WAVEWALK KAYAKS

Craig Masterman, a Massachusetts W kayak fly fisherman who contributed a great review of the W kayak last year, sent us fresh stories and rigging ideas:

-”Hey Yoav!

I just returned from my first trip to SW Florida since I got the W last summer.  We drove the pick up all the way down and back from Massachusetts with the W on top secured with just two heavy duty web straps.  It rode absolutely securely on 4 foam blocks sold by several outlets for just that purpose.  I figured out a way to stop the straps from loudly humming like guitar strings on the highway I thought others might find useful.  I simply cut some one inch diameter foam pipe insulation to fit over those parts of the straps that angle down from the top of the kayak to the vehicle, which silenced the hum caused by the wind rushing past the taught straps. Problem solved for about 4 bucks!  But that’s not the main reason I’m writing you.

As we made our way around SW Florida with the W on the truck, we were followed, stopped and questioned by at least twenty people about the “really cool and unique looking kayak”.  It actually started in South Carolina and continued throughout the two week trip.  By the end I had my speech singing the praises of the W pretty well memorized.  I gave out the website to all of them after describing the W as the ultimate fishing platform.  Most were surprised at the fact that it is only 25 inches wide.  They were also surprised to learn that I was not a sales rep for the company, but just a satisfied customer!  I had guys climbing up on the tailgate, taking pictures of the cockpit “saddle” and the 9 foot paddle.  I would be happy to put a decal of the website on the boat.  It would certainly generate some inquiries, and give my voice a rest!!!

A much time as I spent talking about the W, I actually did get a chance to fish out of it too!  I was fortunate enough to land several fish on the flyrod.  The boat performed beyond expectations and felt solid under foot as I stood and made cast after cast to sighted fish on the flats and under the mangroves.  One day, I paddled a total of six miles casting to and prospecting for fish.  By day’s end I was understandably a little tired, but not at all sore or stiff owing to the comfort of the cockpit and the ability to change paddling positions at will.  I can’t wait to get the W in the water again later this spring on Cape Cod!

Best regards — Craig”

Tags: fly fishing, fly fishing kayak, kayak fishing standing, kayak fly fishing, standup fishing kayak

This entry was posted on Monday, March 30th, 2009 at and is filed under kayak design, kayak fishing, kayak outfitting, rigging fishing kayaks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.