First trip straight to the Gulf of Mexico beach near Biloxi, MS. Practiced in a protected cove for 30 minutes or so, no problems with launching, beaching, and seated paddling (of course I’ve read all the advice and observations of others). Very stable and secure and comfortable. Will need to practice tight radius turning. Then out past the rock jetty into 1 to 2 ft choppy waves. No problems there either, straight on or side on to the waves … with the wind and waves, or against, no big problems. On way back into the cove did a little standup paddling. Was successful but practice will be needed here too for secure fishing and paddling. Amazingly there were 100s of people at the beach but no other paddlers. Guess they didn’t want to get wet and cold (water still warming up). Not a problem for me.

Next took W500 about 4.5 hrs north of MS coast to a remote wildlife preserve lake filled with cypress trees and logs. Beautiful day. Launched across a pile of floating logs and limbs at the bank and slid right over them without wetting my feet. Did a little fishing with no luck due to muddy water conditions. Great paddling, will need to decide anchor scheme so I can stay on a promising spot with less trouble in wind or current. Can really see that the W500 is comfortable and fun to paddle, but it’s real strength is allowing the average person to do OTHER things on the water like fish, hunt, explore, wildlife & bird watching, camp, etc. It will be great for river and beach cleanup days that are held in our area, due to its mobility, stability, and payload. A lot of fun and scenic river float trips are in our area too that I look forward to.

Paddled the bayou behind my home for the first time today and was able to have a comfortable standup session of about 30 minutes with no problem. Nice to see what is going on out ahead, fish tailing, birds, etc. Great exercise too.

BTW, it’s not very cool but my first kayak paddle is two 5ft (cheap) wooden canoe paddles spliced together, overlapped about 1ft, with two hose clamps. I can adjust the length until I decide what length paddle I really need. Total cost about $6 (already had the two paddles).

thanks … Paul

My W500 fishing kayak at Cypress Grove

Roxanne Davis from Connecticut is a seasoned kayak fisherwoman who has owned and rigged two early models of the W300 series, and reviewed them. Now she got a new W500, and this is her initial review:

-”I can say three things about it so far: “I LOVE IT” – The room in it is just perfect.”

-”I was on Rainbow Reservoir testing my W500 on a very wind day, and more boat traffic then I had expected. It handled like a dream, tracked great, and pushed threw the winds, with gusts up to 25mph, and constant 15mph. I was amazed how well I could paddle into the wind with it without killing myself.”

-”Most motor boaters don’t care about the laws and wakes… I Had a big 18′ Deep-V powerboat fly by on plane about 20′ from me, and I rode the 2′ wake with no problem. Then I went back to fishing, turned my head just in time to see the next wake hit me, (not even sure where it came from??) I didn’t panic, and let it hit sideways, and the W500 just gently swayed up and over the wake, and down, and then over the second wake with ease.
The W300 would have handled it also, but not as smoothly as the W500 did.
I’m really going to have to take it on the salt now, that wake gave me the confidence this baby can take it!!

I applaud you Yoav,  you’ve taken the best yak in the world, and made it better!”

-”I broke the W500 in with 15 Smallmouth Bass, nothing huge, just fun.

She’s been officially Slimed!! 

Rox”

Rox’ new W500 with her special side rod holder

Rox’ W500 with a transducer mounted

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