Recently I had the opportunity to take one of the Freedom Hawk kayaks out and put it through it’s paces. As with all kayaks for fishing there is no “perfect” kayak. You give somehting somehwere. It’s just a kayak thing. In the pre-dawn light we got the kayaks down and attached the out riggers. These are the soul of the Freedom Hawk line. The 14 and the 12 have different ways to attach them but they work the same. An ingenious clamp system is not only easy to use but very quick. Removing these out riggers makes transport a breeze. We launched right at day break and the first thing I noticed when I sat in the kayak, having a injured back and shoulder, was the seat was very comfortable. It doesn’t look like much but it has good suport, has enough padding and is very adjustable. The day had promised wind, chop and general dookie like conditions for kayak fishing but for a day of “testing” it was perfect. Before the wind kicked up we paddled out the creek into the sound. The 14 tracks pretty well. My buddy was ina Freedom Hawk 12 and it seemed to track a little better in the weather. Some 14ft kayaks track better but I have paddled many that are a lot worse. As we made out way along the grass the wind started to kick up and I got my first taste of how these kayaks handle in wind and chop. For a lighter peson paddling they will probably stay a little drier but the quartering wind and chop did slop over the sides a bit and I was wet but the scupper holes did their job and the water wasn’t high enough to be sitting in a puddle. The kayak did weather cock, (turn into the wind on it’s own), a lot as I paddled across the wind but as I made the turn into or with the wind it tracked perfectly. I haven’t been in a kayak yet that didn’t do this in a quartering wind so no real minus points there. Now we were set up… time to play with the out riggers. I had been waiting for this for a while… I puled the handles and the out riggers slid out into place and locked. VERY smooth, very easy. Ok out riggers up, win
Sounds like a great boat for Clark Sound, Folly area. Will take a look later this summer. Who’s carrying them? I was away for the Kayak Festival at JIP.
NJ - thanks for the report, I have admired those things for years after seeing their ads in Flyfishing in Saltwaters mag. Your report seems thorough and unbiased, but you should probably also state that you work for CA and they sell them, just to be upfront about it. Again, I think you are a stand up guy and I feel you are being unbiased so dont get me wrong but usually in a review people state up front any affiliations they have.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke
Yes I do work for the CA and you are right I should have mentioned that. Sorry guys. BUT… with ANYTHING I sell at TCA… if I haven’t used it or don’t believe in it I’ll tell ya up front. Sorry if I mislead anyone but like I said I ain’t afraid to tell ya the baby is ugly 
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Ha Ha, no worries man. I’m looking forward to meeting you sometime soon. I gotta bring a yak back from Edisto and hit redfishville.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke
I couldn’t imagine that extensive post was written by someone without a tie to the company. I don’t feel misled. Even just an owner will have a bias. Thanks for the info.
Mr. NikonJ (no longer MSgt NikonJ),
Nice report. Wish I had the ducks for one, sound really nice. Trying to pick up a WS Ride 135 from Justoverdoit down in Beaufort.
As always, if I get it, it is available for HOW, if I am not able to attend a function.
Welcome to the retired ranks, job well done!
Tim
PS,
Finally got out yesterday, during your retirement party hangover, and bagged 2 nice fat Reds. Both swam away none the worse for wear.
TimBuck2
Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5
Jimmy Buffett can have Margaritaville, I’m going to Redfishville!
very cool… any tailers???
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
quote:Agreed. Apology accepted.
Originally posted by nikonjediYes I do work for the CA and you are right I should have mentioned that. Sorry guys. BUT… with ANYTHING I sell at TCA… if I haven’t used it or don’t believe in it I’ll tell ya up front. Sorry if I mislead anyone but like I said I ain’t afraid to tell ya the baby is ugly
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
And by the way, I don’t work for Yami or 18’CC’s.
18’ CC w/ 115 Yami
No tailing action to be seen. Very low “high” tide. Could not even get into the flats, except for the two pigs, it was a sucky day in the yak.
TB2
TimBuck2
Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5
Jimmy Buffett can have Margaritaville, I’m going to Redfishville!
Cool…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os