Wahoo 12.5

I'm a pretty big guy 6'1" 280 lbs so I narrowed my kayak search to just a few brands that had the compacity for me. My previous kayak was used and was bought without any previous research and was not comfortable. I learned my lesson. My other experiences was as a colligate rower so I was use to being on the water and moving fast. My fishing is mainly fly casting so an open cockpit was imperative. My fishing area choices are quite broad from the estuaries of new england to the shallow but wide Susquehanna river. These waters required a stable but fast boat to get in and out of current and cover ground. I'm a paddler so philosophically against any type of motor. This kayak was the perfect choice for me. I have rigged it simply a few rod holders, anchor trolley and even added the tip cover from a Jackson big tuna, which fit perfectly. The whahoo 12.5 allows you to set it up any was you want. You could add a motor, fish finder and all the yak attack gear you want. It's a great platform for customizing. I liked it so much, as did my son 5'9" 220 lb I bought one for him. I believe the 999 price tag to be very fair and could be a few hundred dollars cheaper than it should be. I highly recommend it and you should pick one up before the price does go up. Also Kevin is a great guy and will provide as much support you need to make your experience go well. You can't say that with many of the big companies out there. You actually can get the designer band company owner on the phone. Please give them a look you won't regret it.

cheers and happy paddling Jim Horton

The Kaku Wahoo 12.5 is as good as all the reviews I have read on it. My Wahoo 12.5 is as stable as any SOT I have had and test paddled. I tested many of the more hyped brands out but while many where stable non matched the stability with ability to paddle thru rougher water without getting water over the bow. In rough water the Wahoo goes right over the chops (not thru like the others I tested) all while keeping you dry with having water splashed all over you. The speed of the Wahoo is excellent, tracks very well, has a comfortable seat and very open area which makes it great to stand up on, fish off of or for storage. Do yourself a favor and if you looking at some of the other offerings out that have open deck designs check out the Kaku Wahoo 12.5 because you won't be sorry. I have been using mine to fish from and couldn't be happier on the many lakes I go to and the river. You can easily add a trolling motor and or micro stake out pole as it's setup for them. Overall the best hull design I have paddled.

I have paddled 3 of the 4 Kaku boats, all except the wahoo 10.5. They are all great boats and very stable and well made.

I rented them several times before buying both the voodoo and that wahoo 12.5 so that if my wife or one of the boys come with me, we each have something ride.

With all of the gear tracks, you can really outfit them any way you want, so their versatility is awesome.

On top of all that, the customer service from Levin and his dealers is unmatched.

My first was an Old Town Predator sit in. I have heritage, Wilderness Systems, Vibe, Sowega and others. This is the best combination of comfort, speed and stability for me. I have the 12.5 and the 10.5. I use the 12,5 for long trips and the 10.5 as a 'throw and go' for the back of my truck. I weigh 300 lbs (down from 340) and can stand, sit with my legs in the water, and enter and exit easily. Even at my weight it is a dry ride.

After demoing countless kayaks, I came across the Kaku Wahoo. The Wahoo offers features that make fishing much easier, at a fraction of the competitor's price!

I wanted a kayak that is stable enough to stand in but doesn't paddle like a barge, I found it in the Kaku Wahoo. The raised seat and open deck make it very easy to stand and cast. The stability on this thing is unbelievable, even for me at 6' 285 lb. It also paddles like a dream, the bow sits high in the water and allows the kayak to glide over any chop.

The Wahoo features 4 aluminum top load gear tracks that enable you to mount anything from rod holders to fish finders without having to drill. The Wahoo also has threaded inserts all over the kayak to allow you to fasten whatever your heart desires without drilling. The hull is also designed to accept the PowerPole Micro anchor system.

The customer service of Kaku Kayak is just as amazing as their product! So if you're in the market for an awesome fishing kayak and don't want to break the bank, check out the Kaku Wahoo!

Kevin Hawkins Kaku is the only brand in my x amount of years of being an old salt that have been so quick to respond, supportive and by far have over excided my expectations. Sir you have a great product and great people that support your brand. I am one proud owner of a Kaku Wahoo... Thank you... keep doing how ya all do..

PROS: This stable straight tracking fishing kayak is designed well for the job. It has a sturdy hull, plenty of tie down points and lots of track for accessories. A large storage area in the front and a smaller one behind the seat are easy to access. There is a well behind the seat for a 30 gallon cooler and tie down storage aft of that. The hull has threaded inserts for attaching a power pole at the stern and an anchor trolley on the side. All this at an affordable price! Comparable yaks are hundreds more.

CONS: There aren't many and they are minor. The paddle holder is connected to the handle which turns and changes tension on the bungee causing the bungee to come loose. I think attaching the bungee to the screw holes or adding an extra screw so the handle doesn't turn would solve this. The seat mesh is removable which is a good feature however the connectors under the seat can come loose. Kaku suggested an easy fix with a couple of zip ties.

My wife bought this for me, for my birthday. It's the first kayak I have personally owned, so consider that. I have done some kayaking, but I'm not a seasoned pro by any stretch of the imagination. Still, I can pick out some of the pluses and minuses. Here they are:

Pluses:
• Seems very durable
• High capacity (good for a big guy, like me)
• Plenty stable, even in wakes from 30' powerboats
• Has a nice latching hatch up front
• Can be purchased with rudder (which mine has)
• Nice looking
• Very dry
• Comfortable
• Plenty of scotty mount points

  Minuses:

• It will take on some water in chop
• Center console doesn't allow paddler to change leg positions
• Leg room is sacrificed if you have the rudder, since they are pedal operated.
• There is no hatch access to the rear bilge area. (Don't throw your empties in the front hatch, cause when they find their way to the back, they're tough to retrieve!)

Ok, I guess that's about it. I really love mine.