Ken Short’s Full Review of his W500 Fishing Kayak, Washington
Port Angeles, Washinton:
Here are a few pictures and a longer report on my new 500:
As a 72 year old who tries to stay active, I have been kayaking for about 10 years and have both sit in and sit on top kayaks. The problem has been that after an hour or so of paddling, the fun turns to a search for a place to land and take a stretch and get the circulation back in the lower half.
I have been following the evolution of the W kayak on it’s web site for several years as a possible solution to this problem and the introduction of the 500 really got my attention. The moving sale pushed me over the edge and I sent my order in.
Here are a few photos. On the maiden voyage, the first impression was of excellent stability and all kinds of room to move around and stretch or change position. After paddling around for a short while I just had to try the stand up mode. Initially that felt a little shaky but I found bracing ones legs against the seat firmed things up and made some stand up paddling fairly easy.
Best of all after quite a long paddle, the ability to move around kept me feeling fresh.
Next was a salmon fishing trip in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The bench seat or even standing up made long cast easy.
But, as usual, the wife ended up catching the salmon. I did net it for her though, and the high seating position and great stability of the 500 made for a successful capture.
Thanks Yoav for making available a design that can extend the enjoyment of kayaking for us seniors for many years.
Ken Short
Tags: back pain, circulation, kayak fishing standing, leg numbness, leg pain, salmon, standup fishing kayak, standup paddling, stretch, W500, yak back
October 30th, 2009 at
Thanks Ken,
Once you get more experience with stand up paddling and fishing in your W500, you’ll find there’s no real need to brace your legs around the saddle.
Yoav
October 30th, 2009 at
This is a great review.
I wonder why many people seem to wait for so long before ordering their first W Kayak. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the boat is offered for sale online, and they have no way of seeing and testing it before ordering?
Graham
October 30th, 2009 at
Interesting question. It seems like people don’t wait that long anymore, now that the W500 is available. It’s a model that has a certain quality of being ‘self evident‘ – It just looks more stable and comfortable than the smaller W300.
Yoav
October 30th, 2009 at
Great review! The salmon story is a classic one
Sounds like good teamwork – Great pictures too!
I think many people hesitate to order their first w yak simply because they think “This is too good to be true!”. People have learned to be skeptical because of all the [hype] they see and read about other kayaks they know aren’t good, and they think “I’d better be careful with this one!”.
Marco
October 30th, 2009 at
Great review and a Great day of fishing with your wife.
Those are some beautiful pictures, I really love the picture of you in front of that Monster Ship!!
Good Luck and safe paddling.
Rox
October 31st, 2009 at
Ken,
Great story and pictures. Tell me though, Ken – why do the women always outfish us. I’ve tried to explain to my wife that it’s tough on the male ego, but she never wants to listen. I even taught her to fish!
Good luck with your W500!
John Z
November 3rd, 2009 at
You are right on John. It is sweet when I can outfish her, but that doesn’t happen very often.
Ken S.
June 4th, 2010 at
I would think like most I would either like to buy a used one or at least try one out for my self. I’m a big guy and am starting to have trouble getting in and out of my current yak so I’m looking. This I have to admit this one has my attention, but $$ is still a factor as it is just for me.
June 4th, 2010 at
Greg,
We’re located south of Boston. You’re welcome to come over and take a W500 for a test ride on our local lake, if you happen to be around.
Yoav
August 25th, 2010 at
I feel a lot like Greg. I am an open ocean kayak guy, big (240) and am on the verge of giving up the sport as the leg/feet pain I come home with are out weighing the enjoyment.
My trips are between 5 and 10 mile trips in open ocean swells, some surf and seas of 4- 7 ft are not uncommon. Winds upwards of 25.
I have never seen a W on the water here, and concerned about no self bailing. Anyone have suggestions or experience with the W in rough water?
August 25th, 2010 at
Marty,
Where is ‘here’?
Winds of 25-30 mph are not a big thing for W kayakers. It is normal for W kayakers to go paddling and fishing on windy days, when ‘mono’ kayakers and kayak anglers prefer to stay at home.
Here’s some more reading for you on this subject:
http://wavewalk.com/blog/2009/07/16/w-kayaking-in-strong-wind/
As for 7 ft waves – well, the maximum I’ve been to are 6 ft waves (breaking waves), in the surf at Jenness beach (Rye beach), in New Hampshire. Maybe I’m not measuring wave height correctly, but I don’t think they were bigger than that.
Using a waterproof fabric as cockpit cover under such conditions is highly advisable, to prevent spray from getting inside the cockpit.
BTW, I’ve never used a cockpit cover myself, but that’s because I like to surf play, mostly standing up, and capsizing under such conditions is part of the fun – You bail out and let the waves bring your boat closer to shore, where you take out, drain it in a few seconds, and go back into the waves to keep playing.
Here’s a W300 kayak review from a seasoned sea kayaker:
http://www.wavewalk.com/Touring_Kayak_Review_01.html
Yoav