As a follow up to the previous post, here is a discussion about adding amas to a sailing kayak known as the Wavewalk. The Wavewalk is billed as “The World’s Most Stable Fishing Kayak, Microskiff, and Cartop Boat.” The developer used to offer outriggers for one of it’s models.
They stopped offering outriggers for their fishing kayak because of the following reasons (directly quoted below) from their article found here:
- Extra drag
Typical outriggers are several times shorter than the kayak’s hull itself. This means that as the kayak moves, the outriggers move at speeds that are many times higher than their own hull speed (Froude number). This generates a disproportionately large amount of Residual resistance (Rr) as well as extra Frictional resistance (Fr) - Extra weight – problems with transporting and carrying
Let’s face it – fishing kayaks are the heaviest kayaks out there. Many fishing kayaks weigh over 70 lbs, and the most barge-like of them weigh up to 120 lbs. Such size already makes it impossible for many anglers to car top their kayak, and forces them to transport it on a trailer, which clearly defies the purpose of kayak fishing in yet another way. - Mobility problems
Kayaks equipped with outriggers simply don’t move as well as other kayaks do. - Fishing problems
When you fish out of any boat including a kayak, you strive to get out of your way any object that could interfere with your fishing lines, whether when you cast, reel in a fish or land it. Outriggers are large size and intricate structures that are located close to the kayak, and as such present a constant threat to your lines
Once again, go to the following link to read their full article: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2013/11/27/how-effective-are-outriggers-for-your-fishing-kayaks-stability/
The bottom line is that Wavewalk developers concluded outriggers offered less benefits when paddling one of their fishing kayaks as opposed to the boat being primarily utilized as a sailboat. In such a case, larger, more buoyant outriggers, combined “with a large size, powerful upwind rig,” would allow for some “real sailing.”
Here is an older URL on their website featuring the folding outriggers they once offered for sale: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2010/07/18/brians-folding-outriggers-for-motorized-kayak/