Wavedancer Kinfisher V's Kay largo

[Gozz]

How's it going guys.
I've just saved enough money to buy one of these rigs.
I'm wandering which one is the better yak and I will not need to upgrade after a while.
I mainly fish PPB and it gets a little choppy there.
I'm just over 100kg and not very good at balancing so I need a fairly stable unit.

Thanks for your advice.

[Bertros]

I find my kingy very stable but biased in that i haven't tried a Key Largo. I think value for money the Kingy would win, but the RTM might be a slightly drier option in the choppy bay when the wind was up. I'll defer that to someone who's tried both out...

[Eberbachl]

I took a Kingfisher out for a paddle once.

It was quite nice - very stable.

I will say it paddled like a barge though - I wouldn't want to go any great distance in it. A couple of kms would be fine, but too much more would be a chore.

[Gozz]

Thanks for the feedback fellers.
I just had a look at a Key Largo at Anaconda today and at $1999 I think the Kinfisher does win hands down.
I'm planing to do 500m to about 1.5km trips out in the bay as I mainly fish the shallow reefs.

Bertos do you have any pic's of your kingie set up and or in the water or a previous link you may have already posted.
Thanks.

[tootsie]

Hi Gozz.
just wanting to know did the kingfisher win because of price,looking at your first post on this you mentioned weight ,as i own a rtm key largo and being around your weight it serves me well with a payload of 200kgs.

Cheers.

[Gozz]

Most definitely mate.
The Key Largo was double the price.
Saying that the RTM was better appointed with extras and probably more fisher friendly.
If I had the extra money the hobey would be first on my list but I am going to have to be happy with the kingfisher for now.

[cheaterparts]

Most definitely mate.
The Key Largo was double the price.
Saying that the RTM was better appointed with extras and probably more fisher friendly.
If I had the extra money the hobey would be first on my list but I am going to have to be happy with the kingfisher for now.

did you go to the wavedance factory in seaford - I got mine there and was a fairly good deal

some snaps of my kingy


corinella 13/6/11


gummy hunting jan jerrup


gummy hunted jan jerrup

you will be happy with the kingfisher its the best $800 I've spent

[Lapse]

Kingfisher is a great all round yak.
I think I prefer to paddle it over my stealth.
it isnt brilliant in chop, and in any more than 10 knots a rudder would be nice. But I think overall the kayak is on par or better than most yaks around the $1500 mark. Especially if you plan on kayak camping.
It is not designed as an offshore boat, but with a careful choice of launching location it is able to get through smallish swell.

As far as paddling like a barge, I find I can pull almost as good a speed out of it as I can the Stealth. Steering is a little bit slow at times, but unless you are trying to cast into a snag in a flowing river that isnt a huge problem. I have used it for everything from bream comps, to Pelagic fishing, to taking it on a charter boat in the whitsundays.

I wrote up a review here: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=29623&p=312573#p312573

[Gozz]

Lapse your a chance mate.
Ill read you report this arvo when I get home.
Looked good at a quick glance but.

[Bertros]

As far as paddling like a barge, I find I can pull almost as good a speed out of it as I can the Stealth. Steering is a little bit slow at times, but unless you are trying to cast into a snag in a flowing river that isnt a huge problem. I have used it for everything from bream comps, to Pelagic fishing, to taking it on a charter boat in the whitsundays.

Well said Lapse.

Gozz - you can also pick up a rudder and either self-install or pick up on the purchase that helps considerably in offshore or windy conditions. Mine is only barge-like when i'm asked to tow the better half's Kingy behind mine because she wants a rest after a long day on the water. Have no frame of reference other than hire and resort island yaks, but i can say i was delighted to come home to it after being away and remember just what a beautiful ride she was.

I would suggest however you make the small investment and pick up the more expensive high-back seat and fibreglass paddle if you're picking it up new. Best improvements you'll be able to make to your yak hands-down.

[Gozz]

I went to the wavedancer factory today at seafood with my mind set on a kingfisher.
While talking to Matt I think his name was who spent heaps of time with me explaining the different models suggested looking at the calypso which is a cut down to 3 mtr version of the kingfisher which is 4.1 mtr.
He told me he has one and it's a ripper.
It turns fast and goes fast with almost as much stability as the bigger kingfisher.
I liked it but as usual I don't know much about it so if you fellers can help me out with info on the calypso I would be wrapped.