I own both the FH 12 and Pathfinder.
The FH 12 is a good little yak in protected waters and in low wind conditions.
The Pathfinder is very stable in wind and waves.
If you can exchange your FH12 and upgrade to a Pathfinder, you might want to reconsider and go for the Pathfinder. When the Pathfinder is broken down into the 3 sections, it is about as easy to throw into the back of a pickup as the FGH12 and to store.
If you keep the FH12, remember to keep the pontoons in position 2 for launching, paddling and returning. The comments below are from FH's home page:
"This ultimate fishing machine features a patented inline outrigger system, giving anglers a choice of 3 positions. It paddles like a conventional kayak when in the first position. Position two offers additional stability when fishing or rigging a rod. The third position fully extends the outriggers into their patented “inline position” for maximum efficiency when paddling, fishing, polling, or motoring (with the optional motor mount). Now you can stalk fish with less drag and water movement, or gain additional paddling stability in more challenging paddling conditions."
With either FH, buy the elite seat, or your butt will be wet all day. The Elite seat keeps you off the deck and dry. It makes it easier to stand. The Elite seat is very comfortable.
Re standing, have a 10-12' Bowline and wrap it over the standing bar a couple of times with a loop at the end in the middle of the bar. When you want to stand, just grab the loop and pull yourself up.
Before I launch either FH, the stand up mount bar is installed and the bow line is looped over the top of the bar. It is easier and safer to do this before launching.
With my Freedom Hawks, I use the technique shown in the video linked below to get into and out of them. It makes the launching a lot easier. Getting out is a simple reverse with or without their bows resting on the launch ramp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnDftsLMW3kBuy the FH12 anchor system and use a one pound salmon lead ball for anchoring. When anchored with the FH's and the anchor line is at the bow, I turn around, face the stern, and use the Elite seat to catch my fly line when I strip it in and to shoot the line. The seat makes a great stripping basket, and I don't bother taking a stripping basket with me.
After dropping the anchor, I extend the stabilizers on both FH's to the full extension position for stability and to have a wider area to bring fish in from the stern.
I use two fly rod mounts/holders. One is the extension holder for the stern rod mount holes, and the other is the FH one that mounts to the casting/standing bar.
actionjackson wrote:
Well guys, The Outback is collecting dust for the moment...lol Also,this post started in regards to standing and fishing in a practical manner. Havent tried it,BUT yesterday I did buy a Freedom 12 hawk..I know this will work.
Cheers