Wilderness Systems Atak Now Has Electric Power And Peddle Power!

[hoosierbass07]

 I just saw on my facebook page from Wilderness Systems a video of the ATAK with an electric power device that sits down between your legs and a foot peddle device.  Wow.  I don't know, do I want a new $1,000 Dell PC or do I want to spend $2,000+ on that ATAK with an electric motor?  I could buzz all around a big lake with that ATAK and motor!  

[flyfisher]

definitely an interesting piece of machinery.  I am looking forward to seeing it, the price and I am assuming it will but if it will retrofit into current ATAK models.

 

I also don't want to lose my electronics pod though which i would since i am pretty sure they use the same space.

 

Oh and don't get a 1,000 dell anything lol 

[Darren.]

Dude. A Dell?   

 

 

Get a Mac, and save up for the E-ATAK.

[hoosierbass07]

 That's PEDAL power, not peddle.  lol.  

[Caliyak]

Is WS trying to compete with Tracker or ranger? If we want an engine on a yak, we buy a bass boat. We buy a kayak for the fun of paddling and roughing it. SMH!!!

[Dogmatic]

Saw this on Facebook, from Bobby Clark, too bad it uses the same space as the electronics pod.

[flyfisher]

Is WS trying to compete with Tracker or ranger? If we want an engine on a yak, we buy a bass boat. We buy a kayak for the fun of paddling and roughing it. SMH!!!

But it gives you options for larger bodies of water that require more paddling and still have the option of being a boat that can be paddled easily if you don't want to use it.  Personally i like my electronics pod enough that if i was going to motorize my ATAK i would save and get a torqueedo

[Cgrinder]

For the love of God don't buy a $1000 Dell. If you've got that budget, build your own and get twice the machine without the bloatware.

 

I'm in the same boat and I think I'm going with the $2400 Hobie. The attractiveness of the WS yaks (to me) was the price. If I'm going to drop two grand, I'm going to just get a Hobie. 

[rippin-lips]

Is WS trying to compete with Tracker or ranger? If we want an engine on a yak, we buy a bass boat. We buy a kayak for the fun of paddling and roughing it. SMH!!!

I have a bass boat, but I also have a kayak. It's cheaper to use and can be strapped to my Subaru. I'd love to have a motor for it. I wouldn't be limited as much.

[MidTNKayakAngler]

The propulsion tool whether it be pedal or the Torqueedo type motor will take the place of the electronics pod. If you decide to go this route and still want to use your electronics the best bet would to mount your head on the tracks or on the front hatch with the transducer over the side on a RAM arm.

 

A motor would be nice for pre-fishing a tournament, you could cover a lot of ground quickly, or if you were going offshore a couple miles to fish a wreck, or chasing open water fish like Stripers or Hybrids. 

 

I would like to see how the motor installed effects the paddling.

 

I think I like the rear mounted Torqueedo better. You can lift the Torqueedo out of the water if you have to paddle reducing drag, and you don't lose your electronics pod.

 

As for the pedals. Me personally I'm not a fan of the bicycle type pedals, you cannot draft shallow unless pulled up, and the mechanism takes up a lot of valuable deck space.

[flyfisher]

The propulsion tool whether it be pedal or the Torqueedo type motor will take the place of the electronics pod. If you decide to go this route and still want to use your electronics the best bet would to mount your head on the tracks or on the front hatch with the transducer over the side on a RAM arm.

 

A motor would be nice for pre-fishing a tournament, you could cover a lot of ground quickly, or if you were going offshore a couple miles to fish a wreck, or chasing open water fish like Stripers or Hybrids. 

 

I would like to see how the motor installed effects the paddling.

 

I think I like the rear mounted Torqueedo better. You can lift the Torqueedo out of the water if you have to paddle reducing drag, and you don't lose your electronics pod.

 

As for the pedals. Me personally I'm not a fan of the bicycle type pedals, you cannot draft shallow unless pulled up, and the mechanism takes up a lot of valuable deck space.

 

This is true but i find the bicycle style easier on the joints and a more natural motion.  We also don't know what the propulsion under the boat is going to be yet  I am guessing it is a prop though.  

[MidTNKayakAngler]

I would guess a prop also. I've been in the Native Propels, and have had Hobie's for the past 6 years. The Propels I would tire more quickly, than the Hobies, and the Natives weren't easy on my hips, and didn't care for the bicycle motion, and all the deck room it took up. Didn't care for the whining noise of the Propel Drive System, all 4 different propels has that whining noise coming from the gear box. Different strokes for different folks.

[flyfisher]

I think being a cyclist the circular pedal motion makes sense to me.

[Master Bait'r]

They're cool but this has been on the Predators (iirc) for a while now. I'll stick with a custom jon if I'm going to use a TM personally... Until I hit the lottery anyways haha

[Hanover_Yakker]

The fixed mast style drive systems have their own nuances that have to be evaluated, but there is one thing to keep in mind when considering a pedal drive system and that is to pay close attention to the range of adjustments of both the drive system relative to your leg length and your seating position.  This includes seat height, hip angle relative to the pedaling motion and the overall comfort on your back and joints.  I would encourage you to try all available seating positions in rough or windy conditions to also assess the stability of the hull when in motion and you are pedaling.  Many folks try both styles out at demo days and can feel comfortable for the few minutes they try them each out, but they fail to take into account the overall comfort after a full day on the water.  I know several cyclists that have tried both drive systems (Propel vs Mirage Drive), and you might be surprised at the choice of drive system the hard core cyclists chose.  While the cyclical motion may seem to be more natural, it does place additional strain and flexion and requires a full range of motion.  In other words, in order to move the kayak, you have to cycle the pedals one full revolution at some point even if you decide to do partial or half pedal motions initially.  Just food for thought.

[Dogmatic]

I'd suffer any "little discomfort" to have reverse. WS is a pedal/prop design with reverse, like the Native Propel. It's the motor that I'm interested in.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Reverse?  You're in a kayak - reverse is the same for every hull, use your paddle.  That's what I do.  What people forget about with "reverse" is that you aren't hands free.  You have to make rudder adjustments with one hand.  Last I checked, no angler I know has three hands, so your fishing will be interrupted to some extent.  Just something to keep in mind in the evaluation process.

[Dogmatic]

Reverse?  You're in a kayak - reverse is the same for every hull, use your paddle.  That's what I do.  What people forget about with "reverse" is that you aren't hands free.  You have to make rudder adjustments with one hand.  Last I checked, no angler I know has three hands, so your fishing will be interrupted to some extent.  Just something to keep in mind in the evaluation process.

Rudder adjustments? Most of the time when I get myself into a situation where I need reverse, it's straight back, no "rudder adjustment" needed. LOL.