X-WING SLIDER

Now if only they made it so it would fold up and go in to the rod pod on the trident for surf landings.

-Brian G

I've installed three of these contraptions now and there starting to grow on me. The guys buying them flip out when they come up and see it fully rigged. This kayak here was tested in surf and driving rain in Trinidad with bait tank and electronics running full bore. For you naysayers, like I said a year ago, this guys rollin in it!

Cool.  There are times I'd love to have a setup like that.  Otherwise it looks like too much to deal with. 

This guy can slide his console off in seconds and attach the fishfinder to deck. It has redundant power supply so it can be powered anywhere in the boat with a scwafish style powerpack. The main bulky battery sits snuggly sealed in the console. The point is This thing can be rigged to fish with it on or off no problem. It's one of those things you look at and drool or scoff but when you have one on your boat in the water with your own thoughts, everyone would be a little giddy.

Since I spent my formative years in LA I learned that you are what you drive.  So I suspect that they must be selling a boat load of these bad boys to our southern neighbors.  This console looks like another must have for "RV" yaks and folks that gotta flash the bling. 

Since I use my front hatch for beach exits and have had my "fun" rolling in the surf, I'd pass...but if I was out on a calm lake, it might not be so bad.  To each their own and I must admit I think iphones are really cool but I have yet to spring for one.  Maybe is they get down to $100 (like this console) I'd consider it. 

Here's an ugly thought, what if you did get rolled in the surf and your yak got smashed up against some rocks, would the console/rails rip a hole out of the top of your yak where the rails are mounted?  Something to think about...

I agree with the KISS concept and go with flush mounts and ram/scotty mounts where they're needed.

Gary

Kayak fishing ain't that complicated..

Z

Since I spent my formative years in LA I learned that you are what you drive.  So I suspect that they must be selling a boat load of these bad boys to our southern neighbors.

This SoCal hasn't seen one yet, although given time...

Like Gary said....

Seems like too much clutter on the deck...and adding more weight to a kayak that's already heavy as it is. (I have a demo X-Factor)IMO: definitley a kayak you won't wanna roll on a big swell day I'm in agreement with the "keep it simple" thing

My idea of KIS, unload your yak, carry to the beach,go back and get the rest of your stuff (couple of rods, FF/battery,VHF,compass / GPS,bait and tackle) and launch within minutes. I'm a firm believer of "safety over bling"

Just my opinion on the matter.....to each his/her own.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Leave safety judgements to the professionals

I don't like anything that traps your legs in the kayak, but I will say
it do look trick I can see my self having one but I would use it at a lake
no way I would use this on the ocean.

But I can see a stereo built in to this bad boy with 2 small speakers
mounted in the wings and a subwolfer in the main body sounds like
a fun day on the lake 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Leave safety judgements to the professionals

I'm no "PRO" but I sure know that rolling a kayak on a big swell day with all these contraptions sticking out of your deck is unsafe (and expensive). I've rolled enough in my early days of kayak fishing and I know I'll roll a few more times - even though I've taken surf classes  - that's why I'm not a "PRO" and so are the majority of the men and women on this board...oh and by the way, I've seen "PRO's" make mistakes. I believe they are human just like the rest of us

It figures you'd be ito it duane, Some of your ideas could end up in the free-market as well.

It was unfair what I said about judgement. It's not only our right but it's imperitive that we all make personal assessments on safety. It seemed to me people are trashing another guys product in the guise that it's not safe. when it comes to kayak safety I'm a subject matter expert. My testimony has been used in court and I back it up with the way I live my life and conduct my business. I say the X-wing console is safe in all but whitewater and that should settle it.

The other thing is that this is an American product, invented, brought to market, sold, and bought by Americans.Malibu kayaks appreciates this ingenuity and supports this guys Idea. Even if it isn't the best one you heard of, or wouldn't be caught dead with one I don't hear you giving he guy props for trying. What will you be saying about Tote's anchor a year from now when he's on the cover of popular mechanics.

JUST RANTIN

It's not only our right but it's imperitive that we all make personal assessments on safety.

I say the X-wing console is safe in all but whitewater and that should settle it.

 

Since yak fishing is relatively "new" I would consider us pioneers of new gadgets/gear for the sport.  Actually I'm surprised that someone came out with something like this before Duane cooked one up in his "skunk works" garage.

Judging the safety/functionality of new gear is something that we all have a vested interest in every time someone takes it for a test run.  Since we all depend on each other for advice and words of wisdom I think we all appreciate the feedback.  Actually with this feedback the maker of this unit can make continuous improvements on his product to the point where it would possibly be a must have.

One other thought...when I scoot up to the front of the yak to access the front hatch I straddle the yak.  If there's railings on the top, the edges if they're sharp, can snag/cut into waders, dry suits or neoprene wet suits.

Gary

Mike,- it means trust your judgment but trust mine more

Gary,-The rails are smoothed round at the edges. That's a good point about using this thread to help the guy make improvements. You others that have posted opinions, have you tried this thing in the surf like I have? Have you even seen one and examined how it's put together? Is your opinion as informed as mine. I'm a malibu dealer so I have better access but it also means I'm biased.

My suggestion for the Guy and I think he lives somewhere in Texas, is to add stoppers to the rail so you can adjust it like a foot pedal. I'd also use less plastic on the face so you an add pass-thru electrical switches for all your components with out having to assemble wires.