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Thread: Kayak companies in trouble

  1. #1
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    Default Kayak companies in trouble


    I made a post on this board a few days ago about canoe and kayak stability and received some replies which made me have more questions. I called French Creek Outfitters where I purchased my Wilderness Ride 115 the beginning of last year because they also were listed as selling Sportspal canoes which I am interested buying. When I mentioned about purchasing my Wilderness from them last year the salesman told me they were no longer selling Wilderness products as they were in trouble financially. He said as a matter of fact most of the higher end kayak companies are in financial trouble due to a bad last year due to the bad weather and so many cheaper kayaks on the market. Was wondering if anyone else has heard anything similar? Thanks, Pop

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    The boat business is tough . They come and go. Big and small



    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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    WS is part of larger conglomerate (Confluence Outdoor | Leading Manufacturer of Kayaks, Canoes and Accessories. Located in Greenville, SC) which is doing well. Often emphasis of brand can shift in those large groups. However, I am guessing your local dealer or WS decided not to renew the dealership. It is getting harder and harder for small dealerships, getting squeezed by both lower price point kayaks at the mega sporting goods store and by the larger kayak dealers that have huge volume and can offer discounted shipping/online presences to move large numbers along several different kayak types (i.e. fishing, rec, whitewater). Small dealers often offer great advice that is sorely lacking at the chain stores.

    EDIT to add: I think many kayak companies run thin, but WS is not one of them, especially when trying to compete against imported brands.

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    Like anything else when they become popular the price goes up. 2000 bucks for a roto molded chunk of plastic seems quite high.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Granite View Post
    Like anything else when they become popular the price goes up. 2000 bucks for a roto molded chunk of plastic seems quite high.
    Yeah, they've kind of priced themselves out of their own market. A big part of the popularity surge in kayak fishing is that it was simple, and relatively cheap compared to buying a big fishing boat. Now, most of the kayaks that people consider "good" and recommend to newbies cost at least $1,000 and likely a lot more. I mean, I'm floating around in a $400 Field and Stream kayak, and loving every minute of it. I'll upgrade eventually, but I'm not going to spend more than I'd pay for a decent used boat with motor to get a nicer kayak.
    Likes crossarm, Jamesdean, wolfhnd, Schins LIKED above post

  6. #6
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    As with anything else you get what you pay for. I have had several WS yaks and wouldn't hesitate buying another. Matter of fact I'm looking pretty serious at a Radar 135 for a paddle kayak. I have a Hobie PA 12 and have over 4000.00 invested in it with the extras and I love it. The 300.00 chunks of plastic are just that. Super easy to turn over, not a lot of thought went into storage, ect. Earlier this year I pedaled up between two $50,000.00 plus bass boats and stuck a 9.49 lb bass. Drug me around a bit but was it ever fun. Would I rather pay a couple of thousand for an engineered piece of roto molded plastic or $50,000.00 plus for a gas hog that has to be registered every 2 years, needs to be kept under cover to keep it in good condition, insured, maintained at a pretty high cost for service, and what ever else. I have owned several bass boats and fished a lot of tournaments, so I'm not just shooting from the hip. Sure maybe I can't run to the other end of the lake 60+ mph, but I can get on the other side of that structure your fishing allowing me to hit it from all sides. It has forced me to slow down and fish more deliberate which equates into more fish. If you are new to kayak fishing you can buy one of those thousand dollar kayaks used for a few hundred dollars and upgrade from there if you want. If not sell your used yak for pretty close to what you paid for and try something else. Kayak fishing is still cheap compared to the cost of even a good used boat.
    Likes SuperDave336, USMA65, STUMP HUNTER LIKED above post

  7. #7
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    I see very few kayaks in Florida compared to years past. The paddleboard market has taken over. I see at least 10 paddleboards to every kayak it seems. The kayaks I do see are either older or the Hobie peddle yaks. I sold my kayak and if I was to buy something again it would likely be a paddle board.

  8. #8
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    Wonder why that is? Are paddleboards better???

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    Seem alot easier to fish off and easier to paddle. Guys use their coolers for a seat and stand to fish when needed. College crowd seem to be all into doing yoga on their board in the middle of the lake or river. They seem very stabe. Just a gigantic surf board. What was kayak tours in this area have become paddle board tours.

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    Quote Originally Posted by huntinslabs View Post
    Seem alot easier to fish off and easier to paddle. Guys use their coolers for a seat and stand to fish when needed. College crowd seem to be all into doing yoga on their board in the middle of the lake or river. They seem very stabe. Just a gigantic surf board. What was kayak tours in this area have become paddle board tours.
    Interesting. On some of my Florida trips, I've seen paddle boarders, but I've never seen anybody fishing from one. I wouldn't have thought they'd be that stable. I will be watching this trend.

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