Squidder_K:
I know they are not the most common yak out there, but they are slowly growing in popularity down south, as they are a lighter boat, and appeal to the minimalist crowd who like to go far off shore. I had been looking at them for a while, but with only one dealer on the West Coast it makes it hard to find one to try out. So does anyone have one or has paddled one? As I will turn 55 soon, I wanted to find a lighter boat that could cover a lot of water, and be a good all around fishing machine and still do some light touring duty as GF prefers to do the whole paddle and nature watch. I have been eyeing the Fisha 555 and the Pro Fisha 525. I would love to hear your thoughts and impressions. Thanks
Captain Redbeard:
I don't know anything about them. Looks like they're fiberglass instead of plastic, hence the weight difference. I like the hull shape - they look fast. They seem to be missing a few quality of life ingredients like modern seats and seat-well scupper holes. That may matter not at all to "a whole lot" depending on your preferences.
Let us know if you get one. I'd sure enjoy the weight difference!
hdpwipmonkey:
Have you looked at the Eddyline Caribbean 12? Really lightweight kayak that paddles well. I think they weigh in around 45lbs.
Squidder_K:
--- Quote from: Captain Redbeard on March 21, 2019, 02:16:55 PM ---I don't know anything about them. Looks like they're fiberglass instead of plastic, hence the weight difference. I like the hull shape - they look fast. They seem to be missing a few quality of life ingredients like modern seats and seat-well scupper holes. That may matter not at all to "a whole lot" depending on your preferences.
Let us know if you get one. I'd sure enjoy the weight difference!
--- End quote ---
Seats are something you get as an option, as for scuppers they do have them, they are set up differently then rotomold set ups. I have been in contact with Ruben L (the West Coast Stealth Dealer) who is a also a member of NCKA, and also with the guys from Headwaters in Lodi who helped bring them over a few years ago. Stealth's seem to like to have a good surf launch capability, keep the rods stashed in the hull during launch, and keep the fish in the hull, so as to not get unwanted furbags and landlord visits (Stealth is out of South Africa another major breeding ground for landlords). As for speed, the few guys who have them down south all said they could out paddle a peddle boat with out effort. The thing I wonder about is how well it does with trolling and paddling as I am not the most coordinated individual with trolling/paddling grabbing the rod at the same time. The Fisha 555 is a new model and has little info on it, but according to Ruben, he is getting a lot of positive feedback from new owners. At 27 inches wide it is a bit wider than the Pro Fisha 525 (24"), but an inch narrower than my old Hobie Quest. They also have come out with a microskiff which is designed to have a motor or used as a SUP. The Micro is shorter and lighter than the Bote Rover. Not sure if either of those would be practical here or not. If I get one I will keep you all posted. I am leaning that way, and have been for a while.
crash:
I’ve been looking at the stealths for some time. Especially the pro fisha 525. I’ve paddled the evo 495 and the pro fisha 475. They are fast. I was out in my Hobie revo 13 fishing with some guys on stealths last year for a couple days and they were definitely faster than me.
The only time I’ve ever seen a stealth in Oregon is when I’ve been fishing with Ruben.