“Big stable kayak which has been a great addition for when I’m travelling and for days off to fish local systems. Ample room to carry plenty of fishing, camping equipment and a large esky if needed. I would recommend starting with the propellor drive set up so you can reverse as the flap drive is only forward. I have the flap drive which is good and works well but have realised having reverse would be handy when moving in tight spaces. I have had some awesome fishing sessions already in the short time I’ve owned it.”
“A big beast that certainly lives up to its marketed review of being stable. I acquired the peddle drive with the yak and can achieve just over 2 knots comfortably but how I go on a river against the tide - could be a bit embarrassing.
Weighing over 50Kg, its heavy and as I have to load and unload it myself from a Landcruiser 200 series some mods were applied to assist. I have a rhino rack to which I have build a roller system that can extend past the 200's rear window fin before it tilts 45 degrees to take the initial load. Lift is basically an easy kettle bell lift/swing and it on the move up onto the roof Both unload and load were achieved very easily. The one attachment needed to the yak for this is strapping on 2 x 200mm foam balls either side of the rudder so as to protect the rudder when you lift it onto its stern to place the hull against the tilt rack. The foam balls with a long and short load strap worked well to achieve that protection. A mod here to be able to readily remove the rudder. While the rudder can be unscrewed, I would not want to do this excessively as its a little on the delicate side so went with the ball option. A pull pin, to remove the rudder flap itself would be a great mod.
The build appears good with many tracks for mounted attachments. I installed a Lowrance Hook 7 with Triple shot transducer which works well in the transducer hole mounted onto a piece of 50 x 75 RHS aluminium to raise the transducer to give the necessary 180 degrees vision.
The Transducer hole, to hull access paned could benefit from some more thought on how to easily achieve water-tightness. I had to go with plenty of silicone option once the cables were in.
Being a large Kayak, there is plenty of space for larger framed individuals. Being part dwarf At 167cm, I am having to work out how to get the seat closer to the peddles as I need to stretch on the farthest reach of each stroke. Unfortunately, the adjustable seat screw holders are not reversable which would have provided another 7-10cm of adjustment closer to the peddles. Looking how I best fix this, may be a different seat to that provided which otherwise is a very comfortable and suitable seat. I did go with a Native Side kick as a wheel option to the yak and that’s worked out very well without losing much room from the rear.
Happy with the purchase, interested in the electric option which replaces the peddles or flap drive, but as always price dependant but with many after market options also available.”
