>>1283509I recommend starting out with an inexpensive one first. They have some advantages, on top of not totally murdering your wallet if you decide it isn't for you.
>light (most 10ft sit-ins are under 40lbs)>nimble (shorter 'yaks turn easier, almost all the cheapos are 10ft or less)>stable hull designs because they're targeted at weekend warriors and noobs (multichine or bust for a fuckaround 'yak, tracks well, not slow as dog balls, pretty stable)>easily user-moddable on the cheap (an anchor trolley is less than $3 in hardware plus whatever you use for an anchor, rod holders are available online for as low as $12 for flush-fits and $5 for clamp-ons, stripping/tool/tackle baskets are pieces of cake)Now the downsides:
>durabilityThe cheapest of the cheap are injection molded in 2 halves then seam-welded together. Nothing actually wrong with this and I've NEVER seen one come apart, but it uses a different plastic than the roto-molded ones that gets scuffed/cut up easier and they bend/dent easier (they're usually also thinner, which is why they're lighter)
>flat or downward pointing bowThis is not a design you take out in serious waves as they'll break over the bow and swamp you, but novices shouldn't be out in serious waves regardless.
>the seat will suckGranted you have to get into the $600+ fishing 'yak category to get a good seat anyway. But this can be modded or aftermarket replaced.
>bad/vestigial storage compartments, screws poking out into storage compartments to shred your dry bagsGive it a good once-over and cork any exposed screw points
