Wavewalk Kayaks

Here are Jeff’s latest reflections on this subject:

-”The Wavewalk might work well as a craft rowed forward.  I noticed on the web there are actually a few sites that have such arrangements in canoe type craft or skiffs.  What struck me was actually a movie I remembered from maybe 20 years ago where the title character was escaping pursuit through the Louisiana swamps in such a boat.  Called a “Stump Jumper” it allowed the user to go over logs and other shallow obstructions. Facing forward of course they could be seen and the best path over them decided.  The W-kayak should handle that task better than almost anything else out there right now.  Mounted in front of the user on the seat such a device if not too heavy might work.
For fishing there are times rowing works pretty well, trolling comes to mind.  Years ago at the place we go in Canada rowing was the preferred method for trolling weedy bays.  Since trolling motors were rare and the outboards of the day would not run smoothly at lower speeds rowing handled the task.  For regular fishing not trolling oars do get in the way.  Anything that can snag a line will at some point.  Shipping the oars or swinging them in the boat helps but they are still in the way.  By the same token a paddle kept across the middle is almost as bad.
I liked the one fellows approach to rowing the W.  For freshwater and bass fishing it has some merit since the fish are more easily landed.  His set up is just one more example of how expandable the W is and you have grown the line up of real world fishing boats.  –Jeff”



Here’s a new message from Wayne:

-”I had a good day today, caught 15 bass but no lunkers. I am sending you some more pics:

This is how I mounted the oar locks.

One is of the window weight anchor, lure used to catch bass , and the kind of fish attractant I like called Mega Strike that I have to buy off the web.

The blue tool holder is made from a 5 Gal bucket tool bag,  I cut it in half and mounted it with a strip of 1 in x 1/8 aluminum. Works great for me.

-Wayne”

Wayne Taylor from Florida outfitted his Wavewalk fishing kayak with a pair of DIY outriggers and oarlocks (read more about this boat). He sent this picture today with a short report:

-”I went fishing today with my wave walk. The oar concept works great for me as I fish small bodies of water.  I’ve tried the trolling motor concept and it was too much weight and hassle for me.  The issue about the oars is, I can make minor corrections to my position without laying my rod down. Using one oar at a time etc.”

Judging by Wayne’s catch, his concept works pretty well, doesn’t it?


Wayne T’s W fishing kayak is an interesting project from a number of aspects:

He first outfitted it with a pair of large size outriggers because he wanted to enjoy more stability at his advanced age (68). When Wayne is in his boat the outriggers barely touch the water and generate just little extra drag.

Wayne also outfitted his kayak with a pair or oars, with the oarlocks attached directly to the cockpit rim. He explains that the reason he did it is because it gives him better control over the boat than a paddle does.

“This is the best one man fishing boat I’ve ever used and I have tried them all…” He says, and judging by his catch he has evidence to back his words:

When he paddles it he uses a canoe paddle made from his Mohawk paddling kit.

It looks like Wayne used a pair of oars and oarlocks he took from a small dinghy, and all he had to do was to reinforce the kayak’s cockpit rim before attaching them to his boat.

Wayne also chose the simple and easy way to build his outriggers, and you can read more about what he did in this boat review.

Altogether, Wayne’s boat shows that with some planning and no big effort, kayak fishermen can literally transform their W fishing kayaks into a very different type of boat while preserving most of the advantages the original design offers.

A prospecting customer recently asked me if we offer oarlocks for the W.

We offer neither oarlocks nor oars because there’s very little demand for rowing solutions, as most people nowadays prefer paddling.

Rowing used to be a popular recreational and sporting activity in the 19th century, and many fishermen still use a wide variety of small rowing boats and watercrafts for fishing. Practically speaking, paddling has too many advantages over rowing for anyone to consider switching from paddling back to rowing for applications such as touring or fishing, especially in the ocean or fast rivers.

However, rowing offers a type of physical exercise that paddling doesn’t, and it shouldn’t be completely ruled out as an option, especially on flat water.

It’s possible to install oarlocks in the W kayak and turn it into a nice rowing boat: Not as fast as one of those long rowing shells, of course, but very stable and comfortable. You’ll be able to launch, row and beach it where rowing shells are not an option, and you’ll be able to row standing as well - I tried it and it’s fun!