Product Spotlight for September: Stohlquist Water Ware Rocker PFD

The Stohlquist Water Ware Rocker PFD grants mobility and comfort for paddlers of all styles in a compact package.

Stohlquist's Rocker is designed for whitewater, sea kayaking, stand up paddling and other situations where a high amount of mobility and flotation are required. The Rocker is a reasonably priced PFD option for both river and sea based activities.

Jacket Fit:

The L/XL size Rocker fits quite well on my 5'9 180 lb frame. I wanted a PFD that would allow me to move my torso forwards and backwards with ease, and the high flotation of this jacket does just that. Rolls that start from the forward or back decks of my kayak are a breeze with this jacket and it doesn't get in the way at all. The PFD is a side entry, meaning that you slip it over your head like a t shirt. This makes it a little difficult to get on and off compared to the more traditional jacket style PFDs, but once on, it feels great.

Features:

The Rocker has a lot of features for a PFD of this size. The shoulder straps, while not adjustable are padded which makes carrying my sea kayak a lot less painful as the cockpit tends to bite into my shoulder otherwise. The lack of a zipper on the front also allows the jacket to have a sizeable pocket, which can fit a small or medium sized water bottle. There is even a zipper pocket which can be used to keep keys or perhaps a small tool. Even without adjustable shoulder straps, the PFD feels just right on the body.

Conclusion:

The Rocker is a great PFD that can be used by most paddlers whether they be fishermen who desire a light and compact PFD or whitewater kayakers who need great torso mobility.

Product Spotlight for July: Bending Branches Angler Scout Paddle

The Bending Branches Angler Scout is a high quality paddle for fisherman who want an entry priced product with features dedicated solely to the kayak angler.

Review by Felix "Bill" Chen

The Bending Branches Angler line of paddles was designed by a team of professional kayak fishermen. This is one of the few paddles on the market made specifically for anglers. And it certainly fulfills its part.

Construction:

The Angler scout is made with a strong and durable aluminum shaft with nylon blades. The paddle weighs about 1000g and can be adjusted to 2 feathered settings. The paddle can also be broken down into two pieces. The paddle I am reviewing is 230 cm, which would be an appropriate size for most anglers. The Bending Branches website says that this paddle also comes in the standard 220cm and 240cm as well.

Features:

I run a Hobie Mirage Outback for my fishing trips, so paddling with a heavy paddle is not much of a concern to me since I'm using the pedals most of the time. The Angler Scout is the most basic and therefore heaviest model. When I did use this paddle however, I found that despite the weight, I was able to get the boat moving pretty quickly. Theres no wiggle at all that you sometimes find with cheaper aluminum paddles.

The hook retrieval system is a pretty interesting feature that I didn't get to use much on my last trip. Pulling in the lures was very easy once you got the hand of holding a paddle and a rod in each hand. Most of the time I clip my paddle when I start messing with stuff on deck, but that's just me.

The paddle features a ruler which I think is super useful. Even with the paddle strapped to my boat I could measure my catch and perhaps more importantly take a halfway decent picture without having to pull my measuring stick out of my bag! I just lay the the paddle across the deck and snap away.

Conclusion:

This is a great paddle for anglers making their first kayak purchase. While the weight is considerable on this aluminum constructed paddle, the sleek design, and useful features of this paddle make it a great piece. For just $99 I'd say this is a much better buy than a equivalently prices recreational paddle with no features for fishing.

Product Spotlight for June: Perception Prodigy II 14.5 Tandem Kayak

The Prodigy II 14.5 is a smooth paddling yet stable kayak with very comfortable seating for two adults and a child.

Review by A.J. Sanders

Inspired by the popular Prodigy solo sit inside kayak, the Prodigy II 14.5 is built with families in mind. The Prodigy brings speed and maneuverability without sacrificing comfort and stability. With lots of space for comfort and storage, this is a perfect boat for a outing on a lake, bay or protected harbor.

Construction:

The Prodigy II 14.5 is constructed out of a tough rotomolded polyethylene. The plastic on the bottom and sides of the hull are thick enough to withstand some punishment without cracking. The boat also features a drag strip on the keel, which allows it to be dragged across rough surfaces without creating leaks.

The seats on board are quite nice, with multiple adjustment options and plenty of cushioning. For people like me with bad backs, having comfortable adjustment options is extremely important. The rear storage hatch is invaluable as well, as it lets my wife and I bring food and clothing without getting them wet during the paddle. The boat also features a third removable seat which allows it to carry an additional child passenger.

Paddling:

Much like the Prodigy single, the 14.5 is a great paddling boat! My wife and I weigh about 350 lbs combined, and with about 30 lbs of gear/food, the boat had no problems handling the waters of Newport Harbor. The Prodigy was very stable, when I shifted around in my seat. Stretching my legs out over the side after a couple hours of paddling was no problem at all.

Compared to my old Cobra tandem sit on top, I'd say that this boat paddles more smoothly for sure. I've always found that sit inside kayaks such as the Prodigy perform better in windy conditions. as the boat has a lower profile. Unlike sit on tops, boats such as these keep any water that comes in, so bringing a cleaning sponge was an absolute must.

Final Words:

Overall, I think this is an excellent choice for families who want a boat with excellent paddling characteristics, good storage options and great comfort. This is a versatile kayak that can be used during both winter and summer!

Length:	14'6"
Width:	31.25"
Max Capacity:	550 lbs
Deck Height:	15.75
Weight:	73 lbs
Cockpit Length:	90"
Cockpit Width:	22.75"

Product Spotlight for May: Hobie Livewell Bait Tank

The Hobie Livewell is a sleek, easy to use option for anglers wishing to store live bait on their kayak.

Introduction:

Made specifically for the Mirage series product line, the Hobie Livewell bait tank can be used as a means of storing live bait, small fish and even crustaceans over a day's length of fishing on the water.

Construction:

The tank comes with three rod holders mounted on the back and there are spaces for mounting two more. For smaller mirage boats such as the Revolution 11 and 13, this is a good feature to have since both of these boats have limited storage.

The battery is a 6 volt sealed acid cell and can last a full day (8-10 hours) on a full charge. The battery itself is seated in the rear plastic cover of the bait tank, securing it well during use.  

The tank features straps on the side which can clip right onto the pad eyes on the rear of the boat.  The existing bungees on the back of the mirage boats can also be used to further secure the bait tank. 

The inside of the tank features the pump as well as an outflow pipe, which can be raised and lowered to adjust the height of the water inside the tank.

Use:

Before use, the pump must be primed by turning on the pump and driving the kayak forward. The well can also simply be filled with water by pouring it in. The pump is turned on via a simple switch on the right side of the tank. The operation of the Livewell is fairly quiet, amounting to a hum while out on the water.

The battery on a full charge can power the livewell for up to 16 hours of constant flow. The Livewell itself is quite large, and can store a sufficient amount of bait for a long day out on the water. The tank can be also be used to store crabs and shrimp, provided that a small object is inserted into the tank, which would allow such catch to cling on.

Final Words:

-Very easy and simple to set up

-Holds a lot of bait

-3 installed rod holders, can install 2 more

-Very quiet operation

-Battery fits in the custom cover very well

Product Spotlight for April: Yak Attack VISICarbon Pro Kayak Light

The VISICarbon Pro is a great way to improve the visibility of your boat in various conditions.

Review by Preston Ong

Introduction:

Visibility is a very important issue that is often taken for granted out on the water. Paddlers risk bodily harm or at the very least damaging their equipment in conditions of low visibility. In such environments, a quality kayak light is a definite must. The Yak Attack VISICarbon Pro is an excellent kayak light for paddlers in low visibility or night time conditions.

Construction:

The VISICarbon Pro consists of a lightweight 48 inch long, three piece carbon mast built around an elastic cord, which allows the mast to be folded flat for transportation. The construction of the mast is very high quality, and is able to withstand some bending. An accidental swipe of a paddle or fishing pole would not be nearly enough force to damage this product.

The bottom of the mast consists of foam wrapped around a plastic handle, which will fit into any rod holders of 1.75" diameter or more. The bottom of the handle consists of a ball which can be attached to any Scotty, Tallon and RAM mounting systems.

Use:

The orange flag of the VISICarbon Pro acts as a storage bag for the folded mast, making transportation very simple. Once fully assembled, the light is activated by a small twist of the top lamp. Despite its compactness, the visibility of the light at night is very high, in most cases negating my need a seperate flashlight. The LED has over 100 hours of battery life on three AAA batteries, so there should be no worry about it going dark in the middle of your lobster hooping trip! Marine grade reflective tape attached below the LED ensures that visibility is even higher at night.

The entire mast with LED is completely waterproof and in the unlikely case that it goes overboard can float as well. In addition, the low profile of the flag ensures that even in the windiest conditions, drag is absolutely minimal.

Summary:

In conclusion, the VISICarbon pro is an excellent choice for paddlers who want a high level of visibility in day and night conditions. This kayak light is a quality tool and is made to last.

Product Spotlight for March: Boardworks SUP Raven 12.6 Stand Up Paddleboard

Southwind Kayak Center is now carrying Boardworks SUPs!

Review by Preston Ong

Introduction:

Winner of the Mens Journal Gear of the Year award, the Raven 12.6 is one of Boardworks SUP's most popular boards, and for good reason. Built for speed, the Raven combines stability, smooth paddling, quality construction and sharp aesthetics.

Construction:

The Raven 12.6 is a displacement hull board made for touring and long distance paddling. The sandwich molded construction board, made out of fibgerglass and epoxy resins is very durable yet light board at only 28 pounds. The large deckpad feels very comfortable on the feet and can easily accomodate coolers, sitting crates and fishing containers. The bamboo veneer on the front of the board is exquisite and the board itself is covered in Pacific Northwest themed graphics, with a Raven emblem on the top and bottom of the board. The numerous tiedowns on the front allow you to bring food, containers or a life jacket on board. The thickness of the side rails can make this board somewhat more difficult to carry than a standard board, but the popout handle makes transportation much easier.

Paddling:

Upon paddling this board in the flatter conditions of Newport Harbor, it became apparent to me how stable this board is. Standing on the back of the board for more aggressive turns was very easy for my 6 foot 195 lb frame. The flat rocker makes this board really shine when paddled straight; keeping course was very easy. Attaching a cooler/milk crate to the back of the board is a great option, as I found that I could sit down and paddle with great comfort and stability. The higher, built in recessed deck made for a very dry paddle, which is nice as the water temperature is still cold this time of the year.

When I paddled this board out of the harbor, I found that while the ride was still smooth, the large side rails of this board seemed to catch wind and swells more dramatically. Despite this, the forgiving stability of the board meant that I was paddling confidently even in choppier conditions.

Summary:

The Boardworks Raven 12.6 is a mid range touring board, perfect for fitness and recreational racing in flatter water conditions. Lighter paddlers can also appreciate this board in choppier, ocean conditions due to its stability. The Raven is an excellent choice for those wanting to transition from the recreational aspect of the sport to that of touring but still want the versatility afforded by a stable and easy to paddle board.

Specifications:

Height 12'6"
Nose 13 9/16"
Width 30 3/16"
Tail 15 5/8"
Thickness  6 15/16"
Fins Included Single Fin

Novice up to 250lbs
Intermediate up to 270lbs
Advanced up to 300lbs

Product Spotlight for February: Werner Camano Paddle

The Werner Camano is an excellent paddle choice for a relaxed low angle paddling style. Handcrafted in Sultan, Washington out of fiberglass and carbon, the Camano is incredibly light yet durable, making it an excellent choice for long distance touring or extended fishing trips.

The Werner Camano is great choice for paddlers demanding a paddle with superior performance characteristics and low swing weight. The dihedral paddle surface allows for extremely smooth strokes with little paddle flutter, while an easy to adjust ferrule system allows for angle changes with the push of a button. Paddlers can switch between feathered and non feathered configurations with great ease. The Camano comes in five beautiful colors, orange, red, wave azul, amber and jade.

For touring enthusiasts, the slim blade allows for gliding forward strokes in various weather conditions while still carrying enough surface area for techniques such as aggressive turns, braces and sculling. At the same time, Werner's extremely durable two piece design means that this paddle will not fail you whether you're traversing shallow waters or rock gardens.

For the kayak fisher, the low swing weight means that anglers can quickly arrive at fishing spots with less fatigue, allowing you more time to reel in that big one. The two piece design also makes it a good back up paddle without sacrificing gear space.

Although the Werner Camano is somewhat pricier than other metal or fiberglass kayak paddles, the exceptional quality of its craftsmanship, super light swing weight and versatility makes this an excellent upper mid range choice for the discerning paddler.

Available Lengths: 220cm, 230cm, 240cm
Paddle Weight: 27.25 oz. (220cm)
Shaft Type / Shape / Material: Two-Piece / Straight / Fiberglass and Carbon Blend
Blade Type / Material / Size: Asymmetrical / Fiberglass / 20.5 x 6.3 inches
Hand Control: Right or Left
Feather Angles: 0 / 15 / 30 / 45 / 60 / 75
Paddle Features: Drip Rings, Adjustable Ferrule System, and Dihedral Power Blade Surface.