WAVEWALK KAYAKS

I have been looking for a kayak or canoe that fits my needs for quite a while.

I love the sport, and find it a relaxing and useful mode of transportation. However, as I get “older” I found that the body does not necessarily wants to do everything my mind wants to do. I am 65 years old, 5’9” and 190 lbs having had back surgery a few years ago.

Jose stand up paddling in his W500 fishing kayak, Mission Bay, San Diego

The hours on end I used to spend paddling along the coast, around lakes and down rivers looking for thinks to photograph, enjoying the views or drowning some worms became a painful experience after half an hour of sitting in a standard kayak in the infamous “L” position.

I could not find a comfortable position and after about one hour I could not get out of the kayak in a graceful manner (actually I had to roll out on the dirt) and was unable to straighten for several hours.

I had to either stop doing what I enjoy, or find a different way to do it.

After a lot of web surfing I found Wavewalk’s website and was intrigued by the new design and its claim of ergonomic delights. I was disappointed that there were no dealers or a place where I could actually try it (or even see one,) other than in pictures and You-Tube videos, but my back kept screaming to try it and get my mind off my back, literally, so I called Yoav and ordered a W500.

As soon as it arrived, I went to one of the lakes north of Tucson, AZ and gave it a try. The lake was very busy with many motor boats so the water was choppy with lots of wakes. The W handled well and although at times felt a bit unstable, after getting used to it, it became easier to handle and I enjoyed the outing.

FIRST TRIP TO SAN DIEGO

The following weekend I made a trip to San Diego and took the W with me to give it a more thorough workout. In the calm water of Mission Bay it felt a lot more stable and easier to handle. I paddled for several hours without discomfort to my back.

Only when I tried to turn inside the kayak to paddle the opposite way (just like Yoav does it) I lost my balance and the W flipped… As I said, the body does not necessarily wants to do everything my mind wants…

I purchased a Solo Canoe paddle 280 cm. [9'1"] which is light, and can be broken down and reassembled at different featherings. After all, I am not going to do any extreme kayaking…

Heron on the river bank

LONG CAMPING TRIPS

I went camping in a long and narrow lake in the northern mountains of Arizona. I loaded it with a lot of camping equipment, water, food, etc for a 4-day trip, which was too much, and the overloaded W was riding too low on the water, and felt unstable. So the following day, with an unloaded and lighter W, I was able to paddle 14 miles in it and for about 6 hours, including breaks, side trips, etc. without discomfort, something I have not been able to do in other kayaks.

MY WIFE’S EXPERIENCE

I also tried using my W as a romantic canoe “a la Venice” with my wife in a small lake south of Tucson. However, she was very tense, and the W felt unstable since I had to compensate for any movement she made. It turned out not to be such a romantic event after all. My wife also tried going out with me in tandem one more time in San Diego, but we flipped at launching and she won’t get back in it unless I put on some outriggers … They are on order. She is going with me come hell or low water!

[Editor's note: You should not attempt paddling a W kayak in tandem unless both paddlers are well acquainted with operating it as solo paddlers. Unlike canoes, kayaks are basically solo boats, and therefore tandem kayaking is usually considered an advanced application.]

CONCLUSION

I am using and enjoying the W very much. It is fun to be able to spend long hours on a kayak again and do the things I enjoy such as photography, fishing and sightseeing in the water. Overall, I am happy with the W.

Those are my first, second, third and fourth impressions. I hope they help!

Jose

This review is specific for how I feel about the kayak after my first trip in it.
Please take note that I have no experience at all with a mono hull/regular kayaks. Also please note that I weigh 72kg (160 lbs) and I was with my daughter who weighs 16kg (35 lbs). She was sitting in the front, facing me.
The bay (Ashbridge Bay – Toronto, Ontario) did not had big waves, but there was high traffic, big sailing boats and ski jets.
The w500 kayak was very easy to launch, no wet feet.
First minutes in the kayak I felt weird about its buoyancy effect; When I leaned in one direction (any, front, side, back) the kayak bounced back. This is weird initially, but after few minutes the feeling passed. It’s like starting to learn to ride a bike. The beginning of the ride is hesitant in balancing the direction, same here.
After the first minutes you learn how to sit steadily – the trick is to stay firm on saddle.

Paddling was easy, with no big effort; I paddled for almost two hours continuously with small breaks to watch the birds and fish, without feeling pain or tired.
Based on the bay size I think I put somewhere between 3-4km. Next time I will take the GPS to track the distance.
To change direction by 90 degrees it took only one backwards stroke.
I did not splash any water inside. For a newbie like me I think this is also good.

The paddle bought with the kayak is good, does the job well. I dropped it in the water; It floats and does not retain any water.

The lower part of the legs is well protected by the cockpit.

I did not have any problem in keeping direction while paddling. I found that it is easier and faster to paddle sitting at the rear, and not in the middle of the kayak, but please note that my daughter who weighs 16kg (35 lbs) was sitting on the front.
The kayak absorbs impact, and I think this is good, and at same time it feels rigid enough.
The tips of the kayak are great and very handy for storing stuff, plenty of open storage.

I found the eyelets mounted on the body useful for rigging various stuff.

Now, after the trip, strapping it to my minivan looks easy, using only 6 straps. No additional device to rig on the car, no foam, no special rack.

In my opinion the kayak delivers the features that are posted on the manufacturer’s website. For me, it met all the aspects that I was looking for. I don’t see now major changes needed to the design or rigging. I will mount maximum four RAM 119 rod holders, nothing more. I have a portable fish finder. I don’t think that the kayak needs more rigging or holes.

Overall I am happy with my purchase, and I am looking to have good time with my family using the kayak for fishing and just touring.
As a veteran Wavewalk kayak angler (Rox) said  – Life is good.
Regards and safe paddling from Ashbridge bay, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
29 August 2010

Petru Rotariu

Since 2004 we’ve been selling our W kayaks directly to clients in the US and abroad.
However, many people have been complaining that we don’t have local dealers where they could see and even test one of our kayaks before buying.

How Mike Ratigan, from Rochester, NY became our first dealer -

Mike loves paddling, and he’s been doing it for many years, until he had reached a point where paddling his common sit-in kayak was no longer a possibility, because it was just too uncomfortable, and too difficult to get into and out of – Read Mike’s kayak review >>
Being a former boat dealer, Mike was a bit skeptical about buying a kayak without first testing it, so he drove all the way from Rochester, NY to Sharon, MA, where he met with us and took a W500 for test drive.
He liked the boat, took one back home, and became a fan of W kayak concept, to a point where he offered to be a local dealer for Wavewalk.
Knowing Mike, we decided it was a good opportunity to start expanding our distribution, and Mike became our first dealer.

Mike’s kayak business is called New York Yaks. Mike is waiting for you to call, or email him, and set an appointment with him. Mike will also advise you on outfitting and rigging your new W kayak for fishing.

Yoav

Here’s a short report from Al Jay, from California, who’s already contributed technical information and a trip report to our blog:

“I’ve only fished in the Newport Beach Back Bay. The fish there are mostly small spotted bass which I released. See picture below on my first fishing trip.
I don’t plan to fish in the ocean except bays and harbors this year. Too many Great White sightings from La Jolla to Avila Beach. However, I’ll still paddle in the bays and harbors for exercise, and troll while doing so.

I’m thinking of going up to the Eastern Sierra for trout fishing. It’s about 350 miles north from where I live.

Al”

Kevin Eastman, a kayak fly angler from Florida, already contributed the story about the wooden Greenland-Aleutian paddle he made, and a suspended storage solution for his W500 fly fishing kayak.
Since then, Kevin has introduced some improvements to his W500:

-”I snapped a couple of photos of the mounting I did for the bilge pump and the plastic clamps I used under the screws. I also have a simple PVC rod rack that some might be interested in looking at. It’s similar to one that I saw on pictures of Jeff’s before the short rods, but more slender. The pieces on the seat can be added to the ends for more rod storage or positioned for trolling. The two holders on top are cut out for holding fly rod set ups and work well.
Kevin”

Here are a few shots from yesterday at the Highbridge area down in Flagler country FL about 43 miles from the house. The waters are where last year we caught hundreds of snook but today there were none. The season has been closed this year so far because of the severe cold this past winter killing so many fish.
Jeff

Photography: Nina Green

When we talk about Super Mobility, or Extreme Mobility, many people find it hard to imagine what it could mean.
When we say ‘Launch anywhere, go anywhere and beach anywhere’, some think it’s just another marketing phrase.
But it’s not -
This movie shows how kayak anglers and touring kayakers can go above and beyond obstacles in shallow water paddling and fishing.
Once again, our W500 kayak keeps expanding kayaking and fishing in every dimension. When compared to other types of kayaks, it is not just the world’s best kayak for touring and fishing – it’s in a league of its own.

Mike is a retired sailboat broker who doesn’t believe in ordering a boat without first seeing it. So he drove all the way from upstate NY to Sharon, Massachusetts, where he saw the W500 kayak, tested it, and took one back home with him.
This is what he has to say now, several weeks later:

I live in Rochester NY and I have been fishing from kayaks for the past 15 years.
I’m a retired sailboat broker with over 40 years sailing experience, and I hold a USCG maritime license.
My last fishing kayak was a [12' long, popular sit-in brand].
Being a 220 # male with some physical limitations, including arthritis, knee, mobility and lumbar issues, my sit-in fishing kayak was getting very difficult to use. I was thinking I was at the end of my kayak days due to my physical limitations, and this is why I’ve become interested in W kayaks, since I thought this craft will overcome them.

Prior to the W kayak, the [brand name sit-in kayak] was as good a fishing kayak as was available. The W has totally raised the bar. Launching / landing it is actually enjoyable, and standing up is remarkable.

My maiden voyage:
My new W500 and I went on our maiden voyage, and I had a ball. I haven’t stood up in it then, as I took my time getting used to how it handles. I landed / launched it about 10 times and did some basic turning. A number of kayakers were intrigued at the new craft. It transports solid as a rock now that I figured out my system.
I was very pleased with the W and my progress on that initial trip with it. With my knee and back limitations, I knew I’d be advancing slowly.
I’m very grateful for being able to get out on the water again at all. Being able to launch and land easily is more than worth the cost of the W. I am now thankful that I’ll get many more years on the water.
I think it would make a fabulous yacht tender too.

Next voyages:
Well I’ve had my W out about 5-6 times so far, and I want you to know how happy I am with my purchase decision. I was paddling by a major canoe / kayak facility yesterday and noticed I had drawn some attention by the staff and a few of their clients. I couldn’t resist the urge to stand up and proceed paddling around a bend until I was out of their sight. Awesome.
I’ve been in 2-3 foot chop on a local bay with no problems. I’m not pushing myself, just going along as my confidence and experience builds. I haven’t been able to turn around in the cockpit, as my knee range of motion is too limited. It is wonderful to be able to go ashore at will.

- ‘High-Beaching’ W Kayakers’ Style -

I want to thank you again, and I’m sure your design will give me another 10 years on the water.

Please use me as a local resource for demo purposes, as I would be glad to let prospects touch and see my W and possibly try it out if my timing works. I would be very glad to show my W to anyone in my area that has some interest.

I think you have one hell of a nice product.

Mike Ratigan, Rochester NY

NEW: Read how Mike rigged his W kayak for fishing >>

NEW: Mike becomes Wavewalk’s first dealer. Read more about it >>

We just got back from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for Jeanne’s family reunion. We brought all of the W kayaks along. Her family and friends had a blast and were impressed with them. It was fun for us sharing are love for the W kayaks with her family.

John

We live on a small lake in northern Wisconsin.
My brother, Gary Rankel, just gave me a Wavewalk for my birthday and I’m really enjoying it so far.
I still haven’t figured anything out that’s any better than this setup…my pup sits a bit high, but luckily she’s stayed calm while we’re out there (I haven’t been capsized yet!). So far she’s been great, despite distractions like other boats/waverunners/dogs…
It’s not pretty, but it works for now!

I’ll keep you posted if we rig something up that’s better/prettier.

Thanks for a great product!!!
Kay Rankel