I've been using the 26 inch Ketch Board since the spring of 2018 bass fishing season, and wanted to give my thoughts 3 seasons later to potentially save someone the disappointment of ruining their Ketch Board. #1, this is the best board on the market for Catch-Photo-Release tournaments; i.e., most kayak fishing tournaments. I think most kayak anglers already know this, and there are numerous positive reviews online. I wanted to make this post, not because of bass tournament usage, but because of the occasional inshore tournaments I fish in. From what I can tell from my picture archive, I used the Ketch Board for three days in an inshore tournament in the fall of 2018 to measure speckled trout. I'm pretty diligent about rinsing my gear after exposure to saltwater, but 2 years later, the paint is bubbling up on my Ketch Board in numerous places. Turns out, the Ketch Board is not indestructible...just almost indestructible. Basically, if you move back and forth between salt and freshwater, no matter how frequently, consider getting the new Karbonate Ketch board, using a different plastic board for inshore, or really scrubbing the heck out of the metal Ketch Board after inshore fishing.

 

No one I have talked to that fishes only freshwater is having this issue, so I'm assuming the cause was the saltwater. Granted, maybe I just got a lemon, but I find that hard to believe based on the quality of the Ketch line of products. Considering Ketch Products mentions nothing about saltwater usage on their website, I thought this information might save someone from ruining their near $70 board. I would highly suggest not taking the metal boards on the ocean. I sent photos to Ketch Products to see what they thought, but they have yet to respond.

 

Anyways, thanks for reading, and let me know if you have had a similar issue. 

 

5 minutes ago, DS51 said:

 

 

Have you reached out to them? They've got great CS, and are really really receptive to feedback. They're one of those rare companies that listens to their customers.

I've had the same Ketch board for a couple of years now.  I love it but also keep it tethered to my kayak because it's a bit heavy and will drop to the bottom like a rock.  

That said, I transport my kayak in the bed of my truck and was cruising down an interstate on my way to wet a line.  I heard some weird sound but ignored it, a little while later I was still hearing it so decided to pull over and see what was going on.  My Ketch board had been dragging along behind my truck for about 20 minutes at least while I drove about 75 mph.  One small corner on the end away from the bump end was ground down a little bit.   I'm still using that board.  It has character now and is a great testimony to the quality of the product when I tell it at tourneys. . 

1 hour ago, Smalls said:

Have you reached out to them? They've got great CS, and are really really receptive to feedback. They're one of those rare companies that listens to their customers.

For sure. I emailed them and was honest how I used it. I wasn't looking for a freebie, so it was more of a, "tell them my experience." I don't consider this a negative review, just an FYI. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again, but I'd probably get the Karbonate. 

12 minutes ago, DS51 said:

For sure. I emailed them and was honest how I used it. I wasn't looking for a freebie, so it was more of a, "tell them my experience." I don't consider this a negative review, just an FYI. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again, but I'd probably get the Karbonate. 

Ps, I lied...found some pics from spec fishing in 2019, as well, so at least 5 days of inshore fishing using the Ketch Board. 

3 hours ago, DS51 said:

For sure. I emailed them and was honest how I used it. I wasn't looking for a freebie, so it was more of a, "tell them my experience." I don't consider this a negative review, just an FYI. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again, but I'd probably get the Karbonate. 

Interested to hear what they replied