Eddyline Carribean (AKA Calypso) Rigging and Performance Review

I rigged the cockpit with a Shark Shield. Not sure a thermoform plastic hull will hold up well against a white shark attack and don't want to find out. The transducer is mounted on a PVC arm which folds up if needed. Ditch bag is behind the seat.

The Plano box and rear seat tie downs are held in place with 125# mono. The Plano box has 6 points of connection and is held tight with 3 zip ties and 1 anchor shackle. Rock solid connection which will survive any surf wipe out. For the surf zone, The FF breaks down and stores in the Plano box along with my GPS and tackle boxes and bait. The reels are stored in the ditch bag and rods in the hull.

Another engineering marvel.

Nice looking kayak.
How is the material for mounting hardware. Does it drill well,etc..? 
I am interested in a boat that light and your review sounds very good.
I am 5' 10" and 170lbs and travel pretty light so should be under boats capacity anyway?

Chris   

Chris -

The material is really easy to mount hardware to but much thinner than polyethylene kayaks. Use 10-24 or 1/4-20 bolts with fender washers and nylock nuts. If you are hunting big game like YT or tuna, make  backing plates for your rod holders. For NCAL, fender washers and marine goop should do. Wait for the 14' version of the boat and test drive both before making a decision. The 14' will be out in a month or 2. Wilderness Systems also has a ultralite version of the Tarpon 12.0 is similar to the Carribean and is also very light but I didn't think it paddled as well as the Carribean and overall was an inferior design. I am your size and the boat fits me fine. Check out a lot of options before making a decision and test paddle them. I have a T15 and Hobie AI and really needed a small light boat and no I am not sponsored by any company so this is my unbiased personal opinion.

Scott

Thank you Scott for your detailed and generous review of our Caribbean kayak.  As the designer, we depended on a great deal of feedback from you and folks like you around the country as we are also doing on the latest version currently in development the Caribbean 14.  This has been a fun project and I have very much appreciated feedback from everyone.  We will have computer images available for those interested and hopefully real photos soon.
Once again, thank you and wishing you many successful fishing adventures ahead.
Tom Derrer
Eddyline Kayaks

Thank you Scott for your detailed and generous review of our Caribbean kayak.  As the designer, we depended on a great deal of feedback from you and folks like you around the country as we are also doing on the latest version currently in development the Caribbean 14.  This has been a fun project and I have very much appreciated feedback from everyone.  We will have computer images available for those interested and hopefully real photos soon.
Once again, thank you and wishing you many successful fishing adventures ahead.
Tom Derrer
Eddyline Kayaks

Tom -

Thank you for designing such a fine kayak. I think the 14' is going to be best of class. Your company is what all American companies should aspire to. A superior product at a competitive price. My only suggestion is to factor in 2" thick aftermarket seats which shorten the cockpit and raise the center of gravity. The hatch in the tankwell is a nice idea, but when you mount a crate or plano box, the hatch can't be accessed. In a small boat, storage options are limited so most will have a box or crate. It is not difficult to cowboy up to the front hatch and I will probably install some rod holders for the front hatch at some point. Adding a couple of mesh containers in the cockpit would also be nice for used lures, bait or scent.

Scott

Great report with useful detail and one really sweet looking ride.

I got to spend some quality time with the Eddyline / Calypso at the HOW event (Thanks to Dan at Headwaters at Lodi for the demo opportunity). I LOOOVE this kayak Waiting to test paddle the 14 footer when it's available. Looking forward to more adventures with the Eddyline!

*If anyone wants to demo one, send me a PM. Willing to meet anywhere within the San Mateo / Santa Clara County.

*I'll have it at Albion as well.

Performance Addendum:

I made 2 trips with my buddy PJ in his OK Prowler 15. The first trip was to Monterey on a salmon hunt. Fishing was slow and we fished till 1PM when the fan turned on blowing 8-10kt. We had a 2 mile paddle back against a quartering headwind. I was paddling as hard as I could and was making 2 MPH. PJ was paddling hard but not as hard as me and was making 2.5 - 3 MPH. Bottom line is that this boat does not excel against a headwind. If you do fish in windy situations a lot, I would get a rudder or get the 14' version with a rudder. I don't like rudders because they add weight and complexity but sure wished I had one on that day.

The second trip was to Big Sur with a long portage followed by a rock garden surf launch. We launched at low tide and there were a lot of rocks showing in the launch slot. Here the Carribean shined with a much easier portage and it's nimble maneuvering around rocks. It accelerates and turns quickly which makes it it a great surf zone boat. I may take it to Linda Mar just to do some surfing.

Rigging Addendum:

I added a couple of forward RAM rod holders for trout trolling. I does make the cockpit more cluttered but does not interfere with paddling. You can also  troll using the aft Scotty rocket launchers. I will probably troll using the forward port side RAM rod holder and the starboard aft Scotty rocket launcher.

I also added a rubber bath mat and my canine fish finder Molly in the tankwell. The tankwell is surprisingly big and Molly is quite comfortable back there.

I wanted to carry 3 rods without using the forward rod holders to minimize foredeck clutter for fly casting. Used a Scotty triple and it worked well. Wouldn't use it for surf launch but fine for freshwater.

Would love to see an updated review.
How is it holding up and what, if any, changes have you made.

 I know I'd like to hear something from Great Bass2 as well, it has been awhile.

It's my favorite yak ever. Only had 3 problems, the seat attachment breaking, gear track came unglued and a crack near the rear scupper. All of these were corrected in subsequent models. I moved to WA which is why I haven't posted in awhile. I use my AI on the Columbia or when condition are marginal with outboard. I use the Eddyline for Rock fishing, any beach launch, some ocean salmon, all lakes and all small rivers. For me at my age, getting the yak on the roof can be a drag particularly after a long day of trolling. The Eddyline is so easy to rack compared to the AI which is why  lot of the Islanders own one. It's a paddlers kayak. If you love paddling you will love any Eddyline. They are made for paddlers. People who start in Hobies have trouble appreciating  sweet paddling ride because they don't paddle enough to develop proficient strokes. It was Molly's favorite yak. Every once in awhile I will around looking for her in the tank well. RIP girl.

 Thanks for the update Scott.  You get right to the pertinent facts regarding Eddyline's attributes. Yet again we hear how well the company responds to input from customers. Most importantly, great to hear from you. Hope things are well in Washington.
             We would love to see you sometime, Amos