RTM Abaco Review with some surf. (Video attached)

[kayakjack]

I think the RTM's are well thought out, sweet to paddle and built to last. If buying only american made kayaks is your thing, then don't buy an RTM. Hop in your toyota and go get something that is.

[Bigfoot]

 for the K-Largo, the yak I'm looking at check out this company's statement for date 1/16.
   https://www.facebook.com/nqkayaktours

 and review

   http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/92-staff-reviews/598-rtm-k-largo-review.html?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150217594852393_20268750_10150493649087393#f31e3f4af4

[Chadrock]

I think the RTM's are well thought out, sweet to paddle and built to last. If buying only american made kayaks is your thing, then don't buy an RTM. Hop in your toyota and go get something that is.

Well put Jack!
 

[novofish]

Automobiles were first made in France...

[Morgan.]

I think my ultra 4.7 was made in New Zealand, but I think that is ok because they talk like us, right?😃

[Spike]

When I got my Abaco, I suggested a retro-fit to compartmentalize the handles in the cockpit.  That will keep stuff we put in there from sliding out into the deck. This ferature exists on other models. It's wet storage but will help for pliers, lures and small stuff.  They found the part already and shipped them this week.  Unlike the boats that take a month and a half, I will have them next week.

[ScottThornley]

   Only not quite as stable,  as it was easily flipped over in a one foot surf zone.

Pssssssttt.  You're ignorance is showing.

A hull with a narrow beam/low primary stability is EASIER to keep upright against a wave right on the beam, than a hull that's beamy/high primary stability. Of course, this is based on the assumption that the paddler is throwing a good brace or otherwise actively balancing to keep the boat upright.

[Spike]

Scott, these guys were testing the boats, having fun and trying to flood them.  Most of Baitman's contribution here was a clear example of willfully blurring fact and opinion.  Your info is on the money.  I recall being pushed sideways for a long way in my skinny little scupper with a good brace in 3-4 foot of broken wave.  That was part of surf landing for years that taught me skills I might not have acquired in a bigger kayak.  It also gave me the appreciation that for every boat that followed, stability was never as issue.

On a lighter note, some of my best wipe-outs have been in a foot of surf.  The most humiliating though was when I was courting Michelle and she showed up at the beach just as I was landing with guests.  The last to come in, I was landing carelessly and got tossed by a 6 inch swell.  The depth was about 1 foot so I shoulda been walking anyway.  When I hit the water, there was a loud "SWOOSH" and my PFD inflated.  Remember Tommy Boy in the airplane?  I needed a hatpin.  Luckily, there were about a thousand people on the beach watching and those who might have missed it turned their heads when they heard the Co2 cartridge go off.  This is now one of Michelle's favorite bar stories.

[Baitman]

Thanks for the review Dan looks like a nice Yak.
Are French Kayaks better than Chinese ???

     
      French or Chinese and the question of which one is better isn't the issue.    It's about where it's made. 
   Seems Hobie and Ocean Kayaks,  ( American mfg kayaks )  that have supported NCKA events for these past years with some well equipped boats  DONATED as grand prizes are quickly forgotten.   A foreign made boat comes onto the market that offers a dealer a better profit margin with a cheaper price and it seems some  are willing to forget all that      The only job it creates is  briefly at the  sales counter.. and the truck driver who delivered it.     
      In a manufacturing economy, the life of a kayak starts out at a shop that builds a mold employing welders, material suppliers, etc.   There's the guys at a polymer factory who compound and ship off the colored plastic that a  manufacturer orders.  There's the rotational molders who use their experience to perfect a replica repeatedly,    that molded shell goes to another mans job rigging and wrapping the product up for shipment to a dealer who presents it to a customer who then could proudly say it's an American Made product.    Behind the scenes are the office workers and customer service employees.   That's what creates jobs, that's what grows an economy,,, this is the issue my friends.

  Besides,,,  The boat looks like an exact copy of a Prowler.    Only not quite as stable,  as it was easily flipped over in a one foot surf zone.

    Ya know Spike  I was going to just let this slide.    I completely understand your desire to earn a living doing what you know and love.  I do wish you success. Better you than someone else to take on introducing this import to the US market.    It looks like a very nice product and I'm sure it will do well.  I never once suggested it to be inferior in quality.     I just read the review, some pros and cons, as with all kayaks. Noted that it's just one mans opinion.   
  But calling my statement   " a clear example of willfully misleading fact and opinion" ...     What exactly did I blur or mislead ?   What I addressed was the question " Is Chinese better than French".        I admit the last line was a cheap shot, I could have left that off.
    OK,, it's not a Prowler, I'm sorry for the analogy there.  I don't recall ever hearing complaints of hull slap from a Prowler so the hull must be different.  However it was rather obvious from the video that there wasn't much of a swell,,,   "It" Happens.  Kinda funny when it's just an ankle biter wave though , you gotta admit.

        In a google search I noticed the  RTM.com website comes up with a  China address on the  contact page, not France.    Is it co-owned ?  Are you the sole US distributor for all RTM products or just these fishing models.   

  Jobs ?       Seems to be the number one subject on the news lately. What I wrote seems pretty factual.  Some get it, some don't.   Some think Americans are lazy and overpaid.  I disagree with them too.


      BTW,     Those Toyota trucks you load your yaks on are still made in the US.   Just a few years ago when the NUMMI plant closed down .  Thousands lost their jobs besides those who worked just at the Fremont factory.   The frames were built in Stockton, Seats in Modesto, etc..    It's more American made than some of Detroits products.










       

[Spike]

Ya know Chief, that's very patronizing of you so far down this thread.  It's my opinion though, that your contribution here should be in the political forum.  You have a lot to say and I'm probably not alone in feeling that stating it within this thread kinda stinks it up. Or maybe I just find it so insulting to Dan.  And to me.   Based on your first post, your agenda has nothing to do with the positive intent Dan started this thread with.

What's blurring and misleading?....."offers a dealer a better profit margin with a cheaper price"
"The only job it creates is briefly at the  sales counter and the truck driver who delivered it."
That's just a sample and " a clear example of willfully misleading fact and opinion".  You wrote it, people read it,  some believe it.  Your comments, not limited to jobs and origin of manufacture, are insinuating and inappropriate for this thread.  Given your position, it's easy to perceive your contribution as hostile and invasive. 

I only bring FRENCH MADE KAYAKS INTO THE U.S.  Chinese made boats go to other parts of the world.

It's all RTM France.  I believe the Chinese contact you saw is the agent (company) that facilitates RTM there.  RTM (Rotomod) is long owned by 3 guys who were employees and purchased the company from the previous owner.
   
Lastly, I am confident and proud in my patriotism, ability to do the right thing in business, dedication to sustainable fisheries and the direction I've taken to continue growing the sport.   RTM is taking a unique approach to bringing their kayaks to North America, generating a lot of opportunities for a lot of people. They coulda gone to Costco.
Best of luck to both of us.
Spike Out

[Salty.]

"It's my opinion though, that your contribution here should be in the political forum."

+1  The whole "Buy American" rant in a kayak review post? Really???

Should have started another thread instead of dumping on this one.

Now people that want to find out about a new kayak have to read thru 5 pages of bickering.   

[mickfish]

What I addressed was the question " Is Chinese better than French".

The question was rhetorical and you never addressed it.

You make an apology and in the same breath you take another cheap shot.

I don't recall ever hearing complaints of hull slap from a Prowler so the hull must be different.

I agree with Spike that your buy USA would be better suited in a political column, if you are so gung ho on buy USA why do you have links to Wheeleez(made in China) and Torqeedo(German Co) on your web site and on your boat?

[MattS]

Hi Spike, I hope you can make it to Give Me Shelter this year!  I want to test ride one of the RTM's, they look great.  Nice how they are really tailoring the kayak to fit your input.  A company that conducive to pleasing the customer will have some sweet kayaks in the future.  I would like to pick up a dedicated surf launch kayak.  Of course when I win the one at Shelter Cove I won't have that problem any more 

I agree the made in the USA should have been on a political thread and not an attack on a kayak review.  I purposely stay off the political forums just so I don't have to read the dribble and personal attacks.  I just want to fish, and read about fishing!

Keep fishing and I hope to see you on the water!

Matt

[Spike]

Thanks for that Matt!
Michelle's b-day is 5-11 and it's been a big stink all her life.  Last year we went to Puerto Rico, NYC before that and I took her to the last Dead show at the Gorge in WA.  With all the calls to France lately, I think she was looking towards Europe this year.

"FAT CHANCE OF THAT BABY, WE'RE GOING TO GIMME SHELTER."

Unless we can un-commit some schedule conflicts, we'll need to head out Saturday night. Either way, Michelle would like to make a batch of Mothers Day Bloody Marys for the Mom's (and Dads).  I take Marias (con tequila) and be warned, her virgin mix could knock you off the wagon.  I'm thinking a 5 gallon batch since I don't think I could grind more horseradish root than that.

I won't be competing (never have) and look forward to presenting that new Abaco 4.20 (fully decked out with rear case and wheels) to the lucky winner.  Mostly though, I really look forward to hooking up with so many of you and meeting a lot of new friends in the community of kayak anglers.

[LoletaEric]

look forward to presenting that new Abaco 4.20 (fully decked out with rear case and wheels) to the lucky winner.  Mostly though, I really look forward to hooking up with so many of you and meeting a lot of new friends in the community of kayak anglers.

Right on!  A whole lot of us are eager to paddle your boats, Spike, and It'll be great to meet you.