Saturday, August 6, 2011
New Sport Fisher Kayak - Camouflage
Lifetime have just listed a new Camouflage Sport Fisher Kayak in the online store. It meets all the same specifications as the original olive green version but prices the twin color camouflage at an extra $100.00USD.
It appears to be the same color combination that has been available in Australia for the last couple of years. I own the camouflage version and have to admit it maybe worth the additional money. It certainly looks great.
Something interesting is Lifetime now calls the olive version the "Tandem Fishing Kayak" and has given the name "Sport Fisher" to the new camouflage model. Would be great to see if a matching black and camouflage sail kit is released.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Lifetime Release Kayak Motor Mount
Lifetime this week has released the long awaited Motor Mount to suit all Sport Fisher and Manta Kayaks.
A few details provided by Lifetime indicate that all accessories required to fix the mount to your kayak have been included in the kit. Interestingly what is not included is the handle extender for the motor control which was originally going to be included according to the initial Dragonfly information I have and pictured in original Dragonfly Innovations photos.
The mount is made from a sturdy aluminium and is powder coated black. It's a smart design allowing you to mount a motor to your kayak without the need for drilling any mounting clips. It also keeps your battery strapped firm and dry by use of a PVC dry bag and strap setup.
The Lifetime Online Store is currently listing the Motor Mount at $249.99USD which seems a bit on the pricey side. I can only hope the local Australian market will set a lower price. I'm certainly looking forward to testing this out and will update here with a hands on review when I can.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Update From Lifetime On Kayak Accessories
I recently asked Lifetime Products for an update on when Manta Tandem and Sport Fisher (Angler 3.0) Kayak accessories would become available or if anything new was in development.
Jan Claborn from Lifetime PR was very quick to get back to me with some answers. There was good and bad news that I will detail further below. My main queries to Lifetime Products were in relation to the Motor Mount and the Sail Away Kits.
Bad news first and this for me was vey disappointing. According to Jan the Sail Away Kit (dagger board, rudder set and sail concept/prototype photo as above) is not expected to be put into production. This was the one accessory that I was most looking forward to using. I'm not sure why a decision to not go ahead with the sail kit was made. In all the kayak forums that I participate in Kayak Sailing is big and people are buying or manufacturing sails to suit their kayaks.
I hope the newly designed sail kit for the Calypso and Daylite range of kayaks are successful for Lifetime and thus show the potential market for extending a sail kit for their other kayak ranges.
There was some good news about the Power Mate Motor Mount (concept/prototype as shown above) being put into production in the very near future. An actual release date is not available but keep on the look out at Lifetime's Web Store (http://www.buylifetime.com/).
Hope this answers majority of the questions I receive from emails and a huge thanks to Jan Claborn from Lifetime Products for providing a detailed response.
Matt
Jan Claborn from Lifetime PR was very quick to get back to me with some answers. There was good and bad news that I will detail further below. My main queries to Lifetime Products were in relation to the Motor Mount and the Sail Away Kits.
I hope the newly designed sail kit for the Calypso and Daylite range of kayaks are successful for Lifetime and thus show the potential market for extending a sail kit for their other kayak ranges.
There was some good news about the Power Mate Motor Mount (concept/prototype as shown above) being put into production in the very near future. An actual release date is not available but keep on the look out at Lifetime's Web Store (http://www.buylifetime.com/).
Hope this answers majority of the questions I receive from emails and a huge thanks to Jan Claborn from Lifetime Products for providing a detailed response.
Matt
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dragonfly Innovations Website No Longer Active
The Dragonfly Innovations website that formerly showed the range of kayaks and accessories is no longer in use as of a week and a half ago.
Strangely, the website www.dragonflyi.com is hosting some completely unrelated blog. I shall keep checking the old site and update here should this change.
If you are interested in the current range of kayaks and accessories then I would suggest visiting the Lifetime website http://www.buylifetime.com/. Unfortunately information is very limited and the range of accessories being advertised is also very limited from what was previously available on the Dragonfly Innovations website.
I have found what I think is a German site carrying a PDF catalogue produced by Lifetime that has some really detailed pictures and information regarding accessories and the full range of kayaks.
PDF catalogue can be found here: http://secure.kanu-gatz.de/downloads/82/Lifetime_Kayak_Catalog_k.pdf
Some omissions were noticed from the old Dragonfly site and the PDF Lifetime catalogue. One was the absence of the kayak trolley made specifically to suit the Sport Fisher, Manta and Angler 3.0. The other was the "Tackle Table", a plastic working deck that slotted into the ditty trays and created a flat working surface handy for a fisherman using bait or to make a stable platform for a crate to hold fishing/camping gear. Would be disappointing if these upgrades were not made available.
I will also be trying to keep up to date with Lifetime Kayak products so keep checking the blog.
Matt
Strangely, the website www.dragonflyi.com is hosting some completely unrelated blog. I shall keep checking the old site and update here should this change.
If you are interested in the current range of kayaks and accessories then I would suggest visiting the Lifetime website http://www.buylifetime.com/. Unfortunately information is very limited and the range of accessories being advertised is also very limited from what was previously available on the Dragonfly Innovations website.
I have found what I think is a German site carrying a PDF catalogue produced by Lifetime that has some really detailed pictures and information regarding accessories and the full range of kayaks.
PDF catalogue can be found here: http://secure.kanu-gatz.de/downloads/82/Lifetime_Kayak_Catalog_k.pdf
Some omissions were noticed from the old Dragonfly site and the PDF Lifetime catalogue. One was the absence of the kayak trolley made specifically to suit the Sport Fisher, Manta and Angler 3.0. The other was the "Tackle Table", a plastic working deck that slotted into the ditty trays and created a flat working surface handy for a fisherman using bait or to make a stable platform for a crate to hold fishing/camping gear. Would be disappointing if these upgrades were not made available.
I will also be trying to keep up to date with Lifetime Kayak products so keep checking the blog.
Matt
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sail, Rudder Kit and Motor Mount Accessories
Unfortunately two of the major accessories that were partly the reason I purchased my Lifetime / Dragonfly kayak have still not been released.
I have quizzed lifetime in a couple of emails over the past year without success as to when a possible release date for the Sail Away kit and Motor Mount to suit the Sport Fisher / Manta / Angler 3.0 range of kayaks.
My last response of October 2010 was as follows:
I'm looking forward to using the Sail Away kit (pictures of the kit in the gallery).
Matt
I have quizzed lifetime in a couple of emails over the past year without success as to when a possible release date for the Sail Away kit and Motor Mount to suit the Sport Fisher / Manta / Angler 3.0 range of kayaks.
My last response of October 2010 was as follows:
Unfortunately accessories for the kayaks are currently not available. I do not know when they may become available. I would just recommend periodically checking the online website at Customer Service http://www.buylifetime.com/ as the accessories will be available for you to view and purchase there as soon as they become available.Thank you,I shall make some additional enquiries over the next few weeks and see if any additional information is available.
Jared
Lifetime Products
I'm looking forward to using the Sail Away kit (pictures of the kit in the gallery).
Matt
Monday, February 7, 2011
Kayak Review Lifetime Dragonfly Innovations Manta Sport Fisher or BCF Angler 3.0 Kayak
Model: Lifetime / Dragonfly Innovations Manta Sport Fisher aka BCF Angler 3.0
Price: $499.00AUD - $699.00AUD
Score: 4 out of 5
Reviewed by: Aussie Survivalist
I bought one of these sit on top kayaks from BCF and thought I would do a quick review.
Let me start out by saying that it's no top of the line kayak but for the price paid I was really impressed. It has excellent initial stability and is virtually impossible to tip when in a seated position. The kayak is designed to carry 1-2 adults and a child for general recreational purposes, a task it performs in a more than adequate fashion.
It's also a fishing kayak when used for a single person seated in the middle seat area. This is the main purpose that I purchased the kayak for. I have only taken it out on a few occasions so far but I can tell you that I am really impressed. With the addition of a deluxe kayak seat it was very comfortable indeed.
The quality of the plastic moulding seems ok and as yet have nothing negative to report regarding quality of build.
Tracking could be a little better but this will soon be sorted out with the addition of a rudder system that I discuss further below.
Information is hard to come by on the net for this product because it is marketed under different names depending on who is selling it. They are designed by Dragonfly Innovation and some information on the various models and additions can be seen at the following website: http://secure.kanu-gatz.de/downloads/82/Lifetime_Kayak_Catalog_k.pdf
BCF get theres from some company in Melbourne while Rays Outdoors sell some of the Dragonfly products as well. To make it all the more confusing, Roman (the sleeping bag people) are the official distributor to Australia as seen at a trade show last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thodsSV1ktQ
The Dragonfly Innovations website lists a number of upgrades that will be available in the future.
Thankyou to Aussie Survivalist from http://www.aussiesurvivalist.spruz.com/ for permission to use his review.
Matt
Price: $499.00AUD - $699.00AUD
Score: 4 out of 5
Reviewed by: Aussie Survivalist
Let me start out by saying that it's no top of the line kayak but for the price paid I was really impressed. It has excellent initial stability and is virtually impossible to tip when in a seated position. The kayak is designed to carry 1-2 adults and a child for general recreational purposes, a task it performs in a more than adequate fashion.
It's also a fishing kayak when used for a single person seated in the middle seat area. This is the main purpose that I purchased the kayak for. I have only taken it out on a few occasions so far but I can tell you that I am really impressed. With the addition of a deluxe kayak seat it was very comfortable indeed.
The quality of the plastic moulding seems ok and as yet have nothing negative to report regarding quality of build.
Tracking could be a little better but this will soon be sorted out with the addition of a rudder system that I discuss further below.
Information is hard to come by on the net for this product because it is marketed under different names depending on who is selling it. They are designed by Dragonfly Innovation and some information on the various models and additions can be seen at the following website: http://secure.kanu-gatz.de/downloads/82/Lifetime_Kayak_Catalog_k.pdf
BCF get theres from some company in Melbourne while Rays Outdoors sell some of the Dragonfly products as well. To make it all the more confusing, Roman (the sleeping bag people) are the official distributor to Australia as seen at a trade show last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thodsSV1ktQ
The Dragonfly Innovations website lists a number of upgrades that will be available in the future.
- Manta Sail Kit with rudder and dagger boards
- Motor mount system for attaching an electric trolling motor
- Kayak trolley specifically designed for the Manta series kayaks
- Tackle table
Thankyou to Aussie Survivalist from http://www.aussiesurvivalist.spruz.com/ for permission to use his review.
Matt
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