What do you guys know about the skanu?
I dont see any posts here about it and little info on facebook and instagram.
I dont see any posts here about it and little info on facebook and instagram.
Sounds like the same speeds people are getting on the Bote Rover, but with far more storage and capabilityI heard he gets 13-15 mph with the 6hp, just him and gear.
So after years (literally) of searching for a solution for two people to fly fish/sight fish out of while paddling (including building our own micro paddle skiff - which came out great but too heavy) we were more than excited to see the Skanu unveiled at ICAST last summer. A friend of ours demo'd one a few weeks later and called me from the water proclaiming "We need to get these for the camp."
So we contacted Kevin and got our names in the queue...
Fast forward a couple months and after picking them up, packing them up (thanks Rex) putting them on a vessel down here to Belize and then a barge to the island, we're thrilled to have them here at the camp for our guests to use.
Our initial thoughts:
Our fleet of Bote Boards are invaluable and will by no means ever be replaced. It is an apples to oranges comparison in my opinion. There's a huge difference between being on something Vs in something. Two different experiences.
Our single and tandem NuCanoes have served us extremely well (though like all kayaks there are about 1,000 things for a fly line to get snagged on.)
But for an uncluttered platform to paddle and fly fish from, nothing better exists than the Skanu. Where these are going to excel is for two people fishing together... one paddling, poling or holding position, the other standing on deck ready to cast... as one would fish out of a skiff with a guide. The hardest part about paddling and fly fishing is the transition from one to the other. Even for the most skilled paddler/angler, it's never seamless. 2 people in a Skanu solves that.
We will never power these, not because they would not be great under power, rather, local laws prohibit anyone without a Belize captains license (regardless of USCG qualifications or such) from operating a motorized vessel. So for folks fishing DIY here, paddling or poling is it.
The Skanu floats in an honest 4 inches of water. There is pretty much zero hull slap. I've paddled it both with a kayak paddle and standing from the bow w/ a SUP paddle. Both work well and despite the freeboard you can make surprising progress into a headwind. It tracks well, arguably the same as a kayak. It poles effortlessly... takes just minor (VERY minor) adjustments in pole angle or shifting your weight to control. We shipped down 14' Stiffy poles which seem about the perfect length.
The Skanu will NOT replace a small skiff... Arguably that was never East Cape's intent... in that if you're looking for something to put a 9.9 or 15Hp on and be able to run 10-15 miles in, this is not that watercraft. (for this purpose we have a Salt Marsh 1444 w/ a 15 Hp Yamaha Enduro on it that is probably the most used 1444 on the planet.) If you're looking for something to to make shorter runs in and PRIMARILY paddle/pole the Skanu is your ticket. We have endless fishable water literally in our front yard, so it's perfect.
Did I mention it's light enough for my girlfriend and I to pick up and carry to the water's edge. I can also toss it into the front of my panga and shuttle it about (I always thought that my skiff could use a tender, ha.)
The Skanu is made with the same attention to detail/quality/strength of the best flats skiff out there. These will be fished for years. And when it gets scuffed and dinged to the point of needing repair, you can refinish it the same as you would any skiff.
Anyone w/ any specific questions feel free to reach out.
-Jeff
I've just read this thread with interest. Originally in the concept and then for the unbelievable expectations of what a company "should" do based on the individual preferences of people who are never gonna buy one anyway.
Kevin - please let me know when the "bay" version of the Skanu is available. I'm looking for 60+ mph, of course.
I feel similarly. A skiff is too much for me and my 5 and or 7 year old, and a kayak isnt enough. Also, a lot of my fishing is a good distance from the launch, so being able to run a 6hp is nice.I don't want it to become a skiff, but, I do need it to handle a 6hp. I want to get way out in the backwater. Then paddle/pole the rest of the day