Articles
No... it's not a toilet
- Category: Fishing Kayaks
- Published on Monday, 25 January 2010 17:52
- Written by Josh
- Hits: 1370
Whilst I probably shouldn't have a laugh at in-store shoppers expense, whenever I'm asked the question 'is that a toilet for the kayak?' it is terribly hard to hold back laughter. I think it wouldn't be possible to contain it if not for the questions that otherwise run through my mind. The first and most obvious thought is 'this guy for real?' The truth is that sometimes that question is asked in all seriousness, and it's either aimed at one of the 8" hatches, or the Hobie livewell. Admittedly, the livewell does look a little like a porta-loo, but anyone who truly thinks a kayak might require a toilet to be fitted is, well... probably not intelligent enough to own a kayak.
Typically, such mis-guided questions usually come from tire-kickers who are walking through the store looking to be entertained (ie: waste my time). Hobie tire kickers can be spotted from a mile away. They saunter around the floor and when they spot one of the kayaks they'll stroll over casually and then frown hard as they try to figure out what the pedals do. The Hobie equivalent of tire-kicking is to flick the pedal so it spins around. Once the non-customer is satisfied that the pedal spins, and they've got it figured out, they'll nod to themselves in approval of their own investigative techniques and then walk off, now knowing it all. I see this nearly every day and it's hilarious to me.
Even more hilarious are the non-customers who try to tell you that the mirage fins simply cannot work, due to the fact that they move side to side. Also fairly amusing to me are those that take one look at the scupper holes and assume that the kayak will sink immediately. 'It's got holes in it everywhere... how the hell does it manage to stay afloat? Apparently these guys have never seen a tractor tube on the water!
There are also times, however, that I find myself both amazed and amused at some of the questions posed by 'veteran' kayak fishoes. A long time ago, in a forum far far away, the question was once posed by one of the admins (who you'd expect to know better) 'can fish smell?'
Of course any fisho worth his salt will know the answer to that question and most people who've never fished in their life will be able to make an educated guess. Either way, for sure - if one fishes (from a kayak or otherwise) and doesn't know the answer to that one, they would surely have a hard time catching fish.