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Posted by Art on 20:54:56 09/20/03
I showed up at Malibu this morning. I looked at the yaks. I visually took apart the X
on the show room, in the shop and in the owners head. I asked some tough questions about
reliability, past problems and the foam liner. I felt I was being given the straight scoop
from the begining. It really helps knowing how you plan to rig a yak before seeing it. I've
been studying the photos all week and had a lot of questions.
I'll be giving 2 or 3 evals of this yak.
My first impression was:
1. It's twice as thin top to bottom as I expected. It's hard getting away from the Cabo design.
2. It's very simple on the top. Even with two hatches installed.
3. There's a very peculiar concave ridge on the sides. I call it the "ridge".
The setup:
I always loook at a yak bait tank first, my ass second and rod holders third.
Everything else will fall into place. As I was measuring this and that for the possible bait
tank placement. Shawn showed me the premaid internal tanks about 4 gallons
that fit in the rear hatch. That saves me beggin' my boy to build me in internal vinyl bag.
These premade tanks are
made by a vendor that I've dealt with before and they have tremendous quality in their tanks.
It feel comforatable having inside a yak. Second, my ass fits in this perfectly. The
foot peddles actually give me more comfort and my feet do NOT sit on top of the scuppoer holes.
Third rod holders. With the bait tank in place, this yak comes with two CAPPED flush mount
rear rod holders STANDARD. I would place 4 more holder against the tank well walls for ease
of use and stability.
The hatch is a bit of a mystery. It's big and holds a 4inch hatch with bag. I would have to
teather it to keep it from floating away. I speak on this in a later report because
I'm thinking about redesigning it.
The ridge is there for stability. I don't think it needs it. The boat is wide enough. I'll
see how it affects the ride.
Rods up to 7 feet will store easily in the hatch, the shallowness of the yak will make 3 the limit.
I can't be 100% on this because no FF wires were present.
The owner pulled a new boat off the rack and aksed the shop guys to get it ready for RENTAL.
not bad. I told him that if I were interested in one it would not be in that color. He said
"No Problem" I need to upgrade my rental fleet.
The ride:
I loaded this thing down heavy because I was only doing the bay ride today. Ocean ride next week.
Bait tank my own 6 gallon tank, two wet sand filled dry bags - one on the front hatch, one on the rear hatch, my fat ass
and my 105# fiance in the tank well. 500#'s plus.
Tracking
Tracked like a dream even with Marlene screaming bloddy murder. The water line was never comprimised,
so I know I can throw a Johnny Ceviche load of fish in the open tank well and not sink.
Stability
Stability is sick, but at a price. I turned around, went up front and no problems. Even
Marlene quited down and enjoyed the ride.
Speed
Speed speed speed. It's fast enough, but even waited down in the wind, I'll have to reserve
judgement until a later review when I'm whizzing past you suckers chasing the YT in LJ next week.
Turning:
Can you say 18 wheeler? The ridge I mentioned makes spinning very difficult. A rudder is
available, but I've never used one and don't plan on it.
Draining.
Drains like a champ. Poured water all over only to have it exit quiclky. Will have the wave test next week.
Stay tuned for a fishing review. I'm launching LJ next Sunday afternoon for an OTW test.
Art
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