Bachelor on the Cheap

Lifetime Envoy 106

By Mike Thayer

A couple weeks ago I wrote about shopping for a fishing kayak, needing a kayak to enjoy on the water of beautiful Lake Viking while on vacation. 

With an original budget of $700 to $900 I did some homework online and narrowed down some kayak choices, my short list is below.  After researching fishing kayaks and based on the type of fishing I'll be doing - on a lake, dealing with a few waves from motor boats and water skiers - I went for a wide bodied, sit-on kayak.  The sit-on style will give me better stability on the water, in dealing with the occasional boat waves and also provides the ability to stand up in the kayak to cast.  Other pluses to a sit-on vs. a sit-in kayak are they are easier to get in and out of, I'll be sitting higher giving me a better view of the water, and sit-on kayaks are easier to customize and accessorize.

Installing flush mount rod holders

The ability to customize was the key. 

After watching some YouTube videos on how to customize ordinary kayaks for fishing, I tossed my list of fishing kayaks and bought a regular kayak.  Why pay extra for fishing kayak bells and whistles when you can accessorize a regular kayak for far less? 

I went with a Lifetime Envoy 106, Sit-On-Top Tandem Kayak.  It cost me just $299.98 at Sam's Club.  With paddles included, that price just couldn't be beat!   Here's another bonus to my kayak purchase, with most fishing kayaks, paddles are sold separately and that's an added expense of at least $50 so there's some additional savings and in my case, money to accessorize my kayak with!  I got a basic kayak and added rod holders, extra carrying handles, paddle clips and some nylon eye straps so I can tie some things down with as needed.  Along with a milk crate and some Carabiner clips to hold fishing tackle in place, my basic kayak quickly became well equipped!

Adding extra carrying handles

Here's what I got for $300, paddles included and customized for another $35 for a total of $335.

Lifetime Envoy 106

Length: 10’ 6" | Width: 36” | Weight: 77 lbs. | Retail: $299.98 (Sam's Club price)

Added paddle holding clips

My Lifetime kayak is a bit heavy at 77 pounds, but I'm able to get it in and out of my truck and into the water no problem, made easier by adding extra carrying handles.  It's a very stable kayak on the water, even when hit with rude boater waves from folks who have no appreciation for fishermen.  Everything I need from another rod, to a different lure to a bottle of cold water is within arm's reach.  The tandem seat set up is easily adjusted to a solo set up, takes about 5 seconds.

Here was my short list for fishing kayaks, until watching those how to customize your kayak videos on YouTube.   Look at how much money I saved!  I got a wider kayak, a more stable kayak that tracks well in the water.  And did I mention it came with two paddles?

Pelican Catch 100

Length: 10’ | Width: 34” | Weight: 54 lbs. | Retail: $649

Ascend® 12T Sit-On-Top Kayak

Lifetime Sport Fisher Angler 10ft Kayak

Perception Outlaw 11.5 Angler Kayak

I'm really pleased with my purchase, I saved A LOT of money and making the modifications to the kayak was not only easy, but fun!  The most fun though, BEING ON THE WATER!