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Kayaks / Re: New pedal drive kayak - Lightning Kayaks - Strike
« on: April 28, 2019, 01:29:53 PM »
This is my quick review of the Lightning Strike by Lightning Kayaks (Accent Paddles).
In December Robert Field announced an Indiegogo campaign for the Lightning Strike kayak (designed by anglers for anglers). A fin drive kayak at a $1399 price point (retail $1749) I decided to fund the Indiegogo and ended up purchasing the first one. Being in MN now, the lakes were frozen so I waited until the thaw to take delivery. I actually went and picked it up since Accent Paddles is under 20 miles from me.
Harry and I have taken the kayak out on the lake behind my house.
Specs:
L: 12'6"
W: 34"
Weight: 82 lbs fitted, 94 rigged
Capacity: 415 lbs
Tri-Hull design with the middle hull a little lower than the sides. It cuts the water and tracks well.
Retractable rudder under the hull in the back.
Large from hatch for storage
2 preset flush mount rod holders behind the seat
Basic lawnchair seat with minimal adjustments. Can be set to low, medium and high.
2 Universal mounting tracks
"Freedom drive" Fin drive
Circle hatch for storage at your feet.
Plate in the tank well that can be removed for a circle hatch.
Mounting plate on button for a protected transducer (not sure its large enough for a side scan transducer).
Stability: I rocked it pretty hard to see if I could reach its tipping point but I didn't reach the tipping point. I stood up with no effort and felt as if i could sight-cast all day without issue.
Speed: The fin drive does not have turbo fins, however its the same drive as the V1 Hobie drives that can have the turbo fins added. With the current fins I could cruise around at 4 mph with normal effort. When I pushed it I would get to 5 mph. Paddling it cut the water much better than the Outbacks I have been in.
Turn/tracking: The turn radius was around a 15' circle. The kayak responded quickly to both left and right on the rudder control. There was a little play in the rudder handle. When going straight the kayak tracked well and stayed on course without having to correct.
Fish Finder mounting: While there is a plate that can be removed and remounted with the wires coming up to the top of the deck through a scupper hole you will need to use the Hobie wiring kit to drill holes and run wires inside the deck and out to mount the Fish finder head.
Scuppers: There are 4 scuppers (not including the one for the fish finder. The 2 rear most scuppers are reinforced to handle a scupper hole kart.
Not so great: The seat is pretty basic with regards to adjustment. You can adjust the backrest to sit straighter or recline. The seat position is either low, medium or high; It's not independently adjustable. For instance I could not put the front high and the back low. The backrest adjustment straps have plastic buckles that I would get changed to metal ones for durability. The seat is lacking lumbar support. There may be a better replacement seat that would work. All of the bolts on my seat are facing the wrong way; 2 are rubbing on the plastic. I'll have to reverse those or they will wear a hole through the side deck.
The kayak is priced to compete with other low end pedal kayaks (under $2000) such as the Pescador pilot, Old Town Top Water, Native Manta Ray and Hobie Compass.
Compared to the Pescador I tried out, the Strike is a much better kayak. I would put it on par with the Hobie Compass. The Compass comes with Turbo fins and paddle for $250 more if the retail price on the Strike stays the same @ $1750. Adding the turbo fins and a paddle to the strike will pretty much equal the kayaks out.
The question almost everyone asked me: "Would you take the Lightning Strike on the Ocean?" Yes, yes I would. I fell the stability, speed, paddling tracking and low seat settings make it a nice starter kayak for the Ocean.
My Conclusion: For a low end kayak it's great. It should do well against those looking to buy a peddle kayak for under $2000. For most looking to be in this price point it's going to come down to either brand loyalty or style. Once they start getting out to dealers I suggest as always Demo Demo Demo and choose for yourself. As for me I am very happy with the Lightning Strike and would use it over a Hobie Compass. If I could change one thing I would raise the price to $1900 and add a paddle and Turbo fins.
In December Robert Field announced an Indiegogo campaign for the Lightning Strike kayak (designed by anglers for anglers). A fin drive kayak at a $1399 price point (retail $1749) I decided to fund the Indiegogo and ended up purchasing the first one. Being in MN now, the lakes were frozen so I waited until the thaw to take delivery. I actually went and picked it up since Accent Paddles is under 20 miles from me.
Harry and I have taken the kayak out on the lake behind my house.
Specs:
L: 12'6"
W: 34"
Weight: 82 lbs fitted, 94 rigged
Capacity: 415 lbs
Tri-Hull design with the middle hull a little lower than the sides. It cuts the water and tracks well.
Retractable rudder under the hull in the back.
Large from hatch for storage
2 preset flush mount rod holders behind the seat
Basic lawnchair seat with minimal adjustments. Can be set to low, medium and high.
2 Universal mounting tracks
"Freedom drive" Fin drive
Circle hatch for storage at your feet.
Plate in the tank well that can be removed for a circle hatch.
Mounting plate on button for a protected transducer (not sure its large enough for a side scan transducer).
Stability: I rocked it pretty hard to see if I could reach its tipping point but I didn't reach the tipping point. I stood up with no effort and felt as if i could sight-cast all day without issue.
Speed: The fin drive does not have turbo fins, however its the same drive as the V1 Hobie drives that can have the turbo fins added. With the current fins I could cruise around at 4 mph with normal effort. When I pushed it I would get to 5 mph. Paddling it cut the water much better than the Outbacks I have been in.
Turn/tracking: The turn radius was around a 15' circle. The kayak responded quickly to both left and right on the rudder control. There was a little play in the rudder handle. When going straight the kayak tracked well and stayed on course without having to correct.
Fish Finder mounting: While there is a plate that can be removed and remounted with the wires coming up to the top of the deck through a scupper hole you will need to use the Hobie wiring kit to drill holes and run wires inside the deck and out to mount the Fish finder head.
Scuppers: There are 4 scuppers (not including the one for the fish finder. The 2 rear most scuppers are reinforced to handle a scupper hole kart.
Not so great: The seat is pretty basic with regards to adjustment. You can adjust the backrest to sit straighter or recline. The seat position is either low, medium or high; It's not independently adjustable. For instance I could not put the front high and the back low. The backrest adjustment straps have plastic buckles that I would get changed to metal ones for durability. The seat is lacking lumbar support. There may be a better replacement seat that would work. All of the bolts on my seat are facing the wrong way; 2 are rubbing on the plastic. I'll have to reverse those or they will wear a hole through the side deck.
The kayak is priced to compete with other low end pedal kayaks (under $2000) such as the Pescador pilot, Old Town Top Water, Native Manta Ray and Hobie Compass.
Compared to the Pescador I tried out, the Strike is a much better kayak. I would put it on par with the Hobie Compass. The Compass comes with Turbo fins and paddle for $250 more if the retail price on the Strike stays the same @ $1750. Adding the turbo fins and a paddle to the strike will pretty much equal the kayaks out.
The question almost everyone asked me: "Would you take the Lightning Strike on the Ocean?" Yes, yes I would. I fell the stability, speed, paddling tracking and low seat settings make it a nice starter kayak for the Ocean.
My Conclusion: For a low end kayak it's great. It should do well against those looking to buy a peddle kayak for under $2000. For most looking to be in this price point it's going to come down to either brand loyalty or style. Once they start getting out to dealers I suggest as always Demo Demo Demo and choose for yourself. As for me I am very happy with the Lightning Strike and would use it over a Hobie Compass. If I could change one thing I would raise the price to $1900 and add a paddle and Turbo fins.
