Kaku Wahoo sounds like some kind of Amazonian bird. Actually it’s one of the top brands of kayaks you can find. We decided to review the brand that fishers and anglers swear by so that we can tell you everything you need to know: the good, the bad, and the bottom line.
Before we get to all of that, there are all kinds of different ways to use a kayak. For that reason there are practically just as many types of kayaks out there that are made for different types of kayaking adventures. They break down based on what you plan to do with it and what you need it to do:
- How nimble and fast do you need it to be,
- Are you going to be fishing or just sightseeing,
- Do you want to be able to stand,
- Or will you be traveling to a destination where you’ll be in your kayak for a day or two and need good storage?
If you’re kayaking on a lake, you’ll have calmer waters than if you are kayaking down a river rapid. There are two different types of kayaks for these two types of waters: sit-in and sit-on-top. Keep in mind we’re talking about small, single person kayaks so there is only one seat. Just like the name sounds; you’ll find some kayaks where you sit down inside of the boat or where the seat is on the deck of the boat.
Sit-in kayaks are great for riding rapids. You have much more control. You also have a better chance of flipping over and if you don’t know how to do a water exit, it can be dangerous. It’s not easy getting out of a sit-in kayak. They’re made snug to hold you in.
On the other end, you have sit-on-top kayaks like the Kaku Wahoo. If you plan on drifting along a lazy river, sightseeing along the lake, or you are going to be casting your rod out in the water and catching fish, this is the type of kayak that you want and we found that Kaku Wahoo is the go-to kayak brand.
About Kaku Wahoo Kayaks:
The thing that sets Kaku Wahoo brand kayaks apart (and why fishers prefer it) is because it was made by people who love to fish. There are a couple versions of the solo seat kayak from Kaku Wahoo, but the latest version – and the best to date – is the Kaku Wahoo 12.5. It costs a couple hundred more than the 10.5, but we say that the new features of the 12.5 make it well worth the investment!
It’s bigger. It’s longer. It has wide open deck space. It has a weight capacity at the high end for this type of kayak at 400 pounds which is good because if you overload your kayak, it’s going to be harder to paddle, steer, and to stay afloat.
One of the drawbacks for traditional sit-on-top kayaks is the limited space for storage. The 12.5 has enough storage for you to take a day trip comfortably. Like many sit-on-tops, the Kaku Wahoo is a pedal-powered kayak. It allows you to stand while you push and steer.
Instead of occupying your hands with an oar the whole time and missing great wildlife shots, pedaled kayaks let you be hands free while you fish, click, and steer. Using a blend of hand controls and foot pedals, you can direct and speed up the Kaku Wahoo.
The cockpit is extra long which serves as additional storage and allows you to glide easier along different types of water – even choppy waters! The foot pegs are adjustable so that you can configure it to your liking. On top of that the seat is made to be comfortable and secure for hours of on-the-water fishing.
Another thing that sets this kayak apart is that it is relatively light. Pedal-powered kayaks are heavier than most and sit-in kayaks are lighter than sit-on-tops. The Kaku Wahoo is both pedal-powered and a sit-on-top, yet it is relatively lightweight at 74 pounds.
This 12.5’ kayak has an open pit and a lockable stern hatch able to store a 30 pound cooler. Using a mix of fins and rudders, you have easy control over the kayak and the deck design repels water so that you don’t tip over anytime a sailboat or speed boat passes you by.
The Good:
Many times, kayaks like the Wahoo are tiring and hard to paddle, especially in rough waters. Not this baby. It moves like silk through the water with minimal effort and has an open deck that makes it super stable and at the same time has some get up and go.
When you want to stand up and move around to cast your line, the Kaku Wahoo stays level on the water so you don’t have to worry about tipping over. There are foot pegs both in front of the aluminum seat and at the front of the deck so that you can direct the boat while you chase a wily catch.
Made for fishers, you have the option to add mounts for your cameras – for those hardcore fishers out there! There are inserts for rod holders and fish finders too. If that wasn’t enough, it is built with a unique “micro power-pole” that helps make this sit-on-top kayak faster than most and much more agile.
The Bad:
You have to look pretty hard to find fault with this kayak but we found one drawback. It’s not limited to the Wahoo brand either. Most kayaks you’ll find are made of a hard shell polyethylene as is the Kaku Wahoo. The problem with this plastic is that one, it’s heavy and two, after a lot of time out in the sun it will start to fall apart—never store this thing outside in the sun!
There’s really no better option though when you factor in the idea that Wahoo makes kayaks that are versatile and can be used on rivers and lakes alike. If you chose one made with ABS plastic, it’s only a little lighter than polyethylene but it is more resistant to sun damage. But they are much more expensive.
If you went with a kayak made of fiberglass, yeah you’ll avoid sun damage. And it’s super lightweight. But don’t use it on the river. If your hull bumps up against the rocks, that kayak is a goner.
From the Lake to the River:
Not all kayaks can handle the waves of a river or a busy lake where ripples from water skiers can topple a flimsier kayak. What we love the most about this boat is how well it handles waves and choppy waters. You expect to get plenty of water spray from your chair on a sit-on-top but it’s amazing how the hull design pushes water off of the boat.
Because the scupper holes are positioned to leave plenty of room between them and the water line, you don’t have to worry about pumping any water out of the boat. Get this – this kayak has a total of 8 of them so the water that gets in goes right back out!
Stability Makes the Kaku Wahoo Kayak Great
For fishers who largely are the customer base for Kaku Wahoo, stability is mission number one when choosing the right kayak. It’s all too easy to tip over and lose all your gear to the bottom of the lake if you are on some rinky dink kayak.
Instead, you have a plastic boat that uses strong metal rails to keep your kayak on track and level in the water. You can easily guide it and the additional inserts for rudders gives you even more power and speed without sacrificing stability. Fishers give the stability of this beast 5 stars!
One of the Best Things about the Kaku Wahoo
Finally, the one thing that everyone who has ever compared kayaks is amazed about the Kaku Wahoo is how roomy it is for a small solo seat kayak. From the deck to the hatches – yes we said hatches – you have plenty of space to store all of your gear including your beers and snacks, your tackle and rods, and your overnight clothes! We’re talking about a hatch in the front, a hatch in the back, and a tank well that can be used to store more stuff!
Bottom Line:
Despite being smaller than some other single-person kayaks out there, the design makes the Kaku Wahoo the best brand of kayak on the market. You have the wide open deck plus the many inserts for adding camera mounts and fishing rods. Lots of leg room in addition to extra storage space and a lockable hatch added with a roomy yet sturdy breathable aluminum framed seat for all day fishing, you will not find a better kayak than the Kaku Wahoo.