I'll be honest with you guys ... if the ZeeBaas addresses the deficiences of the Van Staal platform I will consider getting one for myself (once a larger size comparable to a VS 250 is made).
What are the improvements that I am looking at closely?
1) I think the ZeeBaas has a more scratch resistant finish.
2) The ZeeBaas drag knob is more angler friendly and looks like it won't contribute to braid birdsnests like the edged VS drag knob does.
3) I am told by some kooky persons testing this product that the ZeeBaas drag blows the legacy VS drag out of the water. This has me interested.
4) I want to see how evenly the ZeeBaas winds line on the spool. All the VS' that I used (and I've owned quite a few) had a problem of creating line bellies (= tangles/windknots, impaired casting, breakoffs).
5) SELF SERVICE!
Dollarwise, I am indifferent between buying a ZeeBaas over a Van Staal, if I plan on owning and factory servicing a VS over the course of several years.
Let's see how the features pan out.
And Flaptail, if you haven't fished a sudsy rockpile in Rhody or the Vineyard or Montauk, then you just won't have an appreciation for a truly dunkable reel.
Yes, $1,300 is a lot of money for a reel. But I would consider buying if it as close to "perfect" as a reel can get.
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