A Continuing Transition
With the continued growth of the sport of kayaking, it still shocks me just how many people continue to transition from power boats into these little plastic boats. Is it the maintenance costs? Gas prices? Storage problems? Or is it the search for solitude? Maybe it is all of them. Either way, it still renders me speechless.
Just the other day I had a customer come into the store and tell me he was in search for a kayak. No biggie, that’s what I am here for. He then began to tell me that he had just sold his 34’ offshore boat and diesel truck so that he could buy a smaller truck to throw a kayak in the back. Again, no problem as I hear this several times a month. I never asked the reason but he soon filled me in. Recently his wife had passed away and kayaking was part of his spiritual healing process. Apparently his wife loved being in the outdoors. He said just going out into the coastal marsh and absorbing all of the sounds and serenity that Mother Nature has to provide was her absolute most enjoyable times. Supposedly she despised the big boat he had owned and apparently had repeatedly asked him to buy some kayaks to just go out and enjoy the outdoors on a whole other level. Well, he brushed it aside without thinking about it but when she passed away it really hit him hard. He finally realized that maybe he really should have listened to her all along and given in to her desire. The kayak he now looked at buying was to help with a type of spiritual healing that he truly felt he needed. He figured that if he were to sell the big boat and truck then buy a kayak and go out in the marsh, that some way he would be able to reconnect with her on some level. One of the last things he told me was that even though she was gone, she was still with him every day, and that maybe she would love being outdoors with him while he went. In some way hoping that it would help heal his heart and give her what she wanted all at the same time.
We all have our reasons for doing things, and this gentleman is a perfect example. I thought I knew most of the reasons for people to transition from boat to kayak, but that day my world got a whole lot bigger. If you came to our little world from a power boat, what drew you in?
Jerron @ACK Houston
KATS Sponsor Update – Wilderness Systems
A continuation of our featured KATS sponsor blogs that we will add to in the coming weeks. We appreciate all the support our sponsors have provided us over the series!
We are lucky to have Wilderness Systems as one of our Platinum Sponsors for KATS 2012! Wilderness Systems is a customer favorite when it comes to kayaks. With innovative designs tuned for performance, premium outfitting and stunning quality, Wilderness Systems has made kayaks specific to every paddler’s journey. Some of their models include the Commander, the Ride, and the Tsunami. For this tournament, they have donated a Tarpon 120 which will be awarded to the KATS Angler of the Year. Thanks for your support Wilderness Systems!
Click here to view our full line up of sponsors or here for more information about KATS.
Weekend Ride: Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Review by Jeremy Chavez
Let me start off with an introduction. My name is Jeremy Chavez and I am a passionate, i.e. obsessed, kayak fisherman. I reside in southeast Texas. On average I spend 100+ days a year on the water. Most of my fishing is on the coast where battling the elements (wind and tides) is part of the game.
Over the years I’ve paddled nearly every make and model kayak on the market. Some have suited my needs as a kayak fisherman and others not so much. The reasons why become obvious after observing my fishing style, fishing destinations, and body type. All three are very important considerations when choosing the right boat to paddle. I spend most of my time chasing redfish, so naturally I’m a marsh-rat. My domain consists of mud, oysters, and skinny water. I spent two full days in the marsh fishing out the newly remodeled Wilderness Systems Ride 135 a couple of weeks ago and these are my thoughts.
Hull and Layout
What initially intrigued me about this kayak were the design changes from the previous model. The Ride has always been a stable boat and this model is no different. The pontoon-style hull provides excellent stability when seated or standing. I have an average build (5’10” and 190lbs) and have fairly good balance and it was extremely easy and comfortable to stand and fish out of the Ride.
The Ride’s max beam is 31” which aids in its stability. The width is also a slight hindrance when paddling, especially for a guy that has grown accustomed to paddling a Tarpon 160. I would recommend a 240cm paddle when paddling this boat. My 230cm paddle was too short and would occasionally bump the sides, which was an annoyance. A minor change in paddling stroke helped alleviate this issue significantly.
The redesigned hull incorporates a hard side chine which helps the boat track straight even in a stiff wind. One disadvantage of high sides is they catch a lot of wind, which is more noticeable when drifting versus paddling since the boat tracks straight once in motion. The boat was also completely dry with no standing water in the cockpit.
The Freedom Elite seating system with Phase 3 padding and adjustability is extremely comfortable and very easy to adjust on the fly. It’s one of the most comfortable kayak seats I’ve had the pleasure to sit in. You really come to appreciate the comfort of the Ride’s seat after you leave the seat at home and are forced to sit on bare plastic. Take my word for it. The seat has a track built into the boat that allows it to be slid forward and backward. The middle strap located near the center hatch allows the seat to be slid and locked to the desired position.
Another added design feature that I like is the rear keel guard. As mentioned previously I regularly fish harsh, oyster-ridden environments and the keel of my paddle-craft bears the blunt of that abuse. The replaceable keel guard is an awesome design feature that will keep my kayak out of the repair room at my local kayak shop.
Storage
Like its predecessor there is plenty of the storage in the new Ride. The tankwell is huge. I was able to fit a standard milk crate, a large Pelican dry box, a SealLine dry bag, and a small soft-sided cooler and still had room to spare. When seated the seat has to be positioned far enough forward to reach the foot pegs so there is additional storage room behind the seat. Good place to store objects that need to be accessed quickly. The cockpit is also massive with plenty of leg room, which is nice for taller paddlers. The Ride also has interior storage accessed by two hatches: a medium-sized hatch located in the center and a large hatch at the bow.
Paddling and Handling
Despite its length and width the Ride handles quite well. The new Ride handles much like the past model, but does track noticeably straighter. The model I tried didn’t have a rudder; it could definitely use a rudder for maneuverability and control. The Ride has a decent glide after you stop your paddle stroke. It doesn’t glide as well as a Tarpon but I didn’t expect it to. One thing to keep in mind if you frequently fish extremely shallow is the draft on this kayak is about twice that of a kayak with a rounder hull. Due to the pontoon hull the ride needs about 6” of water to float.
Observations
The new Ride will excel with a person of the right body type. It’s not for a small person. It’s heavy for its size, weighing in at 85 lbs. It’s not the easiest kayak to maneuver while transporting to and from the water. Keep in mind the seat needs to positioned in the middle of the boat while paddling otherwise the weight distribution causes the bow to rise and creates plenty of hull slap because of the shape of the hull. There’s tons of storage space on this kayak, so it will be a good kayak for someone planning on taking a bunch of gear or doing overnight camping trips often. This kayak is also a great option if you want to able to stand and fish comfortably.
Jeremy Chavez is a blogger and kayak fishing addict. You can read his musings and view his photography and cinematography work at his blog www.castingtales.com.
Just Out of Reach…
If there is a will...we'll find a way.
We get to do a lot of installs and repairs here at the ACK Houston Store and we have never been faced with an install that we have not been able to do. We recently had a customer bring in his Ocean Kayak Big Game for some rod holder installs and a rudder. The rudder was a breeze but then came the rod holders. Where the customer wanted them was just out of my arms reach in order to put the stainless steel nuts on the back side of the bolt. I really did not want to do a well nut install and was bound and determined to make this work. Before I could go any farther, the phone rang and I ran off to answer it. When I returned to my project I noticed our newest store employee, Vanson Nguyen, was upside down and inside the front hatch of the boat putting the stainless nuts on the boat! Now take into consideration that Van is 5 foot tall and 110 pounds. There is no way I could do it at my size, but he fit perfectly! We coordinated the attack plan for the rest of the install and got it knocked out quick. The customer was very pleased with the install. This experience left us thinking to ourselves, what other boat will Van fit into…..anybody have some requests?
Jerron @ACK Houston
KATS Sponsor Update – Kokatat
Now that we’ve already told you about our patron sponsors, Bending Branches and Malone Auto Racks, we wanted to get started with our KATS Platinum Sponsors. Today, we begin with Kokatat...
Kokatat is a California based company that has been manufacturing paddling apparel and accessories in the United States since 1971. Today, they continue to evolve the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world. They’ve donated a variety of prizes including PFDs and paddling apparel. We noticed many of their prizes already being used by KATS competitors during the event such as Kokatat's Tempest Pants and of course their PFDs. Thanks for everything Kokatat!
Click here to view our full line up of Platinum sponsors or here for more information about KATS.
Backpack Review: Kelty Lakota 65 by Dylan Peeples (ThriftyGear)
This post was originally published at http://thriftygearreview.blogspot.com by Dylan Peeples (ThriftyGear Founder).
Lakota 65
Weekend camping trips are my thing. Sometimes though I would like the flexibility of extending my trip a day or two. I need a backpack that would serve both purposes. I need a backpack that is well constructed, well priced, and larger framed. The Kelty Lakota 65 fits the bill.
Back and Suspension
Kelty is a brand that is usually my go-to for camping gear. My favorite backpacking tent that saw me through sand and dust storms in West Africa was the Kelty Tao 2 (I wore that tent out!). I researched several other brands and did find some that I thought were really well made, but the price just wasn't right for me. I initially tried out the Kelty Coyote 80 and really liked it. After some thought, I felt it was a little too big for what I needed. The comparable but smaller style pack but is the Kelty Lakota 65. After some price searching, I found a heck of a deal (more on the buying experience later).
Closeup of Suspension and Air Channels
The Lakota lists at 65L, but the m/l size comes in around 67L/4000 cu.in. It weighs approx. 4lb 1oz. The pack is made out of rugged polyester. I recently went on a weekend trip with this pack to Enchanted Rock State Park in Texas and encountered some rough brush and rock. No snags or tears. I have no concerns whatsoever about the durability of this pack. The back panel is constructed so that air is channeled across your back. It won't lay flat on your back and absorb sweat. I felt that I had good air flow across the back. I didn't get that sopping wet feeling that you get with some older packs. I have a long torso so I bought the m/l size (17.5-21in). The suspension for the Lakota 65 is fixed, therefore it is not adjustable. Even with the fixed suspension, the load felt comfortable and the pack transferred the weight to my hips. I carried about 35 lb. of gear with no problems.
Top Entry
The pack has three points of entry pictured above. The bottom entry has a panel of fabric that will attach/detach from the pack to create a separate compartment for your sleeping bag. Besides the lid, the Lakota 65 has only one other storage compartment: a pocket attached to the front panel of the backpack (see below).
Front Panel Entry
Without going into too much detail, I was able to pack enough for a very comfortable weekend hiking/camping trip. If I needed something in the bottom of my pack, I just unzipped the bottom. If I needed something in the middle of my pack (ie. fuel canister or first aid kit) I just unzipped the the front panel. I had my rain jacket and pants at the top of the pack. Our crew did encounter rain on the second day, and I will say it was fairly easy to get to my rain gear at the top of my pack with no problems. The lid is fairly roomy and easily held my essentials (map and compass, sunscreen, snacks, iphone, paperback, leatherman) with ample room to spare.
Bottom Entry
The only complaint I have about this pack is the depth of the mesh pockets on the sides of the pack. I don't feel they are deep enough. When the pack is full it is difficult for the pockets to retain a water bottle. The contents on the inside of the pack will squeeze the bottom of the water bottle from the bottom of the pocket and will eventually work itself out of the pocket. If the pockets were just a little deeper, it would allow for your container to stay put inside of the pocket. One of my skinnier water bottles did stay put, but my Nalgene bottle did squeeze out a couple of times.
Front Panel Pocket
I purchased the Kelty Lakota 65 for $113 from Austin Canoe and Kayak located in Austin, TX. ACK has a really great website with very competitive prices. Kelty lists ACK as a trusted retailer. Because I live a stone's throw from Austin, I decided to walk into their store to see what they have. While they dont have a huge selection of their camping/hiking gear in store, I was able to tell them what I wanted from their website. Their online warehouse is located right around the corner from their store. I paid for my pack at the shop and drove to their warehouse where my pack was waiting for me. I got the online price without the hassle of shipping. Their customer service was great. I am certain that if I'm ever in the market for a kayak, I will be seeing these guys for any of my needs.
Mesh Pockets
The Kelty Lakota 65 is a smart choice for a moderately sized backpack. Its rugged, fits great, and priced just right. Overall the pack is awesome and the buying experience with Austin Canoe and Kayak put this backpack over the top. The Kelty Lakota 65 is Thrifty Gear Recommended.
About the Author: Dylan Peeples is the author and creator of Thrifty Gear Reviews. He enjoys weekend hiking and backpacking. His day job is mental health crisis response for emergency services of Williamson County, Texas. He hopes to pass along good deals on sturdy gear to help promote camping and hiking on a budget.
2012 Kayak Angler Tournament Series – Stillhouse Hollow Report
1st Place Pro Winner Steve Garcia
The only words appropriate for describing the fourth and final qualifying event of the KATS series on Stillhouse Hollow Lake this weekend: “brutally windy”. Thirty competitors faced a tough day of fishing and some strenuous paddling throughout the day at Dana Peak Park, but a few managed to put themselves on top of fish.
The competition was again preceded by a camp out of diehards the night before allowing for fish tales, additional smack-talk and some interesting interactions with park host, “Handlebar Dave”. The Pavilion lights were switched on just past 5am and while competitors geared up for a breezy day and stern competition, ACK owner Chris Hackerd and staff member Joseph Dowdy filmed interviews amongst the troops with a comical spin (stay tuned). With the end of the series nearing, some competitors made predictions on what the Top Ten Leaderboard would look like; Bobby Lebeuf managed to make a close prediction, including his very own entry into the Top Ten after a hard day on the water.
As the horn blew and a few folks paddled in place against the wind, the tourney began with a race for the bests spots. The fishing was very tough this time around and the winners circle was full of familiar faces in the pro division with Steve Garcia (86 in.) once again taking the 1st place title, followed by a very close second for Marcus Villanueva (85.25 in.), and third by Matt Moccia (61.5). The amateur division had a first place winner Jacob Toy, a last-minute newcomer to the series.
1st Place Amateur Winner Jacob Toy
The Top Ten Anglers of the series are now locked in for the Classic Championship in June. Five additional spots will be battled for by the remainder of the competitors at the Wildcard event on May 12th at Decker Lake in Austin, TX. The Wildcard event will be a one-division tournament with attractive prize packages. All anglers who have fished two prior events are welcome to participate. The 5 wildcard spots will only go to anglers who are not already qualified for the Classic.
Thanks to everyone that came out to join us at this event and we cannot thank our sponsors enough for providing the amazing prizes given out at each event so please do make sure to check them out and support them when you can.
If you have participated in at least two of the first four tournaments, please join us at Decker Lake on Saturday May 12th for the Wildcard event by signing up here.
To see the complete results, click here. Want to see more pictures, check out and like our very own Kayak Angler Tournament Series Facebook page.
Kristian @ACK
Mother’s Day 2012 – Give the Gift of the Great Outdoors
Ahhhh Mom, no doubt she deserves it all but many would agree that simply spending quality time with her is all she really wants. This Mother’s Day, consider doing something a little different for Mom by giving her the gift of the great outdoors. We’re not just talking gear here but more so the experience of the outdoors. Even in your own backyard you can create memories which both of you will cherish forever. Need some ideas? We’ve got them. Not only from our own personal experiences but also from what our customers have shared with us.
Brunch on the River
Imagine the look on your mom’s face when you tell her that for Mother’s Day, you’ll be having brunch on a river sandbar or maybe deep within a secluded lake cove. Set her up on her own kayak for independence or make it easy for her by paddling a tandem, load up some gear for a makeshift day use base camp, food, drinks and a couple of camp chairs and take her down a river. Map out a public and easily accessible sandbar, and then have her sit back and relax while you cook up some Eggs Benedict with a side of fresh fruit. The sights, sounds and delicious food are more than enough but the quality time with you is what it’s really all about.
Take Her Wildlife Viewing
Whether on the lake, ocean or river, do some research on the best places to paddle where you may encounter wildlife you wouldn't expect to typically see on a day to day basis. As you probably know, kayaks provide the mobility and stealthiness you need to encounter what one may never see on foot or motorboat. Bring a camera and let her click away while you maneuver the kayak or canoe.
Dine Outdoors!
Water not her thing? Instead of battling long lines and crowds at the restaurants, pack a lunch and go for a hike. Surely there’s got to be a hidden waterfall or relaxing stream she’s never seen before. Enjoy an early lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon sitting back with nothing better to do than enjoy your surroundings with one of the most special persons in your life.
Enjoy What the City Has to Offer (Outside)
So maybe Mom isn’t so adventurous or would rather stay in town. If a river runs through the city, paddle through or find a small lake or pond and let her experience the skyline from a different perspective. Paddle to an urban park for an early evening picnic and enjoy the sunset on your way back to your launch point.
One of many popular PFDs for women the Stohlquist Cruiser
Fine, Stay Home
Okay, so maybe the idea of staying home on a lazy Sunday is all she really wants. Have someone keep her distracted while you set up a hammock in her backyard or porch. Grab her favorite book, a pitcher of tea, a bouquet of flowers and neatly place it all on a small garden table next to the hammock — no need to explain any further.
This Mother’s Day, think differently with the gift of the great outdoors. Not able to spend this Mother's Day with mom? Click here for some great gift ideas! We ship, and we ship fast but don't forget Mother's Day is less than two weeks away. Outdoor adventure may not be for every Mom but even then, you may be surprised. Enjoy this very special day and let us know what you did (or plan to do).
Oh, and Moms, if you are reading this, here is a hint, print or email this short article to your children, maybe they’ll get the hint — wink, wink!
Happy Mother’s Day! - Roland @ACK
ACK Employee Spotlight: Joseph Dowdy
Yep, that's him.
This month, we focus on one of our newest employees, Joseph Dowdy. You may recognize his name from several articles that he has written and posted in our blog and within our newsletter over the last few months. He is also one of the driving forces behind the promotion of local events and our social media networks. We asked Joseph to tell us a little more about himself...
Hey! My name is Joseph Dowdy and I have been doing event promotion and social media marketing with ACK for a few months now. You may have seen me hanging around some of our local events and may have even read some of my blogs. I joined the team in January as an intern and I guess I did something right because as of this month I’ve been hired on as an official employee! Despite it being a relatively short time, I have really enjoyed being a part of the ACK family and am eager for my future with the company.
I absolutely love Austin! After spending four years enduring Iowa winters while earning my undergraduate degree from Cornell College, I made my way back to the homeland. I couldn’t have made a better decision! Since I’ve been back I’ve devoted my time to a few nonprofit organizations including Keep Austin Beautiful and Foundation Communities. Eventually, I came across the position at ACK (in a craigslist ad!) but I still try to stay involved with the Austin community as much as I can. For example this month I participated in KAB’s citywide cleanup as a group leader and led an Inner City Outings campout to McKinney Falls.
Working at ACK has been a great experience thus far and I’m sure it will continue to be into the future. I’ve been able to play an important role in the Kayak Angler Tournament Series, learn about so many new products and brands and participate in a great number of other events and online discussions via twitter, blogs and forums.
Thanks for reading!
Joseph @ACK
The Devil Went Down to ACK
One of the most stable fishing kayaks we offer.
You may have noticed our blog post last month welcoming Diablo Paddlesports to the ACK family of brands. We are particularly excited about bringing them on board due to their uniqueness, functionality as an excellent fishing platform and the simple fact that they are manufactured right here in Austin, Texas, making it easy for us to access inventory and replacement parts. You wouldn't know they are newcomers to the paddling industry by the look of their boats, but they are, and they are already turning heads and making headlines in various related publications.
They currently offer two models, both similar in design, which are the Adios at 12.5’ long and the Chupacabra at 10.5’. What makes these boats so unique are their design and manufacturing process. They combine the stability of a Stand Up Paddleboard with the versatility of a fishing kayak, making an optimal boat specifically for our angling customers.
We offer several kayaks that allow for you to sit and stand and Diablo is right up there with them. All of that stability has to come from somewhere and while they may be a tad slower than some of it’s counterparts you’ll be surprised at how efficient they actually are — especially when combined with the optional drop skeg.
The Chupacabra in all its glory
Performance aside, Diablo kayaks are just great looking boats. The shine of the Thermoformed ABS and the large flat clean lines of the deck give it an almost luxurious feel and is sure to get second looks on the water. Those clean lines and what appears to be limitless mounting surface also lend themselves to countless rigging options. Combine that with the versatility of the Gear Trac Mounting system from YakAttack, there is almost no limit to what you can mount and where you can mount it.
One great option being offered by Diablo is their Larry Chair, which raises the paddler 10 inches of the deck, making sit-to-stand even easier while providing a better view of your surroundings. The Larry Chair is easily stored in the front hatch (or can be used around the campfire later) so when headwinds pick up it’s easy to get back to a lower profile. Because the paddler is higher off the deck it would be a good idea to consider a longer paddle (240cm+) .
Once again, we are excited and proud to have added Diablo Paddlesports to our line of boats. We had the pleasure of test-driving both models at our recent Demo Days and they were a hit! Whether fishing or simply looking for a stable and comfortable boat, we know you’ll be pleased with Diablo Paddlesports. For detailed specifications, options and pricing, click here.
Joe @ACK