When choosing a kayak there are a lot of things to consider. One of the most difficult parts of Kayak ownership is storage and transportation. Kayaks are in general bulky and awkward to carry, but they allow you to get into just about any creek, river, or pond. For this project I have elected to use the Moken 10 V2.
Size
I chose the 10 ft version of this kayak due to a space restriction. At the apartment that I live in we have a porch that is 12ft long. Having a place that is easily accessible was crucial for me to be able to use it often. Removing barriers to getting out on the water is important if you are going to buy a kayak and have some plans to use it. I see all the time on the marketplace people purchasing a kayak then selling it a year later having only used it 3 or 4 times.
Weight
This kayak weighs 65 pounds with no gear and no seat. At this weight, the kayak is manageable for someone of moderate size. The back end of the kayak also has a 3-inch wheel that makes rolling it around very easy and can replace the need for additional wheels in many cases.
Rails
To someone who wants to film, rails are essential to mounting cameras. The Moken comes stock with 4 rails 2 on the sides of the seats and 2 next to the back hatch. With these rails, you can mount a camera mount, fishing rod holder, a boat cleat for tying the kayak to a doc, and many other accessories.
Comfort
The deck of the kayak is 33 inches across. This might not seem important but having plenty of deck space is crucial. Being able to have space right in front of you to place your snacks or tie on your lures. Even though it isn’t waterproof, the hatch in the middle of the boat is a perfect spot for a phone, wallet, keys, and other small items. Coupled with that, the bottom of the boat has a deep V design, which is ideal for stability. After sitting in one position for a few hours standing up and stretching your legs feels amazing on this boat it is absolutely possible and easy to do.
Rod holders with a leash
One of the most frustrating things is losing gear. Rod leashes are a great way to ensure you don’t lose your rods as you are kayaking under low-hanging trees, or if you flip completely the rods won’t be lost. The Moken has rod leashes for both of its rear-facing rod holders.
Replacement Parts availability
It’s not often when something breaks but it is inevitable to happen with a name-brand kayak. There are replacement parts available for when something breaks. These vendors have every part available, from the middle hatch to the smallest screw. If you want to add things to the kayak like a trolling motor or a rudder this kayak has some of the hardware premounted for those upgrades as well.
