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ZeeBaaS Real Reel "Holy Grail"?

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ged

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2 hours ago, ged said:

The Generation 1 ZB is an upgraded VSS body.  The VSS has the traverse guiding rubbing the body.  After time and under pressure this will wear away the anodization on the Van Staal.

 

Below you will see how RK added a bearing to reduce friction on the Gen 1 ZB

Gen 1 ZB Shaft Bearing.jpg

 

Also note the shape of the traverse guide designed was changed to slow the line lay on the middle of the spool to prevent the "hour glass" line lay. After years of saying this wasn't a problem, Van Staal corrected this on the VSX by copying the ZeeBaaS 

 

It will be nice if van staal do this.  Putting a bearing on the traverse guide. They need it. Specially on the bail version. People use it for tunas

Edited by JITO
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3 hours ago, ged said:

It should be no surprise that the history of ZeeBaaS is a mirror of Van Staal VS.  Early "hex bolt" side cover reels were replaced by newer versions with better designs.  RK was always tinkering with design and ultimately the current ZeeBaaS ZX2 was born. 

 

It is my opinion that the latest work from RK under his name (Subaqua), Blue Marlin BMJ/BMC and Van Staal (VR) don't match quality of the ZeeBaaS ZX2.  The ZeeBaaS ZX2 was designed to be the premium reel a decade ago and that is still true today.

 

The smaller body ZeeBaaS has most of what I love about the ZX2 with some differences inside. The traverse guide supported on "V-rails" as seen on later RK designs under the Blue Marlin name.  I don't know if this reel will ever become available, but if so I am ready for #1.

 

Here is to hoping there is a Generation 3 ZeeBaaS

Light Tackle ZX3 .jpg

Light Tackle ZX3.jpg

That reel was field tested and one was passed around a few of us here in CT by Ron D before Ron P(3-tand) purchased ZB from STRATTON industries. The smaller body/frame fit the 20/22 spool size much better than the ZX2 body/frame. The only drawback I found when fishing it was it wasn’t any lighter than a regular ZX2 22. I also hope it comes to market eventually! I’ve pushed Ron on this a few times when we’ve chatted about where things are going but was told “it’s on the back burner for now”

 

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  • 2 months later...
On 9/3/2018 at 0:09 PM, ged said:

the design changed to the "morph" body that allowed it to be interchangeable between left and righty. 

 

 

Thanks for the write up. I saw a while ago in one of your WTS posts that you had purchased a lefty ZB and converted it to righty. Can you elaborate on what's involved ? I'm wondering about what it would take to convert a righty over to lefty.

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10 hours ago, davef said:

Thanks for the write up. I saw a while ago in one of your WTS posts that you had purchased a lefty ZB and converted it to righty. Can you elaborate on what's involved ? I'm wondering about what it would take to convert a righty over to lefty.

Lost money on that deal...

 

Lefty’s have a different main gear, handle, main shaft, drag cap and roller arm. Anti reverse bearing in pinion assembly and side cover get turned around. 

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  • 9 months later...
8 hours ago, Clbay1971 said:

So ged thanks for all your knowledge just got my hands on very low number, gen 1 that is untouched and never fished. Did ZeeBaas make a double to single kit or was one included. My line rollers are gold and silver are these the solid titanium that you were talking about 

Pictures would be nice :)

 

There are parts to turn generation 1 rotor from double roller to single roller. Probably about $70 for the arm and the weight. 

 

Your rollers are titanium coated. What color is your reel? 

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