In this Vibe Yellowfin 100 review<\/strong>, I\u2019ll tell you what I loved the most about this small fishing kayak, and what I think could be improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spoiler alert: It\u2019s filled with features, great for tight turns and narrow rivers, and one of the most efficient and well-designed boats in its class<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Yellowfin 100 features a \u201csit-on-top\u201d<\/strong> design which is the prevalent model for fishing kayaks<\/strong>. These boats have big, open kayaks making it easy for users of all ages and sizes to get in and out with minimal trouble. There\u2019s plenty of leg room and the seat is comfortable and adjustable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But the design offers minimal protection for the paddler from the elements <\/strong>with your entire body exposed. If you live in a cold, wet environment or plan on being in a lot of rough water, you\u2019ll want to invest either in the proper rain gear or look for a different boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sit-in kayaks like the <\/strong>Tsunami 125<\/strong><\/a> are narrower with a more protected cockpit<\/strong> that encloses your legs and lower torso. If you use a spray skirt it will keep most of the water out of the hatch making for a drier and more enjoyable paddle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a hard-sided boat, the Yellowfin 100 does require more dedicated storage space<\/strong>. If you live in a tiny apartment or lack a good storage area, you may want to go with an inflatable kayak that can be kept in a hallway closet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Length<\/strong>: 10 feet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Width<\/strong>: 32 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight<\/strong>: 51 pounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n Load Capacity<\/strong>: 375 pounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtually every fishing kayak is made of the same tough plastic material called polyethylene<\/strong>. Chosen for its excellent rigidity and durability, polyethylene can handle almost and drop, bump, or collision both on and off the water.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is noticeably heavier than other popular kayak materials like fiberglass, but lasts much longer with minimal maintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the Yellowfin 100 is narrower than a lot of fishing kayaks, the short keel doesn\u2019t lead to good top speed<\/strong>. If you\u2019re out for the day in small bodies of water, the slower speed probably won\u2019t matter much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you\u2019re out with a group or need to travel a fair distance to reach your preferred fishing spot, be prepared to lag behind your friends and take a little more time to reach your destination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The short keel and narrow hull come in handy in the maneuverability department. Capable of sharp turns with a few simple paddle strokes<\/strong>, the Yellowfin 100 shines in tight corners or narrow, winding, rivers<\/strong>. The responsiveness will be appreciated by all paddlers, but especially newcomers that are just getting the hang of kayaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All the maneuverability and fishing features in the world won\u2019t do you much good if you can\u2019t stand sitting in your kayak for more than an hour at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vibe has gone out of their way to make sure that doesn\u2019t happen. Their self proclaimed \u201chero seat\u201d lives up to its name.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A pair of strong, flexible straps allow you to seamlessly change the seats lumbar support both on and off the water. The seat frame is strong, well-padded, and has a mesh exterior that promotes airflow<\/strong> and will keep you cool on those calm and hot summer days. In this price range there are few seats I like more than Vibe\u2019s hero seat design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may expect a small and narrow boat like this to feel wobbly underneath you. But that\u2019s not the case with the Yellowfin 100. It feels more than stable enough in calm to moderate conditions<\/strong>, and can handle any sudden shifts in weight that may occur while you\u2019re reeling in your catch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On rivers it can even handle class I and II rapids<\/strong>, though I\u2019d recommend only more experienced paddlers try this. It\u2019s not rated as stable enough to stand and cast from<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another consequence of short keeled boats is subpar tracking. Wind, waves, or tide can make it tough to maintain your course<\/strong> while stopping and trying to cast can be tough if it\u2019s not calm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vibe does sell a rudder that you can install with minimal difficulty<\/strong>, but one isn\u2019t included in the base package. If you plan on being in turbulent waters including faster moving rivers, I\u2019d recommend investing in the rudder. It\u2019s a one time purchase that will make your fishing trips easier and a lot less frustrating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like we already talked about, polyethylene is a tough material. There\u2019s no reason to worry about an underwater hazard like a rock or submerged log damaging your boat<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, there are a few things you can do to ensure your Yellowfin 100 lasts a long time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The boat doesn\u2019t come with a skid plate on the hull, so if possible, refrain from dragging your boat long distances<\/strong>. It may not punch a hole in the hull, but you\u2019ll cause the hull to peel and scratch which can reduce your paddling efficiency. It\u2019s already a slow boat, you don\u2019t want to compromise it any further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Store your boat out of direct sunlight when not in use<\/strong>. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause the plastic to warp and weaken eventually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the solo paddler, the Yellowfin 100 is one of the easiest boats to transport<\/strong>. Weighing just 51 pounds, the ten-foot keel is one of the easier boats to carry by yourself over short distances. It will fit in the back of a lot of trucks and a simple kayak rack is all you need to outfit a smaller vehicle for safe transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For carrying, the kayak has two flexible grip handles<\/strong>, one each on the bow and stern. This makes tandem carries, even over longer distances safe and easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the base package doesn\u2019t include a paddle, Vibe has thrown in a few extra features that all anglers can appreciate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The boat comes with two \u201cpaddle parks\u201d (Vibe\u2019s name for paddle holders)<\/strong>. These are indispensable when you\u2019re fishing. The last thing you want is to see your paddle floating away while you\u2019re wrestling with your catch. It amazes me when fishing kayaks don\u2019t include these and I\u2019m glad Vibe recognizes that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The boat has 8 scupper holes and the plugs are included<\/strong>. You probably won\u2019t use these often, but they\u2019re great in rough water and keep your boat from swamping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A quartet of flush mount fishing rod holders<\/strong> are built into the boat\u2019s hull, all of which you should be able to access with little trouble from the cockpit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boat comes with a pair of gear tracks in front of the seat<\/strong>. Easy to customize, it allows you to outfit your boat with whatever accessories you want. Whether you want additional rod holders, a GPS or GoPro, you can do it all without having to take a drill to your brand new boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another, rectangular mount central console is in front of the seat which allows for further customization<\/strong> and is compatible with most gear track accessory companies. A tackle box and cup holder are also easy to access from the seat. I especially like the \u201ctackle tray\u201d system which makes quick tackle switches easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to this central storage space in front of the seat, Vibe has two other dedicated storage areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first one in the bow is watertight with an 8\u201d hatch<\/strong>. Complete with waterproof dry bags, the prudent packer can cram an awful lot into this space. It may even accommodate your camping gear if your tent is small enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest storage area is in the stern<\/strong>. The big, tank-well storage space is open to the elements so make sure that any water-sensitive gear is stored in dry bags. The inlaid design has deck bungees stretching across the top to keep your gear secure<\/strong>. It\u2019s a great spot for a larger tackle box or cooler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Small and light, the Yellowfin 100 is a great fishing kayak for the more economical angler<\/strong>. In this case, cheaper doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re getting a lesser product<\/strong>. This boat comes filled with features, custom options, and ample storage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re going to spend your time on smaller bodies of water and don\u2019t mind a slower kayak, this is one of the most well priced boats out there<\/strong> and I\u2019m impressed with all the features they\u2019ve managed to cram into the short and narrow hull. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My only wish is that they\u2019d included a rudder in the original design. But this feels like a minor nitpick and is easy to install only your own if you want to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the smaller frame, the boat is wider than the Yellowfin 100 and the pontoon-style hull makes it very stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You get plenty of deck space,<\/strong> adjustable seat levels, and a great platform to stand and cast from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it still has decent top speed when compared to other ten-foot kayaks, that\u2019s not saying a whole lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some retailers were offering Catch 100s with a pre-installed rudder to aid in tracking and turning. But with a shorter keel, it already performs well, especially in calm water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Storage space is an odd quirk. The bow storage area isn\u2019t watertight. The hatch opening feels too small, <\/strong>and the side closest to the seat is open. This can lead to gear sliding and moving toward your seat as you paddle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our full review of the Pelican Catch 100.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A similar design from Vibe, the heralded Sea Ghost 110 comes packed with features without compromising stability. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A little longer than the Yellowfin 100 and featuring a larger load capacity<\/strong>, it\u2019s capable of handling some more challenging conditions than its smaller cousin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with the big load capacity, the Sea Ghost 110<\/a> from Vibe has excellent stability and one of the comfiest kayak seats on the market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plenty of customization options allow you to outfit your kayak however you want. The most notable is the watertight central console in front of your seat that can have a fishfinder installed<\/strong> on top of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our full review of the Sea Ghost 110.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A bigger and beefier version of Pescador\u2019s base model<\/strong>. The big difference is the additional custom features that put it on par with many of Vibe\u2019s products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You get additional gear tracks <\/strong>for mounting gear and a sturdier set-up for installing a fishfinder <\/strong>than the Pescador 10\u2019s recessed well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The seat has a few modifications <\/strong>as well. It\u2019s \u201cstadium-style\u201d and can be adjusted up and down in addition to back and forth, allowing you to get a better view of the water and cast further and with greater accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThings to Consider Before Buying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vibe-Yellowfin-100.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSpecifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yellowfin-100-Kayak-Large-Top-705x204.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSpeed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Maneuverability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comfort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2da274f604506814187f501d13a3dfe7.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStability & Tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Durability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Portability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Features & Accessories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fishing Ease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ca49e8eec29ce38f01fb2e670fec1098-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nValue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pelican Catch 100<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pic](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Catch100-705x411.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nVibe Sea Ghost 110<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pic](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/vibe-sea-ghost-110.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPerception Pescador Pro 100<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pic](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Pescador-Pro-10.0-705x179.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n