I FINALLY GOT OFF MY ARSE AND RIGGED MY RTM ABACO

Nice job Tiny. I really like the hatch insert on that yak.
A couple of questions. I notice your bilge pump is attached to your extra paddle. What keeps your paddle from sliding to the rear of the hull? Wouldn't that make the bilge pump hard to access in an emergency?
I love the idea of built in floatation. Peace of mind preinstalled. 

Thanks Mike.The paddle is wedged in between the floatation foam and scupper post.There is really no way for the paddle to slide through there.Have a good New Years.See you up at Doran one of these days.Go Niners.Sorry Bro.I had to.

Nice looking rig! Are there any of these in the bay area to demo yet?
How wide is that boat?

  Nice work. Soon, Very soon!!!!

Great looking boat, Tiny.  Nice work.   

EXCELLENT work, Tiny.

That's one mean looking kayak you have there Tiny. Nice job on the rigging bro.
I can't wait to see it in person.

Jedmo

Lookin good. Happy New Year Tiny. See you OTW soon.

Thanks Tiny, I'm learning ALOT!!!
Kayak Weights and Demos-
The Abaco is listed at 60#, the K-Largo at 66#.  Those are shipping weights that include stock accessories.                                                                                                                             RTM boats are at least a few pounds heavier than their counterparts and that’s a very good quality for most consumers.  While lightweight fishing kayaks are necessary for a minority of kayak anglers with physical, loading and storage issues, The K-Largo and Abaco models are not for them.  The unique wheel kit for these 2 models, integrated into the keel, is outstanding and takes a lot of weight off the boat in portage.  The wheels are easy to install, break down in seconds and small enough to throw onboard.
Getting back to kayak weight, when I was researching this whole thing, I spoke to the owner of a high volume Gulf shop who told me that “somewhere along the road, as the boats got lighter, anglers got the impression that light was better and that just ain't the case”.  In a lot of models, “light” too often means “thin” and that effects the UV protection as well as wear from dragging and the overall life of the boat.  I was advised by one of the owners that RTM uses materials (plastic and UV inhibitors) that cost up to 40% more than the materials used by many kayak manudfacturers.  That’s proven in how well the colors have stayed fast after 3 years in the sun and under the trees.
   
Free Demos –For now, Bodega Bay and Valley Ford are the best places to demo the boats anytime by appointment or anytime I’m crabbing at Doran.  Contact me directly for more info on Valley Ford and the Esteros.  We’re about 80 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.   If you are coming from afar to the coast, bring crab traps and/or spend an hour or so getting a feel for the boats.  Winter fishing at Bodega Bay-A light outfit with squid strips and small hooks (fished a few feet off the bottom) should start producing some flatfish around here soon.  I also fish the sabiki for sardines for the grill.  There is lots of bait around Bodega Bay right now, the ospreys are hunting actively and looking fat.

Demo Days-I will be setting up a demo day at Ocean Cove when they re-open in April, probably a few weeks after the abalone opener.  The demo day is free and we’ll host a BBQ. Ocean Cove has a 7 or $8 dollar day use fee per car.  If there is a strong demand for demos sooner, we can arrange a demo event at Bodega Bay, the Estero or Russian River.

Kayak Rentals-If you are new to kayak fishing, an NCKA member and considering your first kayak, discounted rentals are $50 each for the day and I’ll supply a few crab traps if you want.  Both tandems and solo models are on hand and I have most of the fishing line to demo.  Come summer, we’ll have a handful of dealers across the state and I’m working hard to get mostly demo dealers in place.  In the meantime, the full rental cost on Factory Warehouse Demo/rentals will be credited to a kayak purchase within 6 months.

That said, thanks for your time.  Michelle and I want to wish everyone a Happy and Extremely Fishy New Year!!!.  Please check out www.KeepAmericaFishing.org, take action if you haven’t already and we look forward to fishing with many more of you in 2012.
Continued Good Fishing from,
Spike and Michelle

Dude that thing looks slick! But I noticed something's missing Tiny...I need to get you a big 9ers decal!

Dude that thing looks slick! But I noticed something's missing Tiny...I need to get you a big 9ers decal!

Nah...a big Saints one would look better!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Dude that thing looks slick! But I noticed something's missing Tiny...I need to get you a big 9ers decal!

Nah...a big Saints one would look better!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

UH OH!

Sweet ride, you got that pimped out big time.  All you need now is a wheel Z with with spinner rims to complete it...lol!

Tiny,

The boat looks awesome! I love the colors you choose. Seems very feature rich. I love all the options for storage. Hope to see you at Crabfest.

Dan

OMG, when I saw the boat I nearly jizzed!!!
I need one that color!!!


This may be a phase, but I also desire the new Jeep unlimited in "Dozer"....

OMG, the color, and it looks rather quick too.

found one!
in the UK, for L 885 (nearly usd$ 1,400)  I'd buy it except the shipping is kinda killin me 

I'll be at one of these demo days for sure!