Jameson Redding, GOPC Kayak Fishing Team member
_________________________________________________________
I have paddled the Jackson Coosa for several years now and love it. Last year I picked up the Jackson Cuda 14. I have used this kayak for almost a year and feel the same way about it. I use the Cuda for my flat water, lake and salt, excursions and like the speed it has over the Coosa. Don’t get me wrong, in my opinion the Coosa is the perfect river kayak. When I started looking into the Jackson Big Tuna for a tandem solution for me and my wife I quickly realized it had great solo potential as well. I believe it is the single most versatile platform on the market with all of the seat configurations and the Tuna Tank. I got my Big Tuna just in time to take it on my annual trip to Pensacola, Florida for the holidays. I loaded it up on my new Malone trailer, which I love, and headed down to the Gulf Coast. Excited to try it, I planned a trip for that night to a spot that was known to hold big reds. The bait of choice is white trout that can be caught in the same location as the bull redfish using a Gulp! shrimp and a jig head. I wasted no time saying hello to everyone and getting my gear ready upon arrival in Pensacola. Once on the water the trout began to come to the boat, this is where my review starts.
1. THE TUNA TANK
I drilled some holes in the Tuna Tank and could not wait to see how it would work. I placed several trout in the tank with it in the upper position. I checked on them periodically and noticed that they were alive and kicking every time. As the tank filled I decided to drop it into the low position. I eventually had 20 white or sand trout, whichever you prefer, ranging from 10-14 inches. Me and my friend used these throughout the night and all of the fish stayed healthy and frisky. We caught several nice reds. The following days were spent between this night spot and a flat that we fished for speckled trout and slot reds. Again, while fishing the flats I employed the use of the Tuna Tank. I usually carry a stringer with me that I put the keeper fish on, which can slow your paddle down and attract unwanted friends such as sharks and dolphins. I don’t like carrying a cooler with me either, due to it taking up space for my tackle. I would rather leave it in the car. I managed several nice specks 17-20+ inches and since you are allowed 5 with one being over 20, I filled the tank. I kept my keepers alive all day and was able to cull fish since they stayed healthy and active. I would never have had this luck with the stringer. I plan to order the replacement tank soon for those days where I will not be using live bait or keeping fish.
2. SPEED
I would have assumed that the Tuna would be slow compared to my Cuda 14. If it is slower, however, I could not tell on the water. I was more impressed by how well it paddles as a solo kayak than any other feature of the boat. It is fast and yet still turns well. I do have the rudder on mine, but only because I am used to it on my Cuda 14. The only way I might could see it being harder to handle is if the wind was up a lot. The boat is bulkier and sits higher on the water.
3. STABILITY
Even the most stable kayak takes a little getting used to, however the Tuna would be a quick learn. I stand and fish from all my Jacksons and have no problem fighting even 42 inch reds while doing so. This kayak is the most stable Jackson I have paddled as of yet. I have wanted to try and stand in the seat of my Cuda for extra sight fishing height all year. Many times I have started to attempt doing this and chickened out due to it becoming a little rocky. I again pursued this dream in the Big Tuna. I was able to accomplish it with ease. I am no little guy either at 215 pounds and 6 feet tall. I was impressed to say the least. (Now, I am not saying that I recommend this, but I did it anyway.) The boat also rides through choppy waters well. With the wind blowing on several of our outings the waves were up. The Big Tuna road over them keeping me dry, yet still maintained its stable feel even with the seat in the high position.
These are the things that impressed me the most. I could go on, but I promised to keep it short.
Wes Hall, long-time customer and friend to the GOPC staff, has provided a helpful review for the P&H Delphin 155. Check out Wes’ insights below, and feel free to share some of your own thoughts in the comments section!
———-
Delphin 155
P&H Custom Sea Kayaks
L: 15′ 9″ & W: 22.5″
Volume: 70.6 gallons
Weight: Corelite – 58.4 lbs.
Appearance
At first glance, the P&H Delphin 155 has a more pronounced rocker than the average sea kayak, but this was P&H Customs Sea Kayaks intent. The cockpit is slightly aft of the kayak center and has a flat hull beneath it, giving this kayak a playful spirit in surf, tidal races and rough water. The Delphin also has a buoyant bow that is designed to keep it from bow plunging in surf. There are 3 dry hatches, bow, stern and a mini hatch in front of the cockpit, and a retractable skeg to improve tracking on flat water.
Water Conditions & Location
I paddled the Delphin 155 in Tubbs Inlet on the west end of Ocean Isle Beach, NC in the surf & tidal races. The wave height was from 2 – 3 foot rolling and dumping surf.
Outfitting
The Delphin is almost “out of the box” ready. It comes with hip pads, a ratcheted back-band adjustment, molded seat, and foot pegs that can be adjusted while sitting in the kayak. I like a tight fit, so I replaced the stock hip pads with adjustable ones and installed a foam brace under my knee and a foam heel pad. The molded seat really holds your bottom in place and I did not slide around like you would in a non-molded seat. I really felt like I was part of the kayak.
The retractable skeg is rope deployed via an ingenious bungee system, which translates to easy field repair and a skeg that will easily retract back into its slot when you forget it is deployed during a beach landing.
The two bulkhead compartments stayed dry during all surf sessions and after a couple of rolls. The mini-hatch in front of the cockpit is a great place for snacks, H2O proof camera, etc., though items need to be protected.
Note: The rubber rand spray skirt I had did not get a good seal due to the external seat anchor screws on either side of cockpit rim; therefore, you will need a bungee rand spray skirt or a rubber rand skirt with a thin rand to get a good seal.
On The Water
The Delphin feels very stable on flat water and just as stable in rough. It had good speed on flat water despite its more aggressive rocker and I had no problem paddling against the current. The hull design allowed easy ferrying across tidal currents and surfing tidal races. Punching through the surf was only surpassed by surfing in enjoyment. The bow planed to the top of almost every wave and required little effort punching through 2 -3 ft. surf. When caught off guard, paddling the stern into surf was just as successful.
The Surf Zone
Surfing the Delphin is where this kayak excels. When I thought I was going to nose dive, the bow would plane to the top of the water. The Delphin has good wave speed and could surf a swell well before it broke. The flat hull below the cockpit allowed the kayak to be spun on the wave foam to easily change directions. The hull was responsive to edging, which made it easy to carve wide turns on the wave. The Delphin was so much fun to surf; my whitewater kayak did not make it out the entire week. The high profile bow will be prone to weather cocking, though the skeg should alleviate this. This is a link to the surf session in the Delphin 155.
Rolling
The Delphin was easy to roll and its low deck behind the cockpit permitted good laybacks when finishing the roll.
Carrying
With the cockpit just aft of the center, carrying this 58 lb. Corelight kayak will take some adjustment. So if weight is a concern, the Aries, which is the composite version, will shed 3 lbs. and more as you choose lighter composite material.
Conclusion
After a week of paddling this kayak, I did not want to give it back. The Delphin is a good all around kayak that is stable enough for beginners, yet it will take a while to grow out of this kayak. For the intermediate/advanced paddler, it will provide a new level of enjoyment in rough water and surf. A weekend paddling trip, with careful packing, is possible in this kayak, though do not expect to maintain the same cruising speed as a true touring kayak, like its cousin the Scorpio.
You do have the option of having a rudder system, but I do not suggest it. The skeg, along with edging and correct paddle strokes, should keep you on track in the roughest conditions.
If you choose the Aries, you will be able to truly make your new kayak unique with 20 different composite colors, which can be different for the hull and deck. If budget allows, the Aries will be the path I will go when purchasing this kayak design, though the plastic version will serve just as well.
Kayak fishing is no longer a niche. Anglers everywhere have simplified their lives by relying less on gas-gulping power boats, and have turned to relatively lightweight and inexpensive fishing kayaks to take them places a motorized craft could never dream of going.
The last few years have seen a tremendous amount of innovation in kayak fishing, and your friends at Great Outdoor Provision Co. have brought in a comprehensive selection of fishing kayaks and accessories that will keep our angling customers on the cutting edge.
Wilderness Systems has long been an industry favorite, and this year they’ve launched a redesigned Ride series (115 & 135)of kayaks that offers stability for even the largest anglers. The Commander Series offers a similar hull design in an enclosed boat that offers more protection from the elements and is great for in-shore fishing.
Hobie has made another huge splash with the just received Pro Angler 12. Calling this fish catching machine a kayak wouldn’t do it justice. It’s a super-stable floating platform that relies on Hobie’s patented MirageDrive pedal system with Turbo Fins for efficient propulsion.
Jackson Kayaks offers feature-rich, super-super comfy boats. The maneuverable Coosa is perfect for moving rivers or tight areas. The new Cuda offers efficiency and speed for ocean or big lake anglers. The Big Tuna is a solo/tandem kayak that features an innovative “Tuna Tank” that keeps your bait fresh without relying on a motor.
Innovation in kayak fishing doesn’t end with the kayaks though, as accessories have also evolved. The Hobie Livewell keeps bait fresh in up to eight gallons of water and allows three spare rods to be stored within easy reach.
The Bending Branches Angler Ace paddle has blades shaped specifically for fishing kayaks, and incorporates a simple but brilliant hook retriever.
Stohlquist’s Fisherman PFD offers a raised foam back so that it doesn’t interfere with a fishing kayak’s high seat back. Huge platform pockets in the front allow for tool storage and provide a convenient work platform.
GOPC staff is ready, willing, and able to help you custom design your kayak fishing experience. Once you’ve selected the boat that’s right for you, we can add a variety rod holders from Scotty’s or RAM, anchor trolleys, or other accessories. Come on in to any of our seven local shops to see what all the fuss is about. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Written By: Chad Pickens, Manager at Chapel Hill GOPC
The last time we experienced such buzz surrounding the launch of a new fishing boat (we won’t call this beauty a kayak) was when Hobie released the Pro Angler onto an unsuspecting public. The original Pro Angler was a radical design for a human powered fishing craft -chock full of the kind of innovation only Hobie can come up with. While plenty of manufacturers have since copied some of the features of the Pro Angler, no one has really improved it. Honestly, about the only way to improve the Pro Angler (other than to make it cheaper) would be to offer a more compact version.
Enter the Pro Angler 12. Same concept as the original Pro Angler except with the following differences:
* 20″ shorter
* 12 lbs lighter hull weight & 18 lbs lighter fully rigged
* 100 lbs less capacity (but still an ample 500 lbs)
* New Vantage Seating (more on this later)
* 4 Rod Horizontal Storage instead of 6 on the Pro Angler 14
* Different Design for Center Console Tackle Box Storage
* Pre-drilled for Anchor Trolley mounting
* Fishfinder/Transducer installation is Lowrance Ready with multiple sealed mounting plugs for easy wiring
* Under Seat Tackle Storage
The killer feature on the new Pro Angler 12 is the superbly adjustable Vantage seating. From the seated position, you can adjust the angle of both the seat back and the seat cushion with just a twist of the arm rest. You can also change the lumbar support with the patented Boa system technology. This is the most adjustable seat we’ve seen in a fishing kayak and we would not be surprised if Hobie offered this seat in future models.
While there is an excellent video walkthrough of the new Pro Angler 12 on the Hobie website, we took a few minutes to show off the new Pro Angler 12 sitting alongside an original Pro Angler 14.
We recently received a limited production, initial shipment of Pro Angler 12s from Hobie and are literally selling these before unloading them off the Hobie Truck! Give us a call if you’ve been waiting for this boat to hit the market.
Purchase a Old Town Heron 9.5, Necky Rip 10 or Rip 12 between November 25, 2011 and December 24, 2011. Mail in your receipt with a completed redemption form and you will receive a $50 USD Visa cash card. Must be redeemed on or before January 15, 2012. No exceptions.
Limit one redemption per household. Offer valid in the U.S. and Canada. This rebate cannot be combined with any other offers from Necky or Old Town Canoe and Kayak. Void where prohibited by law. Noncompliant requests will be eliminated without response. Offer good while supplies last. Must be redeemed by January 15, 2012.
The new GoPro HD Hero2 Professional has just arrived in select Great Outdoor Provision Co locations! This is the POV action cam to have for all active outdoor interests. It has the same waterproof to 197 ft housing as the HD Hero but is much improved over the older model. The new HD Hero2 Professional has a sharper optical glass lens and improved low light performance. The image sensor has increased to 11 MP. Perhaps even more importantly, you now get 3 field of view (FOV) options at native 1080p recording: 170 deg, 127 deg & 90 deg. The previous gen HD Hero only offered 1080p at 127 deg FOV. To get 170 deg FOV, you had to crop down to a 960p resolution recording. Attached is a complete comparison of the various GoPro HD cams. Put one of these on your gift wish list!
We stock the new GoPro HD Hero2 Professional in our Charlotte, Raleigh and Winston-Salem shops along with a variety of mounts and accessories including: LCD BacPac , Battery BacPac, Handle Bar Seat Post Mount, Chest Mount Harness, Suction Cup Mount, Surf Mount and Grab Bag.
It’s time to recognize another year of protecting safe, clean water in the Neuse River basin…but this year we have something special to add.
For years, the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation and other area environmental groups have been working to ensure the best possible outcome for Falls Lake through our work on the Falls Lake Rules. This year, the strongest water pollution cleanup rules in NC went into effect for Falls Lake and the cleanup finally began. Please join us for some outdoor family fun to help celebrate the future of a clean, safe Falls Lake!
12:30 – 3:30pm Falls Lake Social
The NRF will have a fleet of canoes and kayaks out of the lake for use, free of charge. Bring a picnic or grill out for lunch, play on the water, get to know other members and NRF staff, or stop in at the community building to watch “Gasland” and learn about a groundbreaking (literally!) new issue in the Upper Neuse.
4:00 – 5:00pm NRF Annual Meeting
Hear updates on the state of the river, join us in recognizing our dedicated volunteers, and learn about the plans and priorities for the coming year.
The WaterTribe NC Challenge started off on a beautiful morning with a picturesque sunrise and calm, flat waters. The scene was set: racers were readying their boats with last-minute items, on-lookers were anxiously awaiting the Le Mans style start, and the mosquitoes were feasting on the adrenaline-filled veins of all the beach goers. Cedar Island was a-buzz with excitement for sure. It began with a single exclamation: GO!
The course started at Cedar Island, turned up the Neuse River, then down the Harlowe Canal into the Newport River and into Taylor Creek to Beaufort. From Beaufort, the course headed behind Harkers Island and up the Core Sound back to Cedar Island. There were two races running concurrently – the North Carolina Challenge (100 miles) and the North Carolina Ultra Marathon (50 miles). The weather forecast was quite foreboding with 15-20 mph headwinds slated for the majority of the race, changing direction at the approximate times racers would reach the scheduled heading changes. There was a cold front moving in at the exact time no one would want it.
Clockwise headwinds
While some tore off into the water with the speed of an Olympic bobsled team, others took to the water with ease making sure they didn’t get caught up in the rush. With a few paddle strokes, we all rounded the jetty for the Cedar Island ferry terminal, and we were in open water right away. Dave and I found ourselves paddling at a speed faster than we anticipated starting. It was going well. We even remarked to each other that perhaps we should pace ourselves a bit more since we knew the winds weren’t favorable for the majority of the race course.
Then we turned up the Neuse River. The winds hit us in the face from the beginning. Everyone immediately slowed. The 1-2 foot waves were interspersed with occasional 3 footers, and it immediately became apparent that maintaining the prescribed pace was not going to be easy. But we tried. Hard. Really hard. In fact, we found that paddling too hard put us in a position where we would surf over the first wave and punch through the next one. We realized that slowing down a bit actually allowed us to cruise over the waves generally, but that detracted further from the original plan. We were already behind our “schedule”. Check out the video posted by fellow WaterTriber, Jollyroger of the winds on the Neuse
After about 6 hours of non-stop paddling, and about 19 miles into the race (a considerably slower pace than previously anticipated), we were able to beach the boats and take a break. We were hardly able to get out of our boats. We rolled out of our boats and laid on the beach trying to regain some strength and ease the pain. As we took our first break a fellow WaterTribe racer pulled up on the same beach. His name was Captain Jack Otter. He also was visibly tired and rolled out of his boat. As we all commiserated, time wore on and the winds were slowly increasing. So, back to the water we returned. We played a game of leapfrog with Captain Jack Otter for the remained of the day, meeting him in similar resting locations, all telling the same story of hard winds, rogue waves, and sore muscles.
As we crossed the mouth of Core Creek we watched a storm cell begin to form over Minnesott Beach that was sending lightning strikes well outside the cell. This was the beginning of cold front we were dreading. We decided to beach and get a better feel for the cell before we continued on. We were close to the Harlowe Canal, and our anticipation was that we would finally gain cover from the wind once we got into the canal. We had about 4 miles to go and we were still paddling against 15 mph headwinds. As we entered the mouth of the canal we soon realized that the respite we once counted on was still a long way off. It was here we figured out that at every turn, the wind began to change direction. As we paddled our counterclockwise course, we realized that we were paddling against clockwise headwinds.
Self-inflicted wounds
It was on the first beach we reached along the Harlowe Canal that I turned to Dave and told him that given the current state of my body and the forecast of continuing headwinds for the next 24 hours, I didn’t think I would be able to make it to the finish in Cedar Island. I had blisters in places on my hands that I’ve never had blisters. I had blisters on my feet. On my feet. I had been pushing on my foot pegs so hard for so long while wearing paddling booties (instead of hard sole shoes) that I turned my foot pegs into meat grinders. My back and shoulders had also suffered enough from my over-zealous ambitions, and Dave was feeling the same. He agreed that given the forecast and our state of pain, the idea of paddling the unprotected waters of the Core Sound did not sound like it was going to be fun at all. It was time to find an out. We called our families and they mobilized to get our car to the first Check Point in Beaufort – the ending of the North Carolina Ultra Marathon and the 50 mile mark. But we still had almost 20 miles to go.
The last “Hurrah”
As we exited the Harlowe Canal we paddled into the open waters of the Newport River. A lighter 10 mph wind kept the beam seas large enough to be a pain, but not unmanageable. Then, out of nowhere a cold front with a vengeance came up from our rear and turned the winds 110 degrees and the temp dropped 15 degrees in a matter of seconds. All I remember was turning around and yelling at Dave over the winds to follow me. We changed course 90 degrees and made a beeline paddling with everything we had toward a small island in the middle of the river with which I was somewhat familiar. The wind and the waves were frantic. We took several waves over our shoulders and it was almost impossible to hold our course. Capsizing was not an option, but it was so dark we couldn’t see the waves or brace ourselves. When we finally made it to the island we ran our boats into the marsh grass as far as possible and held on. The island was flooded and high ground was nowhere to be found. Dave grabbed handfuls of marsh grass and hunkered down. I shoved my paddle into the mud and wrapped my arms around it and hunkered down as well. We were in the thick of the single nastiest storm in which I had ever been fully exposed. Lightning strikes all around, 30 mph winds with recorded 38 mph gusts, and waves now coming out of the North. We used the marsh grass on the flooded island to break the waves, but we were still fully exposed. For 30-45 minutes we held on. Half way through the storm we looked up and saw a boat with full running lights heading straight at us. At first we thought we were about to get hit, but then we realized it was a fellow WaterTriber – Yakmandu. The three of us weathered the remainder of the storm together holding on dearly to the marsh for protection. (Check out a local weather station recording of the storm on weatherunderground.com)
Once the storm passed we decided to get the heck out of our exposed location and chart a course to Check Point 1 which was only a mile or two away. We crossed the ICW, paddled under the Beaufort Bridge, and into Taylor Creek to CP1. The wind had already begun to change direction and was now coming out of the North West as was previously forecast. The landing was bittersweet. There were paddlers that were continuing despite the conditions (Captain Jack Otter was there and was continuing) and others who had finished by choice or otherwise. We knew we had made the right choice, but still questioned whether we could make it to the end. We made it in 16 hours and 8 minutes.
We watched the remainder of the race on the web. We tracked those who were similar in pace to ourselves. There was approximately 40 miles remaining for the NCC. Captain Jack Otter, our most similar comparison, took almost another 24 hours to complete the remainder of the Challenge. We made the right choice.
Ready. Set. Again?
We didn’t paddle this challenge for pride or proof that we could do it. But we really wanted to finish it nonetheless. Dave and I still talk daily and ask each other if we should have continued on. The reality is that between our timing with wind changes and overzealous ambitions we ended up in a situation where we were not going to be able to finish. I still have blisters on my hands and feet. The memories are still fresh, Dave still can’t feel two of his toes, and yet somehow we still question. And already we are planning our return for next year.
This is an adventure. I think we may be hooked.
Race stats
R4 and Fishpoo stats
Total distance paddled: 47.7 miles
Average moving speed: 3.0 mph
Area covered: 296 square miles
Total time: 16.1 hours
Fishpoo and R4 C1K rank at CP1 (NCUM): 7/8 (landed at the same time)
NCC stats
Total boats entered and started: 42
Total boats DNF: 14
Class 1 Kayak entered and started: 24
Class 1 Kayak DNF: 9
C1K Average time to complete CP1 (NCUM – 50 miles): 20.7 hours
C1K Average time to complete NCC: 32.9 hours
Team Whynot
I’m not sure if it started as a dare or a joke, but when Dave and I decided it was time to sink our teeth into the WaterTribe North Carolina Challenge event there was no turning back. 100 miles of paddling in 2.5 days or less.
We’ve paddled much of the area covered in the race in the past. In fact, in 2008 we set a course to paddle the entire length of the Core Banks in 4 days. We did it in 3. What did we learn? We learned that we could have walked over 75% of our trip as charted due to the ridiculously shallow depth on the sound side. What we took away from that trip will most certainly be applied to our next.
Dave paddling Falls Lake during hurricane Irene.
Let the training begin
Paddle paddle paddle. Paddling the lakes. Paddling at the coast. If we could put our boat in it, we paddled it. I mean, how else do you train for something like this? Collectively we have paddled this race many times over. We have paddled Falls Lake so many times the local bass fisherman may actually know us by name. We’ve hit the waters around Harker’s Island at the peak of the tide change, paddling with everything we have against a 15 mph wind and tide and barely making forward movement. We even paddled Falls Lake during hurricane Irene’s visit and practiced our assisted rescue skills. And still we paddle. But, to some there should be more. Well, Dave (WaterTribe name: R4) stepped it up even moreso with trail races individually and with his daughter. He is a machine. He is a trail running machine that runs on dedication. Me, well, I stuck with the paddling. And less exciting exercise means such as carpentry, landscaping, and writing a dissertation. As it turns out, my wife and I have decided to put our years of hard work earning our doctorates to use and take a new job, sell our house, and move to New Orleans. In 6 months or less. In a way, the NCC is my last NC paddling hurrah for a while. But, the show must go on! We are now in the final stages of readying ourselves for this race. And it’s going to be an adventure.
Gearing up
Of course, with any organized event there is a list of required items. We’ve got it. But, it’s been a while since either of us have been on a self-supported adventure. So we needed to get some new gear and update our existing stuff. And for that, Great Outdoor Provision Company has been our source for almost everything we needed. Now, the trick is fitting it all into the kayaks. Let the practice packing begin. It begins with a huge pile of gear. You turn it into manageable bundles. You then add it to the numerous, different colored dry bags. Then you figure out where everything fits best, and where it makes sense to stuff or keep things accessible. Then you try to remember where you put everything in your boat and in which bag.
What’s next?
As of right now, we have just over a week to go until the race begins. There is little to do at this point other than paddle to maintain the calluses on our hands and get our last minute items in order. I have a solar panel I am thinking about using to recharge my GPS. Dave and I both are fretting about where and how to attach our self-rescue gear to our boats in an accessible place. We still need to set up our SPOTs for tracking purposes (required by the race organizers). And there is still the question of weather, where (and *if*) to stop and camp, and determining the best routes. The planning never ends. This is an adventure.
Todd Guerdat (aka fishpoo)
I’ve been paddling for 15+ years. I’ve been sea kayaking ever since I realized that it was too much effort to bring two cars to a river. I have a wonderfully supportive wife, Kate, and a 2 year old daughter, Cadence, that tells me how it is every chance she gets. I work at the Raleigh Great Outdoor Provision Co. to feed “the habit”. I am soon to have a PhD in fish poop courtesy of NC State. >> Find Me on SPOT
David Woodard (aka R4)
Compared to Todd, I’m a relative newcomer to the kayaking world, having been sea kayaking for about 7 years. I grew up on the coast and have been boating most of my life. It just took me a while to figure out that it’s a lot more fun and rewarding in a human powered craft. I’m an employment attorney in Raleigh, currently living my second childhood with my two kids of 7 and 9, both of whom are obsessed backpackers and campers and make sure I never forget how much fun it is to sleep on the ground and get really dirty. I have an extremely indulgent wife who is amused by the whole thing, but sometimes wonders how she ended up with three kids. >> Find Me on SPOT
We’re excited to officially announce the 2012 Ride 135 has arrived in our Charlotte and Raleigh shops. The new Ride 115 has arrived in Greenville.
Big-Time Stability and Versatility. Small-Time Kayak. The New Ride 115.
It’s everything anglers and paddlers ask for in a sit-on-top kayak and expect from The Ride name. Massive capacity, straightforward storage, versatile performance, rigability and rock-solid stability. What makes the all-new Ride 115 stand above all others is the one thing they were nervous to even ask for: portability.
Length – 11′6″ / 351 cm
Width – 33″ / 84 cm
Weight – 76 lbs* / 35 kg (*with seat removed, kayak weighs 68 lbs / 31 kg)
Deck Height – 16.5″ / 42 cm
Seating Well – 67″ x 21.5″ / 170 x 55 cm
Capacity – 500 lbs / 227 kg
2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 135
Fully redesigned for 2012 as a stable powerhouse with versatility, capacity, and configuration capabilities that take our celebrated Ride series to a whole new level.
Specifications
Length – 13′6″ / 411 cm
Width – 31.5″ / 80 cm
Weight – 82 lbs* / 37 kg (*Average weight without removable seat 74 lbs. / 33kg)
Deck Height – 16.25″ / 41 cm
Seating Well – 67″ x 21.5″ / 172 x 55 cm
Capacity: 550 lbs. / 249 kg
*These are pre-production specs and subject to slight change.
1. THE TUNA TANK
Let the training begin
Todd Guerdat (aka fishpoo)
