Maiden Voyage Stealth Fisha 500

I always want to try a Stealth kayak since both of my fishing mentors use them.  ThreemoneyJ, John was selling his Fisha 500 last year at such a great price, I jumped on it.  With my move to Mendocino, he was holding onto the kayak for several months until I could pick it up.  Recently, I purchased a Bending Branches Navigator Versa-Lok paddle and got ready. 

Today, I took it out to Big River to test several items:

1. Test stability - very stable
2. Paddle blade angle - tried various angles from 30-60 degrees R but not sure yet.
3. Paddle length - tried 220 and 225 and more comfortable at 225 cm.
4. Learn foot control rudder / determine position
5.  Without Seat and With Seat - I like it with a seat.

I was very happy with the performance, but I need to practice the paddle stroke.  The rudder was very sensitive and would take time to get used to.
If anyone knows good paddling demonstration YouTubes, please let me know.

I plan to take out to the Noyo River and the Albion River next, before going fishing with it.

Sweet. Quite the photogenic vessel... Nice pics! 

Oooooo, congrats Paul! Whatta beauty. Fast?

Beautiful!

lOVE THAT YAK AND LOVE bIG rIVER PADDLE EVEN MORE

Heck yeah Paul that thing is sweet!

Also interesting to hear about your paddle choice and what length worked for you. I ended up with a longer 240 and am considering getting a new shorter perhaps adjustable paddle but would like to try before I buy.

I’m glad you were finally able to take it for a spin. I have had mine out in the ocean 4 times now, and it has been challenging to figure out the logistics of where to keep everything. Last weekend I mounted a seat, added a paddle clip, and adjusted the stock paddle bungee so I could store the net handle in it like Tsuri.

Will most likely be trying a surf launch on Saturday.

Sweet ride!

Dan from Headwaters Kayak has a YouTube channel. Thats a good place to start. As you progress, anyone showing how to paddle surf skis I find helpful. I prefer a high angle stroke and use a 215cm on my 525 but everyone's built different. 220cm sounds like a good choice. Learning paddling basics will help immensely on that kayak. Good place to start is low angle vs high angle and what paddle is suited best. Also ive found with proper paddling posture, a seat isn't necessary. Stealths are actually quite comfortable and not having a seat is one less thing to pack. Simplicity=better. My 2 cents

Congratulations on the boat! She's a beaut

Also interesting to hear about your paddle choice and what length worked for you. I ended up with a longer 240 and am considering getting a new shorter perhaps adjustable paddle but would like to try before I buy.

I got the Bending Branches Navigator Versa-Lok 215-230, which has been used by MooMoo.  You are welcome to try it out.

Paul

Very Nice 

That looks awesome.

Best of all, you can honestly claim to have the world's greenest kayak.

🙌🙌

Check this video out


and this

siiiick boat paul!