N E WS
OLD TOWN’S PREDATOR XL MADE BIG WAVES WITH CONSUMERS, BUYERS AND THE
MEDIA AT THIS SUMMER’S TRADESHOWS. PHOTO: COURTESY OLD TOWN
MOTORIZED KAYAKS MAKE A SPLASH WITH ANGLERS ZOOMto the FISH
At first, a motorized kayak seems to be a paradox. A kayak with a propulsion system is not a kayak, purists argue, a kayak’s motor should be fueled by hamburgers and pop, not electricity or gas. While paddlers and pedalers squabble,
kayak anglers are adding motors to their boats for a better fishing experience. This summer, major kayak brands introduced new and improved motorized kayaks aimed at anglers who aren’t interested in arguing. “I used my Ride 135 rigged with a Tro-
queedo motor for a quick trip before work,” brags Wilderness Systems’ pro, Jeff Little. He caught 12 bass in his shirt and tie and showed up at the meeting smelling of slime. “I wouldn’t have been able to fish that area without a motor.” He also wouldn’t be able to fish the hidden honey-hole with a boat. That’s why Wilderness Systems is intro- ducing a new motor-option to their line-up. While the company currently offers several models rigged with a Torqueedo motor, starting next summer with the new ATAK, Wilderness is developing an electric motor that will fit in the company’s Flex-Pod OS boats. “I’m really excited about the ATAK,”
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Little says, “it will boost fishing time over paddling time.” Which sums up his ar- gument for having a motor option when planning for a day on the water. Little adds, “I plan to use it to tow my kids to the fishing grounds.” While the little Littles are strong paddlers, Dad says that the boys (aged eight and 11) like to “zoom” to the fishing grounds so they can spend more time playing and fishing than paddling. Wilderness Systems is not alone in add- ing an integrated motor to their fishing line. Old Town made huge waves this sum- mer with their new Predator XL. Working with sister company, Minn Kota trolling motors, Old Town designers added an elec- tric motor in a removable console to their stable and decked-out Predator kayak. Da- vid Hadden, brand director at Old Town explains, “The leading companies are going outside the box for kayak platforms; the goal is to offer the angler the best experi- ence on the water.” To pull it off, designers at Old Town
worked with consumers and pro-staff to design a motorized kayak that will comple-
ment the fishing experience. “We learned that two things are most important: hands- free operation and reverse.” Leaning on five years of feedback from Ocean Kayak’s Torque Series of motor- ized kayaks, they worked with their pro- staff and a design council to build a boat that will appeal to all anglers. “Consumer research shows that the Predator XL will appeal to both the kayak angler and non- kayak angler.” So far, the results have been positive. The
Predator XL was a big hit at this summer’s industry tradeshows. “Everyone loves it,” Hadden boasts, “we’ve had a lot of dealer support.” They’ve also seen support from the industry and press, winning Best in Show at ICAST, the world’s biggest sport- fishing tradeshow. But what about the sweat-powered
purists? “The Predator XL is a fishing machine,” Hadden says, “we recommend our non-motorized kayaks to purists.” —Ric Burnley DIGITAL EXTRA: Check out Old
Town’s Predator XL in action at www.
predatorkayak.com/xl/
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