Kayak Modifications

[Wayne Wells]

These were actually precipitated from concerns about carrying a kayak with gear inside and how to best tether a kayak to a vehicle.

Happy to say that the gear has been pared down enough that only some of the more noxious chemicals and propane will ride up to in a well secured case. I've decided that the kitchen sink can stay at home, and the super-mega-Walmart has most everything one could desire.

 

I have always been concerned about the tie-down systems on kayaks, so I modified the one most stores provide you with. I removed the open ended hooks and replaced them with closed rings that fit around the bars on my Yakima carrier. Pretty nice if I sa so myself.

 

I also went to Lowe's and bought some drwaer hardware that is purported to be stainless that the straps thread through, which serve double duty as hand holds,

 

Feel free to comment on any items, as if there are needed improvements, I want to make them before next month.

[Wayne Wells]

Part 2 of pics

[Wayne Wells]

Vivian,

What were you talking about regarding the level of the rods. I think I accidentally deleted your comments while trying to get these pictures uploaded correctly.

[vivian]

Wayne, I think the rod holders forward are too low. The reels would be subject to saltwater dousing in more than calm seas.  I would use an extension piece to bring them up or reposition them if possible. Everything else looks great!

[Wayne Wells]

Good point. I'll have to see if Scotty has an extension.

[Wayne Wells]

Anyone have any pictures of Scotty extensions in use that they can share.

The point is well taken about the rods getting wet with salt water. Scotty sells extensions, I just want to make sure I get the right ones.

The layout of the boat, in regards to the paddle holder and length of the cockpit opening dictated the current location of the Scotty bases.

[0uopvm9p50xla]

Maybe it's just me..........I would be a touch concerned about getting that hardware hung up in some mango trees in a tight channel. 

Makes for handy hand holds though.

 

 

[Wayne Wells]

A handle that sticks out 2 inches past the hull? I'm thinking that  a couple of rods, my cranium, and the paddle will create more of a snag hazard than those drawer handles.

[Wayne Wells]

Cudo's to Vivian.She was dead right in her observation of lowness and saltwater splashing.

http://www.riverrunner.us/  had just what the doctor ordered.

Bought, installed, meets the mark

[0uopvm9p50xla]

It reminded me of the hand holds on the back of my 16 ft flat bottom aluminum boat that I fish the backcountry with. It seems those things are always managing to grab hold of some bushes. I guess in a paddle craft it might be different..........But if it's not, and you do get hung up (hook a big fish and the fish and tide puts you in the bushes while your fighting the fish) and a mango does manage to grab on (I know they are expert at reaching out and grabbing your lures LOL) are the hand holds within reach? Are you going to be able to free yourself? Just sayin..........

[Wayne Wells]

Considering that my body stands several feet above the hull top, My paddle, when in holder, hangs out probably a foot from hull side, I will have a couple of rods that will provide a continuous snag opportunity, and the rod holders add even more, the hand holds will be the least of my worries. I'm not looking to build a torpedo to slide through the 'glades.  Now really, ask yourself, if you have an 6-8 foot wide flatbottomed jon boat, if the handles on that boat were the problem causing your inability to glide through the water or was it the boat itself, the motor, the oars, your body, or numerous other protuberences, or was it the handles on the bow and stern? I've been in some rough brush and while I may have pulled some brush out of a handle or two, I've NEVER found myself saying "Had these handles not been here, I'd have had an easier time".

It may not be apparent, but I put rounded handles on to help with snagging.

I think, in the grand scheme, the snag potential of the handles is virtually non-existent. Just because you've found twigs and leaves in a bow or stern handle doesn't equate to truoble.

 

[0uopvm9p50xla]

Just mentioning some of my experiences is all Wayne. And yes I can truthfully answer that the hand holds on the back of my boat have had some pretty beefy branches slide in there and have caused me some aggravation. It usually happens when I'm fighting a fish and the tide pushes me backward into the bank. I think that is easy to picture. Not very often but enough hassle that it has stuck in my mind. When I hit my oars and I don't go anywhere I know I'm hung somewhere, usually on the hand holds. (I have aluminum oars mounted on bearings.....nice and quiet)

 

I guess we can respectfully disagree. If your focus is on the flats OK fine. If your in the bushes though rods can come down and rod holders will generally slide through. It's the Loop in a handhold which can cause you some potential for a problem. If you can reach it then it's a non-issue. But get hung on a mango branch and it's out of reach that could be an issue. Unlikely perhaps but certainly within the scope of what's possible IMHO. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vivian]

Glad you found a solution without having to reposition the holders. Take a pic and share when you get a chance.  BTW: if in the market for new reel for saltwater use, my Shimano Spheros has been dunked, doused and left in trolling holder for a week no problems. I do take a small spray bottle that I fill with freshwater and put that in a mist setting to rinse reels after I done for the day.