FeelFree Kingfisher Kayak Seat E-mail
Written by Allen Bushnell   
Wednesday, 16 April 2014 00:00

king-fisher-seatFeelfree promotes their Kingfisher seat using a few key facts about this well-made sit-on-top accessory. First they mention its wedge-shape seat bottom.  Next the stiffness of the seat back with lumbar support, and finally the overall super-rigid secure design. I had a chance to demo the Kingfisher recently, not in my usual haunts of the wild Pacific Ocean, but rather a remote alpine lake in northeastern California, Lake Almanor.

Almanor is known for its big feisty trout.  The Eagle Lake variety rainbow have adapted to Almanor but there's also a good chance to catch big Brown lake trout and even land-locked chinook salmon. Along with a couple good buddies, we pushed from shore and found good bait signs just off the beach. The hookups began fast and furious, then leveled off to an occasional bite.  A paddle up to the next cove covered about a mile there and back, but we were constantly paddling chasing bait balls, spinning in the seats to get gear or fight fish, and back paddling or sculling for position. All activities to give a good workout to a kayak seat's comfort and construction.

Kingfish Almanor

At first, I felt like the wedge shaped seat bottom was a bit too high, and a bit too hard.  In a very few minutes I did not notice it at all, which in itself is a great indication of comfort. The built-in lumbar support was very noticeable and comfy for me as well.  The high back did have a tendency to bend backwards, despite my repeated attempts to adjust the straps correctly. To give this seat the benefit of the doubt, I was unable to correctly balance the seemingly straightforward strap system.  Most likely operator error, but I did notice a possible connector point higher on the back of this seat that would make more sense to me for the upper front straps to attach.

I was unable to detach from the stock contact points and relocate, unfortunately.  I seem to need that high-back stiff support, where the seat sort of wraps around my shoulders, but was unable to accomplish on the each with minimal tools.  As I said, likely operator error.

Bottom line, a seat that I can take out, cold, paddle and fish for eight hours and return without aching legs or a sore butt is a good seat.  The Kingfisher amply fits this bill.

 

 

 

You must be registered to post a comment.


Login

Newsletter

Subscribe here to receive FREE email issues of Kayak Fishing Magazine.

Most Popular

The Ultimate Home Made Kayak Fishing Trailer
I really enjoy your magazine and I’m glad to see this sport catching on so much. Last winter, I got so hooked on kayak fishing that I bought two Hobie Outbacks and rigged them...
Buiding a Kai-Rack for Kayak
  They say that, "Necessity is the mother of invention," but in truth, sometimes a really bad case of cabin fever, combined with watching old Tim Allen’s Home Improvement...
Hummingbird Scupper Transducer Install on Ocean Torque
Posts and DIY threads for this install are few and far between so I figured that I would keep a    photo journal of how I made this install. I really didn't know what to...

Random

Internal Pulley System
Have you ever put some items in the center hatch of your kayak and when you went to retrieve them on the water you couldn’t reach them?  It’s happened to all of us.  Items...
Custom Gear Holder by HOOK 1 - Kayak Fishing Gear
Custom Gear Holder by HOOK 1 - Kayak Fishing Gear So now that you have taken out your fishing kayak a couple of times and you have a good idea where you want the basic fishing...
Custom Fit Scupper Transdsducer
Andy Treweek is a long-time yak angler from Napa, in Northern California. He fishes the coast for rockies and lings mostly The Lowrance Scupper Transducer mount did not fit well...

Latest Kayak Reviews

Lifetime Sport Fisher
 
5.0
Cobra Kayaks Tandem
 
3.0
Perception Sport Pescador 10.0 Angler
 
4.0
Hobie Mirage Outback
 
4.0
Current Designs Tailfin
 
5.0
Hobie Mirage Outback
 
2.0
NuCanoe Frontier 12
 
5.0
Native Watercraft Mariner 12.5 Propel Anglers
 
4.0
Hobie Mirage Outback
 
5.0
Pelican Castaway 100
 
2.0
Stealth Pro Fisha 575
 
3.0
Field and Stream Eagle Talon
 
5.0

Latest Equipment Reviews

Body Glove 3T Barefoot Max
 
5.0
Body Glove 3T Barefoot Warrior
 
5.0
Body Glove 3T Barefoot Warrior
 
3.0
Columbia Drainmaker
 
5.0
Sperry SON-R Sounder Shandal
 
4.0
Garmin VIRB Elite
 
4.0
Polaroid XS100
 
4.0
Backwater Paddles Assault Hand Paddle
 
5.0
Backwater Paddles Assault Hand Paddle
 
5.0
Stohlquist Piseas
 
4.0
Wheeleez Tuff Tire Kayak Cart
 
5.0
Boga Grip
 
4.0