NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => KayakFishingMagazine.net => Topic started by: polepole on December 16, 2013, 09:08:07 AM

Title: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: polepole on December 16, 2013, 09:08:07 AM
Wilderness Systems has something cooking for the offshore kayak angler.  Check out article for more pics and a video!

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/90-new-fishing-kayaks/1879-new-offshore-kayak-from-wilderness-systems.html (http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/90-new-fishing-kayaks/1879-new-offshore-kayak-from-wilderness-systems.html)

-Allen
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: polepole on December 16, 2013, 11:20:21 AM
Here's the video.  What do you guys think.  First Jackson leaks a west coast offshore kayak (ala Jim Sammons) and now Wildy has one.  It's good to see the tide turn.  "Bass Yaks" are so last year.

-Allen

Wilderness Systems Offshore Fishing Kayak - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn5abn8TqVE#ws)
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Sailfish on December 16, 2013, 11:37:13 AM
Any idea about the kayak weight?
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: WingShooter on December 16, 2013, 12:11:08 PM
Wonder if this boat will have a center hatch like OC, Jackson, RTM, etc.?

Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Fisherman X on December 16, 2013, 12:28:02 PM
With the way the profile and rocker is, the front, back deck and such looks, it kinda of reminds me of an X-Factor with more hatch. interesting. I'd be interested to hear boat weight and load capacity....
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Portuguese seahorse on December 16, 2013, 01:51:39 PM
i cant wait to see what they come up with i have the ride 135 and i love it but this looks like i might have too get another one  :smt044
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Great Bass 2 on December 16, 2013, 01:57:31 PM
I like the trend but the west coast saltwater market is relatively small compared to freshwater.  WS kayaks tend to be a little heavier so will be interested in how much it weighs.
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: golfish on December 16, 2013, 02:49:29 PM
I was pretty much set on the 14' Eddyline for next season, looks like there is something else to checkout. Like everyone else I wonder what it weighs?
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: jbaker on December 16, 2013, 05:03:53 PM
2015 might be the year of the "offshore" kayaks.
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: RacinRob on December 16, 2013, 07:40:11 PM
It should weight about the same as a Tarpon. Not finalized yet. Pretty high  load capacity like a Ride 135.  All I know. ;-)

Wildy boats weigh a bit more than some, but that is because of the thicker plastic. No hull flex on these boats. They will not deform in the sun as some boats do.
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Uminchu Naoaki on December 16, 2013, 11:15:13 PM
Sorry to be little negative but the offshore kayak ad & not wearing PFD...?
Nothing to do w/ kayak but Bad rep?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: polepole on December 17, 2013, 08:12:27 AM
Question for you all ... what is YOUR definition of an offshore kayak?

-Allen
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: golfish on December 17, 2013, 08:21:50 AM
What is the definition of "offshore"? I think most kayakers fish ocean waters that are usually called inshore?

Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: polepole on December 17, 2013, 09:28:39 AM
What is the definition of "offshore"? I think most kayakers fish ocean waters that are usually called inshore?

Well, that's why I asked.  I actually think that "offshore conditions" is more appropriate, the primary component defining offshore being swell.

-Allen
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Archie Marx on December 17, 2013, 09:34:58 AM
What is the definition of "offshore"? I think most kayakers fish ocean waters that are usually called inshore?

That is what I was thinking.


Here's the video.  What do you guys think.  First Jackson leaks a west coast offshore kayak (ala Jim Sammons) and now Wildy has one.  It's good to see the tide turn.  "Bass Yaks" are so last year.

-Allen

It's funny cuz its true!  :smt001

I have been paddling a cuda14 for the last year, which is a bass boat for sure.  The cuda has been nice to fish from, and was an excellent platform for freshwater AOTY (especially sturgeon), but I am getting tired of pushing water and feeling like a slug in the ocean.  I am looking forward to a more aggressive boat, and I hope the new Wildie and Jackson offshore boats will be just that.  However, I have a feeling that I will will probably be going with something like an eddyline, or one of the new Stealth boats to start learning and enjoying more of the paddling aspect of kayak fishing.

Thanks for the link, Allen
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: LoletaEric on December 17, 2013, 09:50:37 AM
It's true that we're for the most part 'inshore', but some of us have ventured out more and more often to 3 miles and more offshore.  While it's still not as extreme as being past that major barrier at 10 miles where you're completely at the mercy of wind and swell with very little recourse if conditions change rapidly, being 2 to 5 miles out, especially off the north coast between Cape Mendo and Oregon, can be a reality check for sure. 

An 'offshore kayak' should address the need for ability to cover miles (obviously!), ability to deal with changing wind and swell conditions, stability, and performance when conditions deteriorate or the boat is swamped. 

Personally, I find stability to be the most important factor, as I can paddle my big, wide kayak 15 miles in mild to moderate wind and swell conditions with no problem.

An 'offshore kayak' will help you survive if you're offshore and things go from lake-like to nasty.  The bottom line in the worst conditions is whether you can stay on the boat, IMO.
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: charles on December 17, 2013, 10:08:48 AM
Offshore can mean various distances from the edge of kelp beds to out of sight of land. I think two to five miles off the beach in a fishing SOT kayak is probably getting close to "this is as far as we go" distance. Most everybody here at some time has experienced getting pretty tired getting back to launch point after venturing out a bit too far. I think whatever fishing kayak hull comes closes to expedition SIKs,  the true offshore kayaks, would be most useful for distant offshore fishing

Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: polepole on December 17, 2013, 10:13:26 AM
I don't think distance from shore is as important as distance from launch.  We can encounter the same water conditions right off the edge of the kelp bed as we can 5 miles off the beach.  What if I paddled 5 miles from the launch to a distance kelp bed.  The main difference is that I can bail out (assuming I have an adequate bail out point) if I'm closer to shore.  But if I chose to paddle back to the launch ... I can be paddling the same distance in the same slop.

Food for thought ...

-Allen
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: charles on December 17, 2013, 10:48:57 AM
Quite true that inshore conditions can be as difficult as five miles offshore but if you are a quarter mile offshore and have to abandon the yak you could swim to the beach. Five miles out and swimming is probably not an option so the kayak and kayaker better have whatever it takes to get ashore. The effort to go the five miles might be the same but the consequence of failure to do so is different
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: rockfish on December 17, 2013, 10:50:08 AM
Like others have said, its more condition oriented.  On the gulf and east coast "inshore" waters tend to be shallower and more protected  often with sandbars between "land" and the ocean so swell isn't as much of an issue.  When I think of an offshore boat on the west coast that needs to handle 8 to 15 foot mixed swell and big wind waves from the beach to several miles out.  Basically, when the water is big and "the sheep are out" i want something fast enough to get home and stable enough that I dont go grey doing so.  A boat with reduced weathercock that can tackle big following seas is a must as well.  It would also be nice to have sealed bulkheads or a place for airbags just in case it becomes a life raft.

So, 16 to 18 foot, 33inches wide, upswept bow but low stern and retractable skeg to combat weathercock...  Basically a wider more plastic Profisha with tweaks... Or a tweaked T160...

But these are just my thoughts sitting on the pot...


Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: PISCEAN on December 17, 2013, 10:58:13 AM
yeah, I'd say "offshore" means a yak made to paddle 10-12 miles in some chop & wind, at least that's a general realm that I need in a kayak.

I like the idea of a slightly fatter T160 with a rod pod-type cockpit hatch. My only concern would be hull weight for cartop loading.

I've had my T140 since 2002 and it is just such a solid boat I wonder if I'll be able to replace it with something better. Right now, the only thing it is missing is a rod pod.

After paddling composite touring boats for years, and then a Prijon Yukon Tour, I agree that the WS plastic boats are the closest to those stiffer hulls. I will hang on to my T140 for as long as I have space to store it.
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: RacinRob on December 17, 2013, 06:59:42 PM


I like the idea of a slightly fatter T160 with a rod pod-type cockpit hatch.

Right now, the only thing it is missing is a rod pod.

Tour, I agree that the WS plastic boats are the closest to those stiffer hulls.

Those  are pretty good ideas.  :smt001
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: Sin Coast on December 19, 2013, 09:51:32 AM
I prefer the locking WS Orbix hatches to the "rodpod" style hatches. They're constructed better, safer, and I can easily store a 7ft one-piece rod while OTW. Plus it's way more comfortable on my crotchular region.
Not sure what's up with the Malibu-style hatch cover/kid seat on the new WS video? I wouldn't want something like that in 20kt wind.
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: PISCEAN on December 19, 2013, 10:41:25 AM
I prefer the locking WS Orbix hatches to the "rodpod" style hatches. They're constructed better, safer, and I can easily store a 7ft one-piece rod while OTW. Plus it's way more comfortable on my crotchular region.
Not sure what's up with the Malibu-style hatch cover/kid seat on the new WS video? I wouldn't want something like that in 20kt wind.

Y'know I didn't even consider the actual hatch type. I was just thinking of the general idea of a decent sized cockpit hatch for rod storage while beach landing. I'm not familiar with the Orbix hatches so now I have to go look them up :smt002
Title: Re: [KFM] New Offshore Kayak From Wilderness Systems
Post by: RacinRob on January 02, 2014, 05:28:11 PM
I've seen a shorter version of the front hatch in mock ups too.