Interesting plans hairy, low on weight cap, hard to tell about it's rocker but it is rather nice.

Thanks CPP,

Re - Rocker Bow 3/4" Stern 1/2"

Mate, I weigh 200lbs, fish warm water and the heaviest thing I take to sea is ice. A dry ride is of no importance to me. I wanted a very low profile boat to reduce wind signature and genuine capabilities in surf and rough water.

The reef I like to fish is 7 to 8 miles off shore so I also wanted something with good paddle ability (speed?)

If this boat goes as well as I hope it does, a 17 -18 foot touring/fishing version will be in the pipeline. Matt, has been a gentleman and thorough professional to do business with in designing this boat and I cannot reccommend him highly enough.

BTW, I have no affilliation with him or his company other than that of being a very satisfied customer.

quote:

I will be bulding mine shortly.

Please post photos of the build process. If it goes together relatively easily, looks good and performs well, there could be a lot of interest.

G'day Fish Stew, goodonya maaaaate
Matt has just posted my plans yesterday. the shop is cleared, the tools are sharp and I'm busting to get started on this one.

There are about 45 seperate panels (not including hathes etc, so thee is a fair amount of work involved. I reckon on about a genuine 200 hours from start to getting wet.

Most of this time is spent on marking out and cutting so a lot of time could be saved by buying the pre-cut kit.

If there is enough interest, I would be very happy to post the full construction process with pics here (if Admin & mods don't mind) the boat is creating quite a bit of interest here in Oz.

quote:

Originally posted by CPP:
Interesting plans hairy, low on weight cap, hard to tell about it's rocker but it is rather nice.

Playing with lines for a 17' version.

What kind of capacity is desired? How much rocker? Bow height? Midship height?

Hi Matt,

How does same rocker and height & beam, only longer sound? Max Capacity - around 400 pounds.

Just my thoughts.

I'm wondering if the mass market wouldn't like the bow about 15", 2" rocker on the bow and maybe 1" on the stern.

A sharp bow with flare and volume to slice the water cleanly, minimise water on the foredeck, and lift over the rough stuff. That would be nice.

I want a big water boat, so generous with the rocker providing it doesn't compromise hull speed and tracking too much.

Perhaps an optional removable partial wrap-around coaming like the Kaskazi Skua and PaddleYak Fusion to help keep deck wash and spray out of the cockpit.

DogFish

(Dons his flameproof suit)

The "Buzz" regarding these S. African Kayaks is on one hand, well deserved, as they are (appear to be, I am told) great Yak's and they are certainly sexy as all get out.. But "Buzz" is "Buzz" and people are always looking for the next "thing"

S. Africa certainly does NOT hold exclusive right to some really trick kayaks!

US Made

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Just a note that the Eskimo is a convert from a SIK.

What I'm trying to get Warren Light Craft to do with Little Wing.

Yep'

Yeah, but where's the tankwell, or fish storage, or rudder, or..., or... all the good things that us fishermen look for? And, what's the price? Can you get it for under $2500 including shipping? I'd say the advatage still lies in S.A. even though I'm impressed with the little wing (being the first one to post about it on here).

The designer should focus on better access to internal storage. This not only includes rods, and gear, but fish.

For an ocean going yak, if I had my way no tankwell. Internal storage for fish with a custom fish bag with a large hatch immediately behind the yaker. This lowers the CG for loads. It also provides longer length past the normal square cut off of the tankwell.

Long trips are the norm for over 25% of the market (see thread in Main section). And getting longer (see for example http://forum.kayak4fish.com/viewtopic.php?p=33316#33316 )

The LW will be in the $4.5-5K class. You will be paying for a lighter weight and quality of construction. No polypro leaks. The price will keep out many. But the weight and performance is just too attractive for me anyway. Looks like a design that's good for the next 10 years anyway.

Seems to be taking off in the touring market. I see no reason it won't sell in the fishing market if designed properly as the fishing craft should have a comparable performance to the touring model,and racing.

It's really all about access to internal storage. Fisherman can't live with touring hatches. Tourer's OTOH can live with fishing model access.

quote:

Originally posted by bnz:
Yeah, but where's the tankwell, or fish storage, or rudder, or..., or... all the good things that us fishermen look for? And, what's the price? Can you get it for under $2500 including shipping? I'd say the advatage still lies in S.A. even though I'm impressed with the little wing (being the first one to post about it on here).

The Skua has no tankwell (as far as I have seen) nor does the Pelican, The MacSki Looks like it shares more than a little DNA with the Royak (which has internal storage)

Where the S. Africans are ahead is in the design of Yaks for fishing specific purpose.. The Dorado seems to be the Holy Grail, and I can easily see why, great topside design. If the "Eskimo" was revamped to include a few more fishing friendly features.. S. African advantage would be NIL

As far as Hull design, The Little Wing appears to be at least an innovation.

River, you aren't forgetting price now are you? I seriously doubt we'll be seeing one built in the U.S. for under 3k, especially if it's a specialty yak built with fishing in mind.

BNZ, you got that right, it will cost $$$$ bills and up. , but if it works and will fit me, sign me up

quote:

Originally posted by bnz:
River, you aren't forgetting price now are you? I seriously doubt we'll be seeing one built in the U.S. for under 3k, especially if it's a specialty yak built with fishing in mind.

Glass boats are pricey.. what does the skua, and or Doarado go for with shipping etc...?

People buy Glass touring yaks at $2,500+ all the time.. maybe less people fish ? on Yaks, yes R&D and "tooling" might elevate the price but no doubt somewhere someone in the states is gonna say Hmmmmmm.... lets start making em' and will do so at the right price point, even better, someone might figure that rotomolding a boat with similar design features might be the way to go.. or even (lighter) yet.. Thermo molding one (Phoenix is certainly on the right path)

If price is the major concern for a well designed glass boat.. I should hook up with some Chinese boat builders and start an import company, sell a million cheap ones!

Again, I'm not gonna debate if the S. African boats are "better" or not.. clearly some great designs (Dorado) but the "Buzz" is just that Buzz..

Heck next thing I hear is that the boats are better because the water is rougher over there

( Dang' its hard to run and duck with a flameproof suit on...)

River, no one's throwing stones at you at all. Luna got his first Dorado (with shipping) for around $1750, his second new improved Dorado will cost him around $2250 if I'm not mistaken. I think he also got his skua for around $2200.

So the question becomes, do I want to buy a proven fishing yak for less than $2500 or a newly designed model for more?

Advantage, South Africans.

I guess we could always debate whether or not you should buy a Toyota built in CA, a Honda built in OH, a Nissan built in TN versus a Ford built in Mexico or a Chevy built in Canada while we are at it.

(p.s.- I like the looks and functionality of the MacSki Kingfisher also, just not so sure about its speed.)

No, no, stones, I was being cheeky at best.. (even deserving a little torching)

What do you think about the Royak?

Even at $2,000 + a Kayak is still way cheaper than a power boat! I am not rich, by any stretch of the imagination, but I could afford that, if that was going to be my one indulgance.. still semi-affordable.

Had I the brains, skill, ambition and resources.. I would love to design \ build a Kick-butt Yak' for fishing.. oh well!

In this area (S.E. New England) you can't cast a 1oz. sinker without hitting a boat builder... surprized no one has started building SOT's designed primarily for fishing..