Kaskazi composite kayaks: Dorado I and II

Hi

I was wondering if any board members own this South African brand, and how do you like them for the Puget Sound salt, as well as on local lakes--especially for fly fishing.

Thanks
Irfan

Periodically, there's been some long distance drooling about these boats, but I don't know anyone in the area that one. If i recall correctly, Polepole checked out the availability a couple of years ago. It seems there was no US distributor and shipping charges from SA were pretty steep.

I'd like to check one out if there were one around here.

There is a distributor now: http://www.venturesport.com/

And it seems that folks on the east coast are buying these kayaks and raving about them. (http://kaskazi.co.za)

Forgot add the link to the Kaskazi forum: http://www.kayakfishinghole.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=51

"Tomas" here owns one.

-Allen

I'd love to have one of those if they didn't cost as much as a Hobie.

-Spot-

Hi Irfan,

I have had a Dorado I for several years and I love the boat.  I ordered it direct from Kaskazi and had them ship it for me.   The boat made it to the port of LA with no problems but during trans-shipping via truck to Seattle the boat got beaten up pretty bad. Because of the long journey and multiple stops insurance was not an option so I had to do some repairs myself.  I ordered an epoxy and glass boat wich is super strong and fairly light.  The Dorado has more commonality with a sit in kayak rather than a sit on top which is my preference as a traditional sea kayaker. The Dorado I is a wet boat due to the low sitting position, handle cutouts around the cockpit and lack of scupper drains (drysuit is a must).  The Dorado II has venturi type scuppers and they filled in the handle cutouts and raised the rim of the fish box cover to reduce the chance of swamping. I am trying to figure out how to convince my wife to let me buy a Dorado II .  I would likely go through Venture Sports next time as they order the boats by the container load and claim to have a good transhipper.  I think I received a quote for the shipping from Florida to Seattle but can't recall the $.  If you want to take a look at the boat or take it for a spin let me know (I am in Ballard).

Cheers,

Tomas

Tomas, thank you for the info and pictures!

I'll definitely take you up on your offer 

Irfan

Tomas let me try out his Dorado, and I liked it so much that I ordered one    Thanks, Tomas!

It should be here sometime in late Aug or early Sep.

Irfan