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Event Article:
2008 ICAST Coverage |
A Truly Exotic
Saltwater Spinning Reel, the new ZeeBaaS ZX-2
(continued)
  Inside
the drag ZeeBaaS uses two sealed plates in the spool which are combined with
specially developed woven, carbon-fiber materials. The main drag plate is made
form lightweight metal finished in a hard ceramic composite surface. This is the
same technology used in the Porsche 911 ceramic brake upgrade. The result is a
high performance linear drag which generates 25lbs on the ZX20 and 40lbs on the
ZX27.
ZeebaaS makes it easy to lubricate
the key moving parts and using their special water absorbing oil just by
watching the color of the oil you will know when it is necessary to service the
reel
To protect
the ZeeBaaS from the elements each reel is coated with a “Z-coat finish” which
is a military spec coating that has been slightly altered to meet the
specifications of fishing applications. Z-coat offers five times the corrosion
resistance of other high end reels on the market. The frame, spool, rotor, and
foot are all coated.
A look at the black satin reel
ZeeBaaS
ZX2 reels will be available shortly after the show and are available in Ti-grey
or Satin Black finishes. The reels will retail for 849-949 depending on reel
size, and is available in a complete collectible kit with maintenance tools and
accessories for 1400 dollars.
ZeebaaS offers different handles
and knobs as options
The
ZeeBaaS spinning reel is manufactured in the USA and comes with a limited
lifetime warranty. There are accessory options including special lubricants,
different handle lengths, and varying shaped knobs.
ZeebaaS is also working on a
premium knife for anglers, one that matches the ZX2 in style and refinement
While the
ZX2 is the company’s focus Robert showed us another project in the works, a new
high end knife designed for fishermen, but also great for the everyday
outdoorsmen.
Press the top button and the knife
opens 1/4 of the way
Unlike
other knife housings that are two pieces and bolted together the handle for the
ZeeBaaS knife is
all one machined piece of metal. By pressing your finger on the top button the
blade will swing out ¼ of the way out and then can be opened by your thumb in a
smooth action.
There is a large area for you to
place your thumb on top of the blade
The blade
is unique in design and unlike other knives that have a thin area on top to put
your thumb on to increase leverage the ZeeBaaS knife has a large area where you
can really drive the blade downward against your cutting surface.
The housing is machined solid, no
seams here
There is a
small blade on the top of the knife designed to cut braid. This blade can be
changed out, and the cool thing is that even when the knife is closed this small
blade can still be accessed. So you can cut line simply by using the handle in
knife in closed position.
Even when closed anglers can cut
line with the small blade in the grip
The knife
felt very solid and will make a great companion for the ZeeBaaS ZX2 reel. Retail
pricing has not been set but it will be sub 300 dollars, and the knife will be
available in early fall.
Robert (center) and the ZeebaaS
team and their exotic new products
Robert may
have built the new
ZeeBaaS ZX 2 from a unique heritage of innovation but it is obvious that the ZX
2 is as modern and exotic as they come. It is only appropriate that the father
of Van Staal reels introduce a product like the ZX2. These truly are the Ferrari
of saltwater spinning reels, and like an exotic car they seem full of life just
sitting still, one can only imagine what a thrill it is to take one of these for
a “spin.”
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