06.04.2011 Sat SWS Raptor Test Drive (chaeki video)

Left 5:30am to Jim's house to pickup a demo unit, nice guy with some other cool ideas and mod's.  Picked up the Raptor and headed to SWS, knowing it was going to be slightly hectic in the ocean.  Launched in 10kts, and the cove was quiet, was planning to break out to the right side but the 5ft waves breaking was telling me to not pass go.  LOL, I stayed on the left side of the cove, must of dropped my line only 3 times, when winds of 20kts blew hard and kept blowing.  Suddenly big waves were forming, so I pulled up the line and high tailed it out of there!!! lol

Got a nice comment from a old beach goer on the kayak, saying how cool it looked.  It does look like a X-Wing fighter cockpit for sure.

Wife came out and asked what the 2 yellow floats were for on the inside (last clip), I told her its for asian kayak drivers, front and rear airbags.. PUAHHAHA

How did the Raptor paddle bro? Can you car top this kayak by yourself? Were you
hitting the side of the kayak as you finished your paddle stroke?

Jedmo

I can only compare to my ocean kayak malibu 2 xl, since that is the only kayak I have rode. 

Weight is similar, I can car rack them both, (you need to find the mid point of the raptor to make it easier, since its not the middle) I didn't hit the sides of the Raptor when paddling, didn't even think of that as I was paddling out.  One thing I did notice is that it felt like I was riding in a Cadillac, it was pretty comfy.  The storage behind and in the cockpit was actually very nice.  On my malibu, I have to secure most of the stuff up top on the sides, and only the flexible stuff in the hatch.  I threw my fins, speargun, and baton in the cockpit, rest went in the milk crate behind me.  Its sensitive to the pull of the paddle, I had to get used to it.  Even though I couldn't flip it, it was sensitive to rocking, compared to my xl2 which doesn't budge.

Let me know if you have any other questions.. I plan playing with it more, once the weather gets better... god I am nuts..

Interesting yak, interesting music, I was wondering where you were going with it.Should have thrown in some fish porn Thanks

Thanks chaeki. Sonny has one and he doesn't live far from me. I hope to try it out
soon just to see how it paddles.

Jedmo

 Way cool Chaeki       Can I use that line ?     Kayak drivers Air bags...   
  How much water got inside after driving in the rain ?  It started pouring after you left.    What month is this again?

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163534    This  just posted riding the rapids on Devils River.

dreamcatcher:  I tried to catch fish.. LOL, rub it in why don't you (i suck at fishing).. I had threw my line out 3x's during that 1 hr I was able to stay out there, no bites.  But then again, I couldn't go outside the cove, because it look gnarly out there.

Jedmo:  Its reminds me like Apple's logo " think different " the raptor is a different ride for sure.  I plan on making it to ARW with my kid and if the weather permits, hang out with the guys.

Baitman: sure.. it was so funny when she said that, then it just started to look like it even more.  On the way home, it poured!!!!  I didn't notice that much of a weight difference, when I unloaded the kayak.  If I had to measure the water that was inside, I would say about 5 cups of water's worth.

Nice bro...I was out there too, north of the point...that wind got BRUTAL huh!?!?!?!
 

Did you hail on CH 69? I didn't hear anybody, but could have just been the wind drowning out any other sounds!!
 
 
Sincerely,
Jim

Nice bro...I was out there too, north of the point...that wind got BRUTAL huh!?!?!?!
 

Did you hail on CH 69? I didn't hear anybody, but could have just been the wind drowning out any other sounds!!
 
 
Sincerely,
Jim

I did hail that morning... and asked for a radio check.. no reply... and when first went out there.. it was sooo calm.. but the breaking 5 ft wave going north got me thinking, I should stay in the cove.. LOL

But only after 1 hr... DAMN the winds were insane!!!!.... I didnt' have to paddle back to shore, all wind assisted... lol

Tomorrow looks better... I will be at lovers 1 tomorrow, but helping heesup with his freediving to a deeper level..

Cool yak, Chaeki! Do you think you would've been able to get in/out of it easily if you had used it as a diving platform?
And wow, Jim, those looked like some nasty conditions you had on the way in!

Rough day on the Bay yesterday, Chaeki.  I was over at Carmel Beach kitesurfing.  At 12:30, the wind ramped up to about 25mph.  It died off completely at 2, then at about 2:45, it ramped up again to over 30mph.  The set waves at the beach were easily 8 feet.  Fun and challenging conditions on a kite, but it must have been hell on a yak.  I know it's strange to see south winds this time of year, but maybe think about the other side of the peninsula next time (which hopefully won't be until December!).

Cool yak, Chaeki! Do you think you would've been able to get in/out of it easily if you had used it as a diving platform?
And wow, Jim, those looked like some nasty conditions you had on the way in!

As a dive platform, it's easily doable. I haven't tried to tip it yet, because I had all my gear on it.  Lol

Airushsf, Monterey today was super stellar!!!! 360 opposite of yesterday.

Good move, Chaeki!  We still had some south winds on Sunday afternoon, but much mellower.  About 15 - 18mph at Carmel Beach.  Another fun kitesurfing session for me and a couple of buddies.  I'll keep flying the kites on windy days and save the fishing for the glassy ones.  I did manage a couple of nice eels with the poke pole on the minus tide on Sunday morning.  What a great day!

Good move, Chaeki!  We still had some south winds on Sunday afternoon, but much mellower.  About 15 - 18mph at Carmel Beach.  Another fun kitesurfing session for me and a couple of buddies.  I'll keep flying the kites on windy days and save the fishing for the glassy ones.  I did manage a couple of nice eels with the poke pole on the minus tide on Sunday morning.  What a great day!

You kite surf... do you have any footage of that on youtube?! that would be so cool with a gopro...