Testing my S4 in the gulf

By Mike Blouin

South Louisiana

Mike is Wavewalk’s authorized dealer for this area

I mounted  6 hp Mercury on my S4, and I took it for a drive around Grande Isle, in the gulf. There was a 12 mph wind blowing, and the water was choppy and sometimes rough, but the S4 handled it perfectly. This boat always has enough free board, and it’s very responsive. I found that thanks to the S4’s extreme stability and generous free board, I can drive it faster in rough water than other microskiffs I’ve driven.
Launching it and taking out is so easy!
The S4 is very comfortable to drive. After several hours in it I had no back problem, knee problems, or any other problem, and this is something I can’t say about my [one person] skiff, which is painful to drive and fish from.

Wavewalk S4 with 6 HP Mercury outboard motor - south Louisiana

 

Wavewalk S4 microskiff transported on a trailer - south Louisiana

Update: Pictures from our family trip to Sam Rayburn reservoir, Texas –

Driving the S4 microskiff in Sam Rayburn reservoir in Texas

Wavewalk S4 microskiff beached in Rayburn reservoir, TX

S4 microskiff beached in Sam Rayburn reservoir, Texas

S4 microskiff transported under our pontoon boat
S4 microskiff transported under our pontoon boat

S4 microskiff transported on a trailer, Louisiana

If I ever buy another boat it will be another S4

By Noel Leynes

Alabama

I bought a brand new Honda 5 hp motor and it sure is fun!
Also, the S4 paddles surprisingly well and tracks superb!

I am very happy indeed. I told my wife that I have no regrets and if I ever need another boat, I will buy one… but it’s going to be another S4! 😀
Your boat design is exactly what I envisioned. Practical and flexible. The Catamaran hull adapted to a kayak/skiff design is absolutely outstanding. I used to keep [expensive pedal driven] kayaks but that changed after I saw your S4 boat. I sold them by the way.

Now I’m planning to put up a bow trolling motor. I want the one that has a spot lock GPS.

Thank you so much!

Transporting an S4 microskiff on top of a car without a roof rack

Photo Courtesy of Matt Boyce, WA

We definitely do not recommend transporting your S4 cartop microskiff with it resting directly on the roof of your car, without a roof rack, but since it’s possible, and there may be a case where there is no alternative for doing it, here is a picture that shows how it can be done successfully.

Note that Matt made sure to protect the roof of his car with a thick and wide mattress, and he used three straps to attach his S4 to it.

The big problem is not that uploading, transporting and downloading this 100 lbs microskiff might leave scratches on the car’s paint, but the worst case scenario is that if you don’t attach it well, it might fly away, and hit another vehicle.

Attaching a Wavewalk 700 or S4 to the roof of a car that does not feature a proper roof rack with crossbars is particularly risky in long distance trips, since the boat is exposed to powerful, high speed winds, as well as sudden stops, slowdowns and accelerations that are also characteristic of urban trips.

This is to say that extreme caution is advised, and stopping every now and then to check that the boat still sits well on top of the roof is very much recommended.

Needless to say that in such trips, your motor should be transported inside your car, and never stay attached to the boat.

More on transporting your portable boat »

Paddles

Kit For Kayaking and Canoeing

Price: $110

We ship every S4 with a paddling kit, standard, for no extra charge.

Kayak Paddle or Canoe Paddle?

Canoe paddles take less legroom onboard than longer kayak paddles do, so it’s more convenient to carry canoe paddles onboard when you drive your W700 or S4, and you need a paddle just for launching or beaching.
On the other hand, for most people, kayak paddles are more user-friendly for paddling longer distances.

Problem Solved: Two Configurations For One Paddle

We offer a 2-piece, 9 ft extra-long paddle for paddling in the kayaking style. This lightweight aluminum shaft kayak paddle can be instantly converted into 2 canoe paddles:  Just disconnect its two halves from each other by pushing the button clip in the middle of the paddle, attach a T-grip handle to each half, and start canoeing in tandem.

9 ft XL kayak paddle

Our paddling kit includes the above 9 ft 2-pieces XL kayak paddle and the below 2 T-grip handles –

2 T-grip handles for canoe paddles
2 T-grip handles for canoe paddles2 canoe paddles:

2 halves of the XL kayak paddle plus 2 T-grip handles = 2 canoe paddles:

2 canoe paddles
The 9 ft XL kayak paddle converted into 2 standard canoe paddles
Made in USA

Tech Specs

  • Paddle Shaft: Aluminum
  • Shaft Diameter: 1.125″
  • Blades: Impact resistant and UV resistant plastic material
  • Blade Size: L = 20″, W = 8″
  • Rubber Drip Rings: Yes
  • T-Grip: Plastic