Got a very
shortpaddle in the Little Wing 14 and 18 last week while on a East Coast vacation trip.
Was under a time and water temperature, T&T, constraint, plus had no skirt. So being an old SOT guy was pretty cautious.I have had very little experience in SIKs except for a foldboat I build about 40 years ago, and a short interest in a single river yak that I could only roll in a pool or lake. So bear with me on being sketchy.
The 14 at 26 lbs may be what gals and smaller guys are looking for in the light weight catgory. There is a considerable demand BTW for this size yak.
At 5'11" and 195lbs I was jammed in a bit. I also have leg problems. One of those guys that can't straighten my legs at the knee while in a sit down position.
However that meant I had extra good contact with the build in thigh braces.
The yak seemed pretty fast I was able to keep up with the younger guys paddling the 16 and 18 (well we only went for 5-10 minutes)without killing myself. Feel wise it seemed faster than my Scupper Pro.
Once I got into shallow water next to a sandy beach I tried a few braces. The stability, including secondary was excellent. I'd say you could certainly fish this one for freshies and maybe some larger coastal fish.I had Chris, one of the staff, do a fish on simulation. He pulled the paddle plade sideways while I simulated using it as a pole held stright along the center line over the bow. The bow immediate swung toward the pressure. No stability problema I think if you lighten up the drag as the fish gets pulled closer to your yak.
Warren has build in on a custom basis rod holders for some customers, but unless your small you will probably need to figure out some sort of topside gear arrangement.
I then tried the 36lb 18'. Build for bigger guys. Room beteen my legs for the old draw string the gear to you routine.
The yak was quite speedy using the same effort I used in the 14. The secondary stability was outstanding.Better than the 14 which doesn't have the "wings" as much.
Primary stability -I felt very at ease in both hulls. Didn't have any problem with balance pivoting shoulders during stroke. Believe it's due to the seat being on the hull itself. A position much discussed here, and something for SOT designers to examin.
Had I had a skirt I might have tried a high edged turn. Without edging the 18 is pretty wide. See instead the review on site. The reviewer put the 16' through this type of manuver with good results.
I popped the rudderdown and the turn sharpened up. I would put it equal or better to the Adventure with a sailing rudder.
I think the 18 could be fished in deep salt water.How you would handle gear-probably minimum- could be worked out with a rod holder build in.
Fish storage would have to be on top. As with most SIKs I don't see getting to the hatches.
You could always bail and open them from the water. I did not try a re-entry, but Ted felt I would not have had any problem getting back in with a "cowboy" mount.
The finish on these boats is unbelieveable. Warren is working on more protection for rock scrapes, but sand is OK.
A couple of new things in the mill, I'm not at liberty to talk about. However, an 18' SOT is under consideration. It could probably be moved up in the cycle if those that want a 36-38 lb fishing deep sea yak send in their interest.
It's a family owned business. Very friendly and knowledgable guys. They have been suprised by buyers continuing opting for the carbon line versus the recently introduced glass at a higher weight.
Sorry I can't really report more due to the T&T constraints. But for a SOTer this SIK design seems like a very good one. Price may be out of your reach, but then again take your $2K trailer and sell it. You won't need it with these boats in the 26-36 lb region.Plus you'll save on future back surgery.
