JEM Watercraft

WOW & WOW.

Really cool ! Coog's

GREAT looking Yak mate. Really nice.

Al

Oh, by the way...my first trip onto the bay in the wadefish was somewhat less than favorable. I paddled from Galveston Island State Park, out into West galveston bay. I was about a mile northwest of my launch point. The wind picked up, bigtime! I am not familiar with the sport or judging wind speed. The forecast called for 10-15 mph. I was thinking "man, 15 mph winds really suck! That, or I just really suck at kayaking!"

It took me forever to paddle directly into the wind to get back to the launch site. I ended up being late for work. My ego was hurt until i read a report in the news the following day. Apparently, another kayaker, in a storebought kayak, was paddling the same water I was in (I only saw one other kayaker). He was overcome by the wind and was not able to get back in. He had to call the coast guard to pluck him out of the water. The report said that the wind was as high as 40 mph.

I was shocked and relieved at the same time. I thought at first that this dang thing really weathercocks badly, but the wind being what it was, that is to be expected (even if the wind wasn't) All things considered, I am really impressed with the design of this kayak. If it weren't such a fast paddling kayak, I may have been in the same predicament. I have since been out in more favorable conditions and the performance was awesome. Paddling is effortless in good conditions. I am convinced that the rudder will help me to conserve paddling energy, by being able to paddle in a straight line.

Forecast is for 10-15 mph wind tomorrow. I will be going out into more protected water, but will probably venture out into open water to test the rudder. I will report back some time after that.

Heya Pogue,

That is a very fair assessment of this boat. I think Matt may have done a couple of subtle changes to the hull that have improved what was allready very impressive performance.

My boat was designed as being primarily a downwind performer and at that, she had no peer that I am aware of. She bloody flew! while still maintaining very adequate up wind performace as well.

You are dead right in your assessment. A lesser boat and you would have been calling for help in those conditions. My son "borrowed" my wadefish about a year or so ago and I don't like my chances of ever getting her back. He is much fitter than I am and can really get her full potential out of her.

A couple of health scares have changed my paddling desires now and I am content with less trying conditions and easier paddling paces so I am glad he is enjoying her.

I am certain that once you get used to this boat, you will love her as much as I loved mine. never a dull moment and allways a hoot to paddle.

Hi pogue3one.

I am reading every thing I can about building a Wadefish & all of the pictures from this post dont seem to show any more. Is it posible for you to post them again?

Pete

Looks like the site he posted the pictures on, hunterslairkaty.com, is no longer running.

Thanks Matt.

As I said on anothe post I am reading the spots of every Wadefish build I can find.

Im kind of excited about building one Im thinking of orering the plans even without the Mirage Drive added.

He listed for sale here in Houston some time ago. Maybe last year. MK