2008 W Kayak Models
(Added May 08, 2008) -
One of the typical things that happen with a good design is that after people actually begin using it they discover new advantages it offers, and new things it enables.
The 2008 model has already exceeded our initial expectations by offering two new positions:
Side-saddle , and Riding-over
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Original post:
I guess many have asked themselves what made Wavewalk modify our kayak design in the 2008 models.
The answer is a bit long:
First, we wanted to do counter affect the rising cost of shipping, and cutting two inches from the spray deflector’s top resulted in a 10% reduction in the overall nominal volume of the standard package we ship to the customer.
Second, we’ve noticed that some people preferred a more rigid cockpit rim, so we made it broader, thicker and more robust. Now they got what they wanted.
Third, we wanted to help small children (5-6 year old) paddle without having to stand up, and lowering the spray deflector offers just that.
Fourth, we wanted to make it even easier to step into the cockpit and out of it, and that’s really where one can say ‘the best gets better’.
Fifth, we thought that a deep and narrow hull was a perfect place to drag a powerful and energetic fish into while it’s fighting to get free. Lowering the cockpit rim enables the W kayak fisherman to swiftly ‘drag and drop’ the fish out of the water and into a hull with minimal effort, and let the fish calm down a bit before being taken care of - without causing a mess on the deck or worse - in the fisherman’s lap.
Sixth, we realized that although capsize and deep water re-entries are quite rare we’d better offer the paddler a more comfortable way back in, and again - a lower cockpit rim was the solution.
Seventh, a lower spray deflector enables W paddlers to move the paddle faster from side to side whether they’re canoing or kayaking their W.
Eighth, well, we felt we needed to show something new…
To compensate for the 2″ of protection lost we equipped all 2008 models with a preparation for a cockpit cover.
This means that W paddlers can paddle the 2008 models in the surf or in fast rivers as well as in bad weather while being better protected than they were before.
Yoav
Tags: 2008, cockpit, design, fish, fisherman, fishing, kayak, model, paddling
January 15th, 2008 at
A sleaker, faster, and far sexier W. What more could anyone ask? The lower cowling should make it far easier to yank a large fish over the side and into the hulls to secure them. Rock on W !!!
January 19th, 2008 at
The 2008 looks sportier and we like it - Chuck & Linda
January 20th, 2008 at
The new design looks more aerodynamic.
Was windage a consideration too?
January 20th, 2008 at
Windage was never a problem with the old model.
In fact, even beginning W kayakers reported they were able to paddle on very windy days when other kayaks were nowhere to be seen.
This is initially due to the boat’s good tracking ability, and in side wind it’s enhanced by the paddler’s ability to lean into the wind and thus keep the course. You’ll never see a W kayak with a rudder since there’s simply no need for one.
The boat also moves forward well in headwind, partly because of its narrow hulls and partly because the paddler can adjust trim by moving forward or backward along the saddle. This is especially important for dealing with eddies, which can be a serious problem when paddling in headwind because they can both impede the boat and divert it from its course.
Having said that, the 2008 W kayak may be more aerodynamic than the previous model but we still don’t have enough reports about it, and we may never be able to know exactly because the effect could be too small to perceive.
Yoav
June 28th, 2008 at
I just bought an F2 and am waiting on delivery. I am going CRAZY w/impatience. So many fish, so little time.
June 28th, 2008 at
When you get your w you’ll find you have more time to fish, since weather is less of problem with it than it is with other fishing kayaks–Marco