Forward Rowing a Wavewalk Fishing Kayak
Here are Jeff’s latest reflections on this subject:
-”The Wavewalk might work well as a craft rowed forward. I noticed on the web there are actually a few sites that have such arrangements in canoe type craft or skiffs. What struck me was actually a movie I remembered from maybe 20 years ago where the title character was escaping pursuit through the Louisiana swamps in such a boat. Called a “Stump Jumper” it allowed the user to go over logs and other shallow obstructions. Facing forward of course they could be seen and the best path over them decided. The W-kayak should handle that task better than almost anything else out there right now. Mounted in front of the user on the seat such a device if not too heavy might work.
For fishing there are times rowing works pretty well, trolling comes to mind. Years ago at the place we go in Canada rowing was the preferred method for trolling weedy bays. Since trolling motors were rare and the outboards of the day would not run smoothly at lower speeds rowing handled the task. For regular fishing not trolling oars do get in the way. Anything that can snag a line will at some point. Shipping the oars or swinging them in the boat helps but they are still in the way. By the same token a paddle kept across the middle is almost as bad.
I liked the one fellows approach to rowing the W. For freshwater and bass fishing it has some merit since the fish are more easily landed. His set up is just one more example of how expandable the W is and you have grown the line up of real world fishing boats. –Jeff”
Tags: fishing kayaks, kayak fishing, oar, rowing
October 27th, 2008 at
The W-kayak lends itself to both forward and backward (traditional) rowing since it’s symmetrical front and back.
The rower can position himself at any distance from the oarlocks by sliding along the saddle.
Yoav
October 27th, 2008 at
This boat (oops! -kayak) has a great potential that will unfold as more people get to use it in different places, and for different purposes.
Bob
October 28th, 2008 at
Rowing used to be much more popular. I wonder why paddling replaced it
October 28th, 2008 at
canoeing also used to be more popular than kayaking. There is a trend to go from propulsion that requires skill and technique to easier types of propulsion.
Canoeing is easier than rowing, and kayaking is easier than canoeing, at least when you’re not paddling one of those needle thin touring kayaks that are prone to overturning.
-Bob