1st Impression

I've been out on this Kayak over 40 times during the year I've had it so now feel ready to give my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

My first encounter with the "BeeGee" as I've name her was in November 06 when I took her down the river Tyne to launch on a cold day and a large Northerly swell was washing over the Tyne harbour's North Pier and crashing into the harbour. I paddled down the river and into the open harbour where the swells of up to 8ft high came rolling up the river from between the Piers and under the Kayak.

My first impression was that it felt very high on the water and with the 110cm paddle I was using I found it difficult to paddle at first being only 5',7" myself. What I then noticed was a lot of 'bow slap' as the water crashed against the bow of the 'yak' and it seemed to shudder beneath me as I paddled along. I also felt as though I'd boarded an aircraft carrier or was at the helm of a super tanker as looking towards the bow seemed a bus ride away.

Another major point I picked up on was the fact that even though I was high up I felt really secure and stable even in swells of up to 8ft. Most of all though I was DRY. The water bashed off the bow and along the gunnels of the Kayak but my bum/seat remained totally dry. Something I wasn't used too. When you hear or read the term "dry ride" it means that your backside doesn't get wet when paddling. Your alway going to get some water on you from paddle drip or splashes etc.

The Kayak

This Kayak has simply got to be possibly the most riggable Kayak out there right now! It was designed by anglers for anglers. The 'dashboard' is a great addition with plenty room to fit your VHF radio holder, fish finder/GPS and many other goodies. The gunnels or sides of the yak are around 2" wide and will take your standard surface mountable rod holders anywhere along them remembering that there's already 4 flush mount rod holders as standard. I put a deck hatch in which comes as extra but is invaluable to me as a sea angler. I fitted a cut down cool box and sealed it to give me a dry hatch cum fresh bait storeage box/cooler if needed. Basically its a riggers dream.

I do think the hull seems quite thin and am wary when paddling over rough ground in case it holes but its best to be wary anyway as you probably know and I think its the sheer expanse of plastic that gives the hull its movement. The battery shelf is a great idea and a small strap around the battery means I can keep it in the Kayak at all times other than charging it up.

The centre console for me is a bit of a waste of space as its not big enough to store tackle in. I keep a hat, a pair of shades, compass and other small items in there that I rarely use but are essential to my use and could forget. I've fitted a surface mounted rod holder on top of it seeing as the lid is so tough and it holds my triple mount just fine. If I could change it I would either go all the way and make a deeper dry hatch out of it or lose the box all together and make room for fitting tools you can reach without walking/edging up the yak, ha ha.

Sitting with my legs over the sides or side-saddle can get uncomfortable after a while due to them being pointed. I would round them off but its no major issue.

The foot pegs I like. I'm not a fan of the P13 type staggered heel placings as I'm a dodgy size and could never find a comfortable fit whereas the foot pegs have loads of scope for a comfortable fit and you push against them with the pads of your feet rather than your heels if you need to paddle hard (and you do sometimes on a BG).

Weight & Transportation

The Big Game is not a Kayak for the smaller person and is aimed at large people, those who think they're too big to paddle a Kayak should look no further than the Big Game. She'll hold up to 600lb's so there's no fear of her feeling "tippy" with someone heavy on her. At 69lb's she's a heavyweight yak and is not easy to car top alone for me. I'll ask for a hand nowadays rather than try it alone and damage my already bad back. Its not the weight it's the mass. Thats a lot of plastic waving around above your head so bear this in mind if your thinking of buying one. Also, a trolley is a must for this Kayak.

Paddling and Stability

I've paddled the BeeGee a lot over the last year whilst trying to promote the Kayak and our sport in general. I've paddled mostly on the North sea but some in the English Lake District and also the Loch's of Scotland. The Kayak seems to track very well even without the rudder you can buy for it or get with the fully kitted Angler edition. I've got used to the 110cm paddle that came with it but do find that it would benefit from at least a 115cm as standard due to the height of the seat and width of beam at 34".

On flat water the Big Game paddles very well and I'd say that up against a Prowler 13 in a race wouldn't be left too far behind. Do remember that this is an angling Kayak and not a touring Kayak and she does her job VERY well but is no way built for speed. Another point thats just sprung to mind as I type this is the fact that this last year has seen me catch (and release) around 30 Codling making it my best ever season so the Big Game must have something to do with that!

Over the last year I've had some good trips and I've had some pretty scary moments out on the choppy North Sea on the Big Game. From diving off the yak into a mill pond like sea at high tide in the height of summer to cool off to being swept nearly two miles out on a big ebb tide from the Tyne mouth. I've been through a lot. The Kayak is difficult to paddle in the chop and it requires a good deal of upper body strength to paddle for an hour in a choppy sea against a headwind. It is slow, I managed to average 2mph going by the brilliant Hummingbird c383 Fishfinder GPS onboard. Yet I've sat side-saddle fishing in swells of 3-4ft whilst videoing it. (link to u-tube) so the Kayak isn't fast but it is extremely safe and very stable.

The initail stability gives you immediate confidence to paddle away as there's no wobble at all (for me). As for secondary stability, I think the initial stability covers both. It's quite simply VERY stable. The fact that I've never been tipped of her in a year and over 20 sea fishing trips has got to be worth something?

Summary

In summary, if your over 6ft tall and or weigh over 15 stone and think your too heavy or just think that there's no Kayak out there that'll take you then this Kayak is the one for you. It will get you out there and get you fishing safely and very comfortably and with a dry bum too! It'll be quite slow but it'll help you get fitter and most of all it'll get you the enjoyment that it's given me this past year.

By the way, I'm 5'7" stockily built and around 2 stone overweight right now at nearly 16 stone if that helps anyone decide on buying this Kayak. I'm strong for my size though so the Big Game isn't a problem to me. Basically, if your a big bloke and want to Kayak fish then get a Big Game. If your smaller and want more speed then look around for other options.

If there was a rating system for angling Kayaks then I'd give the Big Game 9/10