Comments on: Rod Ratzlaff’s W500 ‘First Impression’ Kayak Review, Colorado http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/ The World's Best Fishing Kayaks Tue, 22 May 2012 13:41:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: admin http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/#comment-2151 admin Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:34:01 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=320#comment-2151 Hi John, You're definitely not the only person in the Seattle area who owns a W kayak :) but you're the only W kayaker from this city who's communicating with us on a regular basis, and that's great! Yoav Hi John,

You’re definitely not the only person in the Seattle area who owns a W kayak :) but you’re the only W kayaker from this city who’s communicating with us on a regular basis, and that’s great!

Yoav

]]> By: Johnnyrat http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/#comment-2149 Johnnyrat Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:05:17 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=320#comment-2149 I've had my w500 out now only 4 times and I agree once you get your technique down it's FAST, easily as fast as a 13' kayak (if your in the aggressive mounted position)... and the leaning into a turn works really well, especially if your seated near the stern. I have gotten used to a milder cruising stroke in the seated position that allows me to paddle for literally hours with no problems or back pain (holding the paddle closer towards the center and letting the paddle and gravity do some of the work). Last night I took it out into some choppier, high traffic areas and got ALOT of inquiries from some sea-kayakers who were very impressed with a boat you can stand up in. Feels really weird, but good, that I am probably the only person in Seattle with one of these great little vessels now, but I feel that won't be for a whole lot longer with all the questions I'm asked. Lately I'm scheming of ways to modify it, and am thinking of a crazy mural to paint on the sides, like it didn't get enough attention already! I’ve had my w500 out now only 4 times and I agree once you get your technique down it’s FAST, easily as fast as a 13′ kayak (if your in the aggressive mounted position)… and the leaning into a turn works really well, especially if your seated near the stern. I have gotten used to a milder cruising stroke in the seated position that allows me to paddle for literally hours with no problems or back pain (holding the paddle closer towards the center and letting the paddle and gravity do some of the work).

Last night I took it out into some choppier, high traffic areas and got ALOT of inquiries from some sea-kayakers who were very impressed with a boat you can stand up in.

Feels really weird, but good, that I am probably the only person in Seattle with one of these great little vessels now, but I feel that won’t be for a whole lot longer with all the questions I’m asked.

Lately I’m scheming of ways to modify it, and am thinking of a crazy mural to paint on the sides, like it didn’t get enough attention already!

]]> By: Rox http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/#comment-1898 Rox Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:03:51 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=320#comment-1898 Congrats on your New W500. :) Wait till you get your first tow from a fish, It's such a blast. Take your time, and really get the feel of your W, and you'll be doing things and going places, no other yak can go. :) Tight Lines all. Rox Congrats on your New W500. :)

Wait till you get your first tow from a fish, It’s such a blast.

Take your time, and really get the feel of your W, and you’ll be
doing things and going places, no other yak can go. :)

Tight Lines all.
Rox

]]> By: Knucklewalker http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/#comment-1883 Knucklewalker Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:40:40 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=320#comment-1883 That's not bad at all, since touring kayaks are faster than fishing kayaks. That’s not bad at all, since touring kayaks are faster than fishing kayaks.

]]> By: admin http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/15/rod-ratzlaffs-w500-first-impression-kayak-review-colorado/#comment-1880 admin Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:30:08 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=320#comment-1880 Thanks Rod, Your initial comparison of the 11'4" long W500 speed to that of a 13' long touring kayak is pretty flattering. Take your time to learn the boat and fine-tune your paddling technique - I'd be interested to know what your speed comparison is once you've become a seasoned W paddler :) Yoav Thanks Rod,
Your initial comparison of the 11’4″ long W500 speed to that of a 13′ long touring kayak is pretty flattering.
Take your time to learn the boat and fine-tune your paddling technique – I’d be interested to know what your speed comparison is once you’ve become a seasoned W paddler :)
Yoav

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