RTM Abaco Review with some surf. (Video attached)

[Paddleboy84]

Hey Guys,

After seeing a few post about the new RTM kayaks here on Nor Cal, I decided to hook up with Dennis Spike at Doran Beach to check them out. He brought out the Abaco and the K Largo for me and Vwool to try out. First thing we did was paddle out to check on his pots that had been soaking over night. He ended up having about 15 keepers which he generously shared with Vwool and myself. After that we spent some time playing in the jetty were a strong ebb tide and medium swell made for a nice bumpy tide rip. Then Vwool and I paddled out toward the Bodega Head. Swell was big out there so we didn't venture out to far but I did manage to get in close to the rocks and see how it handled the bumpy water. After that we paddled back toward the beach and tested them in the surf. Vwool was in the K Largo and I was in the Abaco, then at some point we switched. Both boats were a dream in rough water. The K-Largo was such an amazing platform for fishing. It was incredibly stable without sacrificing performance. Your butt sits nice and low seat which I liked. The grooves in the hull allowed for it to track like an arrow, and made for an incredibly stiff hull. The deck layout was spacious, and very customizable on both these kayaks. One potential draw back to the K-Largo was the lack of access to the inside of the kayak. After market round hatches could be added I suppose. The front hatch on the K-largo is really cool. Its a removable tank, so you can ether have a front tank well or a large round hatch. All and all I would say the K- Largo is one of the coolest big guys boat that I have ever seen, the best part is how well it paddles. If you are over 250lbs and looking for a stable ride you will want to add this kayak to your short list.

The Abaco is a coast fisherman's dream. I'm one of the few people that was a paddler first and a fisherman second, so I really appreciate a nice handling kayak. I love a boat that is efficient and comes to life when things get rough. That is how I would summarize the Abaco. The rougher it got the happier this kayak was. I never once needed to drop the rudder. The large raked bow sheds water like a dream and keeps the nose riding high and dry on the steepest of waves. The rockered hull made it easy to turn and easy to surf. The deck layout is well thought out and offers a ton of versatility. Stock it comes with two sliding tracks along the foot pedals, two capped flush mounts, 4 tackle boxes which fit into molded spots on the deck (Also the perfect size for a Plano Drybox) Front hatch insert, and a RTM rod holder (which a scotty fits into) and the hardware to mount it on the tracks. The rod pod between your legs is unique from anything I have seen. It has a rectangle storage box with a seal, and a long tube that runs down into the kayak. This allows you to store rod when going in and out of the surf, but it also seals the hatch off from the rest of the inside so you never have to worry about taking a wave over the deck even with the hatch open. I stored my pump, water, and a drybag in the hatch during the test and I used it the whole day. The one I tested also had a rudder and the dry storage box in the stern. The front hatch is a large triangle with a well insert. Another great way to keep gear from sliding all around the inside of the kayak. I was highly suspect of the large hatch as I've seen so many big hatches like that let a ton of water in the kayak. I don't know how or why this one works so well, but after a long day of playing in the surf the kayak was dry. The durability and stiffness of the plastic is probably the biggest plus about these boats. The finish and attention to detail is perfect bow to stern. All and all I was pleasantly surprised by these kayaks.

At the end of the day I ended up bringing the line into my shop as my premier fishing line. The factors that made that decision for me were the following:
*Supieror construction and finish
*Stock outfitting and potential outfitting
*Hull performance
*Competitive Price point
*Spike is importing them and repping them. He is a true Kayak Angler and he is as passionate as I am. I think partnerships like that will allow us to do more cool events and promote the sport in new and exciting directions.

Here is a YouTube Video I put together from our trip to Doran. Enjoy!

RTM Abaco Kayak testing

[BANJOTAD]

Thanks for the review Dan, looks like one sweet yak
Tad
 

[BigJim]

I really enjoyed the video Dan!!

Your skill and comfort level on the water really showed through...the yak looks SWEET too!!

Thanks for sharing and best of luck!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

[Chadrock]

Great vid Dan! I fell in love with the Abaco @ Doran after paddling Tiny's ride and went home with a new one shortly thereafter. It does do awesome in the surf. Thanks for the show.

[LoletaEric]

Thanks for the vid, Dan - I'm looking forward to paddling one of those exotic rides.   

[Jedmo]

Great video Dan and thanks for the review of the RTM.

Jedmo

[piski]

Excellent review & vid. Been eyeing the RTMs - definitely a contender for my next boat.

[fisheducator]

Great review and vid. Dan, now if I could just give up my pedals. 

[Paddleboy84]

Great review and vid. Dan, now if I could just give up my pedals. 

No need to give up the pedals (unless bringing home a new kayak would put you on the street). Every tool has a job to do. Pedals are great for so many things, but if your venturing out into rougher conditions, or wanting to take a more playful approach to kayak fishing, a paddle kayak like this one would serve you well. Also for floating the sac river and working the eddies a paddle kayak is going to allow you to learn and do so much more.  There are just some things a pedal kayak can't do, and as we all know there are some things a paddle kayak can't do. (like hands free trolling.) If you get to many kayak you could always justify your addtiction by getting a warehouse to store boats and telling your wife its a kayak shop.  Hey it works for me.

If any of you guys up in Redding want to demo a RTM, I can have my Dad bring a few up to his shop for demo. For know he is still focusing on Cobra but we can always swap inventory.

[PISCEAN]

Excellent review & vid. Been eyeing the RTMs - definitely a contender for my next boat.

Yep. Other than the weight (which I could live with) it's pretty much looking like this is one to test paddle in the next year or so.

thanks for the review PaddleBoy84!

I'm one of the few people that was a paddler first and a fisherman second, so I really appreciate a nice handling kayak. I love a boat that is efficient and comes to life when things get rough.

that's money right there.

[FiShadow]

Looks like a pretty cool boat. very entertaining video man. fun to watch. Sounds like a kayak i can def. put to some good use lol

Thanks for sharing

[FishingAddict]

You got great kayaking skills.  I wish there's an RTM dealer close to the Fremont Area.  I'd love to try one out.

[Paddleboy84]

You got great kayaking skills.  I wish there's an RTM dealer close to the Fremont Area.  I'd love to try one out.

I hit the bay often, Next time I'm out that way I will post something up and we can go paddle. If your feeling up for the drive we are less than a half mile from the Mokelumne River I would be happy to show you around and catch some trout. (Or at least fish for some)

[LoletaEric]

I hope you'll consider getting up to Shelter Cove for GS6 - I know a bunch of people would love to demo the RTM line there.

[LoletaEric]

I hope you'll consider getting up to Shelter Cove for GS6 - I know a bunch of people would love to demo the RTM line there.

As of right know I have that date booked. I will be teaching kayaking skills to a bunch of Venture Scouts from the Central Valley. I'm working on putting together a Headwaters Fishing team and maybe one of them can bring up some boats to try.

Cool.