THE W500 KAYAK SERIES
We unleashed the W500 Series.
We tested it for the first time yesterday, on the Charles River. We were surprised that there was no surprise – The boat felt and performed as intended: Faster and stabler than our first series (now branded W300).
The new kayak’s lower spray deflector compensated for its additional width, and made it easy to move the paddle – both in the standing and riding positions.
My two sons aged 13 and 10 took turns in paddling, and had no problem at all.
The new kayak tracks remarkably well, and glides nicely on the surface thanks to its smaller draft. It’s as easy to turn as our first, smaller model.
Tandem (trio, actually):
I took my two boys with me on board. One weighs 110 lb, and the other 100 lb. Last time I weighed myself I was 200 lb. With our shoes, clothes, PFDs and paddles the boat was loaded with some 450 lb.
Still, we felt no instability, and although slower than when paddled solo, the new model wasn’t hard to paddle, and tracked very well. Turning was noticeably harder than when lightly loaded, but that should be corrected through practicing.
The longer cockpit didn’t feel crowded with three passengers, and although I sat in the back I could move my paddle freely.
The hulls slightly spread apart, pressed by our combined weight. This added to the boat’s stability, and felt good.
Tags: fishing kayaks, kayak design, kayak fishing, W500
April 30th, 2009 at
The w kayak is a great boat, and I wonder what made you decide to add this new model?
April
April 30th, 2009 at
All I can say is job well done sir. You have brought another dream to reality. The legend began with the original W. Now it grows even bigger with the introduction of the W500.
May 1st, 2009 at
We developed the new W500 series mainly for two types of customers:
1. Those who need a full tandem for serious paddling and fishing.
By this I mean two adults plus all their fishing and camping gear, in moving water, including in the ocean surf and fast moving rivers.
2. Customers that are big and/or elderly, who could experience a learning curve they might perceive as rather long with the W300 series. They won’t have to face this kind of experience with the W500 series.
Yoav
May 1st, 2009 at
Looks cool from the few pictures I saw so far.
It seems like the wake is different.
Pete
May 1st, 2009 at
That is a fine looking boat!
And I thought the w I have was the coolest kayak in the world
Marco
May 1st, 2009 at
The wake is different because the hulls’ design is.
We reduced the ‘opening’ between the hulls in the bow, so less water flows between them, and more of it is diverted sideways.
We did it because the hulls are wider, and it works well: The new W kayak rides smoothly and glides nicely, it’s easy to accelerate, and faster than its older sibling (W300).
Yoav
May 1st, 2009 at
Why did you call the new yak game changer?
Btw I can’t wait to see one of them…
Bob
May 1st, 2009 at
It’s a game changer because it takes kayak (and canoe) design to a new level. It’s the first model that fully implements micronautics as we understand it today, after five years of testing the first commercial W kayak.
The new design leaves traditional canoe and kayak designs thousands of years behind – literally, since those concepts have changed very little through the ages, and not necessarily for the better.
The feedback we got from our customers was extremely important, since it showed us what really matters to paddlers and fishermen, and what they can’t get from traditional canoes, sit-in, and sit-on-top kayaks.
The game has changed because the W500 eliminates the only two issues we’ve faced with the first, smaller model: Better capability, and the learning curve for some first time users.
Being faster than the W300, the W500 is a match for longer, faster sit-in and SOT kayaks.
Yoav
May 1st, 2009 at
It does look faster than the first model – how fast is it?
May 1st, 2009 at
It is faster indeed. To give a more accurate answer we’d need to test it in different situations, and by different paddlers, and then collect and analyze what they have to say. Shooting numbers from a calculator doesn’t work when you face something that new.
Yoav
May 1st, 2009 at
Why didn’t you make it longer? Wouldn’t it have made it even faster?
KW
May 1st, 2009 at
Making it longer would have made it even faster, but most people don’t care too much about high speed, and they prefer smaller kayaks.
If you look at the numbers of sit-in and SOT kayaks sold, you’ll find that most don’t exceed 13′ in length, and the speed of our new W500 is comparable.
Yoav
May 1st, 2009 at
So, do you think that once the new standards set by the W-500 get known, people would demand that sit-in kayaks and sots offer the same thing? Is it even possible?
April
May 1st, 2009 at
In words everything is possible
If you read what sik and sot kayak manufacturers say they’ve already solved all problems long ago! Their kayaks are both fast and stable enough to let you stand up and fish, and seats are very comfortable… 
So much BS, so little truth, and no shame at all.
Pete
May 1st, 2009 at
SIK and SOT kayaks haven’t evolved in the past decades. The only noticeable change is that they’re becoming wider every year, in an attempt to offer a little more stability, when what people need is much more of it.
The combination of kayak seat and foot rests is a total ergonomic failure, and gives people numb legs, sore butts and aching backs.
The monohull kayak isn’t going anywhere, and various hybrid, tunnel hull and outrigger designs don’t seem to solve anything really, since they generate new problems.
Yoav
May 2nd, 2009 at
Picked up the new 500 today ,spent about 1hr.was standing up and doing some easy paddling after about 45 min.of getting used to it. I’m 60 yrs old and just had major lower back surgery and still recovering so I got to go easy .
Had a canoe but after back surgery this looks like the way to go.Never been in a kayak so I don’t have anything to compare it to .So far I love it and will be doing some fishing soon.
May 3rd, 2009 at
Yoav, Looks like we have another winner!
Looks like you took the W Yak to the Next level!
Time to update my Fleet!
Rox
May 3rd, 2009 at
Thanks Rox,
I’d love to see your engineering skills applied on this one.
I feel this time you won’t consider any outriggers – even if you decide to fish in the ocean.
Yoav
May 7th, 2009 at
Hi Yoav,
I am watching your website and demos for almost a year.
I have search the Internet but there is no yak out there now who alow to strech the leg better than WW. Plus paddling in your yak, I assume based on the saddle position will engage all the muscle of the body (legs, torso, arms). Which is a A+ in my opinion.
I will buy one of W500. Not this year, in 2010 most probably.
Can you please update the website with the dimensions in metric system also?
Sorry for trouble but I am from Toronto and I am European.
Won’t be bad if you can take a picture of both yaks (300 & 500) side by side to give Internet visitors and idea of differences between the two series.
Regards,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May 7th, 2009 at
Thanks Petru,
You’re absolutely right about stretching the legs and the bio-mechanics of paddling in the W kayaks.
We’ll update the site with the metric dimensions – We should have remembered to do so before -Thanks for reminding me.
We’re planning to shoot many demo movies and photos of the new W500 as soon the weather here starts improving.
Yoav
July 30th, 2009 at
Hi
Im from Puerto Rico. For us faster means more time fishing in the spot. Are you thinking build a faster boat?
July 30th, 2009 at
Hi William,
The W500 speed is comparable to that of a 13 ft touring kayak
See this recent review: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/
Touring kayaks are faster than fishing kayaks by definition, due to their narrower beam (width).
Therefore, the W500 speed is comparable to that of an average 14 ft long fishing kayak.
In addition, you’re sure to get less tired and wet if you paddle a W kayak.
Yoav