The launching of ST1
For us older, sorry - more experienced, paddle ski fishermen, weight (our own and that of our skis) is everything.

I mean really! Who wants to get out of bed at 4-5am schlep to the beach, just to have to spend half of your energy reserves, just launching our ski into the water? It’s cheaper to buy fish! All the pleasure of actually fishing is lost because we’re stuffed from the processed of launching.
Well guys (and girls) help is just around the corner. Technology, in the form of Aramid or more commonly named Kevlar, is a fact of life and is well known to have been used in the construction of bullet proof vests, formula 1 cars, in fact everywhere where light weight and strength is required. It is considered to be as much as 5 times stronger than the equivalent weight in steel. This wonder material has for a couple of years now been used in the occasional construction of paddle skis. So recently I decided to take the plunge and trade my trusty ERIC’S TUNNY for the latest in technology….
…… a Carbon / Kevlar composite, brand spanking new, ERICS KINGY. Wow what a step up, what a commitment. From close on 26 to 28kgs for the TUNNY to 18kgs for the KINGY, this is all in a 4.5m long ski with so many and bigger hatches! Well done to the design skills of ERIC.
Believe me, I’m a heavy hitter. Really! When I get the launch wrong, I hit the water hard. When I get it right, such as at Scottburgh and Umdloti during the winter swells, my 107kgs (well muscled) frame, 28kgs ski, 10kgs of tackle and 3kgs of bait is a formidable amount of momentum to exit the crest of 8 foot green monster. I have on many occasions become completely airborne. Imagine this combined weight landing on the back of a wave. I make surfers scatter in fear! Despite all of this abuse, my TUNNY never ever missed a beat. In the 5 years that I owned it, I have never had a leak, never even a cracking sound. It’s completely trustworthy. But heavy for us geriatrics!
My thanks go to Anton, Gary and Eric in their continued patience in meeting my every design demand.
So… time will tell if ST1 ‘s technology will help it last as long T1.
P.S. T1 was short for Titanic 1 and contrary to the famous ship that this nickname honored, T1 never sank!! I’ll miss her; she brought me a ton of fun.
 To her new owner, well done mate, you’ve bought a gem. Here’s a pic of T1 with proud owner trying out a new fishing technique along side.
Tight lines
Don.