Hey Guys I'm just wanting to get a few opinions f

[Predator 1]

Hey Guys

I'm just wanting to get a few opinions from everyone before i set off on my little adventure.

I'm planing on designing a new ski (well already started on it a while back) and would like to know what you guys would like to see in a fishing ski.

 Before anyone goes on about everybody doing this in their backyard and not having a clue what they are doing. I am a composite structures engineer who has worked with composites since i was 12 years old. To give you an idea i started off with building 45 foot catamarans and now work for SAA repairing composites on aircraft.

I firmly believe that our ski's are to heavy and i'm positive they can be made both lighter and stronger than they currently are by using more advanced materials. And i'm still planing to use fibreglass so nothing to new.

Would you guys support a new manufacturer if the products are up to scratch and priced competitively?

Please guys any sensible opinions are valued, good or bad.

 

[Tyrone ter bruggen]

Good Call...

It never cost anyone to check out what's in the market...
And also be able to see whats out there competition wise,

Plse feel free to share what you have in mind, weight, size, options available, and more or less what market/level you'd be catering for....

Maybe a few pics would do a world of good.

P.s

Tye!

 

[Predator 1]

Howzit Tye

No pics yet as there's nothing really to see yet:blah still just the beginnings of a plug. I'm looking at doing a ski in the region of around 4.5m long and probably around 650mm wide. Hopefully something fast enough to pull halco's and rapala's all day yet still stable enough for beginner's to feel comfortable paddling.

Weight is very much going to depend on the final design of the ski but i'm conservitively looking at around 18-20kg for now.

In the beginning i'm just going for one ski design but if the interest is there i would definitely look at bringing out more designs and options.

 

[WWFisherman]

I would definitely support a new manufacturer if the product is well designed.

One of the biggest factors for me is deck layout. The round screw lids are practical as far as sealing goes but completely impractical as far as storage and access is concerned.
I would look at creating as much opportunity for an angler to access the most frequently used items from in front of him, without having to open the main hatch, which is the most vulnerable period. I would also look at allowances for installation and maintenance of fish-finder, battery and transponder by the owner after purchase.

I think Skis could be made more efficient in the water without sacrificing too much stability. I think a lot of skis are even overly stable at the cost of speed.

Also, look at the market and see which segment you can target. There is a lot of competition in the entry level section as well as the high-performance sections, like the Stealth. You might want to target the intermediate paddler and provide them with a better, niche alternative.

 

[Predator 1]

Thanks, some valuable info right there. I would probably be creating an intermediate market as a starter due to the amount of paddlers looking for something that is a little faster ect but without sacrificing too much in the way of stability.

What is your opinion on the current weight of available ski's and do you think that a lighter ski would be a valuable addition?

 

[WWFisherman]

Predator 1 wrote:

Thanks, some valuable info right there. I would probably be creating an intermediate market as a starter due to the amount of paddlers looking for something that is a little faster ect but without sacrificing too much in the way of stability.

What is your opinion on the current weight of available ski's and do you think that a lighter ski would be a valuable addition?

To be honest, weight isn't an issue for me really although I've yet had to haul mine across a long beach.

The weight isn't a problem once you're in the surf. Yeah, it is exhausting dragging the ski back up the sand after a long paddle but most of the time that's offset by the joy of having supper in the hatch and the endorphins of a good day paddling.

That said, I've only ever launched at one location and other paddlers might find the weight reduction useful for their beaches.

If the weight can be reduced without compromising deck and hull strength then I'd be interested but it definitely rates below deck layout and safety for me. I'd rather haul a 30kg ski up a sand bank than have to swim back to shore.

 

[Serra Moz]

Sure, why not.... I would love to see some new kayaks! My personal opinion (again..Lol) is that some of the kayaks on the market are too expensive for the average guy or the oke that wants to get into kayak fishing.

By using the input/suggestions of kayakers you might be able to produce the perfect one? On the weight, yes I agree it could be lighter, without sacrificing strength and durability ect...

I have 2 kayaks an Eric's and a Steatlh supalite, I like them both, the plus on the Eric's (more stable + really strong) the plus on Stealth (lighter and rapid manoeuvrability)

I would be great if you post them pics (various stages) of your pending project, also perhaps taking tips from fellow kayakers regarding layout (As mentioned in replies to your post)

Go for it!!!

 

[Nick]

WWFisherman wrote:

I would definitely support a new manufacturer if the product is well designed.

One of the biggest factors for me is deck layout. The round screw lids are practical as far as sealing goes but completely impractical as far as storage and access is concerned.
I would look at creating as much opportunity for an angler to access the most frequently used items from in front of him, without having to open the main hatch, which is the most vulnerable period. I would also look at allowances for installation and maintenance of fish-finder, battery and transponder by the owner after purchase.

I think Skis could be made more efficient in the water without sacrificing too much stability. I think a lot of skis are even overly stable at the cost of speed.

Also, look at the market and see which segment you can target. There is a lot of competition in the entry level section as well as the high-performance sections, like the Stealth. You might want to target the intermediate paddler and provide them with a better, niche alternative.

I couldnt have siad it better myself! Right on the button there!

 

[Nick]

I think a ski which is designed with a few/many anglers ideas and imputs could really be a winner! Taking the best of each idea and incorporating it into one ski...Now that would be a killer fishing ski!!

 

[Predator 1]

So your number 1 priority would be deck layout and safety/stability without sacrificing too much speed. Thanks for opinion, it will definitely come into play

 

[Predator 1]

Nick wrote:

I think a ski which is designed with a few/many anglers ideas and imputs could really be a winner! Taking the best of each idea and incorporating it into one ski...Now that would be a killer fishing ski!!

That's exactly what i'm trying to accomplish, a ski that suit's most people and their ideas on layout, etc. Hence asking for everyone's opinions.

I know that weight is an issue for people like myself so will hopefully be able to address that issue whilst incorporating as many valuable additions as possible.

Price is another issue i hope to deal with, having recently purchased a new ski myself i understand that most ski's are a little overpriced. That said i'm not willing to scrimp on materials for the sake of price. A well built/solid ski of excellant quality at an affordable price is what i'm aiming at, not a cheap flashy product that falls apart.

 

[Gone2Fish]

Hi Predator, I have just recently bought a second hand ski after drooling about owning one for the past 8 months. The reason it took me so long is that they`re so expensive. If you consider that most average guys buy a decent fishing reel, and then have a hell of a fight with the "vrou" about it afterwards (Especially if she does'nt fish)How do you justify spending R7 - 10K on a ski? You know the drill, they find 10 different things to do with the money!Yes sure, there are those with the bucks to pay for their toys who would'nt be bothered. BUT, If you could design a basic inexpensive ski with easy upgradeability, where the guy could order and install a hatch or rudder or rod holder etc etc. You will get more people to partake in the sport and keep their custom, because they will come back for upgrades when they've got spare cash. Think outside the box. a Basic start-up ski should be made affordable to the average Joe Soap.

my 2c

 

[WWFisherman]

Gone2Fish wrote:

Hi Predator, I have just recently bought a second hand ski after drooling about owning one for the past 8 months. The reason it took me so long is that they`re so expensive. If you consider that most average guys buy a decent fishing reel, and then have a hell of a fight with the "vrou" about it afterwards (Especially if she does'nt fish)How do you justify spending R7 - 10K on a ski? You know the drill, they find 10 different things to do with the money!Yes sure, there are those with the bucks to pay for their toys who would'nt be bothered. BUT, If you could design a basic inexpensive ski with easy upgradeability, where the guy could order and install a hatch or rudder or rod holder etc etc. You will get more people to partake in the sport and keep their custom, because they will come back for upgrades when they've got spare cash. Think outside the box. a Basic start-up ski should be made affordable to the average Joe Soap.

my 2c

That's not a bad idea. If you could design something modular and easy to customise you'd have a hit on your hands.

 

[Serra Moz]

Now we talking boys!!!!

 

[Predator 1]

I just love the idea's you guys are coming up with. Modular won't be easy to do right but it can be done. When talking of adding components would you be talking easy DIY stuff or more take it in to have it done?

 

[Malgas]

I have a BFS and it would take a lot to move from the Stealth brand as the guys building the ski's are actively using the Stealth products and therefore continue to build a trustworthy ski. The next step for me would be an Stealth Evolution. The weight of the BFS is a challenge-but the stability at this stage is a key and the seaworthy-ness certification is a must for me. I really like Gone2fish's idea of an upgradable ski though- as I think when not fishing part of the enjoyment is to look at mods and upgrades to suit my needs. The thing is, the beauty of a fishing ski is it's simplicity so there is not much you can trim that will bring a radical reduction in cost? Unless you reduce the cost of the fibre glass by using a composite?

 

[Predator 1]

Fibreglass is a composite, but there are ways to reduce cost. I personally think that most ski's are overpriced. Don't get me wrong i own a Stealth evo 430 and love it.

 

[Nick]

I like the upgradeable ski idea! Could be very cost effective! With regards to updrades etc, I would say make it possible to do at home but also offer the service of doing for customers. I know from working on my own yak that it can be very rewarding to see a normal yak turn into a fishing machine, all from your own hands!

 

[Gone2Fish]

Considering that the Macski Explorer is built in 2 sections ie deck and hull, and then fitted together, could it not be possible to build modular sections as per my very humble drawing attempt as attached. I'm probably going to get flack for my crazy ideas (again) My boet is the practical one, he always listens to my 100+ crazy ideas and adapts one of them to be of some use lol. ::happyd:This is probably one of the crazier ones. The stress on the hull section would probably be too much, seeing that you would lose most of the rigidity of the deck section. If you have to re-inforce the hull section  to compensate you would probably end up with a ski weighing quite a bit. Then there's the question of sealing etc. BUT, you're the composite engineer, you tell me ::respekt:

 

[Predator 1]

Gone2Fish wrote:

Considering that the Macski Explorer is built in 2 sections ie deck and hull, and then fitted together, could it not be possible to build modular sections as per my very humble drawing attempt as attached. I'm probably going to get flack for my crazy ideas (again) My boet is the practical one, he always listens to my 100+ crazy ideas and adapts one of them to be of some use lol. ::happyd:This is probably one of the crazier ones. The stress on the hull section would probably be too much, seeing that you would lose most of the rigidity of the deck section. If you have to re-inforce the hull section  to compensate you would probably end up with a ski weighing quite a bit. Then there's the question of sealing etc. BUT, you're the composite engineer, you tell me ::respekt:

This could possibly be done but as you've already said in order to keep the structural reinforcing you would end up with a rather heavy ski. Plus the joiming system used to connect the hull sections would need to be very strong, can you imagine what would happen if the hull sections started coming apart whilst at sea or driving down the highway?

The weakest part of any structure is always where multiple sections are joined which is why a one piece ski would would always be stronger.

Never stop dreaming, how else would we come up with things like aircraft and cars if every "crazy idea" was ignored.