Poke Boat

Great

Great, is the answer to question number one. Ducks Unlimited's never failed to write of it's marsh worthiness when the topic was small and stealthy craft. My 25 year old 12 footer has been thru Hell, high water and back! So I donated 5 stars today and I miss your bi-monthly ad in the DU mag.

Just picked up a Poke Boat in Kevlar, as a lark really, wasn't really looking for one. What a surprise! Paddles exactly like my Santee 126 Sport. Very utilitarian construction, the footbraces are pretty crude, but at least do not require hull penetration. Handles wind and waves pretty well for such a small craft. When you think about all the large cockpit kayaks out there (Pungo, Santee sport, etc.) its pretty amazing that these boats have been out there for decades catering to fisherman and duck hunters! I can't believe what they want for a new one, but if you get a chance to pick one up used, you will be pleasantly surprised! The best part is the weight.........25 pounds in Kevlar, not much more in glass.

I have 3 Poke boats I bought 25 years ago and they are as good today as they were when I bought them. I have used these boats for fishing small rivers and streams primarily. In 25 years and thousands of miles my boats still years of life in them. Yes there are newer boats out that have a lot more features built in storage, drink holders and padded seats but I'll take my poke boat over all them.

Just got a maxi Poke Boat and think it will be great. Tried it on the Saluda River in SC and was very pleased. NOTE: To the guy who wrote here in 2008 (with the bad back like I have!) and was going to use a trolling motor on his Poke boat---if you are still out there, would really like to see your rig and hear how the motor worked on your Poke Boat. Recent convert----Ben

This is the strangest kayak I have ever paddled, and that includes dozens that I have owned. I took it out on the still lake this morning to get used to it's characteristics.

First, it draws very little water so between it's relatively wide and crowned bottom it is very sensitive to every stroke. Stroke right, it goes left, stroke left, it goes right so if you don't stroke with equal force & duration you will be using adjusting strokes to keep the boat straight. That also means it responds quickly to a strong stroke, lean, and foot pressure so that what you lose in one capacity, you gain in another.

Next, it collects water easily and I should have put a skirt on it. it rides high even though I'm 6'3" and 225lbs. currently. The seat top is pitched forward and bothered my lower back the entire time even though it had a padded seat. Next, I will try it on a rough lake with a skirt.

I'm of two minds with this boat, it's light, draws 3", easy to maneuver, but back hurt, it collected water easily w/o skirt, and is easily drawn off course with each stroke. It may turn out well, but was tiring to paddle for such a stable, utilitarian boat. I bought mine used. I suggest you paddle before you buy to see if you like the ride. I'm going to try it next with a canoe paddle to see if leaning it over & paddling it that way makes a difference. The jury is still out...

First, ruggedness. Bend the boat in two – not figuratively, but literally – have it spring back; put a few pieces of duct tape on it and immediately go out on the river for over two hours with only very minor leakage. How did this happen? Well, the boat was on top of our SUV, on the two cross bar racks, upside down (i.e., flat bottom toward the sky) and I was in the process of taking off the tie down straps when I discovered that we had left our paddles back at the camp site. So, off we went back to the campground. There was no problem the first three miles since the speed limit was 35 mph. Then we hit the open road and so I cranked it up to 60. After about a mile we heard this terrible crunching crashing sound. Upon looking in the rear view mirror I saw the cockpit of the boat. After exiting from the car I discovered that I had removed the front tie down. The back tie down had held the boat in place, but when the car speed and resulting wind had gotten strong enough, the boat bent totally in two upon itself. One third of the boat was still firmly attached to the back cross rack of the car and the other two thirds were bent 180 degrees down over the back of the car with that end of the boat scraping along on the pavement (the boat actually dented the top of the lift gate on the back of the SUV). When I removed the second tie down, the boat flopped onto the ground and much to my amazement the boat sprung back into its normal shape. Yes, there were about four spots, each about three inches long where the resin had cracked off a bit, but everything considered it was in remarkable condition. Being determined, we put duct tape on the bad spots and went out onto the water for over two hours with only very minor leakage. That’s one tough boat.

Second, stability. The Maxi II has the broadest beam of any Poke Boat at 37 inches. This fact along with its flat bottom provides what I consider extreme stability. I paddle with many thousands of dollars of photographic equipment and thus stability is extremely important to me. The first time out I tested stability by standing up in the boat and then gently starting to rock the boat side to side. I’m 5’11” and 220 pounds. I proceeded to rock from side to side as hard as I could. I didn’t even come close to tipping over. I have absolutely no qualms that I’m risking my camera gear in this boat. Yes, with a flat bottom and a 37" beam there is a down side, but it also helps to provide a draft of only three inches and together with Kevlar I have a 51 pound boat with extreme stability, which for my usage is just great.

Had a Wilderness Ride, enjoyed it but was too heavy for my bad back... so, bought me the Maxi Poke (Kevlar) and have not looked back. Bought me a canoe seat, put some pool noodles on the canvas back and buckled it onto the regular seat. Comfortable paddling around the edges of lakes and down the rivers. Stand up fly fishing and enjoy the room and carrying capacity of 500 lbs. Now installing trolling motor bracket (self made) so I can get to the fishing spots faster. Would do it again and have not had a real complaint about how it handles. At 65, let the young ones paddle faster... I'm enjoying the fishing and the view at my pace.

I bought a kevlar Maxi Poke bought seven years ago. The boat is very unstable and not suitable for duck hunting...the recoil of shotgun can easily capsize it. I tipped mine the first year I had it, and my loaded gun is rusting away at the bottom of the river. Talked to a Florida hunting guide service who related similar experiences with several of his clients, who instead recommended the Aquapod. Just like camping tents, beware the claims that a given model is a "two-man" or "three-man". In reality, such boats are one- and two-man, respectively. Very hard to tie these fragile boats securely to a vehicle, particularly for long drives across the wind-swept Dakota prairies. They ARE very light, however, so good for select purposes, but not worth the money or the risk to your life, in my opinion. If you decide to sell yours, good luck finding someone willing to out anything close to what you paid for it new.

I have the standard size (orig style) in kevlar. It is not a white water or even rough water boat, but it is very light and easy to carry with one hand. I have carried it through the woods and put into ponds where noone else can go. Keep in mind as a prev review said that you need a wide beach area to launch from, as you have to get in from firm ground from the side. It is great for nature photography.

I have a Poke Boat, the regular one made of fiberglass. I use it mostly for duck hunting in the fall/win and fishing in the spring. They are light weight at less than 30#'s and handle well, unless there is a strong breeze or current as the boat has no keel to help keep you headed in the desired direction. Would recommend some kind of back support, either a folding type camp chair or just a pc of plywood(cut out similar to a tomb stone), works great and gives you the support needed for long hauls. I have been on an open river when the wind picked up and so did the waves, 2-3 foot swells. Pointed the nose into them, put on the life jacket, and paddled for shore, for every stroke fwd if I stopped to rest I would get pushed back 2-3. These are great boats for small creeks, streams, backwater sloughs, and canals. Enjoyed many many trips and look forward to another season!

I bought a Micro Poke Boat (7'9", 17 lbs) last winter, because of the attraction of being able to one-hand it out of the garage and into the back of my "RV" -- a little Toyota pickup. Have spent many winter days on flat water fishing from it, now, even in snow, and for this purpose it is superb. The high sides are good protection from wind, and the shallow draft gets you into places no other boat can reach. I accidentally got into some standing waves near at the base of a huge dam after a surprise high wind began opposing the current there; this was was class III water. If there had been rocks I might have been killed, so I don't recommend river running with this thing; however, it handled the situation beautifully, and when it was all over I found the entire interior was dry in spite of the huge cockpit. I really, really love this boat! I also have a Critter, which is not at all bad (and MUCH faster), but the Poke Boat meets my needs best.