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Topic: Stealth Pro Fisha 525 First Impressions Review-Update on evolution  (Read 13330 times)

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wizz

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Had The chance to paddle An Evolution recently, so I thought I'd update with some thought for those interested.

The Evolution I had the pleasure of paddling was a 465. It was definitely heavier and a little slower than the Pro Fisha, but has the same ease of paddling.  I spent 2 half days and 3 full days on the water and never felt spent, a feeling I never experienced on the x. The glide of the glass really makes paddling these boats downright enjoyable, even at the end of a long day trying to beat the sun so you don't have to land/surf home in the dark.

As far as stability, the evolution has such good secondary stability that it felt as easily as stable as my x. We paddled in all kinds of conditions, wind, swell, chop, had cruberra snapper haul me all through the rocks, and launched and landed in the surf and not once did I feel I was going over. The only time I did was playing around with in the surf and thanks to the ample below deck storage all the gear stayed safe and dry. Trying to capture some sunset photos with fish hatch open, gear out, and no paddle in my hand, I lost track of where I was and drifted into the surf zone where I ended up with a wave in my lap. No swamp, no yard sale, no problem. Second pic is of the wave I was looking past.

I was stoked to get a chance to fish the Stealth and can say it is a very well thought out design. The fisha is a bit better in this regard, but thats to be expected as it is the latest design. The fisha is also more maneuverable and responsive because of the change in rudder design, but the evolution has protection for the rudder.  As far as catching big fish, I submit a photograph a rooster fish that provided a nice towed tour of one of the islands of the coast.

So, I would sum up the 2 boats thusly:
The evolution is a great all around fishing kayak, very stable, easy to paddle, perfect for someone who wants a higher performance boat but might not yet have solid paddling skills or doesn't mind the extra weight in exchange for a little more stability.
The Pro Fisha is for someone looking for a light, fast, truly high performance fishing kayak.
Emphasis on fishing kayak, because both are well designed for that purpose. I think, with the ample storage, speed, and ease of paddling either boat would make a great multi day expedition kayak, but that really needs to be tested. Anyone interested? :smt003
« Last Edit: February 23, 2014, 04:17:23 PM by wizz »
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ravensblack

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That's pretty darn cool Wizz! Dan's container will be here soon. Can't wait!
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DaveW

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Oh hell yes you land and haul any fish on this kayak. To say you cant and you HAVE to have an AI is heresy. :smt003 :smt006 Paddle on Wizz!

I'm in love!  This is the boat of my dreams.  Does anyone know how you can buy a Pro Fisha 525?  These are Aussie boats, no--or South African?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave


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Ruben had (and may still have) a demo boat.

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Oh hell yes you land and haul any fish on this kayak. To say you cant and you HAVE to have an AI is heresy. :smt003 :smt006 Paddle on Wizz!

I'm in love!  This is the boat of my dreams.  Does anyone know how you can buy a Pro Fisha 525?  These are Aussie boats, no--or South African?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave

Headwaters in Lodi is the only store that has them in the US, contact Dan.
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wizz

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Oh hell yes you land and haul any fish on this kayak. To say you cant and you HAVE to have an AI is heresy. :smt003 :smt006 Paddle on Wizz!

I'm in love!  This is the boat of my dreams.  Does anyone know how you can buy a Pro Fisha 525?  These are Aussie boats, no--or South African?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave

South African. I would highly recommend trying to get a ride on the stealth and evolution. Evo is heavier, more stable, a little slower but still abreeze to paddle. The profisha is not a beginner boat. Of youve got a good handle on good bracing and your fundamentals its hard to beat. They both fish great, are very well laid out, and with all the below deck storage I have only lost 2 small pieces of gear, and normally I watch quite a bit of gear descend into the abyss on my plastic sot. You welcome to try mine out anytime, maybe can meet up at shelter cove for some fishing.
"The howling tide of unreason beats against pure fact with incredible fury"-Terrence Mckenna


DaveW

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Thanks Wizz,  Yeah, I'd love to try it at shelter cove-or if you're ever around Fort Bragg  I could take you out to some of my stomping grounds.

I'm not a beginner.  Won't make claims to being great, but I paddle a sea kayak (SIK) for fun, can roll (sort of), and was completely comfortable on a scupper.

I'm rigging up my SIK (Dagger Magellan) for fishing, but the thing I don't like about it is you can't dangle, which I use all the time to increase stability while fishing.  This seems like the perfect solution.



wizz

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The pro fisha is right up your alley then, my freind. Not sure your size, but the 475 (4.75 metres) is the shortest, the 575 (5.75 m) is the longest and fastest, and the 525 (5.25 m) is the roomiest for larger paddlers, and still smokes it on the water. I have the 525 because 19ft is really long, and I am 6'2 200lbs.  Check out stealth on youtube, lots of info.

I might just take you up on Fort Bragg. Never fished it.
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LoletaEric

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Nice followup, Matt.  I'd love to get a ride on both models - maybe we can get together at Trinidad or the Cove soon?  Possible HBO run too.  I think that I'd like the Evolution a lot if it's that stable.  All the X-Factor miles are making me feel old!   :smt005
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DaveW

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The only thing I'm not getting is the seeming lack of a backrest.  I broke mine the other day and had to paddle for a few miles to get back.  It bothered my back to have no support.  There must be something for it?


wizz

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Theres quite a few options, a glue down but pad with just a back rest, or a deluxe seat like i have. Very comfortable yak.
"The howling tide of unreason beats against pure fact with incredible fury"-Terrence Mckenna


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Thanks for the great reviews Matt. 
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ravensblack

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Dave, I have an evolution 495 you can try out if you want. Just got to get together.
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Paddleboy84

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Thanks Wizz,  Yeah, I'd love to try it at shelter cove-or if you're ever around Fort Bragg  I could take you out to some of my stomping grounds.

I'm not a beginner.  Won't make claims to being great, but I paddle a sea kayak (SIK) for fun, can roll (sort of), and was completely comfortable on a scupper.

I'm rigging up my SIK (Dagger Magellan) for fishing, but the thing I don't like about it is you can't dangle, which I use all the time to increase stability while fishing.  This seems like the perfect solution.

Hey Dave this is Dan from Headwaters. We at the Stealth Dealer here in not cal. We will be hosting a demo/ paddling weekend in Mendocino September 5,6,7th. Give me a call and we can set up a time to meet and let you try a few Stealth models. Our shop # is 209-224-8367 or pM me for more details.

Photos below were at Albion last weekend.
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DaveW

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Quote
Hey Dave this is Dan from Headwaters. We at the Stealth Dealer here in not cal. We will be hosting a demo/ paddling weekend in Mendocino September 5,6,7th. Give me a call and we can set up a time to meet and let you try a few Stealth models. Our shop # is 209-224-8367 or pM me for more details.

Wow, Dan, that's great.  I'll be calling.  What boat is that in your pictures?  And, you're allowed to catch bigger lings than that while paddling one?  :smt044  Sorry, I can't help myself.


 

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