Author: microskiff cat

By Mike Silva

Massachusetts

I sold my 15 HP 4-cycle outboard and got a 9.9 HP modified instead. The old motor weighed 135 lbs, and it was too heavy. The new one weighs 108 lbs, and I outfitted it with a hydrofoil.

My friend tells me “You have a nice 24 ft boat, so why do you fish from that kayak?”… I like fishing with the S4 because it puts me on the fish – My big boat drifts too much with the wind because it has a big high deck, and it drifts too much with the current because it drafts 3 ft. No such problems with the S4, and since it drafts so little I can get much closer to shore without fear of hitting rocks.

The other day I was going with it through the Cape Cod canal, which can be a nasty place because of the currents there, especially when there’s a strong wind blowing. The water was rough, and you could see that even big boats had problems, but not the S4. We made it without any problem.

My dad and I caught many stripers out of my S4 this year, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. I heard the tuna were biting now, so I think I’ll try going after them.

My next project will be adding a large size spray shield so we can go faster in big waves.

 

 

 

Another striper on board

 

More rigging and fishing with Mike »

By Chris Henderson

 

The S4 with the 6.5 hp Twister mud motor performed well towing the W700 back, but it still needs a bit more work to maximize its performance. You can see how a W700 and the S4 combo gives you a lot of versatility.

The wheel cart I made needs more work too.

 

By Chris Henderson

Hunt was a bit more sporty this week in that my shooting was off and I ended up winging some birds. The big problem with that is that it results in water swats. In the spot I am hunting you are limited to 25 shells. Although I do not believe many adhere to this rule, I do. So spending a bunch of shells on water swats and a particularly crafty wigeon which was probably eaten by the seals, I came down to my last four shells with 2 birds to go. Got one with two shots, and only had two shots left. After shooting them I thought I would be foiled in my quest to get a limit. So I searched my box and then found one more live shell in my pocket! I let the bird come all the way in with feet down before I smacked him. That 25 shell limit did make it much more sporting I will tell you that. Wigeon will often come in with no calling necessary, but today the wigeon whistle proved it’s worth turning a few birds and bringing them all the way in. Torrie is improving with each trip.

Of course the W700 hunting kayak was solid as ever!

Enjoy

 

 

By Chris Henderson

A solid day on the mud flats.
Torrie, my retriever, improved over last time, and is starting to get this game figured out. Some work to do to finish the retrieves, but we will get there! She has not had a lot of practice with the whole transition from water to land holding the bird.
Can’t beat the weather or the birds! Wigeon whistle worked like a charm.

Stuff I Use  –

Duck Hunting Boat: Wavewalk 700

Decoys –
Avian X wigeon decoys
Assault Widgeon
Tangle Free Full Body Wigeon

Gun: Benelli Nova Tangle Free

Dog Blind: Little Buddy

By Matt Willis

Mississippi

 

I have had little exposure yet. I have troublesome hands and the 5 hp outboard was a little wearing to manipulate (it’ll go as a kicker on another boat in the family). I’ve ordered a Honda 2.3 as I need another kicker and would like to try this on the S4. I think I’ll like it better but will use the boat differently as a result.

Not much in the way of mods, some lighting and tie downs.
The trailer bunks will have to be lowered to get this to float the kayak w/o putting the truck in the water.

This rig just traveled 1,800 miles w/o a hitch. Trailers beautifully.

This boat can be many things to many people and that’s different in a boat.