I like the awesome watertight hatch in front of the seat where you can put your phone, batteries, car keys, and anything else. Almost two decades ago, Luther Cifers started out as a dedicated kayak angler. The Bonafide SS127s namesake is a testament to its capability as a fishing kayak. I just bought my 107 and love it overall, but when I stand up it seems wobbly. The closest comparison would be between the Crescent Ultralight 12 and the Bonafide RS117. For one, you can put four rods at your feet thanks to the indentation in the junk drawer and the dry hatch. The Bonafide SS127 falls into the class of stand-up, sit-on-top paddle kayaks for fishing. This allows us to evaluate how the boat handles and how it performs for the intended angler and conditions. As opposed to Bonafides line of fishing-dedicated kayaks, Crescent has three models focused on fishing. A great paddle is key to getting the most out of a paddle kayak, so it is best bought on its own by each paddler. Its feeling confident enough to move around, sit or even standing up to fish. Your link has been automatically embedded. Privacy Statement. I felt not only did the 127 paddle better, but it was also more stable. I spoke w the OT owner and he said he'd think about it. When he couldnt find the accessories he needed, the engineer decided to make them himself. Look for width for stability and carry capacity so you can load up. I finally made this hack to fix all that.E6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive - https://amzn.to/3e8TfJAThis video and description may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which means that if you click on one of the products links, I'll receive a small commission. After sitting very low in the hull of a boat at water level for so long, the idea of a high seat seemed like a dream. Stop paddling, and the next surprise is the smooth and sustained glide. Display as a link instead, Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. I think plastic is going to be cheap. in addition to what comes standard on the Bonafide ss107, Ive added a few extra components to suit my needs: For the price tag, this kayak is a steal. The rubber portion of the front handle warped and came apart. How did we get all of The Bonafide SS127 gets the tunnel hull right, and the boat travels straight, paddles easily, and stays stable. Its simple to change seat positions by unhooking the base of the seat from the kayak and lifting it into the high base, where the hooks will engage automatically. Its made so that big guys can stand and cast without feeling unstable, even if you weigh 300 lb. Our testing includes miles of paddling and hours of fishing in a variety of conditions and locations. Eight built-in rod holders and an intricate fishing gear track system allow for a ton of customization options. Even though I dont have a motor or pedal system, I was able to whip around the bay pretty quickly. Turns out, it tracks fairly well off the coast. I'm still kicking around making an offer on the Bonafide. The SS127 Kayak Skin is designed to take your SS127 to the next level. In 2007, I purchased an in-hull fishing kayak from Field & Stream for $400. Youll notice right away that the SS127 sit-on-top fishing kayak is one of the most stable kayaks youve ever been in, which is surprising considering its 33.5 width. When paddling for any distance you won't regret it. I co-founded this blog with my husband. Remove perch pads from the side of the seat area and replace with gear tracks. Pasted as rich text. This design allows the Bonafide SS127 Kayak to perform at the best end of the stand-up kayak line. The Wilderness Systems ATAK 140 was also on the top of my list, but when I saw the 14 foot boat in person, I knew there was no way I could maneuver it out of the water without a trailer or truck bed. Bonafide uses a hybrid tunnel hull for rock-solid stability. Regarding tracking, Imust say I was unimpressed. Its earned a dedicated following because of its unparalleled fishability. The topside is open and flat, with plenty of room for fishing and paddling. But in a class of huge weight capacities, the Frontier 12 stands above them all with a mammoth 650-pound weight capacity that makes it great not just for kayak fishing but for extended trips and even hunting. Both of those asking prices seem a bit high, but the pandemic has pretty well eliminated any end of year pricing you'd normally get to use to negotiate a better deal. Minn Kota and Riptide trolling motors recommended, Plenty of room for an electric motors battery pack. Bonafide designed unique foot pegs on aluminum tracks to last a lifetime. Nearly identical boats, except the ss127 is a couple feet longer and it has a few different design tweaks, which you can see below. Therefore Id recommend getting a $10 cushion which will make it infinitely better. Its not kind of stable. It's the longer, 12'7" in Bonafide's "Sit-Stand" series. Youll notice right away that the SS127 sit-on-top fishing kayak is one of the most stable kayaks youve ever been in, which is surprising considering its 33.5 width. Almost got a BK-52 bomber, but just missed it so since they didn't have it, theyoffered me the Tiki at the regular price. But I'm a big guy and needed the capacity and stability. In good weather, you might go up to a 2.5 mph cruising speed, but thats still very slow if you intend to cover any distance. If you're not in a hurry, I'd wait until the pandemic is over. The SS127 fishing kayak from Bonafide delivers the Ultimate Fishability. Working with long-time kayak designer Hanz Nutz, the Bonafide SS127 takes the tunnel hull to a new level. If this doesnt sound appealing to you, you may want to go with a sit-in kayak instead like the Tsunami 125. You mean to tell me I didnt need to spend $50,000 on a bass boat to be able to stand and fish on the middle of a lake? These foot-sized flat spaces on either side of the seat give the angler a solid place to stand a few inches higher for a better view of the water and fish. Bonafide is one of the newest. If I really wanted to I could install a trolling motor. Simple instalment plans available instantly at checkout. The following Bonafide kayaks have received the highest star ratings by reviewers in our Kayak Angler Buyers Guide. The Bonafide ss107 tracks much better on slow moving water, oddly enough. You can mod them out to your liking. The hardest thing about designing a stand-up-friendly paddle kayak is combining performance with stability. A high and low seat can be adjusted between the more stable and powerful low position for paddling and more comfortable high position for fishing. Consider investing in a small kayak trailer to get it from the parking lot to the waters edge. Even the Bonafide ss127 turned out to be too large. I found a video online that really sold me on the idea of being able to carry a ton of gear, in a small and stable boat. I highly recommend getting an anchor or a stake-out stick. Bonafide SS127 Specs Length: 12'7" Width: 33.75" Deck Height: 15.5" Weight: 94 lbs Capacity: 475 lbs MSRP: $1,649 USD The boats were hot off the design table, straight out of the oven; no one had seen them outside the guys standing around Lake Cunningham boat ramp in Greenville South Carolina. The sticking point was the boats catamaran hull. When I discovered some kayaks on the market had standing platforms similar to that of a bass boat, I rejoiced. So by the time you read this article, it might already be unavailable. Integrated Doubleheader hinge with DryPod Required fields are marked *. To save a few bucks, Bonafide offers the value-priced RS117, which has a hull and seat similar to the more expensive SS127 but doesnt have the bow hatch and storage options. And turning the boats stable hull can become a chore. Once attached to Our proprietary Dual Action Foot Braces are more than meets the eye. On the topside, the boats incorporate some of the coolest features aimed at making kayak fishing easier and morecomfortable. Reply Since then, Bonafide has added a less expensive RS117 and hybrid sit-inside EX123. You cannot paste images directly. Introducing the new FlexWings from Bonafide Kayaks. Its feeling confident enough to move around, sit or even standing up to fish. It requires something we call Fishability. Then, you also have extra horizontal rod storage on the sides thats really amazing for rivers where you could easily lose your rods due to tree branches if theyre in a vertical position. Click here to see full list of testimonials. Bonafide updated their seats for the SS127 and SS107. Wilderness Systems ATAK kayaks are nearly perfect, but dont have these built it. Thanks again! Hey! I realizethat I can get more bang for the buck if I buy used, so I'mlooking at FB Marketplace. Designed for maximum stability without sacrificing paddling performance and angler-friendly features where you need them, you really have to paddle this craft to fully appreciate it. Unfortunately, within a few uses I ran into some issues with a few components and had to reach out to support. Doesn't seem like those deals exist in this current market though. 2022 PaddlingSpace.com. Bonafide kayaks feature a long list of cool fishing accessories while Crescent leaves installing accessories mostly up to the owner. Bonafides EX123 sit-inside is very similar to the Old Town Loon 120 Angler with a frame seat and large cockpit on a stable hull. Since the Bonafide SS127 is a paddle kayak, it is especially deadly in shallow, weed-choked, and rock-strewn water. Two of the best minds in fishing kayak design worked for a year to create the best stand-up fishing kayak. The RS117 seat is close to the same height as the SS127 in the low position. The seat is designed for all-day comfort with quick-dry and breathable mesh padding, a high back and lumbar support. Much more often, the boat will be pierced by a blow froma sharp object (usually rock) than worn through. Designed for maximum stability without sacrificing paddling performance and angler-friendly features where you need them, you really have to paddle this craft to fully ap. It comes in at just under 11 feet long and weights 84 pounds without the seat. Its feeling confident enough to move around, sit or even standing up to fish. After working with the biggest kayak companies in the business, Cifers decided to create his own kayak as a continuation of his gadget business. Important:Always check local weather conditions and wear an approved life jacket when kayaking. Bonafide SS127 is described as a "high-seated" kayak, but you might never know it based on the superb stability this one has. Dens228 Members 2.1k 1 I have no experience witheither but I do know that I want to stand and do some sight fishing this summer. The Bonafide SS127 and SS107 are similar to the Old Town Predator 120 and MX with a stable hull, open deck and bow hatch. Sliding under seat Junk Drawer It comes in at just under 11 feet long and weights 84 pounds without the seat. I'm part of the Bonafide Facebook groups, and shortly after the supply ran out entirely. The Bonafide SS127 is focused on stability and fishing ability, with paddling performance to get you to the fishing grounds. If you want supreme comfort with amazing stability to stand and cast With huge storage space in the hull After releasing three boats, Cifers sold Bonafide to another manufacturer. It comes with two flush mount rod holders and an awesome removable dry box. On the other hand, a low-profile seat is lower to the water for more paddling power and less wind resistance. Bow hatch with Doubleheader hinges But pound for pound, they are about the most stable kayak I've encountered. The Bonafide ss107 is a small boat when it comes to fishing kayaks. Because its such a stable kayak, the Bonafide SS127is unfortunately very slow. Each system has benefits and drawbacks. They have similar hull characteristics. With the Bonafide Kayak Skin, now you can make that dream a reality. It didnt matter whether I complimented a feature or criticized itCifers wanted to know why. Is the tracking as bad as the video reviews make it out to be? Thank you for supporting us! Bonafide kayaks are made in Fletcher, North Carolina. To sum it up, the Bonafide SS127 is a great, high-end fishing kayak. We tested, we measured, we refined, and we did it again over and over and over until we got what we were looking for. Another cool addition is the Junk Drawer storage under the seat. But dont take our word for it. After working with the major kayak manufacturers to outfit their boats with his accessories, Cifers decided to design the ultimate sit-on-top kayak to complement his gadgets. The two boats that caught my attention were the Bonafide ss127 and Bonafide ss107. Paddling, though, is an absolute chore. The only downside is its almost always out of stock.]. Bonafide SS127 Yak | Outdoor Board Outdoor Board Return Jump to Bottom Page 1 Posted by Message sigsauer LSU Fan LA Member since Jan 2009 450 posts Bonafide SS127 Yak Posted on 8/22/21 at 5:15 am 0 0 Yak guys, anyone have experience in a Bonafide SS127? A frame seat is wider and sits higher off the deck to be as comfortable as a lawn chair. 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