Test ridding a Trident & stumbled onto an amazing kayak!

standing up, or even kneeling, for a change has a lot of  appeal.

+1

Very cool to see a local company putting out interesting boats. 

That is only the first sail.  Still testing that one out.  I'm waiting for the opportunity to fly across the SF Bay in 15 - 20 knot winds.
 It can be reefed...  I think !     Also just started talking to  www.kayaksailor.com  about an upwind sail.     It's  a kick riding the wind back after a long day fishing.

Eric B.   I grew up in Fremont, Washington High.   We'll be  at the Bay Area Paddlefest , Quarry Lakes ,  May 21-22nd        Come on out, it's a big event.  There will be lots of kayaks to demo.   

 http://thebayareapaddlefest.org/

   websites...    I think the manufacturing is the easy part.   

 SantaCuzkaKayaks.com I really want one of these now and I'm hopping I can save a little more and get one. I was so impressed I wanted to pass this experience on to other fishermen.
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Let me help. Please read. http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/92-staff-reviews/1351-santa-cruz-raptor.html
Truth be told, If they would have invented this yak a few years ago I wouldn't have paddled as many as i did.

Thanks for sharing your experience W-horse Joe. I was already interested in the Raptor, but after this open discussion...I'm even more interested in paddling one!  And Thanks Baitman for the level & honest conversation here. Let's go fishing!

The kayak was called the raptor and he has a  web site called SantaCuzkaKayaks.com I really want one of these now and I'm hopping I can save a little more and get one. I was so impressed I wanted to pass this experience on to other fishermen.

I may be overstepping some bounds but im going to throw it out there anyway     I was thinking about this comment along with the rest of this thread and how sweet an end it to it would be if somehow Wildhorse Joe could somehow work out a discount from the Owner/Creater of this new yak so he can afford it sooner rather than later   

I cant imagine a better way to promote it than to help the first person to give a review to NCKA a helping hand so he can start fishing from it and start posting some fishing reports 

The kayak was called the raptor and he has a  web site called SantaCuzkaKayaks.com I really want one of these now and I'm hopping I can save a little more and get one. I was so impressed I wanted to pass this experience on to other fishermen.

I may be overstepping some bounds but im going to throw it out there anyway     I was thinking about this comment along with the rest of this thread and how sweet an end it to it would be if somehow Wildhorse Joe could somehow work out a discount from the Owner/Creater of this new yak so he can afford it sooner rather than later   

I cant imagine a better way to promote it than to help the first person to give a review to NCKA a helping hand so he can start fishing from it and start posting some fishing reports 

Better yet, how about an NCKA's discount? 

I think it looks sweet, and if your worried about water in the cockpit while surf launching and landing, im sure you can find a sprayskirt that fits.

I think it looks sweet, and if your worried about water in the cockpit while surf launching and landing, im sure you can find a sprayskirt that fits.

The Lap Skirt / Cockpit Cover is available on his website.  See below:

Raptor Kayak Accessories:

•Flotation Bags
•Lap Skirt / Cockpit Cover
•Sunbrella Boat Cover (protects from damaging UV rays and stray cats)
•Kayak Wheels (transport your boat with ease)
•Ultralight electric kayak motor by Torqeedo
 
More accessories coming soon!

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/92-staff-reviews/1351-santa-cruz-raptor.html

Sailfish and 9erfan  Did you read my review? curious

No,  lesson learned.

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/92-staff-reviews/1351-santa-cruz-raptor.html

Sailfish and 9erfan  Did you read my review? curious

Yes I did (just now)    Nice review that make me want to try one soon.  On your review, the Mfg Suggested Retail is $1150.00
(plus shipping) but on his website, the Mfg Suggested Retail is $1550.00
(plus shipping).  Which price is the correct one?

http://santacruzkayaks.com/products.htm

  Hey,    I've been at the warehouse putting boats together.   Rickey just called and alerted me to the questions on this thread. 
First off I gotta say thanks for the warm welcome and great responses.   I'm always available for any questions .  My e-mail  is Jim@santacruzkayaks.com   or cell # 831 247 0150 ( for those times when I'm at the shop )    So far I'm just a one man band, but have a lot of good friends helping to keep this project afloat.
     W. Horse  has some personal issues that came up prohibiting him from buying his yak.  I did offer him a loaner to use until things picked up for him...   The more people out paddling the better.  ( I want photos ! )   Being as I met him at Kayak Connection, the only store here locally to put my boat on display.   It wouldn't be ethical for me to sell direct to their customer.   Mark at Kayak Connection has been real supportive of this endeavor, encouraging me way back when I was debating the move to start production a little over a year ago.
    Yeah,  NCKA  member discounts !   You guys are my support group.  It should work both ways.
  Re price differences.    It started out thinking this boat would need a rudder due to the design.  Turns out  it doesn't really need the rudder.   It's nice to be able to use the rudder for course corrections on the longer paddles.  I like it, however it does add 5 lbs to the weight... and $$ in added parts.
   A Raptor with rudder is 1,550.       Without rudder price is 1,150   ( MSRP ) 
   The mold to produce this yak is a 5 piece mold.  Not the typical two part mold.   We built the mold around the boat rather than the reverse of most roto-molded boats.    The interior sections require 4 more molds to produce the thermo-formed  interior sections.     It all adds up... that's the short explanation of why it's a bit expensive.  I went with quality every step of the way rather than accepting " cheap" .
        Anyone interested in a demo paddle can contact me for more info.     There's a dealer in Sacramento, Lodi ,Santa Cruz and Santa Maria.  Possibly Oakland soon as well.
  Thanks everybody...         BTW  Headed out for Halibut in the am.  Santa Cruz Halibut are in.  Just heard somebody scored one off a paddleboard today.
   

  Hey,    I've been at the warehouse putting boats together.   Rickey just called and alerted me to the questions on this thread. 
First off I gotta say thanks for the warm welcome and great responses.   I'm always available for any questions .  My e-mail  is Jim@santacruzkayaks.com   or cell # 831 247 0150 ( for those times when I'm at the shop )    So far I'm just a one man band, but have a lot of good friends helping to keep this project afloat.
     W. Horse  has some personal issues that came up prohibiting him from buying his yak.  I did offer him a loaner to use until things picked up for him...   The more people out paddling the better.  ( I want photos ! )   Being as I met him at Kayak Connection, the only store here locally to put my boat on display.   It wouldn't be ethical for me to sell direct to their customer.   Mark at Kayak Connection has been real supportive of this endeavor, encouraging me way back when I was debating the move to start production a little over a year ago.
    Yeah,  NCKA  member discounts !   You guys are my support group.  It should work both ways.
  Re price differences.    It started out thinking this boat would need a rudder due to the design.  Turns out  it doesn't really need the rudder.   It's nice to be able to use the rudder for course corrections on the longer paddles.  I like it, however it does add 5 lbs to the weight... and $$ in added parts.
   A Raptor with rudder is 1,550.       Without rudder price is 1,150   ( MSRP ) 
   The mold to produce this yak is a 5 piece mold.  Not the typical two part mold.   We built the mold around the boat rather than the reverse of most roto-molded boats.    The interior sections require 4 more molds to produce the thermo-formed  interior sections.     It all adds up... that's the short explanation of why it's a bit expensive.  I went with quality every step of the way rather than accepting " cheap" .
        Anyone interested in a demo paddle can contact me for more info.     There's a dealer in Sacramento, Lodi ,Santa Cruz and Santa Maria.  Possibly Oakland soon as well.
  Thanks everybody...         BTW  Headed out for Halibut in the am.  Santa Cruz Halibut are in.  Just heard somebody scored one off a paddleboard today.
 

Jim, your the man. I have a few people interested in the kayak right now. One guy is set to demo this week. I will let him know about the rudder as being an option. Thats a huge savings! This guy would be great to have it the yak because he does a lot of stand up fly fishing, as well as trolling for stripers. Also I agree about the Rudder I've paddle it a few times and it tracks so well there is no need for one. Glad to see some interest in the boat. I will be doing a fishing kayak demo day in Lodi in May and I will be sure to have this one out for people to try.

Dan,    let me know what day.  I'd love to be there.   I'll bring my boat with the elec. motor.    here's the " pimped" photos .
 mounted the go-pro  up on a mast, but I think it needs to be a bit higher.

I like the red flame on the bow!