Skua try-outs, no fishing involved [Archive] - Kayakfishingstuff.com Kayak Fishing Community Forums

Fuzzy Bruce

07-09-2009, 02:27 PM

With what looks like an impending move, I may sell the Skua. Had two different guys try it out.

WRA from this site took the yak for a weekend trial in Biscayne Bay/lagoon. He didn't like the size of the cockpit but did like the speed. I can say the cockpit is tight, can't be politically correct about the size of the paddler:arol: Just kidding WRA:arol:

Then I talked to a retired Army fellow. He wanted a fitness kayak. I provided links to Venture Sport and Kaskazi so he could do some research. A few days later, he comes by and we head to the C-14 for a test. On the way, I'm trying to get an idea of his kayak experience. He then proceeded to tell me he basically had none. He believed that learning to kayak would be the same no matter what he used! Called it a standard learning curve, I think.

I gave him a quick lesson on paddling and how best to get back in the kayak and off he went. He was a bit shakey but actually went a couple hundred yards, tried to turn and fell out. I headed out to get him to shore, he got back in and returned to the launch. Looked like it was over for him.

I took the Skua for a quick spin and he was amazed by my prowess:arol::arol::arol: I then asked if he wanted another go at it, which he declined. On the ride back, I did give him the advice to try a bunch of different kayaks, even steered him to a few of the local bars, I mean shops that would help him.

No pictures were taken to spare the feelings of those involved, even my prowess was spared:arol::arol::arol:

First time in the Skua in a month and it was good:banana:

Druid61

07-09-2009, 03:06 PM

:arol::arol::arol::arol:

Did you recommend the Big Game? How about this fine 'yak...

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb44/mojoyak/DIVIGBOARD2.gif

:arol:

goldfishgoddess

07-09-2009, 04:55 PM

You're killing me.. I'd really love a Skua to go with my D2.. just can't do it right now but would love to see pics. What's the width on the Skua? It can't be narrower than a racing sea kayak.

Luna

07-09-2009, 05:54 PM

Here's me in it before I sold it to Fuzzy! :cool: I was returning from a lap around those islands you see in the distance and ran into a fellow kayaker, who took the pic. :D

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff233/Kaskazi/BiscayneBayinSkua-1.jpg

goldfishgoddess

07-10-2009, 12:33 PM

Sweet pic, Luna. Your old Skua... it's... pee-row yeller.

Very nice. Was it a fast boat?

And it's a relief to come here, where nobody thinks I'm you.

Luna

07-12-2009, 06:39 AM

Yep, it was quite fast compared to any plastic boat out there, with the exception of Punisher's Cobra Expedition...but his doesn't count because it's Gay Guy Pink! :arol: :arol: The Skua holds its own against comparable composite yaks too. :up:

The one I bought has a permanent fiberglass spray shield around the cockpit, which makes it look more like a SIK. It paddles better too if you have some gear inside the hatches, otherwise it's quite tippy. I never flipped it accidentally though, but when I first got it I took it out into Biscayne Bay and leaned to see what the threshold for flipping was. :IDK:

Answer: Not very far! :eek: :drown: :drown: :drown: :drown: :arol: :arol:

If I were ever to buy another one I'd not opt for the spray shield. In fact, before I sold it to Fuzz, I was contemplating taking a jig saw and cutting it off. :cool: (the spray shield I mean!) :eek: :arol: :arol:

Fuzzy Bruce

07-12-2009, 07:49 AM

Fast, tippy and glides a mile. As to the glide, I can paddle about 35-40 cycles a minute and beat the Adventure when pedaled over 60 cycles a minute. At George English park I tried some wake surfing without really knowing what I was doing. Talk about speed:up:

I put 10 gallons of water in it and the tippyness just about went away. The Skua is a straight line padddling yak. No need for correction paddling most of the time. Takes a bit to turn the thing so the rudder is needed. Luna's, noe mine is noticably lighter than what the website call it. It wieghed 242lbs with me holding it on my bathroom scales. I was 200. That means I can put about 150 pounds of beer and ice in it for my longer excursions:arol:

Fuzzy Bruce

07-12-2009, 10:54 AM

Almost hard to believe but a guy stopped by the swamp today and bought my Skua for what I paid luna for it. His name was Ray and he lives in Florida near me but is originally from S. Africa. New all about the Kaskazi history from the beginning.

goldfishgoddess

07-12-2009, 11:25 AM

Happy ending, and that speaks highly for Kaskazi that a native would prefer one of their boats over the endless variety here in the USA.

You'll have to get Ray to come over here and give us some background.

Fuzzy Bruce

07-12-2009, 11:52 AM

I did let him know about this insanity:arol::arol::arol:

Luna

07-13-2009, 05:40 AM

I'm at least glad that she's back to her South African roots! :D

Fuzzy Bruce

07-13-2009, 06:39 AM

synthnut

07-13-2009, 06:52 AM

Fuzzy,
Weird to run into someone crazier than you huh ? .....I know the feeling ...It makes me feel like I'm almost sane .......OK , I said ALMOST !!!!....:sm:...Jim

Odin

07-13-2009, 07:25 AM

Oh the shame:(:confused::eek:

After talking a bit more with the buyer, I have learned he is going to do some glass work to the stern of the Skua and out a trolling motor on it, A TROLLING MOTOR:rmad::bash::sorry:

I guess there are crazies even from SA:arol::arol::arol:

Wish you had put it up for sale a month ago. I would have taken it right away.

Not only would I have given you almost:arol: what you paid Luna for the Skua... I would have thrown in a case or two of EXTREMELY fine ale, as well as a coupon book for a free buffet lunch at the Last Chance Saloon and lap dances at a five ***** star rated strip club as recommended by Sailor himself...:sm:

I also would have had the shipper I use make arrangements to pick up the kayak at your convinience ta boot and given that Skua the finest home it could possibly imagine...:up:

Should be very special hearing it go "put...put...put..." around the Everglades for the next ten years!:bash::bash::bash:

If I get a Skua I may see if I can have one made up with a glass hull and a carbon fiber deck, and no skirt, therebye lowering the kayaks center of gravity a bit!:up:

Trolling motor on a Kaskazi...

What's next, freakin pedals???:spank::spank::spank::bang::arol::arol:

goldfishgoddess

07-13-2009, 07:31 AM

Sacrilege I say... trolling motor on a Skua? Why would someone even need that?? :maul: Why didn't he buy a tupperware boat and throw on an EM?

redfish-bluefish

07-13-2009, 08:02 AM

If I get a Skua I may see if I can have one made up with a glass hull and a carbon fiber deck, and no skirt, therebye lowering the kayaks center of gravity a bit!:up:

This is bloody brilliant! Have you heard of anyone having Kaskazi custom build this way before? That is, do you think they will do it?

I was wondering about the difference in stability (I realize it is probably slight) between their carbon-Kevlar and glass boats just the other day.

1,2
red-blue

redfish-bluefish

07-13-2009, 08:05 AM

gfgoddess--

:IDK: maybe he didn't feel the hull design of what's on the plastic market would be fast enough :IDK:
:sm:

1,2
red-blue

goldfishgoddess

07-13-2009, 09:06 AM

The only thing I can think of is you could have difficulty bonding the different material together for some reason? It might be a stronger seam having like- to- like bonds.

Kevlar is stronger than fiberglass anyway. Kevlar is the stuff they make bulletproof vests with. (And Redfish-Bluefish, it's what my blue boat was made of which took all the gelcoat abuse). I think the reason they mix the kevlar with carbon is to strengthen the carbon (which is a little lighter but much more fragile). So I'd go with carbon-kevlar anyday if I had the money to burn... I wouldn't worry about using fiberglass for the hull strength if kevlar were an option on the table.

Just my two cents...

Fuzzy Bruce

07-13-2009, 09:53 AM

I'd say to special order epoxy paint instead of gelcoat to save some poundage.

CPP

07-13-2009, 01:53 PM

Trolling motor on a Kaskazi...

What's next, freakin pedals??? that's down right GAY

goldfishgoddess

07-13-2009, 02:57 PM

Ugh, I can see an EM on a sit on top, especially for someone who is mobility challenged, but on a sea kayak with a cockpit?

That's gonna be mighty fugly.

I guess Ray will never come here now, because he'll be afraid of a group stoning. Sure would like to know why he is going to do that though. Perhaps he wanted to find something familiar from his home country, and he thought that was what you did with kayaks in Florida? I have no idea.

One thing though, the weight of the rig along with the motor will make it less tippy. It's just.. :bash: such a waste.

Fuzzy Bruce

07-13-2009, 04:01 PM

My (Luna's and now Ray's) Skua is a sit on top. Not sure how fast it will be with a 32 mounted to a carbon/kevlar motor mount on the back.

I could see a motor on some yaks for the impaired, just not the bueatiful lines of the Skua.:(

Odin

07-13-2009, 05:41 PM

We may have to call an emergency meeting of the Kaskazi Derelict Society & dole out an unimaginarily (just made that word up for the occasion) cruel and harsh punishment for letting a Skua fall into the hands of someone with such vile and dastardly intentions...:spank::spank::spank::spank::spank:

The following is the proposed & recommended sentence...

A traditional haircut by a gayly Miami male hairdresser , as well as a clean shave...

No consumption of beer or any kind for 8 1 /4 fortnights...

Being Luna's man servant for the entire month of his birthday...

Others to follow...

Fuzzy Bruce

07-13-2009, 07:46 PM

I got a shave and haircut from a don't ask/don't tell Marine in 1983

I have been drinking rhum, scotch and even gin lately

Luna's man servant? You mean I'd have to walk from the table to the almost world famous beer fridge every few minutes!! Take out and put away the pee-row and even associate with other Derelicts. Tell fishing stories (some true) The horror
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll245/bfuzb/FuzzyHungrymulletandChumbag--10Feb0.jpg

CPP

07-14-2009, 09:34 AM

Fuzzy, the only bad thing about it is you will have to get up from the table and get a new beer for Obi-Wan :worship: and god forbid, he will make you build the
Pee-Row for him :eek: :arol:

Odin

07-14-2009, 11:25 AM

Or he may ask you to hold something for him whilst he is out on nekid rat patrol!!:up::sm:

goldfishgoddess

07-14-2009, 01:19 PM

Fuzz your punishment shall be endless nightmares of seeing your Skua trolling with an EM on its butt. Those lovely lines plundered by the stain of a motor.. and needless extra glass work. And your boat crying, Fuzzzyyyyyyy Fuzzzyyyyy why'd you do this to meeeeee?" Then the sky gets pitch black, the plagues of locusts and hail begins, and everyone's first born son is led away while bread & beer disappear from grocery stores forever.

redfish-bluefish

07-14-2009, 02:15 PM

bread & beer disappear from grocery stores forever.
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
we are all doomed!

CPP

07-14-2009, 03:11 PM

So when this all happens we can expect non-other than 'The Coming of the "Apocalypse", :eek: beer will cease to exist, :help:all the good rum will be destroyed :sin: by sugar eating creatures and our fishing grounds will be fishless :rmad: all because Fuzzy is going to sell his Skua to a person that is going to mount a EM on it's back end.:spank::spank: Save us all. There will be rain :uhh: for 40 days and 40 nights.

I say Luna should buy the Skua back to prevent all of this from occurring.... Luna it's your chosen duty as King of the Derelicts.. As they say in ye old town... Getter Done Big man

goldfishgoddess

07-14-2009, 04:00 PM

Dunno... maybe Sailor could give me a few tips-- I could date him a few hours, make him feel shame for his horrible plans, and he'd hand over the Skua unharmed rather than risk the :gun: Wrath of God... or the Derelicts, anyway.

Well, that's one plan fellas.

Sailor

07-14-2009, 04:31 PM

PM me, I'll take one for the team:arol::arol: I will need to review what you need to do to attract said owner. Eventually, you have to have him put your name on the boat, with a custom decal.

goldfishgoddess

07-14-2009, 04:52 PM

Could be this is going above and beyond the call of duty.. yet, given the impending apocalypse...

My boats are all well-worn and busy. They aren't off the water long enough for a decal to dry, let alone a CUSTOM decal. Can't fake it Sailor, even for a good cause. OK time for Plan B.

Here it is: Maybe we should kidnap the Skua, and leave a Hobie in its place? You know, "look what i found under the pumpkin patch.. wow, a Hobie, with just the perfect spot to put a trolling motor on.. Shazam!"

:banana:

Luna

07-14-2009, 09:18 PM

One thing's for sure, if that stoopid Derelict does modify the Skua for a trolling motor, he'll never be able to sell it again. What on earth could that bozo be thinking? If he wanted something to put a motor on, he should have bought a Pro Angler. At least that way we could all call him GAY whilst pointing and :arol: :arol: Oh well, I suppose we can do that anyway! :sm: :sm:

Lineside

07-15-2009, 02:34 AM

Luna,

I think you are in charge of Fuzzys punishment, I would suggest that his punishment fit the crime. And say his paddling rights be taken away and that he be subjected to the punishment of pedaling a Hobie for 6 months strait no good time and be ridiculed by his peers, but since he has already "laid down with the Hobies" I think that you are the only one of character to determine his fate. After letting the Skua fall into tainted hands.:spank::spank::spank:

Luna

07-15-2009, 05:39 AM

Odin

07-15-2009, 09:45 AM

Okay, we'll tie him to a bar stool in the Last Chance Saloon, prop his eyes open with toothpicks, and make him drink Miller Lites while the local ladies in there strip naked in front of him. :eek: :eek: :eek: He'll be :barf: and begging us to poke his eyes out with the toothpicks! :arol: :arol: :arol:

Well I guess that officially means that there is something wrong with me...

The things in that post, sort of turned me on!!!:sm::sm:

CPP

07-15-2009, 10:35 AM

Odin The things in that post, sort of turned me on!!! Hey ya think it could be your med's..... :eek:

Come back down to earth :bump: things look better in the light :D

goldfishgoddess

07-15-2009, 11:54 AM

Well I guess that officially means that there is something wrong with me...

The things in that post, sort of turned me on!!!:sm::sm:

I know, it's that Luna mind at work, concocting such derelictable scenarios....

substitute some cute nature guide guys for the bar girls, get rid of the toothpicks, and I'm in.

And Luna, since this WAS originally your Skua.. you do bear some responsibility and should share in a dose of the karma.

CPP

07-15-2009, 12:52 PM

Goldie substitute some cute nature guide guys for the bar girls, get rid of the toothpicks, and I'm in The way this is going maybe Luna should be included with these cute nature male guides as these dance around Luna at the table to include the toothpicks :eek: :arol: :sm:

That's worth the price for admission

Odin

07-15-2009, 01:55 PM

Odin Hey ya think it could be your med's..... :eek:

Come back down to earth :bump: things look better in the light :D

Not any drugs here CPP. Uncle Hank won't share his stash!!!... :sm::sm:

More like the pent up anxieties of 22 WONDERFUL years of marriage,:up: and fond memories of younger days spent in the NY areas seedier, back of the alley type, biker bars drinking way to many beers and shots is more like it...:sm::sm:

Damn , those were really, really, REALLY awful days!!!!:sm::sm::sm:

I'll say it again...

I would have bought that Skua and given it the best home it could have ever had and kept all of this in "the family" so to speak!!! :sm::sm:

Luna

07-15-2009, 03:17 PM

Odin

07-15-2009, 03:22 PM

Maybe we should just find that guy who bought the Skua and waterboard him in the toilets of the Last Chance Saloon...hey, even germs can't live in such an environment!! :arol: :arol: :arol: :arol:

Odin, I wouldn't want you to own my old Skua...what if you flipped it in two-foot chop and had a near death experience??? :eek: Then I'd feel guilty!! :D Well, not really, but it's the thought that counts! :sm: :sm: :sm:

Gee Luna, THANKS for the thoughtfulness!!:bash::bash::bash::sm:

That's what I always admired about you, your consideration and thoughtfulness...:rolleyes:

One second...:barf:

Okay I'm back!!:arol::arol:

Compared to the surfski, the Skua would probably feel like walking on dry land!!!:arol::arol: