WAVEWALK KAYAKS

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

A little modification to my boat. “Irish Wake” name incorporating the W logo, and a removable deck I use when fishing. Note the rod holders and the fish finder. I simply toss the transducer over the side. It’s on a small float collar. I used a scrap piece of melamine and attached a 1 ft wood strip that fits in the grooves. It lifts out with a twisting motion. I hang a can holder underneath, which I made from a plastic liter bottle. I cut that in two, the bottom half being the holder and the top half making a very nice little funnel. Most of the things I attach are tied with a small line to the bungees. I never saw a need to make a paddle holder when simply tying a line will do. Simplicity.

Mike

Mike’s ‘Irish Wake’ fishing kayak

Mike lives in Rochester, NY, and he’s a Wavewalk Fishing Kayaks dealer

They say that rescued fishing lures catch more fish…
Here’s Jeff McGovern, a good citizen of the Florida waterways, standing up in his w500 fishing kayak, in a tidal current, and rescuing a lure stuck high up in a tree:

Photo: Nina Green

The operation was a success, and here is Jeff resting in his fishing kayak if full southern comfort -

Note the tons of stuff Jeff carries on board his yak…

In my never ending quest to make my W kayak as perfect as possible, I cut to fit some plastic trellis material I got at Lowe’s to create shelving across both front and rear hulls and attached them with loop bungee cords, thereby providing surfaces for attaching a host of goodies. The front shelf contains my compass, anchor and glued on ruler (for easily measuring and taking pictures of fish prior to release, which comes in really handy in tournament fishing). I’ve also shown a life vest and a mesh carrying bag (which could double as a cooler bag) tied down on the front shelf. My fillet board will fit here also.

On the rear shelf, I installed a 3-rod holder assembly which allows me to carry 5 rods placed within easy reach behind me. The rod holder is secured with the loop bungee cords and, if you look closely, includes a sliding mechanism which can lock the rods in place so they won’t slip out in rough weather.

The sky is the limit as to what can be fastened down onto these lightweight shelves which never need be removed. Their only downside is restricting access into the W from the rear which, while handy, is no biggee to me. I don’t think increased wind resistance will be a problem.

Gary

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.

Bob lives in a small coastal town in Maine that’s famous for its fishing, as well as for other reasons. It was easy for Bob to drive down the Massachusetts to test the W500, and it was easy for him to decide to order one on the spot.

Here is what Bob wrote us after a few weeks of using his new w500:

I have been out with my wavewalk 500 almost every day, ocean, lakes and rivers, having a blast and learning its operating characteristics. I’d like to recommend this kayak to those who express more than a passing interest.
I have been wanting to send you pictures, but I find it a bit challenging catching fish on the fly, out in the ocean, and taking pictures at the same time! Guess I need to just get better at this! Yesterday I caught 1/2 dozen stripers, some up to 30″, all on the fly, and , of course, all standing up in the wavewalk. Doesn’t get any better!
Will practice on my picture taking.

And here’s an email Bob wrote to the editor of his favorite fly fishing publication named the Angler’s Report, shortly after he bought his W500:
“Just read your recent report on kayaks…thought you may want to check out Wavewalk kayaks. Just purchased one yesterday after researching and trying out both the [folding outriggers "stand-up" SOT kayak] and the [tunnel hull, 'hybrid' "stand-up" canoe-kayak] fishing kayaks. Their web site is entertaining, especially all the videos. In my mind, this is truly the only standup kayak out there. You actually walk onto to it, sit down and paddle away. I was standing and jumping within 2 minutes (trying to simulate one of the videos I saw) much to the concern of Yoav, the designer and owner of Wavewalk, as he watched from the shore. Later, we even went out tandem in the kayak. No other kayak has this kind of stability. A fly fisherman’s dream. Period.

Anyway, I am not trying to “sell” you the kayak… just thought you may find it worthwhile to check it out.

Bob Smaldone”

The editor of the Angler’s Report published Bob’s letter. Thanks Bob!

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

Dick Sherman and I encountered some brisk winds and choppy water yesterday, but our W kayak kept us high and dry. Another slow day, but still no oil in sight.
Gary

We had a great time in Reno for my daughters tournament. We had an opportunity to take the 45 min. drive to lake Tahoe several times. The weather was perfect, high 80′s during the day and low 60′s at night and so dry and comfortable. It would be 85 in Reno and we would drive 15 min. into the mountains and we were able to make snowballs and enjoy a fresh 60 degrees. Lake Tahoe was majestic. Just gorgeous with crystal clear water. The whole time we wished we had our W kayaks, so we could go paddling on the lake. It would be a kayaker’s dream to explore the shoreline in the W kayaks. I enclosed some pics. We are back home now trying to get used to the high humidity again
Talk to you soon.
John and Jeanne