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Robson Waikiki Test Report
The first thing you notice about the Waikiki is just how stiff the plastic feels. A stiff hull behaves so much better in the rough and the chop, it behaves better on the flat for that matter. Second thing is the solid moulded seat that imparts so much mechanical strength to the hull. Its cheaper to manufacture a kayak with an integral seat (as most do) but for as long as Robson build the Waikiki like this we think it is a bonus point. Available in two specs that use the same hull and fittings, the expedition version gets a rear hatch and bulkhead. The drop down skeg is adjustable and works very well. The backrest is old school, which is better than new school. High backrests encourage paddlers to lounge in their kayaks and that's as bad as it gets. Paddling Waikiki is easy, the boat is stable and goes where you want it to, it has no bad habits that we could detect. Waikiki handles a bigger paddler (or more kit) better than say a Dagger Blackwater 10 5 so if you are a smaller paddler you should also consider the Blackwater 10 5. Waikiki has a big brother in the Maui, which does everything the Waikiki does only slightly faster. Waikiki is an ideal Recreation or Day Touring kayak, easy to paddle and easy to store. We know a few paddlers who also use Waikiki for weekending and rock hopping. |
