Testimonials
Check out what just a few of the many happy customers have to say about us
"The best part and the reason why I will now stick with Viking Kayaks in the future is the service!! Even when you buy one second hand Stephen backs his product!
I'd suggest getting a Viking Profish over an Elite, loads more room an options plus they are quieter in the water...some people may beg to differ but Its true...
"
"(erebro"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"Hi Grant,
Mate, these Espri Kayaks are wicked. We went over to Hahei on the Cormandel for a paddle around there, was very cool. Went though some pretty big ocean swells around the rocks and the Missus got a bit freaked out, but all cool. Even handle the narly Hauraki chop with no probs.
Have taken them out in the surf off Piha a couple of times and no broken limbs yet so must be doing something right. Thanks for the tips on handling the bigger waves.
Some wicked sea caves and archways off the west coast here by the way.
Anyway, we are looking at getting another one, but a Pacer this time. "
jd
.
"Last year I purchased a Tempo Fisherman from you that I use off the rugged Taranaki coast. I’m just writing to say how impressed I am with my craft, and to say thanks for enabling me to enjoy the sport so much. I tested almost every brand and make of kayak available before I bought the Fisherman, so I feel qualified in saying it’s the best in New Zealand. I find that even though it’s wide and very stable, I’m often waiting for the others to catch up because its’ speed is still very good. A month ago the offshore wind got up and blew us about 3km before we had a chance to batten down the hatches and head in. It took an hour of hard paddling to get in and all the way I was thankful that I had spent the extra money and got the Fisherman. So thanks again and keep up the good work!
"
Gavin Smith
, Auckland
.
"The issue with the moulded nut inserts is a non-issue.
I was of the thought that they would pull out, leak etc. I conveyed this to Stephen Tapp and he was more than willing to have me try to rip some out of the plastic. I would estimate 120kgs was applied to the nylon loop that was held in with 2 self tapping screws and they didn’t look like budging. I have been in training and with numerous deadlifts and powerlifting training - I will be back to try to get them out. And now the skin has returned to my arms, that was lost in attempting to pull them :-)
That being said, I did have the loan of a Profish which had some pilot holes drilled and seemed to weaken the hold of the screw. So as long you do it right first time, straight into the kayak without holes, I don't think there will be a problem.
I am a P13 driver, and the inserts are handy, but what happens if the thread is burred or stripped? Heli-coil?
"
"milkey"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"Ta for forwarding the vest over. I had a good play in my Pacer XS over long weekend at Whangamata - Excellent! I saw somebody else with a Pacer, and sure enough, a Viking Kayak purchase from the Homeshow."
Davis S
.
"Hey ya....Re: Espri... I like it due to being easier to handle being slightly shorter, and a bit cheaper than the bigger 'fishing yaks'...
I think its a nice entry level boat that is more than capable of getting a feed or mucking around at the beach...
"
"demigod"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"Kia Aro Grant, thanks for the replacement hatch. We've been using our AQUA ll at least once a week and now we are going to kayak from Ngaruawahia to Otorohanga. EXCELLENT PURCHASE, Thanks."
Mr Te Whare
, asdf
.
"The TEMPO FISHERMAN What a great investment. I have owned my kayak for near on two years now and am out on it most weekends.Anyone looking at buying a fishing kayak i strongly recomend this one.I live and fish at Raglan and have know trouble at all launching at Manui Bay and heading up the coast for the day . often i strap a cray pot on the back and set it on the way out. I also spear flounder from it in the harbour and in the summer anchor up in a nice bay and do a bit of free diving The only thing i can't do from this craft is drag a scallop dredge behind me but still working on that! And if your wondering how much punishment this kayak can take i can tell you from experience it can take every thing you can throw at it and more.I have been smashed on the rocks dumped on the boat ramp. it has even fallen off my roof racks ( never let your wife tie your kayak on for you ) Might see you out there sometime.
"happy fishing"
Thank you."
Blair Hanna, Raglan Real Estate
.
"A mate and myself went over to Viking kayaks in matamata today.. He was in the market for some clothing... We got the best service ..the best advice.. had an awesome talk and a laugh about yak fishing... So I can definately recommend these guys as an awesome place to source gear/ advice. Its well worth the 40 minute drive from Hamiltown.
When you find good service you always seem to go back.... A certain store in Hamilton has given me the run around a few times, So I try and avoid them. What I felt was the best part was the fact that Vikings gave you their time to talk about what gear is good/better and there was no pushy sales.... and I even got a quick run down on how the kayaks are made "
"George1"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"I chose the pro fish over the Ultra mainly because It was second hand and a bloody bargain...
I’m glad I ended up with the Profish, the storage is fantastic, the front well hard cover with double Scotty’s is a perfect fit with a trolley and emergency anchor kit (why else would you use one) and its not that hard to wiggle up safely to open.
I like the fact that there are no hatches, covers etc that breach the hull on the Profish other than the one under the main center storage (Is the front hatch, a sealed unit on the ultra?)
The Profish is a bit smaller than the Ultra which makes life so much easier, yet wider which might make is a little more stable.
The Profish is an easy paddle and tracks very well.
The 8 rod holders are well placed and make life easy having so many options to put a rod or having a net handy.
The best part and the reason why I will now stick with Viking Kayaks in the future is the service!! even when you buy one second hand Stephen backs his product!
"
"(erebro"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"Hi all, I’m a family guy that managed to get a Viking Espri kayak for good behavior. The idea was it would be a good all rounder for those sunny camping holidays. But after taking it out and catching my first big snapper straight out from where the caravan was parked at Bland Bay I have the bug bad. I hope with your help to find some good spots to go closer to home (Helensville) when the caravans mothballed."
"richardantony"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"I popped in on Saturday for 5 minutes and one and half hours later I came away a lot more informed, I am in the market for a new kayak, never once was another Brand/product slated, I always new the profish was a top of the line unit, after poking and prodding it in the flesh confirmed all of this, Stephen is a well informed top bloke with a lot of knowledge big thumbs up Mate , and to top all of this the price is pretty darn good, its what I am HAVING next month, just got choose the colour "
"awondering"
, KFNZ Forum (Howick)
.
"I have the Profish
Very reliable - Cheap to run - doesn't go out without me - doesn't mind if I go out with another kayak and it gets the paper
Actually, I find it very good - a stable yak that you can also clock up quite a few km's on (up to 50kms some days) lots of storage.
Best thing though is to take a lot of different brands for a test paddle and work out what you are most likely to use it for - do you want stability, speed, easy paddling, mainly for trolling or a mixture. Different yaks are made for different sea conditions.
"
"Nakiman"
, KFNZ Forum
.
"Today Charlotte and I loaded up the kayaks and went over to Kaiteriteri beach. The kayaks travelled well on the roofrack, and they were very satisfactory on the water. We aren't kayak experts by any means, but we have spent many hours in boats. They handled well, and I found it relatively easy to turn the kayak up the right way and climb back on to it after falling off (I came ashore, took off my rain trousers and lifejacket, and deliberately went back out to sea to experiment with reboarding) It wasn't too difficult at all in the relatively calm conditions. However, I am more likely to get thrown off in rough conditions... so I guess the reboarding bit will be correspondingly more difficult. We also circumnavigated Pepin Island in our Espris last Sunday.... and we pretty well kept up with an experienced guy in an ocean-going "sit in" of some sort... not that he was racing or anything (but he did have an unusual and expensive-looking space-age paddle). And a week or so before that we went to the same area and caught a feed of fish. Anyway.... after spending a lot of time in a 21 foot alloy boat with a 170 hp turbocharged diesel engine, I just love spending some uncomplicated, peaceful, time on the Espri.
Most enjoyable. Feel free to refer people to me if there are folks in my area that want to see/talk about Viking Kayaks. "
D. Ireland
.
"Down to earth service from both Karen & Grant. I spotted a F----y kayak in a shop window (similar specs to the Pacer), in Tauranga on the weekend for $680. Viking Kayaks has the best product for the best dollars."
Colin Crampton
, Auckland
.
"This summer I purchase an Espri kayak from Viking Kayaks ‘for the children’ as a Christmas present. In reality I really wanted it for myself as well so they were a nice excuse! We had our best summer holiday ever taking our kayak with us on the roof rack as we camped around the East Cape and down to Mahia. The Espri was everything I was hoping it would be and more. It handles incredibly well, is very stable and responsive. My three sons have had hours and hours of pleasure from it already. They can all ‘muck about’ on it together, two can do for quite a paddle or they can handle it individually with ease. We even caught fish from it! It added a whole new dimension to our camping adventure."
Kerry Salway
, Auckland
.
"I bought a Tempo Fisherman 2 after a lot of reading and research and my initial thoughts have been confirmed. This is the best two man fishing kayak on the market, price wise and fishing wise. I bought it at the start of winter and have been out pretty much every weekend in all sorts of weather. This kayak is as stable as a table, and with the rudder we have been able to steer effortlessly in all conditions.
I would recommend this Kayak to anyone who’s after a two man fishing machine, very dry, very stable, and I have caught more and better fish in the couple of months that I’ve had it than I have caught off the rocks or in a boat in five years. We went up to the Bay Of Islands last week and fished for five hours each day without discomfort. Too easy to load on the roof rack as well, can check the weather and be in the water within minutes, and no wash down when you get home !
Bring on the summer ! Attached a photo from the B.O.I. of one of the countless snapper.
Thanks for a great Kayak!"
Karl Duddell
, Auckland
.