The BEST Fishing Kayak Under $1000. Crescent CK1 Test and Review

[@zero-ol2nt]

I bought this kayak last summer and love it. It's pretty stable and I stand up all the time in it with no problems. Also the seat riser they have is great for fishing. It feels like it's tipping but once the secondary stability takes over it's fine and actually a benefit for turning and maneuvering with the way initial and secondary stability work together. If you have a cooler and other gear along with scupper plugs it makes it even more stable.

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah good points. I am loving mine, can’t wait until spring!!!

[@Fishfarts_AZ]

Looking at 1 of these myself. Weird question but how tall you are how much do you weigh. Being 6'2" sometimes I fear I might be top heavy when standing in a yak.

[@Skinnyriver]

@Southwest.Hookworks I’m 5’11” 165lbs, this kayak isn’t great to stand in. I’m still not 100% confident standing and fishing in it.

[@zero-ol2nt]

@@Fishfarts_AZ This kayak has more secondary stability. So when standing it will rock if you move BUT it's still very stable. Also the more weight you have in it say with gear and cooler or whatever it becomes much more stable the more weight you put in it. If you have moderate athleticism and balance you will be fine. Unless you want a native slayer stability but those kayaks are slow to paddle so you trade stability for maneuverability.

[@kayakflyfishingschool]

Pretty good review and nice fish!! That was a fantastic redeye!!! I like the way you emphasized the sealed hull and removing the drain plug, that is an important action to take. The seat straps take some time to get adjusted correctly to how you sit a an individual, it can take a bit to get them right, but the seat cushion seems to work well for you, I like it. I think the lack of flush mounted rod holders is die to the sealed hull and the price point, Crescent gives a lot for the price point and I think if they added flush mount rod holders, it would increase the cost a bit, and not be under that $900 mark. Great job with the specs and showing the capabilities of the kayak!!! The CK1 Venture is an incredibly good kayak for skinny water and I am so glad that you like it as much as you do!!

[@videojoe7]

I prefer not having flush mounted rod holders as the rod position is 'locked into' one position. My Lifetime 10 foot kayak has the flush mount and the rods point way too far outwards... With Mighty Mounts, you can adjust the position.

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah that’s a good point. I mainly only use rod holders for a quick storage spot vs needing a set position, so flush mounts have always worked and been easier for me, but for sure mounted holders are the way to go if you need any variability in position

[@bobbybigtimes9579]

Awesome video! About to buy 2!

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome! I think you will love them

[@andylove4460]

Good video man. I already have the lite tackle and bought the ck1 a couple months ago but haven't got to use it yet. I can't wait for spring to finally be able to take it on a maiden voyage

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome! Yeah I can’t wait till spring as well! I think you are going to like it. You have a good lineup with the Lite tackle and ck1! Thanks for the view

[@garycleaveland2645]

Good looking kayak. Wish I was young enough i could do that. Looks like a Nice spot to fish. Thanks for sharing.

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks! Hope you are doing well. Kinda sad that’s it’s getting cold, about to winterize the boat in a few wks :(

[@WadeLife]

I bought a used Pelican kayak for $200 but plan on using it only for this season then want a Vibe, Hobie or a Jackson bit forsure yet.. Great upload

[@WadeLife]

Got me a cheap Pelican just got in early 2022 used for $200 hope to upgrade next year..

[@oldguyriders]

Nice review. Nice kayak.

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks I appreciate the view

[@kevinmason3141]

nice boat! my next yak!!

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome your gonna love it!

[@YakAngling]

I like this Kayak! I have a lure11.5 and I will defiantly be looking at adding this Kayak also to use on my fishing KZbin channel YakAngling for when I hit the rivers.

[@tp-mh2ji]

I'm into jon boats... I'll never die falling out of a kayak! 2023 Videos Coming?

[@Skinnyriver]

What’s up! Yeah winters been a drag. Hope your 2023 is going well. Hope to get back to it this year for sure

[@flushot6513]

I just bought the lite and excited to get on water could be a good all around little of everything boat 😊

[@Skinnyriver]

Nice let me know how you like it!

[@PhillyFanatic1]

Great overview. Do you think this could work for a one man throw in the bed of the truck and go to the lake for a quick afternoon trip? or is the craft too big that? Also do you this thing would be nice in flat water?

[@Skinnyriver]

Perfect size for one person to throw in a truck. That’s how I transport it. It’s great on flat water because of its hull shape. Easy to paddle vs other ‘flatter’ hull fishing kayaks

[@PhillyFanatic1]

@@Skinnyriver Thanks for the reply! How's the CK1 treating you after some years?

[@Skinnyriver]

@PhillyFanatic1 someone actually stole mine… but I replaced it with another CK1, it’s been great

[@PhillyFanatic1]

@@Skinnyriver What the heck. That's terrible but nice you got a new one

[@nelson1257]

Nice video, would you take this kayak in any bay waters.

[@Skinnyriver]

I’m inland, but I think it would do great in bays. I’ve had it in some pretty good rapids and it’s done great. It takes a few trips to really feel comfortable in it but it does an amazing job once you get used to the secondary stability

[@jimyoquelet5005]

Nice yak

[@pattimccowin2388]

do you think my 80 pound lab would fit okay in the front of the boat sitting or laying between my legs? I want one but have to order and I'm having trouble judging just how big the deck actually is.

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah I think he would fit. The good thing about this is the deck is really open. You would just have to take the front cover (paddle park) off but honestly I don’t even use it. Take your pup to a kayak store and sit in one!

[@pattimccowin2388]

@@Skinnyriver I live in PA and the closest one I can find is in Iowa so it has to be shipped. A local place recommended a Jackson bite that the have in stock, but I really like the crescent if the size is right. Thank you!

[@Skinnyriver]

The jackson bite is 6” longer and 1” wider, I don’t think you would notice that big of a difference between the two

[@Skinnyriver]

Size wise, but performance wise I think the ck1 is better but jackson bite will be a little more stable but not as quick and maneuverable

[@pattimccowin2388]

@@Skinnyriver thank you!!

[@bryand2978]

How's the weight capacity do you think you could put a 50 pound dog in the boat with you? Unfortunately, i have an ultralight crescent and tried to bring my dog with me in the boat and it's unbelievably tipsy and on the verge of honestly sinking. It was not possible to bring him with me, so it cut the day short. I weigh 203 pounds and my dog weighs 52, so that put the weight at 255 pounds and the capacity is a claimed 260 for the ultralight. I just don't want to fork out the cash for a ck1 if i would still be in the same situation. The ultralight is also a little tipsy at times solo it's built for speed. I know the ck1 is wider, so is it still tipsy like mine?

[@Skinnyriver]

Cl1 Weight capacity is 425. The Crecent lite tackle is 1’ longer and has capacity of 450. Honestly i would look at the lite tackle just for the added space for the dog. It’s about $100 more than the CK1. Or look at a 12’ tamarack (, more stable, harder to paddle, weighs more) but a lot cheaper

[@bryand2978]

@@Skinnyriver Thanks for your input, i appreciate that

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks sorry I typed Cl1, meant CK1 lol… you know what I meant :)

[@K9River]

I bought one specifically to take my dog with me on multi-day river trips. I'm 150# and the dog is 40#, so I'm a fair amount lighter than you. There's a lot more weight capacity available before it would start wallowing. I find it quite stable even with the dog standing on edge, and it still tracks well, yet it turns well. It's a very good compromise between being able to turn and still track straight. It's a tad wider than I prefer. The open, flat floor on the front will surely be more comfortable for the dog when it wants to lie down. I would like to give you a better answer, but it's a strong contender.

[@NoFro-TL]

I might’ve chose this over the Outlaw if the seat wasn’t so low. Just doesn’t seem like a good fishing position

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah it’s pretty low. I think it’s pretty comfortable but it’s almost impossible to stand up from if you like to stand and fish. They do have a seat riser that most people get but it’s just something else you gotta buy.

[@brettschultz5852]

Do you think I could put my 55lb lab in the back while duck hunting?

[@Skinnyriver]

I take my son out in mine all the time but in the front. Weight wise not an issue… it might be a little more cramped in the back but if no gear i think it would work pretty well

[@zero-ol2nt]

I own this kayak and load it up with a lot of camping gear. I think you absolutely could put your dog in the back 🤙

[@skunk12]

I like to imagine that a "caught fish" feels pissy and embarrassed for having been caught in the first place.

[@Skinnyriver]

#wisdom

[@skunk12]

@@Skinnyriver love your content. Keep it up. 👍

[@Skinnyriver]

Thank you, I really appreciate the views and support!