Five years ago, some kayak distributors were urging kayak manufacturers to produce kayaks that are more fit for fishing. Some manufacturers replied that their existing models were good enough for fishing, and people just had to get used to fishing from narrow and unstable kayaks.
Other manufacturers came up with extra wide kayak models, kayaks outfitted with outriggers, and all sorts of inventions intended to improve the customers’ fishing experience, including pedal drives promising ‘hands free fishing’, and strange hull designs that were supposed to allow stand up fishing in confidence.
All kayak manufacturers kept offering ‘improved’ kayak seats they said would tackle to problems of back pains and leg discomfort.
In reality, customers in 2009 still face a range of inadequate kayaks that don’t solve any of their fundamental problems:
When compared to bigger boats, SOT and sit-in kayaks are still too unstable to provide the same level of confidence required for fishing. Although all manufacturers and vendors claim they have kayak models allowing for fishing standing, their claims are unsubstantiated when closely examined.
As for comfort and ergonomics, the situation is exactly the same as it was five, ten and thirty years ago: namely very bad, with most kayak paddlers and fishermen suffering from discomfort, pain and even injuries, and many who quit kayaking and kayak fishing.
‘Hand free fishing’ is not hands-free as long as the kayak operator has to steer (and track) using hand-activated rudders. More importantly, pedaling in the recumbent position is draining, and therefore less effective than paddling in the long run.
In terms of mobility, there has been a regression, as SOT and sit-in kayaks don’t offer better means to launch, paddle and beach with more ease in more places, but on the contrary – the new outriggers and pedal drives in fact restrain the boat’s mobility.
At Wavewalk we feel encouraged by our customers’ reactions, which confirm that our W-kayak offers true solutions to all these problems, and more.
Unfortunately, hype is everywhere: all food products are “healthy and tasty”, all diets “work great” and so on… There’s too much talking and too little substance in advertising for consumer products, and kayaks are no different.
Pete
Looking at the situation as a whole kayak fishing craft have not changed very much except for add on stuff. As you said years of improvements have added little real substance. Backs still hurt, standing up is stunt in most cases and people do leave the sport out of frustration. The W however works like it says it does. Back comfort is the real deal and those long hours spent in the saddle prove it. Ease of transport in most cases is also very simple and a one trip to the water process can be done. The W is a true users fishing kayak it works with the angler to find and catch fish. There is no fluff or bother but the boat can be equiped for to any level of fishing the angler might chose. In my case when using it angling is an intuitive process and the boat is a part of me.
What about all those kayak models called “ultimate” something? It’s like those kayak manufacturers feel that if they don’t use the word “ultimate” in their kayaks’ names someone might think their kayaks aren’t good enough. It’s perfectly ridiculous, if you ask me.
All those sik and sot kayaks are pretty much the same. That doesn’t leave too many options for the manufacturers to get their products noticed, except using such big words.
I must say they’re not showing too much imagination, like most fishing kayaks are named after some fish…
Marco
Naming a kayak after a fish or using a superlative in its name isn’t necessarily stupid. It’s the fact that everybody does it that makes it look stupid.
April
They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so maybe those kayak manufacturers are simply being nice to each other
Mike
They sure try their best to “be nice” to each other… even their kayaks all look the same
Blue
‘Uninspired’ is the adjective that comes to mind when you think of this
How about ‘Uninspiring’?… LOL
That too!
With the big kayak companies posting big losses the smaller ones must be in dire straits as well. Some will have to merge with others, and some would go.
BB
So it seems.
As far as Wavewalk is concerned, we’ve had two remarkable years (read more: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/01/01/2008-was-a-banner-year-for-wavewalk-kayaks/ ), and we have great plans for the future.
Yoav
hey i want to start getting readers to my blog like you! can i pay you a couple bucks to give me a link in your blogroll/links? let me know
The word is CONTENT my friend – Just make your blog interesting and active, and preferably focused on a subject that people care about.
Good luck!