By Captain Larry Jarboe
Larry offers guided fishing and diving trips in the Key Largo and the areas that surround it »
Author: microskiff cat
Ice fishing with Wavewalk kayaks
By Kent Johnsen
We have had a very bad winter.
May until now was cold, and it snowed, so the kayaks were winter sleeping.
More paddling and fishing in Sweden with Kent »
Wavewalk S4 first sea trial on windy day, with 5 HP outboard motor, Key Largo. Video and review
By Captain Larry Jarboe
Some thoughts about the Wavewalk S4
Beautiful lines! It may be the Cadillac of kayaks but it looks like a seagoing Corvette. Is it a high performance motor yak or a portable runabout?
Super stable. Because it looks so seaworthy, most other powerboats do not slow up when passing port to port. No problem. The S4 slides through wakes easily without leaving planing mode.
It seems to run a little faster than the W700 with the same motor. I believe the wider hulls act like a pair of skis to help the boat skim across the water. Handling tiller, camera, and a GPS at one time is beyond my skill set.
Tracking through turns while planing is wonderful. The boat’s stern does not slide like many skiffs do.
The S4 is so easy to spin your body to face the outboard motor because the hulls are so wide. You can keep your feet inside the vessel.
Also, the S4 is the perfect vessel for folks who are tired of maintaining their leaky inflatable tenders. Or, people who want a lifeboat that can be used for shade or transport, too.
I still think the W700 is the boat that does it all, but the S4 is the boat that does it all, and more!
The video shows 15-20 knot wind close chop. No problem. Try paddling against this.
Larry J.
P.S. – This boat could make a run from South Florida to Bimini. But, for the time being, I will be staying in waters managed by our Country.
Larry also offers guided fishing and diving trips in the Key Largo and the areas that surround it »
Wavewalk 500, 700 and S4, side by side
Following a request by Tom and Gary, here is a couple of computer renders of the W500, W700 and S4, side by side (virtually).
We opted to present the visual info this way rather than to shoot actual photos because computer imaging is less prone to distortions caused by lenses and inadequate angles of shooting.
Welcoming the new S4 while appreciating the Wavewalk 700
By Captain Larry Jarboe
Of course, there is a lot of excitement about the delivery schedule of the new Wavewalk S4 motor yaks. But, the W700 design still has a very important place in my personal life and growing business.
My W700’s are perfect for my guide and rental service. Here, I want people to focus on enjoying nature and catching fish in the Florida Keys. Often, motors can be cantankerous and disrupt an otherwise fine day of fun in a clean marine environment. Paddles are virtually maintenance free and totally pollution free. I include both the double kayak paddle and a canoe paddle with my W700 guided trips as both styles work very well. This allows my customers to choose their personal preference of non-polluting propulsion.
This week, Rafael and Eddie joined me for two consecutive days of fishing in the mangroves and open water. Whether, they fished atop the W700’s or in the shadow from overhead, these guys put fish after fish into the storage bags and big cooler. They caught about 10 different species of fish and over 100 fish each day. Many of the fish were filleted and donated to my neighbors who, believe it or not, cannot afford to buy fresh fish at the seafood market.
I have ground up the fish carcasses through my commercial chum grinder and have enough frozen chum blocks to feed the fish for more trips with the fleet of W700 fishing kayaks.
Or, should they be called “Catching Kayaks”?
Larry also offers guided fishing and diving trips in the Key Largo and the areas that surround it »
More fishing adventures with Capn’ Larry »