your going to have an accident towing your campa that exceeds that actual 40% dropped raining @@MysticalDragon73

[@andyraymond3891]

@@MysticalDragon73 I agree, that's a lousy way to show capacity. However, I'm about 225 lbs., so this still allows for about 115 lbs. of additional gear, which is plenty. I can take a motor, battery and all the fishing gear I'd need for a day's trip, plus plus camping gear. I've have floated down rivers loaded with camping and fishing equipment including an iced up cooler and never had any issues with performance or stability on this boat. I've stood on the gunnel and jumped off without flipping, then climbed back on from water over my head with no issue. I've done class II rapids (once backwards) and did not flip it. It does have a lot of play in the primary, but secondary stability is extremely good.