Lifetime teton fishing kayak vs tamarack kayak | which kayak is of better value? + modifications

If you're considering buying either the lifetime tamarack or lifetime teton kayak, this video is for you. After breaking down the similarities and differences between each kayak - modifications are made to each to meet the features of the other kayak to determine pound-for-pound (rather buck-for-buck) which is the better buy?
Affiliate Disclosure: as Amazon Associates we may earn commission from qualifying purchases off amazon.com
Upgrades:
Tamarack:
- Stadium Seat: amzn.to/3jM9ax2
- 12" accessory track: amzn.to/3emt7cP
Teton:
- Scotty Gear-head track adapter: amzn.to/386vIq8
- Scotty rod holder: amzn.to/384LkdJ
- 6 inch hatch: amzn.to/34Pscyk
- 6 inch hole saw: amzn.to/3oR86vA
- paddle: amzn.to/2TPaqVu

[@BillyWillson]

Honestly this was the best product comparison I’ve ever seen. Perfectly explained and to the point. Thanks!

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thanks for giving your thoughts billy! That's what i was aiming for.

[@doxx2265]

The tamarack pro is literally the combination of these two kayaks for 350. Best deal out there! Can’t recommend it enough. Loved the video though!!

[@p4rk3ryt78]

Having a hard time finding this one in local stores

[@giovanniceja6035]

Definitely not $350 right now

[@beastmanning662]

Only Walmart has it for 350 but it’s always out of stoc

[@Mrfrerob]

I know this is late but for anyone viewing this 10 months later… I fished in the Tamarack with the stadium seat for a year solid and it did everything I needed it to do. Moved to a Teton and immediately was sold on the fact that the seat was designed to be part of the experience and WAY better than the stadium seat. If price is your biggest concert the Tamarack will get you fishing. If you have a little bit more the comfort of the Teton will keep you out longer on the water with less hassles.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thats a really good point rob - with the seat fixated on the teton, i can manuever much easier with my hips.

[@chrisboz8423]

I just purchased the Teton. I'm picking it up tomorrow

[@christianjensen3182]

I bought the Teton just because of the seat.

[@DaveBuildsIt]

Thanks for the video. I purchased the Teton last week in part because of your advice. I took it out last weekend on its maiden voyage and now it is ready for mods. I added two storage hatches this week. All of my gear will be secured going forward, in case I flip. Tomorrow I will add the anchor trolly and a few tie-downs, then I'm going fishing. Next week I am adding Yak Gear stabilizers for extra safety.

[@qedljkn]

Very good review. I'm getting the teton for sure! Thank you for making this video.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Nice man! once you get it, lemme know how you like it !

[@SkunkMonkey991]

I bought the teton for the seat. Very happy with it.

[@mcelroychandler6267]

Loved your review, well done. Just purchased a pair of tamarack pro model over the Angler version for the seat comfort.

[@wildbillsadventuresoutdoor9276]

Thanks for your reviews!!

[@micahwilliams6554]

Lol I’ve had my eye on the Teton for almost a year, especially for the seat!!! I’m gonna purchase mine this weekend can’t wait! Great video!

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Nice man! you're gonna love it, weekends just got a lot more fun for you!

[@jamessandifer3405]

Just add a $25 stadium seat from walmart. Another rod holder less than $50 total.

[@mre4875]

Overall I think you did a great comparison job. (wait for it) However, IMHO the Tamarack is the clear winner. Ahbutwhy? Personal preferences. Access hatches are more important to me than 12" accessory rails. Also, I paid $210 for my Tamarack at Walmart, $20 stadium seat from Costco and $55 for Bending Branches Whisper paddle. That puts me @ $285. The money I save between the Tamarack and the Teton can be applied to a quality fishing PFD ( I think I paid $110 for a NRS Chinook ). So, for $399 a Teton with no paddle or for ~$399 a Tamarack with 2 hatches, a Scotty rod holder, an upgraded paddle, stadium seat and a quality fishing PFD. I have paddled both and yes, the Teton seat is slightly more comfortable than a stadium seat, but my money is still on the Tamarack. The only thing I favor the Teton over the Tamarack is flat gunnels. Just my $.02. Again, great video though.

[@miya7525]

I purchased the teton over the tamarack today because of this video. Thankyou so much!

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Nice man! you're really gonna enjoy that seat. Are there any accessories you're thinking of getting? Check out some of the mods my brother did to his, a lot of it can be applied to any kayak. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2O7iaipltuSZ8k Let me know what you think of the teton once you get in the water. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@carvalhonj]

Me too

[@Maddog73]

Coulda got the Tamarack pro which beats the Teton and it’s cheaper

[@jayg479]

Today I was at field and stream looking at both of these. Sales person said they had a returned Teton in the back because the orange cord came loose. Never used and the seat was still zip tied from factory. I bought it for 239.00 and I am very thankful for that. Thanks for the comparison.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

wow! what a steal! almost half off - the bunjee will be an easy fix

[@huntersoutdooradventures4606]

Great job on the video I’m definitely going to buy the lifetime Teton kayak

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Nice! let me know how you like it!

[@Eparker09]

Thanks for your review

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thanks for watching Ray!

[@jedidias7091]

Tamarack angler 100 more features! More storage, track's better, more storage, rod holders, and wider. Teton only added a better seat. My tamarack is fully clapped out now lol Best kayak for now. Sturdy and doubled lined.

[@colokor]

very well done, thank you

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

You're very welcome, glad to help. Which kayak are you leaning towards?

[@g-wolfoutdoors8150]

Nice comparison video. I have the Teton and just picked up a Tamarack Pro so I'll be doing a comparison video on those two soon. The Tamarack Pro has some great features.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Nice man! We got a couple comments regarding the tamarack pro, looking forward to the video! Thanks for the sub

[@bignastyhernandez13]

I have a tamarack and all u need is a seat pad that stadium seat i put on it makes it less stable so I just use the seat pad and I'm a heavy guy n works just fine

[@LeroyHill0407]

I have the pro as well.. best value and I've been kitting it out. Homemade rudder system and anchor trolley to start.

[@Legallyblindoutdoors]

Nice review

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thanks for the sub! We got a Portland fishing vid coming soon!

[@AnAngryAngler]

For all you first time buyers it’s all about the seat!

[@chuckmatses6803]

Excellent

[@vulpixgrant]

Very well done, no nonsense and went over most of the things people looking at these Kayak's would be concerned about. I just got my Teton on sale for Black Friday 25% off, with tax she was still under $320. I already own a Lifetime Cruze a sit inside from Tractor Supply, but I wanted a Sit Ontop to round out the fleet lol. That seat on the Teton sold it for me over the Tamarack for sure, and I already have a set of hatches just waiting for me to put them on. One thing I will say about the Teton that really surprised me, mine tracks very straight in the water way better than the Cruze! The trade off is the Teton is slower, but for a 10 foot boat it has impressed me.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thanks for the feedback! That’s a nice steal at 25% off! Other than the hatches, do you have any more mods in the near future?

[@vulpixgrant]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 Not really, I am in a group of Kayakers in Florida who do everything from lazy river floats, to portage heavy up and under trees challenging rivers. So I try and keep the boats simple since they have different things every other week it seems. But extra storage is always appreciated ;-)

[@CurtCatchemFishing]

Great comparison video! Any chance you can show how you setup your fish finder on the Teton? Thanks!

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thanks for the feedback! I was fortunate enough to be forced to buy a teton because i couldn't find a tamarack in my area, so just thought a compare vid would be handy to anyone in that same situation. I mounted the fish finder on the rectangular middle indent (there is four indentations for screwholes making the installation fool-proof) using a scotty mounting bracket and their universal fish finder. Learn more: amzn.to/3pJRPIj amzn.to/3n9HfZB. For the longest time i had the transducer in the hull (via the large hole from the front storage hatch) adheared to the bottom using waterproof putty. Although it makes for a superclean setup, sometimes the transducer is unable to get clear reads in the water (since between the transducer and the water is the thick plastic of the kayak) especially if the water is a little choppy. I purchased the scotty adjustable transducer mount that attaches nicely to the accessory track and i love it - always thought maybe my fish finder was on the lower end and didn't work as well as other ones, but turns out the transducer works better fully submurged in water (duh!). Learn more: amzn.to/35mFL8r . I have my kayak stored at my aunts 10 minutes away, but if not this weekend definitely next weekend i can get a short video out to you showing how i consealed the wires, just let me know. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@SJBetkoski]

Great video, helped me make up my mind. Going to Dick's tomorrow for a Teton. Thanks.

[@eddielikesfishing]

Excellent execution on the comparison of the Lifetime Teton and Tamarack kayaks. You're right, comfort is king! I'm not so sure if I had to buy a paddle that I would buy a cheap one. Carbon fiber is lighter, although it comes with a hefty price tag, it is something to consider while holding a paddle all day long. As for me, if a yak came with a paddle, I might reserve it as a loaner for friends and family.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

That isn't the first time i've been told that. I'm definitely going to look into that now that you mention it. a couple oz's didn't seem like a big deal to me when i bought the paddle but my arm's are toast after a 6-8 hr day on the water. I need to take advantage of REI's return policy to test drive some paddles. Thanks Eddie!

[@eddielikesfishing]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 You're welcome.

[@northerngrit9656]

Have you seen the Yukon Angler 116? And if so do you know if it's the same bottom hull as the Teton?

[@twowheeledwaffle7847]

The stadium seat does make the world’s difference. I’m getting a Teton next. Longest I’ve spent on the water with my tamarack is 8hrs. Great comparison

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Thanks for the feedback! You're gonna love the feel of the Teton seat, 8 hours will feel like 4! Let me know what you think once you get it.

[@glennmiller5229]

I have the Lifetime Tioga fishing kayak

[@nicholashosslogan3444]

I got the Teton and mine came with the rod holder and the paddle and got it for $300 from Walmart, def a good buy.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Definitely a steal! That’s awesome, I actually bought my Teton one month into the pandemic, Kayaks were flying off the shelves, had to drive to a dicks 3 hours outside where I live in LA. Goes to show if you’re willing to wait and shop around you can come across a gem like that. Where you located Nicholas?

[@skyiswomb1]

Good buy is an understatement. They’re $649 at Dicks right now 😭

[@RockyPatrol]

Great comparation! Teton won because it has a better seat. Tamarack lost but it's still $149 cheaper. What if you buy a $188 fancy seat put on Tamarack then compare, that would be a fair comparation. :-)

[@landen702]

Use the hole saw in reverse on plastic to melt the hole instead of risking cracking it

[@heatherlynnadams91]

Thank you so much. What about the teton from the teton pro

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

no experience with the pro - heard nothing but good things though!

[@stevensuhar8302]

I found a thick cushion stadium seat with an internal frame that reclines at Walmart for 36$ I found the cheap stadium seat to be to straight up on the back rest. I Velcroed it to the kayak so I can remove it quickly. I troll my Tamarack for hours. Great build it yourself kayaks.

[@Cat-lo7hl]

How much for a six inch hole saw bit?

[@qfamily916]

Where do you get chair?

[@christopherascherl2411]

Have you ever looked at the Tamarack Pro? It appears very similar to the Teton but is appears to be only sold by Walmart.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Was recommended that by someone. I bought the teton in the beginning of the pandemic last year just because that was one of the few kayaks available at the time so i got really lucky. Tamarack pro looks nice too

[@christopherascherl2411]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 I understand, had an older kayak I started using a lot at the beginning of the pandemic because I moved back to the family farm but I'm probably going to buy the Teton because I moved back to the city and can't find a Tamarack Pro.

[@jacksonhonaker2461]

I know this is a last comment, but I see that you have a hatch on the front of your teton, and don’t see a hole in the front of mine. Did you drill into the kayak? If so could you give any tips on how to do that?

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

There’s a link for the hole saw drill bit in the description - just be sure the size corresponds with the size of your hatch.

[@stevesumner9692]

I know this vid is old, wished I’d searched it more before I purchased a lifetime... but what size stadium seat did you get for the lifetime?

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Hey Steve sorry for the late reply - that amazon link i have below only has 1 size, fit is super snug

[@nordicfox]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 17 and 22 inches are what I find on Amazon. Not sure which of the 2 stadium seats fits.

[@ysoutdoorgaming3367]

wicht one is more stable the tenton or the tamarack?

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Both have the same width - body's are practically the same. Have to side with the teton cause i feel more secure in the seat - you sink in the seat so you have more control of the kayak with your hips - opposed to just sitting ontop of the tamarack.

[@matthewduman7687]

So basically what your saying at that point if you go with the Teton you might as well get the Yukon?

[@matthewduman7687]

Yukon 600$ Teton and all the Scotty upgrades and work on it (especially with someone who isn’t experienced they could ruin the entire kayak) you spend just about the same doing everything to the teton

[@yukmouth2048]

Neither has a trolling motor , equal value 🤝

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

hahah its harder to come up with a comeback after the handshake emoji!

[@yukmouth2048]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 haha

[@extremlaybak]

best deal is the Lifetime Yukon Angler $580.00 dollars

[@Darkdusk87]

Great review, but when he speaks about the dry storage, do not buy a 6" hole saw, especially the one he has listed. I know this because I blindly bought the exact items he has listed. When I received the dry storage kit, I realized the inside diameter of the drop in hole is 6", but the outside diameter of the plastic rim that drops in is over 6". The 6" hole saw that he recommends is too small and the dry storage will not fit in that hole..

[@shannonfbc1]

The tamarac pro is more like the teton and it's similarly priced

[@Ozzypup1]

Look for the Lifetime Yukon. Nicer bigger kayak then both of these. And if you look around you can find them for $400 like I did when I bought mine.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Just checked out the yukon looks like a tank! little bit heavier and longer, but to be able to stand on it - makes it seem like its worth it. How's the stability when you're standing on it?

[@Ozzypup1]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 You can stand on it and fish if you want to. Ive done it. But it would take some time for me to be really comfortable doing it.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

@@Ozzypup1crazy deal finding it for $400! i'll be sure to keep my eye out

[@cameronklebacha1844]

I just picked one up for 200

[@Ozzypup1]

@@cameronklebacha1844 man if you got it new for that thats an awsome find. Where did you get it?

[@stevensellers7164]

I went with tamarack added a $20 chair

[@qfamily916]

Where did you get chair

[@jrz3456]

Can I use this for ocean fishing?

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Yes you absolutely can, i fish in Malibu, Redondo beach, Marina Del Rey no problem (all southern california). Just be sure to check the weather conditions, come equipped with proper PFD, also recommend getting a VHF radio.

[@SillyTubereal]

Tamarack pro is a better option.

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

I'll check that out, thanks for the feedback!

[@yehmustafa2959]

I just ordered Tamarack Pro - its the best valued feature-rich budget yak!

[@mcelroychandler6267]

Mr Yen, where did you order yours? I found two by miracle at walmart. I looked hi and low on the internet for days (I'm retired) and nobody had them in stock. Was extremely surprized to locate two at my Walmart.

[@saounyang]

The seat bungees hooking on to the rear bungees is a horrible design flaw

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

Yeah, wish it was attached to the actual kayak. Thankfully it holds itself up when you sit in the seat

[@saounyang]

@@twobrothersfishing8900 I think they actually do attach to the first two bungee mounts behind the seat

[@twobrothersfishing8900]

@@saounyang I’ll get back to you, I put my kayak in storage.

[@THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG]

Dicks sporting goods has the Teton for 329$ !!!!

[@ptwfishing9340]

I got my Teton for 200$ off of some one

[@kabanchan5768]

god dam 300 i want inflation to go away

[@THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG]

And WTF IS THAT GROWING IN YOUR TAMARACK ???

[@cuzimnik25]

Ascend all day. Lifetime is a shit company and once you modify it they won't give you any support. Drill 1 hole and they won't help at all. No replacement parts or anything. Lifetimes customer support is crap. Don't buy lifetime! Ascend is a better kayak for a little more money.

[@John1067strat]

Ascend is obviously a step above these lifetime models. It's preference and budget..... plus, what are you using them for? For those who will only be out fishing a few times during the season, these lifetime budget models I'm quite sure do the trick. I've eyed the Ascend kayaks, they are amazing no doubt! I'm specific with length and weight being a priority for me. 10 feet is more than enough. I'd prefer weight to be reasonable too, around 50 pounds is more than enough. I got to carry these things now and then. If your primarily fishing calm lakes or ponds, I'm sure the Teton will do the job. If someone wants more stability and toughness, Ascend seems the way to go for sure.