Zee Baas - The Successor to the VS - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

eelslinger · 03-05-2006, 05:16 PM

more pics are on this

This may interest you.

The original VS designer, Robert W Koelewyn has created a new reel called the Zee Baas.

Zee Baas = Sea Boss in Dutch.

It will be

1. waterproof and submersible
2. Gray green in color, I am not sure if gold will be offered
3. Machined aluminum
4. be a 100 VS class reel with 2 manual bails and 2 spools, a 100 and a 150 spool in any combo.
5. All self service with tools provided.
6. All US made in Milford, CT.
7. Mechanically better than the original VS, although I don't know what is meant by that yet.

The web site of the same name, as the reel, should be up this week, or next, and will be presented at some of the upcoming shows this month.

A friend of mine got this info from Koelewyn.

Swimmer · 03-05-2006, 05:24 PM

It looks like what a retro VS would have looked like if there had been and era prior to the current VS which it could refer too.

Christian · 03-05-2006, 05:26 PM

looks like a freeking machine!
hope its not $1000

shadow · 03-05-2006, 06:13 PM

from what I hear it is something like $1200 to $1400.

Skitterpop · 03-05-2006, 06:28 PM

a bigger long cast spool

maddog2020 · 03-05-2006, 06:35 PM

I like the dual line rollers - smarter way instead of the goofy exterior counterweight IMHO. Faster pickup as well.

What the heck is that thing sticking out of the side of the stem for??

I think the holes are BS - weakens the design and the "weight" savings from the aluminum is a JOKE. Solid is better.

Cool - another reel I need to own.

I haven't jumped on the Daiwa Saltiga wagon yet ... lol.

The Accurate spinner is nice ($900), but an offshore boat reel. They are coming out with a Penn 650ss/6500ss size may be in the Fall.

JohnR · 03-06-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddog2020

What the heck is that thing sticking out of the side of the stem for??

I wonder if it is a transportation security connection facilitator for your integrated energy transfer lever and line control and reclamation coil containment device hard point ejector rack for your Silica Traversal Vehicle. Absolutely necessary for a >1000 smacker piscis extraction apparatus...

Wow - and I was hoping for a water impregnatable, simple spinning reel that was LESS money than a VS

MAC · 03-06-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddog2020

What the heck is that thing sticking out of the side of the stem for??

to hook your plug, I'd bet. Instead of putting the hook on the handle knob

In The Surf · 03-06-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddog2020

What the heck is that thing sticking out of the side of the stem for??

In looking closely at the picture it appears that the reel stem is offset and is part of the whole reel being balanced and a place to hang a plug.

Peter Lajoie · 03-05-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian

looks like a freeking machine!
hope its not $1000

There actually more than that from what Ive heard.

Goose · 03-06-2006, 09:30 AM

Yeah I remember you telling me the details. I wonder how much $ it who take to get the "Redmond Salt Slut" on the market?

Mike P · 03-06-2006, 09:56 AM

Somewhere in CT, Bill Preistberger is sitting in an easy chair, reading about this turkey, and laughing his ass off. I read $1425 as the list price, which runs you to $1500 with tax. Betcha a spare spool'll run 500 clams, easy.

As someone once said about the VS 400, the 4 lb offshore tuna abortion, "it's that crazy Dutchman's latest joke on guys with more money than brains"

Nebe · 03-06-2006, 10:00 AM

Spence already has one on order.

Redsoxticket · 03-06-2006, 10:07 AM

Neben you can use it as your backup to your VS which is the backup to your conv.. Besides I think you'll look cool with it.

Nebe · 03-06-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsoxticket

Neben you can use it as your backup to your VS which is the backup to your conv.. Besides I think you'll look cool with it.

no friggin way.

but my vs is my backup reel

spence · 03-18-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

Spence already has one on order.

Yea, but only because they didn't have taupe in stock. It's hell matching these brown wading boots!

-spence

piemma · 03-19-2006, 06:00 AM

Let's be serious here. I fished with 3, 704's converted to manual pick-up for the last 30 years. Probably caught 5000+ bass and blue. My family chipped in and bought me a VS250 2 years ago. Great reel.

Would I buy one for myself...no. Is it worth the money...yes.
Would I spend $1,500 for a spinning reel. No way! I have driven cars that cost less....
Just got to put it in perspective. I make pretty good money and can afford one but I feel that the price is excessive regardless of the quality/features. I mean, my God, it's fishing ! Maybe if I was commercial and really needed one to put food on the table I'd consider it but I think that the price is out of line for a hobby. You can buy 2 VS250s with money left over for waders and an Aquaskinz top for that price. Just my opinion.

ProfessorM · 03-06-2006, 10:03 AM

Be a cold day in hell before I would spend that kind of money, even if I could afford it. It is pretty and all but why be sucked in. I don't think I even know anyone who could afford it.

Pete F. · 03-06-2006, 12:14 PM

Actually if you look at the price of fly reels, that are way less complex, VS reels are inexpensive. but I still won't buy one.

PLASTICPIRATE · 03-08-2006, 07:24 AM

I was in a Connecticut tackle shop yesterday. The owner said he already has deposits for the 1st 5 reels he can get his hands on. He is selling them for over 1500.00.

wader-dad · 03-18-2006, 05:18 PM

I met Robert W Koelewyn, the designer and maker ane say the reel at Pat Abate's surf show today. I was very impressed with him. I did not get the feeling he was designing some chi chi reel to sucker yuppies- but that he decided to in his mind design the very best reel he could imagine bringing together his vast experience at Van Staal and as the owner of an aerospace manufacturing machine shop. He put alot of thought into the reel which looks like it is a peice of a blackhawk helicopter. Workmanship is amazing. If I had a ton of money I would think about it. But I don't. Again, I think the guy has the proper intentions. The price I think was $1200.

numbskull · 03-18-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wader-dad

I met Robert W Koelewyn, the designer and maker ane say the reel at Pat Abate's surf show today. I was very impressed with him. I did not get the feeling he was designing some chi chi reel to sucker yuppies- but that he decided to in his mind design the very best reel he could imagine bringing together his vast experience at Van Staal and as the owner of an aerospace manufacturing machine shop. He put alot of thought into the reel which looks like it is a peice of a blackhawk helicopter. Workmanship is amazing. If I had a ton of money I would think about it. But I don't. Again, I think the guy has the proper intentions. The price I think was $1200.

Sort of depends on your definition of "the proper intentions". Might I suggest that designing and building a Ferarri, where price is no object, is a much easier (and infinitely less useful) task than designing and building a Toyota? The fishing world needs better 706s, not better Van Staals.

wader-dad · 03-18-2006, 11:18 PM

Don't get me wrong-I will be the first one to buy a dunkproof 706z which is what I need. However, it is nice to know that american craftmanship and enginnering is alive an well in a factory in Milford Connecticut. Even though this guy is sparing no expense, what he made could not be considered easy. My timex watch is waterproof and tells time and that is all that I need. But it ok by me that there are a few Patek Phillipe masterpeices out there to advance the art of watchmaking.