Galaxy Kayaks reveal a new fishing kayak
Jun 17, 2014 21:29:08 GMT -1
Post by izzetafox on Jun 17, 2014 21:29:08 GMT -1
Firstly let me thank Zebra for his introduction to Graeme and his consent to post the pictures before he got his hands on the kayak.
Thanks mate :)Last week I was invited to go over to the Galaxy Kayaks warehouse and meet the company owner Graeme Challis. He wanted to show me the first hull in the UK of a new fishing kayak he is planning to introduce sometime next month.
It is a brave move to enter such a competitive sector of the market and one he has spent a lot of time in China talking to manufacturers to get the hull and spec how he wanted it. It is particularly aimed at the starter market in kayak angling although the level of kit supplied will appeal to many levels I think. I would like to add that Graeme knows he is not going to take sales directly from kayaks in the top end circa £1,000 sector so bear that in mind.
This kayak will probably come in at under £600 !
I do not have the full spec regarding dimensions and capacities but I can assure you when the capacity is announced it will have been checked by an independent assessor unlike some kayak from China past and indeed currently on sale.
Two things I can say is that is approx 29kg and 4.10 m long. It is aimed at sea and freshwater anglers.
Ok some photos:
The rudder is standard and pre-fitted, it is deployed by a cord running along the starboard side via tow balls threaded on the for which can be seen on one of the photos. It is controlled by the standard foot pegs.
The bow hatch has a fitted and removable 'pouch' . There is a round hatch just forward of the seat and a long but not massive central hatch. Both hatches are locked with 'T bar' style twist locks.
The round hatch is a bucket style like other kayaks but the difference is there is a bung in the bottom. The standard bug is water tight so it can be used for dry storage OR it can be used as a live bait well. For those saying but sand eels need water rotation..... a second bung is supplied which allows the passage of water but fish cannot pass through.
The observant will have noticed that the lid of the long hatch has brass threaded inserts for fitting accessories, there are also a number of star shaped holes which will take G Star accessories. Plus a number of small holes the go down into pre-moulded tubes, these are intended to be pilot holes for fitting accessories.
There are two rod tubes fitted behind the seat and two rod holder on the gunwales which are G Star mounts with balls and the rod holders clamped to the balls.
You may notice two G Star mounts at the front of the cockpit area these will probably not be on the retail version instead there will be what is called a G Track. This will be an accessory plate on a holder for fish finders, GPS etc.
You can see the rod holders here and also the seat which is probably familiar to most as it has been around in various guises for a while. It has a loch fitted on the back for essential items.
The is a large well in the rear with plenty of space.
More and more people seem fascinated with fitting outboards to their yaks so Graeme has planned for this option. Just behind the rod tube there is a groove on either side each with a pair of threaded inserts. This area is designed to secure an outboard mounting bar. Galaxy will stock all the gear for this including the motors.
I should point out that all inserts are encapsulated in the hull mould for security. Hull thickness is 5mm so it should match most other brands.
All in all it looks like a well designed kayak and very well fitted for a sub £600 kayak. The first container is due in mid July and the kayak, once Graeme has named it, will be on their website.
www.galaxykayaks.co.uk
What you may not know is that Galaxy have both French and Spanish sales and they are doing very well. The new kayak is already on sale in Spain and a video of it being paddled, albeit in benign conditions is on YouTube here:
www.galaxykayaks.eu/es/109-alboran-individual
I should point out that I have no connection with Galaxy Kayaks and this is just my observations of the kayak as it sits outside the warehouse.
Terry
Thanks mate :)Last week I was invited to go over to the Galaxy Kayaks warehouse and meet the company owner Graeme Challis. He wanted to show me the first hull in the UK of a new fishing kayak he is planning to introduce sometime next month.
It is a brave move to enter such a competitive sector of the market and one he has spent a lot of time in China talking to manufacturers to get the hull and spec how he wanted it. It is particularly aimed at the starter market in kayak angling although the level of kit supplied will appeal to many levels I think. I would like to add that Graeme knows he is not going to take sales directly from kayaks in the top end circa £1,000 sector so bear that in mind.
This kayak will probably come in at under £600 !
I do not have the full spec regarding dimensions and capacities but I can assure you when the capacity is announced it will have been checked by an independent assessor unlike some kayak from China past and indeed currently on sale.
Two things I can say is that is approx 29kg and 4.10 m long. It is aimed at sea and freshwater anglers.
Ok some photos:
The rudder is standard and pre-fitted, it is deployed by a cord running along the starboard side via tow balls threaded on the for which can be seen on one of the photos. It is controlled by the standard foot pegs.
The bow hatch has a fitted and removable 'pouch' . There is a round hatch just forward of the seat and a long but not massive central hatch. Both hatches are locked with 'T bar' style twist locks.
The round hatch is a bucket style like other kayaks but the difference is there is a bung in the bottom. The standard bug is water tight so it can be used for dry storage OR it can be used as a live bait well. For those saying but sand eels need water rotation..... a second bung is supplied which allows the passage of water but fish cannot pass through.
The observant will have noticed that the lid of the long hatch has brass threaded inserts for fitting accessories, there are also a number of star shaped holes which will take G Star accessories. Plus a number of small holes the go down into pre-moulded tubes, these are intended to be pilot holes for fitting accessories.
There are two rod tubes fitted behind the seat and two rod holder on the gunwales which are G Star mounts with balls and the rod holders clamped to the balls.
You may notice two G Star mounts at the front of the cockpit area these will probably not be on the retail version instead there will be what is called a G Track. This will be an accessory plate on a holder for fish finders, GPS etc.
You can see the rod holders here and also the seat which is probably familiar to most as it has been around in various guises for a while. It has a loch fitted on the back for essential items.
The is a large well in the rear with plenty of space.
More and more people seem fascinated with fitting outboards to their yaks so Graeme has planned for this option. Just behind the rod tube there is a groove on either side each with a pair of threaded inserts. This area is designed to secure an outboard mounting bar. Galaxy will stock all the gear for this including the motors.
I should point out that all inserts are encapsulated in the hull mould for security. Hull thickness is 5mm so it should match most other brands.
All in all it looks like a well designed kayak and very well fitted for a sub £600 kayak. The first container is due in mid July and the kayak, once Graeme has named it, will be on their website.
www.galaxykayaks.co.uk
What you may not know is that Galaxy have both French and Spanish sales and they are doing very well. The new kayak is already on sale in Spain and a video of it being paddled, albeit in benign conditions is on YouTube here:
www.galaxykayaks.eu/es/109-alboran-individual
I should point out that I have no connection with Galaxy Kayaks and this is just my observations of the kayak as it sits outside the warehouse.
Terry
